Guitar Making: Tradition and Technology - A Complete Reference for the Design and Construction of the Steel-string Folk Guitar and the Classical Guitar

This is simply the best book for learners there is.

This is a well printed book with plenty of photos and plenty of diagrams. Flicking through, the book was impressive and appeared to be a complete and thorough exposition of guitar design and construction. i bought the book because some of my techniques could improve, particularly the preparation and edging of the top and back. so i turned to soundboard edging first, page 98. The shooting board design included certain design elements i had not thought off - very good. The authors suggest edging both boards together using a splice joint - here my problems start. The shooting board is designed to keep edges square - how are the edges to be beveled? No explanation. No explanation how to shoot the boards straight. If you cannot get them straight you should " devise a strategy" by planing out the high spots/using selective pressure on each stroke. After shooting a thousand tops this is the obvious thing to do - but it does not help me at all. So hardly 'complete' or as one reviewer said a "bible" I dont regret buying this but you may have to look elsewhere for the woodworking/cabinet making skills required to make a good job of the construction

I Own a few acoustic guitar building books.this is far and away the best one very in depth and detailed forr high end builders.

Interesting book generally, black and white photos but of good quality. In places a little too detailed and long-winded but overall a good reference book. Some methods maybe considered less conventional but still of interest. Online there is now an "improved neck joint" using threaded insert bolts rather than the tapered wooden pins described in this book.

First, I thought it was a little too much to pay for a book, but when I started reading I just couldn't stop. Considering that the book is just a guide, it is REALLY exciting. A lot of places you stop and think "I did not know this!!". The book is something every guitarist should read, no matter if you want to built your own guitar or not.This book tells you about the complete tools of making a guitar with your hands and manual tools. It is really good and really enjoyable. I will never throw it away, or let it collect dust. It is a treasure to have around!So 3 phrases:BUY IT, READ IT, DO IT!

This is a great book - the standard work for people wanting to make their own guitars. I have made both guitars in this book and I am very pleased with the results.I have been very careful handling the book but it has started falling apart in less than a year. A bit ironic because the aim of the book is to teach you to build a strong, good quality instrument.

Excellent book suitable for all levels of experience

This book is often touted as being the bible for luthiers. This may have been true many years ago, but the content feels dated. It’s not just the black and white photos that where obviously taken in the 70’s or 80’s, but luthiery has moved on and many tools and techniques in this book seem outdated. A very thorough update might make this book relevant again, but a cursory revision wouldn’t cut it. Updating the cover and reprinting such old material seems quite cynical. Maybe publishers know that sending a book back is a hassle that people with a full life probably won’t bother with. I won’t take a trip to the post office for this, l’ll just give my honest review and hope it saves others the disappointment.Note: Also, all the measurements are imperial.