Guitar Plans – General Overview:
If you are interested in constructing an acoustic guitar or a classical guitar, we probably have a plan for you. As we add plans to our library all the time, you will observe the diversity of guitar plans will often include a guitar just for you.
It does takes a fantastic set of plans to create a fantastic handmade instrument and our resident plan designer and CAD expert, David, has been involved with guitar construction, repair and teaching for over 40 years.
Based In Architecture:
Since 1982, David has run an architectural firm, being a registered architect. His experience has led him down many paths included award-winning Fortune 500 commercial designs to elaborate home design.
Since 1988 David has dominated the CAD development in architecture, by developing well-defined and structured documentation. He has given classes and seminars on working efficiently with CAD systems and his plans are held in high regard.
His talent for both music and CAD have led him to the crossroads of bringing the best documented plans for luthiers that are available in today’s market. You will find that these full sized documents are well illustrated with detail, notes and dimensions that will arm you with the necessary information to make some notable instruments.
Designing and documenting a guitar utilizes the same processes as does a fine home, commercial building or fine furniture. In is the processes of transferring what you see in your minds eye down to paper.
Specialized Luthier Tools:
Also in order to make the building process as smooth and precise as possible, David has decided to make many of his own specialized tools that he uses in the making process available in plan form as well.
Therefore you will find plans documenting the heated and unheated side benders, inside forms, work boards, gluing jigs and many other assorted gadgets that will assist you in your instrument making aspirations.
Future Plans:
At the present time we have concentrated on classical, acoustic, and all the great accessory luthier tools that make the process easier. Not only will we supplement our existing inventory will additional instrument shapes and styles for acoustic and classical instruments, we have plans to expand into the electric guitar market as well as ukuleles’, mandolins and much more.
Acoustic Guitars:
There are 4 sheets in each set of plans with the following material:
Main Guitar Layout, Construction Notes, Details and Bracing Notes.
Sections: – Both Lateral and Longitudinal, Neck joint Details and Neck Sections.
Back Bracing Templates, Back Bracing Layouts and Bracing Templates.
Bracing Layouts for Top Bracing, Bridge Details and Reinforcement Diagrams.
Here is a partial listing of Acoustic Plans that we have available:
Dreadnought
The Dreadnought is a very popular model. It was named after a large class of battle ship of the British Navy during WWI. C.F. Martin rolled out the Dreadnought in 1931. This shape is the premier flat-picking and finger-style combination.
Body Type: Dreadnought (similar to Martin D-28 and D-18), Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.3″ x 15.6″ x 4.75″, Bracing: Traditional X.
000 Concert or Parlor Style
Based on the smaller bodied Martin 000 Concert or Parlor model this makes for a outstanding, balanced, instrument.
Body Type: 000 (Similar to Martin 000 Parlor), Body Dimensions: 18.875″ x 14.22″ x 4.125″, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to body 21 total.
J45 True Vintage:
Gibson issued this instrument in response to the popularity of the Martin Dreadnought. It is additionally known as the “round-shouldered” Gibson and is an instrument for all genres including rhythm, flat-picking and finger-style.
Body Type: Round-Shouldered Acoustic, Body Dimensions: 20.187″ x 16.09″ x 4.85″, Bracing: Traditional X (Scalloped Bracing Alternate), Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total.
The Grand Auditorium Acoustic:
Taylor first introduced the very common Grand Auditorium several years back and this plan is very similar to that instrument shape. The Martin J series is very close to these specifications as well. By augmentation of the top bracing and tonewood selection you can additionally enhance the voice of these big instruments.
Body Type: Grand Auditorium Grand J, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 19.78″ x 16.09″ x 4.85″.
The Jumbo, J200 or JM
This is probably about the biggest body that you will be able to find. Gibson, Martin and Taylor each have their own versions of the wonderful instrument. Probably it is most popularized by the Granddaddy of them all the Gibson J200. Again, the tone can be greatly colored by wood selection from warm with a Walnut to loud and bright with the Rosewoods.
