Author: Eric Schaefer

Side Bracing Side bracing on an acoustic guitar is simple and structural in nature. I discuss a simple process for creating, fitting and spacing braces on the bent sides of your guitar.   Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I try to answer every e-mail I receive, so [...]

Creating a Headstock Template In this excerpt from the Online Course, I demonstrate a practical method for creating a headstock template, whether copying your peghead design from plans or designing your own. Creating a simple Martin style paddle shape certainly simplifies things. However, I demonstrate a more interesting design incorporating long symmetrical curves. Was [...]

Chisel Sharpening   I discuss hand sharpening and honing chisels with sandpaper and a granite block, and sharpening using a powered system with dry abrasives: the worksharp 3000. This is an excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School course “Building an OM Acoustic”   ‹ #28 Cutting the Scarf Joint #30 Creating a Headstock [...]

Cutting the Scarf Joint In this excerpt from the Online Guitar Building School, I cut and prepare the scarf joint for the headstock.

A decorative end wedge hides the seam between the sides at the lower bout. This video excerpt from the Online Guitar Building School goes into detail about design considerations and the process for creating a clean and attractive end wedge.

Making an Offset, Radial Rosette I create some offset radial rosettes for my ES2.OMC model Guitars and share the process of cutting and installing radial sections, routing the pocket and installing the rosette. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking   Want to really learn more!? Take [...]

Making an Offset, Radial Rosette I create some offset radial rosettes for my ES2.OMC model Guitars and share the process of cutting and installing radial sections, routing the pocket and installing the rosette. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking   Want to really learn more!? Take [...]

#23 Making Guitar Mold Spreaders For this episode I am using an excerpt of The Online Guitar Building School’s Building an OM Acoustic series. This video walks you through the construction of upper, waist, and lower bout spreaders to fit your guitar mold. Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I [...]

5 Reasons NOT to use Figured Wood for a Soundboard Yay! Episode 100 and many more to come! What a landmark! For epic episode number 100 I talk about the compromises and considerations when using figured or flamed woods for a guitar soundboard, and how this decision affects the stability, workability, and tone. Want [...]

Building a Steel String Acoustic Guitar: An Overview *This is an inside look at The May 2015 Acoustic Guitar Workshop at Eric Schaefer Guitars. The class is an 8 day intensive course in Guitar Making with a maximum of only 2 students to a class. For more information on the courses go to Guitar Making Classes. In [...]

Acoustic Guitar Design: Fretboard Woods In part I of “Acoustic Guitar Design: An Insight into the Choices Made by Luthiers” I discussed body dimensions, scale length, string spacing, fretboard radius, neck profiles, fretwire size, wood selection and bracing. It was a very superficial glimpse into a number of complex topics. So much so that it is worthy [...]

Clamps: How many is too many?   Spoiler alert. The correct answer is… You can never have too many! This is no longer a statement of opinion, but rather a statement of fact, as evidenced by this trucker hat: If a trucker hat says it, it must be true!   It is safe to say [...]