Looking for recommendations on good books for a new builder

[Leftyprs]

Im looking for recommendations from experienced builders on good books to read/study for a new builder. I'm most interested in learning more about vintage pre war construction if that helps.

[Jimmy Caldwell]

Brad,

Though not really instructional books, there is a wealth of information on vintage Martins in the two volume set Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference and Martin Guitars: A History. There are also books of a similar nature for Gibson and a few other old time guitar manufacturers. As I'm sure you know the Martin Forum is also a great resource. Read all you can, ask lots of questions, and take every opportunity to play and examine any vintage guitar you can get your hands on.

Be careful, as they say, one thing leads to another.....................

[SuperB23]

I've heard the Mayes DVD set is really good. A lot of builders have learned a lot from John in those from what I've read.

[justonwo]

I should think Ervin Somogyi's 2 volume set would be one of the best references, though I've only read the first book so far (focuses on theory). I don't know how much the second "how to" volume covers the basics of building.

[Trevor M]

Some I have spoken to think think Ervin's books aren't really for the beginner and they are not not pre-war. Tho' pricey I don't think reading them could be anything but good.

[CaE]

The staple of guitar making literature is "Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology". This is a very thorough resource and one that I still have on my shelf. I might also mention that the OLF is a great resource for learning.

[Laurent Brondel]

Reading any literature on the subject is good, keeping in mind that most of it is the experience of the builder/writer and is subjective. I would add to Jimmy and Chris's excellent recommendations subscriptions to American Lutherie and Guitarmaker, with the same stoic attitude: a lot of what we builders think needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
If you're interested in pre-war instruments, nothing beats looking at, playing, repairing and taking apart the old guitars to understand what makes them tick (and makes them subject to entropy too).
Talking to people who know the stuff, have been at it for decades and watching them work is probably the best school though.

[Tim McKnight]

GAL "Big Red Books" have a wealth of information with an equal balance of info on vintage and unique stringed instruments.

[geordie]

What Laurent, Cris & Tim say
+1 for OLF a very friendly and knowledgeable forum.

for building books these two sources can supply most of them,
StewMac's book selection
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_p..._acoustic.html

Literature on Violin, Piano - in fact any stringed instrument can be rewarding, eg
Robert Lundberg's
Historical Lute Construction.
and
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpro...C+Roy+Courtnal
LMI's book selection -
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/Secondpr...ks%2C+Acoustic
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