Body Type: Jumbo, Frets: 14 to the body, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.95″ x 17.05″ x 5.2″.
Some Additional Acoustics Available:
000-28VS Jumbo 12 String Grand Auditorium 12 String HD-28VS
Available Classical Guitar Plans:
Virtually every grand classic guitar is based on the original concert classical that was developed by Antonio De Torres in the 1850′s. These plans follow this guideline as well. These instruments all have a very well balanced volume and tone and are truly designed for the concert hall. There are 4 bracing patterns available which you will notice will give you a wide range of tonal and intensity choices. The available Classical Guitar Plans are:
Bouchet Bracing Kasha Schneider Bracing Classic Torres Bracing Ramirez Bracing
For more information on all of our great guitar plans, visit Guitar Plans. Also to learn a lot more about your guitar be sure to visit our informative site Ultimate Guitar OnLine.
The Beginners Guitar Dilemma – Electric Or Acoustic?
When starting to learn guitar the question is often raised whether you should start on electric guitar or on acoustic guitar. For some, this will be a simple choice as they will be drawn to one or the other based on the musical genre they are attracted to playing.
But the question still stands about which is the better to learn on? Which provides a foundation in technique that will form a basis for improving guitar skills? If you are going to teach yourself guitar then which guitar type does not hide your faults?
There are pros and cons to each at different stages of a guitarist learning so any evaluation needs to take into account the short term and long term benefits of each. I started on acoustic guitar. My brother started on electric. Over the years I have mentored other guitarists who brought along to sessions whatever guitar they had to hand. What I noticed, is that you can almost tell from a guitarist\’s technique whether they started on electric or acoustic, just by watching them play.
So here are the pros and cons we saw of each approach.
Starting On Electric Guitar
Pros
* Narrower gauge strings and guitar neck make it easier to play.
* Amplification makes it easier to develop a subtlety of playing as it permits various nuances in your play (e.g. vibrato).
* It is possible to practice using earphones (neighbors will appreciate this).
Cons
* Muscle strength in the fingers does not build up as strongly as when playing acoustic.
* Using effects hides faults (string buzz, poor left hand placement).
* Strong tendency for incorrect placement of the left thumb on the guitar neck.
Starting On Acoustic Guitar
Pros
* Lower cost starting option.
* An amp is not required, so you can play and practice anywhere.
* Builds up finger muscle strength.
Cons
* Strong temptation to strum through all songs. Beginners should take the time to learn subtle finger picking styles.
* Guitar solos can get lost if playing in a group which may put off some beginners.
* Using earphones with an acoustic guitar is not an option.
From my perspective, guitarists who start out on electric build up a speed of playing (solos, chord changes, etc.) which is admirable, but it is often at the cost of good playing technique. Playing the electric guitar hides a number of faults such as incorrect placement of the thumb and not holding down strings solidly that results in strings buzzing or being muted during play (this is highly noticeable when recording an electric).
In comparison, the acoustic guitarist builds up the finger strength, learns better hand placement on the frets and fosters clear sounding play.
That said, if you can saddle the cost of buying both electric and acoustic guitars then you could balance out the beginners training on each instrument and they will benefit from both approaches.
Are you frustrated with your current guitar tuition/guitar course? Read Ed\’s review of Jamorama online guitar lessons at teach yourself guitar the modern way.
Beginner Guitar Lesson Online
There are wide ranges of manner for you to learn guitar no matter if you are eyeing on an acoustic or electrical guitar. Beginner guitar lesson online can be very enjoyable. For people who know a guitarist, they can consider themselves lucky because they can ask their friends to personally give them the guitar lesson needed. For the rest they have to get a guitar teacher to teach them.
If you do not have enough cash to spare then you can always learn with the help of a professional plus the bonus point of learning at your own pace by means of using online DVD guitar lessons. If not, getting a professional to teach you how to strum the guitar can be a little costly but the outcome is very good.
