What Your Mama Never Told You About Making Guitars

[@milesmanglos1583]

I used to be one of those wanna-be guitar builders who watched way too much KZbin thinking I could learn how to be a luthier. That was 10 years ago. I’ve been watching your channel ever since I started and now I’m proud to say I’ve built 12 awesome guitars and have also worked on 1,000’s of customer guitars(as a guitar tech). I would not be where I’m at as a luthier without years of your amazing advice and lessons from your videos. Thank you for being an amazing teacher, Chris!❤

[@HighlineGuitars]

What an incredibly nice thing to say. Thank you!

[@ronc1231]

I became interested in building with kits. Some are OK, most have critical errors in the design. In short, I learned to repair guitars by building kits. I figured out the only way to have something really nice is to start making my own necks and bodies. This is not a fast process, there's a learning curve for software and there's a learning curve in creating a design that works. Add to that learning to build something worth finishing. There's a market for relics, but I want a carved arch top that looks like I could be proud of it. They don't have a kit like that. All of the learning is great for me because I love learning. And I have found the highline videos to be not only factually correct, but using a gentler technique maybe the best practice. My uncle was a machinist for gm. He said if your milling something that's important to you, going fast usually doesn't work. I'd say the same for building guitars. Thanks for the help and great videos

[@SystematicMechanic]

I use the pin alignment method with my CNC machine. I use 2 pins and they are at the center at both ends of the stock. I never had any luck using 4 pins tho. It caused me nothing but problems and honestly I don't think it's really even necessary. 2 Holes on the center line allows for 2 sided milling. Bonus is you also only need 2 hold down clamps when using Upcut bits as the pins act as a holding mechanism. I set XYZ off of the corner of the CNC machines spoil board. Down side is you have to make 2 holes in your stock that match the holes on the spoil board every time you want make a guitar body or neck in this case. It's easier to show then to explain in this comment.

[@wesphonic]

Hello Chris! Not trying to be a “Cliff Clavin”, however, that said, just ignore those bozos giving you a hard time about technique and such. As with most content creators, there is likely a HUGE silent majority that love what you teach us and hope you create more videos. In addition, I have always wondered what it would be like to hear about some of the goof ups that can happen when making a guitar and hearing about how someone like you was able to fix it. I think that would be a cool idea for a video. Essentially, a set of videos like this one that show what you have tried and the pros and cons of different approaches. Kind of how you were talking about the CNC. Solving problems is where the real “brilliant” tricks and hacks matter! 😉 Just know that most of us are thankful for what you do and have a little thing called “humility” which a good bit of commenters on social media are deeply lacking. 😂

[@margaretedwards1366]

I've been watching your channel for the last four years and you are my go to for so many guitar building techniques. I have been building, modifying and finishing kit guitars and your advice has been invaluable. Asylix sanding sheets and Solarex UV cure clear coat have greatly benefited my end result. I'd have never attempted installing leveling and crowning frets if it weren't for your videos. I've built both of your fret tang removal jigs and they work flawlessly. Thank you ! I'm definitely a fan of your channel.

[@Jgreen2794]

I hear you talking! After months of watching videos on finishing, I have yet to be able to get a decent gloss finish. I have decided to just try to get a finish that is flaw free. I will use a gloss finish and lightly sand it smooth. That's all. I can, at least make that work. Someday, maybe I can do gloss. But not now. If there is anything I have learned about luthierie, it is that there is more than one way to skin a cat. What works for others, might not work for you. Keep up the good work.

[@bluglass7819]

I started on books, Melvin Hiscock’s being the most useful. When I restarted building guitars KZbin was out. With every step I watched as many as possible and distilled it down to what made the most sense to me. I do enjoy your videos and frequently find something I can use.

[@bluglass7819]

I may occasionally point out something I think might make your life easier.

[@mshaynerushton]

2D files created in Illustrator or such is so much easier to make, though. I find drawing my shape in Inkspace, then importing into FreeCAD I get pretty good results. I render the 3D in FreeCAD or Fusion360, and it saves time.

