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Why I Put The Same Strings On Every Guitar
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Written by Tom Bills, author of The Art of Lutherie
Previous Issues Of The Luthier’s Letter
Should You Level Frets Straight, or With Relief?
You're reading an issue of The Luthier's Letter. Every Saturday morning I share...
Is Wood Dust Dangerous in a Small Shop?
You're reading an issue of The Luthier's Letter. Every Saturday morning I share...
Dust Collection – The Ultimate Luthier’s Guide
In this guide, we will look at dust collection as a system. We’ll then discuss each individual component of the system and how it can help
The Room Inside the Guitar
Yesterday I was carving the top of an archtop guitar I've been working on, and somewhere...
The Invisible Rules Holding You Back (And How to Erase Them)
I've been thinking about constraints lately. Not the real ones — the ones we don't even...
The Cure Time Principle: The Secret to a Better Guitar Finish and a Better Life
What if you could make some subtle changes that would not only improve your guitar...
Guitar Playability: Why It Matters More Than You Think
I just received a letter from one of my mentors that gave me a much-needed reminder that...
Guitar Truss Rods – Types, Installation, & How To Adjust
The guitar truss rod is one of the most important parts of any acoustic or electric...
Sapere Aude – Creare Aude
You know that moment when you pick up a guitar and it just sings? Not because it’s...
Simple Guitar Dent Repair Technique
Have you ever been working on a guitar, completely in the zone, only to look down and...
Guitar Side Bending Tools: Ultimate Luthier’s Guide
There's a rhythm to side bending—a balance of heat, moisture, and controlled pressure....
Diamond Files vs. Traditional Files: Best Tools for Fretwork & Nut Slotting
When it comes to guitar building, the tools you choose can make all the difference—not...
6 Guitar Building Books Every Luthier Should Own
When I started making guitars in the '90s, the options for guitar building books were...
Guitar Fret Wire – The Ultimate Luthier’s Guide
Choosing the right fret wire for your guitar can be confusing and even overwhelming. I...
Best Guitar Nut & Saddle Materials & How To Choose
In this article, I'm going to show you how to select the perfect guitar nut and saddle...
Dust Extractor Vs Shop Vac (How To Choose)
Today, I'm going to talk some common questions about a confusing but very important tool...
How To Transform Your Guitar Building With The Art of Story
Today, I'm going to show you a powerful technique for elevating your guitars and your...
Accu-Burr Scraper Burnisher & How To Use It
In this article, I'm going to show you an amazing tool that will make it way faster and...
The Secret To Better Guitar Inlay Design
Today, I'm going to share what I believe is the secret to creating elegant and beautiful...
The Fret Barber (And How To Use It)
Today, I'm going to show you a great fretwork tool called the Fret Barber and a...
How To Find The Best Guitar Building Tools
Finding the "best" tools for guitar making can be tricky. We're all unique. We build...
Why I Switched To French Polishing My Guitars
Does a French polished guitar sound better than a guitar finished with synthetic guitar...
How To Optimize Your Workbench Height
In this Article, I'm going to show you how to find the perfect workbench height and why...
4 Steps To Perfect Side Purfling Miter Joints
In today's article, I'm going to show you my simple system for creating beautiful...
How To Use A Fret Crowning File
Flawless fretwork is a vital component of a great playing guitar, and in this article...
How To Get Perfect Guitar String Spacing (Tools & Technique)
In this article, I'll show you how to perfect your string spacing for a more...
Making Master Guitars: An Awesome Book Every Luthier Needs!
I've always believed that it's vital to remember we are not starting from scratch. We...
Optimizing Tuning Machines For Stability & Sustain
In this article, we'll be exploring the subtleties of how to optimize the installation...
Hacklinger Magnetic Caliper (This Tool Changed My Life)
In this article, I'm going to tell you about a simple tool that radically changed the...
Join Thousands of Luthiers Learning the Art of Lutherie
Every Saturday morning I share one idea, technique, or perspective from the guitar-building bench to help you build with more confidence and a deeper connection to the craft.
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