The method of going for beginner guitar lesson online became a phenomenon because of the many people who are eager to learn without spending an arm and a leg. With the help of online guitar lesson, you simply have to go to the site that offers the tutorial and little by little, you will become familiar with some of the basic lessons that you need to get started.
Online lessons are obtainable in wide array of platforms like DVD lessons, eBooks, and a lot more in order to be of help to different kinds of people. You might want to get those which provide videos and software in case you are wondering which of them is the best option.
To get a fast result while being able to learn according to your schedule, attending a beginner guitar lesson online where the instructor will teach about the step to step method to play can be the most ideal option for you to learn guitar.
As it requires effort and money to create those online guitar course, most of them are available with an inexpensive one-time payment. After your first payment, the preceding lessons are free. In case you are already knowledgeable about the basics such as strumming then you are free to move on to more advanced lessons.
Some of the other beginner guitar lessons online would include playing acoustic guitar, lead guitar, and blues guitar. Because there won\’t be someone who is learning with you, the software will allow you to learn at your own speed. Indeed, even if you have to spend a little, you will realize that the price is worth it.
Don\’t give up along the way. In due time, you can surprise your friends on how efficient you are in playing the guitar even if they know that you haven\’t hired someone to teach you. Just gear yourself with enough patience and later on, you will realize how well you are performing.
Anybody wants to learn to play guitar and play like The Eagles, Green Day, Pink Floyd, Guns \’N Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and more? You can now learn how to play the guitar using our Free lessons, step by step instructions, tutorials, jam tracks and famous songs!
Learning Guitar For Beginners – A Guide to Getting Started
There is much more to learning how to play guitar than just picking up the instrument and starting in. It\’s very important to begin with the basics. You need to know what your goals are, and you also need to have a good guitar learning program. You should be able to expect to learn certain things in just about any beginners\’ guitar course you might try.
Only after you have know those things, you can then move on to an intermediate guitar course. Here is a list of items you have to learn in any beginners guitar course that you have chosen.
You will be in a better position to decide which type of guitar you want to concentrate on after you have completed your basic guitar course. There are a few possible choices like classical guitar, rock guitar, country guitar, jazz guitar and many others. But regardless which style you have chosen, the basics that you need to learn is the same.
First you will learn the parts of the guitar and how they interact. Next you will learn what makes a good guitar and its maintainence. It will help you get the kind of sound you wanted easier.
You will learn the difference between steel strings and nylon, and when you want to use each one, what kind of neck flexibility works for which kind of playing, and how guitar shape affects sound. You will also find out what different strumming techniques do, and the difference between upstrokes and downstrokes. Most players just learning to strum will start with a few basic chords: C, G, D7 and F. Be sure you can find out how the chords are constructed and how they interact with one another.
You should also learn about finger picking although it might see it is more suitable for advanced classes.It alsomight seem like it would be better with a different type of music. Nevertheless, finger picking is a valuable technique to pick up. You will gain some dexterity after some practice and you can use both hands. Even if you never learn this technique before, it is good to always learn something new.
Another important skill to master during your beginner program is tuning and how each chord works with each key. You will start by using open tuning before try barring. Barring mean pressing down the strings across the fret and completing the chord using the rest of your fingers.
You\’ll learn scales, too – they\’re the basis of almost all guitar playing out there. Once you have a good grasp on your scales, your ability to progress will increase greatly.
It can be tempting to jump right in when you want to learn guitar, but don\’t do it. Instead, get a good grounding in the basics and become a truly skilled guitar player. You\’ll be able to accomplish a lot more when you get into advanced techniques. Everyone who wants to play guitar skillfully, including people who end up as professional guitarists, need to learn the basics. Those professionals sound great now, but at one time they were beginners too. Isn\’t it amazing what a little bit of practice can do?
It can be a little overwhelming at first when you started playing guitar. But as long as you practice hard and focus, you will be an expert in no time.
Anyone else wants to learn to play guitar and play like The Eagles, Green Day, Pink Floyd, Guns \’N Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and more? You can now learn how to play the guitar using our Free lessons, step by step instructions, tutorials, jam tracks and famous songs!