I can do tues evening.
Maybe this group should be about musical instruments generally as I know there are people
interested in other instruments. I will be making a hammered dulcimer as well as modified guitars. I had a guitar shop for about 5 years and have probably worked on at least 1000 guitars, lutes, ukuleles etc. and one or two violins, flutes and pianos.And cellos…
Guitar Building and Maintenance Group
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Well out of those, only the flute doesn’t have strings! I’d definitely be open to the idea of making it more of a general musical instrument group, but at the moment it’s basically anything with strings, like I mentioned in my original post:
It would be good for the group to encompass all instruments associated with luthiery (acoustic/classical guitars, electric guitars, cigar-box guitars, violins/violas and their ilk, mandolins, etc.). There are a lot of shared techniques and skills between these instruments.
How does that sound?
I didn’t know about the stretching! I will do that 
thanks!
I did like @Howard idea about a musical instrument group in general. I think the only issue would be if it gets too big or people don’t have the knowledge to help each other out on various projects. I mentioned on Thursday that my actual love is of the drumkit and percussion instruments. Howard pointed out that I could probably make something drum related too. I don’t see why we couldn’t talk about other instruments if it took our fancy? Either way I’ll be pleased to join in. Tuesday works for me! I probably won’t be able to join every week but hopefully biweekly at least!
Definitely. My first instrument is the drums, too, not much of a guitar player at all! I chose not to build drums mainly for space reasons (and bending wood seems to need more specialist equipment than a bandsaw and a few chisels!)
I’m not against @Howard’s idea at all - after all, this group isn’t mine, it’s everyone’s; I’m not going to disallow anything as I’d like everyone to have an equal say. Let’s just roll with it (Howard’s idea) and see where it takes us?
Personally, I’m all about building guitars so that’s what I’ll be focusing on, but I’d love to help out with anything music-related really.
@Howard, @tala703, @luthiers, and anyone else that wants to join:
First meeting of this group will be 7:30pm on Tues 30th May. Look forward to seeing you there!
Hey @luthiers, just rescued this from a skip. Have no idea about guitars, but if anyone wants it for a project, you’re more than welcome to it.
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Oooh yes please
@hannahintech Awesome. It’s yours. I’ve got some photographic equipment to drop down too. Should hopefully be able to do it Monday. If so, I’ll leave it somewhere with a note on and you can grab it when you guys meet up on Tuesday evening.
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I was planning to change strings on my electric guitar this weekend, but I’ll leave it until Tuesday night, bring the instrument in and show you how I do it at least. Which is probably the “wrong” way, according to the dozens of youtube videos and web pages that insist they are the “right” way. Trouble is, the “right” ways are all different! I still struggle with restringing a nylon string guitar correctly. Some guidance from a pro like Howard would be greatly valued.
Maybe now that I have access to the Makerspace, I will finally get around to building a guitar bench rest. Example at:
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Maintenance/Guitar_Bench_Rest.html
Come to think of it, that would be a nice, simple little woodwork project for beginners who want to start working on guitars.
See you on Tuesday night - great idea Luke.
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I bought a mandolin this week in a moment of deranged optimism, so I’m looking forward to seeing what you all come up with
I have a 12 string eko acoustic that needs its neck repairing, but cannot make this week, may bring it in next week
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I would very much like to make a bass. I’d quite like to make one with the headstock at the bottom as well, which probably has a real name, but one I don’t know.
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Oh, like Strandberg style, with tuners behind the bridge? Strandberg’s designs are open source, so that might be a good place to start
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Thank you!
YES! This one!
I’ve been toying with a Strandberg-style build, too. I came across an incredible French luthier who (in my eyes) has taken the harsh edges of the Strandberg shaped and calmed them a little: Mermet Guitars.
That’s how it starts, Andreas… it’s a dangerous path 
Brilliant, would be great to have more input on this. I’ve fallen into not quite knowing what the best way to string-up is (if there is even one?), so looking forward to having you at the meeting and seeing how you do it!