Guitar Making Tradition and Technology -- William Cumpiano

[ken cierp]

This book contains some pretty good primitive design parameters as well as the ultimate results/goals that need to be attained. Good explanations of structural requirements. However, I would not recommend that anyone actually try and build guitars using the system outlined -- from an engineer's stand-point this is an extremely error prone non-repeatable path. The tools and fixtures are at best cumbersome. The neck joint, dowel pin fasteners and custom tools required are just plain weird and offer no advantages. In my view there are better construction methods now in print.

[GuitarWhisperer]

I've made several guitars using this method, they've all come out great, although William has dispensed with the cumbersome neck joint, and braces the top a little lighter, so I'm sure he would agree with aspects of your critique, although repeatability doesn't seem to be an issue for me. Other than the dowel pin fasteners, the only other tools besides the workboard really used are clamps, chisels, and sanding boards, which could definitely be a hindrance for some.
I use a Fox style bender, too.

[TonyinNYC]

I refer to this book often although never for pointers on how to connect the neck!

[GuitarWhisperer]

I refer to this book often although never for pointers on how to connect the neck!

Apparently Cumpiano doesn't either, heh heh!
Here's what he does now: http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Articles/S ... block.html

And for others who have the hankerin' to utilize this text, here's a list of updates: http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Book/textbook.html

[ken cierp]

Excellent links -- it is a shame the publication has not gone through a re-edited, updated and reprinted.

[GuitarWhisperer]

Excellent links -- it is a shame the publication has not gone through a re-edited, updated and reprinted.

All the original manuscripts were hand written, sent to a typesetter, blah blah, the old fashioned way. It's not like nowadays where you just fire up the ol' word processor, make a few edits, and hit "print". An updated version would require the time and expense of re-writing and re-editing the entire book. MUCH simpler to update a web page. I asked William about that when I was hanging out in his shop.

[Bob Moore]

I just couldn't read the book. It reminded me of technical books from the '60's. I didn't like his nomenclature or explanations. But, I don't learn well that way, so I have to find instructions that do work for me. Not a slam on his book, just that it may work well for many people, but it's not for everyone.
Bob