Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [lutherie]

The art of making stringed instruments.

The art of making stringed instruments. (It can also refer to repairing them, but on this site we use for that.) This should be used to tag questions about building guitars, violins, etc. whether from the perspective of the craftsman or the layman.

The corresponding word for an instrument maker is luthier. It comes from the word "luth" (an ancient string instrument).

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What is the Difference between Maple and Rosewood Fretboards

Is there a difference that's based on feel or sound - why are they the two most widely used choices?
JustnBeaver
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Why is a zero fret so uncommon on guitars in spite of all the advantages?

Given the many advantages of using a zero fret on a guitar (as cited in this excellent answer Advantages of a zero fret) and given that with a zero fret it is easier to play chords that call for strings to be fretted at the first fret (F Maj Barre)…
Rockin Cowboy
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What are some qualities to consider when purchasing a cello?

My wife is a Suzuki-method violinist but wants to dabble with some cello pieces. I'm a rock guitarist--so I have absolutely no clue what to look for in a cello. It's clearly not a Les Paul so any expertise I have is out the door on this one. Two…
Jduv
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Does the kind of wood used in making a violin affect its sound?

Whenever I check on violin-learning-related sites, they usually begin talking about the quality of a violin. The strings, the species of woods... ... the species of wood. Ebony? Maple? Rosewood? I think I understand how important the string quality…
Saturn
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What to look for in an independent luthier?

I've long been considering looking for an independent luthier to build me a custom guitar. I have a pretty specific idea of what I want the guitar to be, but I don't know how to find the right luthier to build it. I can't afford to do this twice,…
Alex Basson
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The skinny on neck constructions. Is it all about tone?

I recently went from a Peavy bolt-on classic bass to Warwick Thumb NT. The tone difference is completely out of this world, and comparatively, so was the price. I want to understand the implications a neck through has on the sound of a guitar,…
Choroz
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Does the type of wood on a solid body electric guitar affect its tone or sound?

I know that on an acoustic guitar the sound is produced by the strings vibrating the top or soundboard and that the type wood used on the soundboard and body of an acoustic guitar will be the biggest determining factor of how the guitar sounds. …
Rockin Cowboy
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How to tell if an electric guitar has good quality

I have been told that two "identical" mass-produced guitars - same series, same model - can be very different in quality. I am about to buy a new Fender from a guy who has been trying to sell it for some time (several months). The guitar looks…
Costagero
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On instruments that use frets, where's the best spot to press a string on, in order to minimize hand fatigue and potential for injuries?

I know this question sounds completely subjective at first sight, it even triggered the automatic "The question you're asking appears subjective and is likely to be closed" alarm, but please read further. Action is the distance between the fret and…
NPN328
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Guqin construction and physics

I am a physicist building a Guqin, an old Chinese zither. I try to understand its construction, how it vibrates, what are the key features to obtain a good sound. I found only one paper on the subject, Vibroacoustic of the Guqin, but it is only…
patta
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Building an electric guitar from scratch

I want to make an electric guitar by myself from scratch. How can I do this?
davs
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Physical volume of instruments

I am aware that this might be a slightly unusual question, but just today I was wondering about the physical volume (meaning the capacity, NOT the loudness) of some musical instruments. In particular, I'd be interested in the string family - even…
Some Math Student
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What is a Birdseye Maple Neck?

Where does it come from or how is it chosen over regular Maple Necks - is there a tonal difference?
JustnBeaver
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How do I go about de-fretting a bass guitar?

I would like a fretless bass guitar, and I am considering giving an old bass a new lease of life as a fretless instrument. I would like to know how to go about achieving this at home, by myself, to as high a standard as possible, for as little cost…
Bella
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How does bracing work?

I have seen many types of bracing for guitar, for example: How do they work? What do the lines mean? Will they affect the tone?
seseorang
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