If you are interested in building an acoustic or classical guitar, we probably have a plan for you. As we add plans to our library all the time, you will notice the diversity of plans will often include a guitar just right for you.
David is our designer and implementation expert for all of our documents. He has been involved with teaching, constructing and repair of guitars for over 40 years and has developed plans that meet and exceed the need of the instrument builder.
Based In Architecture:
Since 1982, David has run an architectural firm, being a registered architect. His experience has led him down many paths included award-winning Fortune 500 commercial designs to elaborate home design.
His architectural skills additionally translate to the CAD systems, with which he as dominated this market since 1988, when he first decided to take the plunge into electronic documentation. He has given classes and seminars on working efficiently with CAD systems and his plans are held in high regard.
His talent for both CAD design and musical instrument design and construction has led him to develop some of the best documented and well illustrated plans available anywhere. These very detailed plans are full-sized and full of detail that will give you a tool to properly construct a outstanding handmade instrument.
Designing and documenting a guitar is not all that different from a great commercial building or a custom home. It utilizes the transfer of your minds vision onto paper.
Specialized Tools That Are Needed:
Additionally there are many handy specialized luthier tools that will make your building attain greater accuracy and repeatability. David has developed his set of tools into down-loadable plan format for your convenience as well.
You will find plans that include heated and unheated side benders, all sizes of inside forms and work boards, jigs for gluing, cutting, routing and nearly everything needed of some of the most demanding building operations.
Looking Down The Road For Our Plans:
Right now, we have focused on classical and, acoustic guitars and all the neat little tools that can be used to make your building life a great deal easier. We have plans to not only continue to develop classical and acoustic plan options, but also we will be developing a line of electric guitar plans and then offering plans for other stringed instruments such as, dulcimers, ukuleles, mandolins and more.
Acoustic Guitars:
All plans consist of 4 sheets with the following material:
Main Guitar Layout, Building Notes, Details and Bracing Notes.
Sections: – Both Lateral and Longitudinal, Neck joint Details and Neck Sections.
Back Bracing Templates, Back Bracing Layouts and Bracing Templates.
Top Bracing Layout Diagrams – Top and Side Views, Bridge Details, Top Reinforcement Layouts.
We presently have the following plans available for acoustic guitars – this is not a thorough listing:
Dreadnought
The Dreadnought is a very popular instrument model. It was named after a large class of battle ship of the British Navy during WWI. C.F. Martin rolled out the Dreadnought guitar in 1931. This is the premium guitar that is used for flat-picking.
Body Type: Dreadnought (similar to Martin D-28 and D-18), Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.3″ x 15.6″ x 4.75″, Bracing: Traditional X.
000 Concert or Parlor
The 000 Concert sized guitar was introduced by Martin as well, and it is a outstanding, well-balanced little guitar that is great for flat-picking and finger-style playing.
Body Type: 000 (Similar to Martin 000 Parlor), Body Dimensions: 18.875″ x 14.22″ x 4.125″, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to body 21 total.
J45 True Vintage:
Gibson first introduced this guitar back in the 1940′s as their response to the popularity of the dreadnought guitar by Martin. Still being known as a dreadnought, this shape is more well known as the ’round-shouldered’ dreadnought and makes for a fantastic flat-picking or finger-style guitar.
Body Type: Round-Shouldered Acoustic, Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.187″ x 16.09″ x 4.85″, Bracing: Traditional X (Scalloped Bracing Alternate),
The Grand Auditorium Acoustic:
Taylor first introduced the very common Grand Auditorium several years back and this plan is very similar to that instrument shape. The Martin J series is very close to these specifications as well. By augmentation of the top bracing and tonewood selection you can additionally enhance the voice of these big instruments.
Body Type: Grand Auditorium Grand J, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 19.78″ x 16.09″ x 4.85″.
The Jumbo, J200 or JM
This is about the biggest bodied acoustic you will find. Gibson, Martin and Taylor each have their own versions of the wonderful instrument. It is most recognized by the fame of the Gibson J200. It is possible to sculpt the tone of this or any instrument by variations in tone-wood selection and top brace design.
Body Type: Jumbo, Frets: 14 to the body, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4″, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.95″ x 17.05″ x 5.2″.
Some Additional Acoustics:
Jumbo 12 String Grand Auditorium 12 String 000-28VS, HD-28VS
Available Classical Plans:
Virtually every grand classic guitar is based on the original concert classical that was developed by Antonio De Torres in the 1850′s. These plans follow this guideline as well. These instruments all have a very well balanced volume and tone and are truly designed for the concert hall. There are 4 bracing patterns available which you will notice will give you a wide range of tonal and intensity choices. The available Classical Guitar Plans are:
Ramirez Bracing Bouchet Bracing Kasha Schneider Bracing Classic Torres Bracing.
Want to build your own great sounding and looking guitar. With our help you can. Start with a great set of Ultimate Guitar Plans. Here at Ultimate Guitar OnLine , we will help you with everything on your guitar from repair tips to purchasing information, reviews and free guitar tabs.
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