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Post by nkforster on Nov 7, 2016 7:32:48 GMT
Anyone got a recommendation for a USB mic I can plug into my macbook for improving the audio on me videos? There are a few folk using the Apogee 96K but there seems to be several cheapo versions on ebay - any experience of them?
Nigel
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Post by nkforster on Nov 6, 2016 15:47:52 GMT
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Post by nkforster on Oct 7, 2016 19:15:49 GMT
nkforster I guess I've always thought that the neck/body joint should be a solid as possible - though the couple of adjustable necks have made me think otherwise, and I'm now working more with bolt-on neck joints. Not doing this for a living is fun in that I can essentially take things wherever interest takes me... Well, most people think it matters, but it doesn't. I stopped using the version of the Spanish heel I came up with - the "English heel" years ago. You can't re set the neck of a guitar with a wedged bridal joint. Not without major surgery anyway. n
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Post by nkforster on Oct 7, 2016 19:08:19 GMT
I'm still a little worried, though, that having the pivot so far away from the strings might make a significant difference to string length and hence intonation for those out there with fault-finding ears. You might want to look at this again. If the top sinks, that usually results in the bridge moving forward, raising the action. So to re establish the correct action the neck has to tilt back raising the soundhole end of the neck, to re establish the correct scale length the nut has to move away from the saddle. With the Howe Orme joint, pivoting at the heel end the two adjusters under the fretboard push the neck back and away. So both tasks are done at the same time. It's actually the best way to do it - the relationship between action and scale is always the same regardless of how much the top sinks. My Rio HO has about 8' of rotation in the top which is a staggering amount. But because of the neck joint, everything is still in the right place.
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Post by nkforster on Oct 7, 2016 15:40:49 GMT
The Howe-Orme system is excellent in this respect, though I would imagine the look of it would worry many players and its pivot point is a long way from the strings I don't think the pivot point location is what concerns players. What concerns folk is seeing fresh air between the neck and the body. They don't like it as it contradicts their take on how guitars work. There is a widespread belief that the connection between the neck and the body should be as solid as possible for "tonal reasons." This view is very deeply held amongst both players and many builders. But it's a view which if examined comes to very little. Often folk talk about "transference of tone." I recall the first time I heard this expression I was about 16. I thought it was a silly concept then and still do. Thing is you're in a great position by not making guitars for a living - your work is not tied in with conforming to the views of potential buyers. So just make the neck joint you think is best. Coming up with adjustable necks is god fun, they work very well and after making quite a few I can honestly say in a blind test I couldn't tell you which of my guitars have an adjustable neck. And it's hard to beat the Howe Orme design. n
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Post by nkforster on Oct 2, 2016 18:14:34 GMT
I read it as a kindle book - the only kindle book I've ever read - and it's full of good down to earth stuff. It taught me all I know about the guitar-building business and life in general. (not quite blurb-worthy but I'm doing my best, Nigel). All you know about guitar building and life? I'm not sure if that's good or bad old thing....!
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Post by nkforster on Sept 30, 2016 19:00:57 GMT
I've followed nkforster 's blog for a while - it's always an easy, and informative, read with great pictures. So I'm delighted he's now published the 'collective essays' as it were in an ebook. Only a tenner, too... The Luthier BlogAye, I had it on Amazon for a while as a kindle book but the sales were poor. The good old pdf is the way to go. Mind, I had to take the pictures out the TLB ebook as the file was massive. Glad you enjoy it though old chap. I like writing - you can do it in a hammock! n
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Post by nkforster on Sept 28, 2016 6:31:37 GMT
Excellent - thanks Nige - looking forward to meeting Ian at Halsway Manor next year. Keith What's happening there Keith?
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Post by nkforster on Sept 26, 2016 20:06:39 GMT
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Post by nkforster on Sept 26, 2016 18:16:13 GMT
I've got a torrefied top guitar due back from the sprayers soon. A new posh (and lighter) version of the Session King - the SK-adv. It's interesting stuff to work with - I normally never work with sitka as I find it too heavy and actually too stiff for how I make tops, but the toffefication process makes it lighter and weaker. So I'm keen to hear it. n www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by nkforster on Sept 14, 2016 15:36:29 GMT
I've never seen this method before. What advantages does it have over the more usual method(s), Nigel? That actually is the more usual method. It's been around for years. Clamping thin plates with normal clamps isn't easy, but this low tech method is great. It keeps the boards flat and pulls them together at the same time. n
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Post by nkforster on Sept 14, 2016 7:39:34 GMT
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Post by nkforster on Aug 26, 2016 13:31:43 GMT
I cant' believe I just spent 5 mins watching a video about pick guards! But least you don't have to think about them any more.... n
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Post by nkforster on Aug 25, 2016 17:22:29 GMT
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Post by nkforster on Aug 16, 2016 15:18:50 GMT
Some of you might have read the Luthier blog - a blog I ran for a year or so. Well, around the same time I did that I wrote a book for makers and repairers - not a woodwork book, but a book about avoiding some of the common pitfalls luthiers end up in. Anyway, I forgot about the book with one thing and another (like moving country), but now it's out. You can read more HERE.Best, Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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