Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all,

New to the board so I thought I would say hi!
I have been a classical guitar player all my life, with more than a little fascination with woodworking - mostly cabinetry.
Recently I replaced my beloved 32-year old Aria Maestro (yes, I bought it new....) with a shiny new Ramirez 125 Anos (spruce).
During my research I came across sites like this, and the LMI site....
After much gnashing of teeth I have commited, and have a LMI (serviced) kit on the way - pretty standard Englemann, IR, Ebony, SP Cedar kit.
I already have the "Tradition and Technology" book and am on my second read through it.
It is heartening to read through the archives and see the wonderful work that has been shared in this forum.

I am looking forward to this journey!

Rob

With apologies to Hesh I welcome you to the OLF!!!!!!! Hesh usually leads the welcoming comittee.

You will have a blast playing your own hand crafted guitar after you have completed it.

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Welcome to the OLF Robbie!

Stephen great job my friend - I wish that more folks would welcome new folks!

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Robbie--

Welcome to the OLF! You will find this a wonderful resource and a great source of inspiration. And remember, there are no questions that you should wonder about asking! Only a couple of us bite!

Hesh is right! Chiming in to say hello is a great way of making an introduction!

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Robbie,
Welcome to the fold. This is a great hobby and I'm sure you will have a great time building your own guitar(s).
Have fun!

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George :-)

Thanks for the replies!
I enter this with a little trepidation, and a lot of enthusiasm!
If there is one common thread of wisdom, it appears to be patience!

The one item that I fret about is routing the binding ledge....but I have a ways to go before I get there...

RM

You underestimate the power of the dark side(what I call putting the finish on)

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Jeremy Douglas

Welcome and best of luck.

Regarding your comment:"The one item that I fret about is routing the binding ledge"

I would say that once the box ix closed, that is where things seemed to have been difficult for me. Binding, Finishing, and Setup. Not that the rest was easy.

My first I cut the binding channels with the dremel binding router guide attachment. You really have to be patient and take small cuts at a time. On my second, I forgot the small cuts at a time and had to create some features to overcome routing issues. I got a PC laminate trimmer which can take a bigger bite, but I was still using a simple edge guide. As I get ready for number 3, (if I ever finish #2) I plan to build a binding jig. I also am planning to use a solid form and radius dishes in the future and have not in the past.

Enjoy the experience, Greg

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

Welcome aboard from one Robbie to another. Fasten your seat belt!!

There is a ton to learn here, Robbie. Welcome to OLF. I too had, still have, an Aria Maestro. Was yours an MH80? i have not played mine, though, since I finished my first build. I never realized how poorly it was intonated. I've been thinking of stripping it down, moving the bridge a bit, and re-finishing it with French Polish. I think it would be a better guitar. However, I'm so busy building two more classicals that I don't know if I'll ever get around to stripping the Maestro.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Wow! Another Aria Maestro out there! Mine is an AA060 model. The intonation on this one is pretty good! The only issue is the neck has flattened out - there is no relief whatsoever and it buzzess. Threre also seems to be a little hump at the 12th fret. No worries - the Ramirez is simply amazing - if I can get my build to approximate even remotely the fit, finish, tone, volume and playability of this treasure I will be very happy indeed!

Robbie

Robbie, when it comes to the binding ledge, I would recommend spending the money for a good tool set up. There's no need to buy a binding machine, but a laminate trimmer with tilt base and the binding bit set with bearings from stewmac or lmi makes life manageable.

Yes, absolutely - I will for sure be using a cutter\bearing configuration on my router for this task....
My kit will be here any day now - I am preparing the build room with hardboard over carpet, a new 6" workbench, and a humidifier\humidistat.. you would not believe the low humidity here in Calgary - less than 20% in the winter months...