[@juanwalte9418]

Hi. Thanks for this video. After several attempts to make guitars over the years I decided to buy some Stew Mac kits (LP and ES 335 models) to build and learn how to finish. The guys from Driftwood Guitars did a great job with their video series on how to finish a kit. Like you said, you can’t become a master from just watching the videos. I chose to make a gold top LP and I have to say it’s been a real challenge. I had to get back to bare wood a few times because I messed up a step but I’m still at it and closer to finishing it. Again, I appreciate your videos and your knowledge.

[@sparrowhawk81]

I hate things like Y ouTube shorts and tiktok, but I sometimes take a peek to see what's on there. I've seen one particular channel, I honestly can't even remember the name of the channel, but it's this person who refrets guitars and makes these ultra quick cut jump cut type videos that make it look easy. I think the purpose of stuff like that honestly is just to show off. Part of the reason I like you and your channel is that you're proud of what you do, but you're seriously interested in giving people useful practical information.

[@hijmestoffels5171]

Three years ago I tried to adjust the nut of my Squier Telecaster because the action was too high. I bought an expensive set of nut files, but I still ruined the nut. Luckily I found a luthier who made a new nut for a reasonable price. Less than what the files had cost me.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Blowing a nut is part of the learning process. Unfortunately, it can be an expensive lesson.

[@StrixyN]

3 years ago I bought a bass guitar kit. It's still in it's box. I've been practising the skills necessary to do a good job on the kit ever since. I'm happy with my skills to build it, to do the electronic soldering work, to paint and finish the body, but I'm still working on learning how to paint a neck. I've now painted and re-sanded a test neck 5 times using different products and different techniques. I'm getting closer to what I want. One more aught to do it. Next step will be to work with a friend's CnC machine to cut a custom pickguard out of anodized aluminum. (I'm really excited to learn how to anodize aluminum). 3 years sounds like a long time to build 1 kit guitar, but everything I've learned / am learning along the way has been awesome. Once I'm done with the kit, I'm going to build my first body from scratch. Your channel has been both helpful and inspiring along the way. Thank you!

[@margaretedwards1366]

Why not build the kit and use that as a learning experience ? Three years is a long time. Then build another one. You can always go back when you have more experience and redo something your not happy with. I learned a lot on the first kits I'd built. Plus you can always go back and fix what you don't like about your previous builds. Ask me how I know this .

[@mauromendietaanzurez]

Excelente video, totalmente de acuerdo contigo. Y en resumen se va aprendiendo sobre la marcha. Saludos

[@peterdavenport5882]

Great video Chris. I’ve been repairing and working on guitars for a few years now, I’m not quite at your level, but I’m always learning and trying new techniques. There’s many different ways to skin a cat. Cheers

[@thomasbreene893]

Ha! Excellent video. I've probably come close to Clavin-ing you a couple of times (or semi-Clavin-ing), so it was funny to hear you say if we wonder: "Am I one of them?" More to the point, I think, is your willingness to answer honest, non-self-aggrandizing questions. I've spent a goodly sum just getting myself in the position where I "could" potentially build a bass. I'm pretty well tooled-up, etc., but have zero to show for it in terms of actual instruments built. True, I've got some hardware, some software, and a shrunken bank balance to prove it, but here's the one thing your channel has taught me: You can't rush in. You have to develop certain skills, even rudimentary ones like learning CAD/CAM software. I've probably been focusing for at least the last 6 months on Rhino and MeshCAM. That stuff is challenging (at least for me)! What I like about your channel is that I can watch you deploy expertise long in the acquiring, and then take a stab at something myself, and then understand fully that it's not just a matter of watching a video (though I watch your Rhino stuff on half speed sometimes just to see what tools and operations you're using!).

[@MarkRawling]

Your alignment system is perfect, but I always look for a mirror or some other way you line the back up too! Do you need to ensure that?

[@HighlineGuitars]

As it stands right now, I walk around the back of the machine to check alignment. A webcam would make it easier.

[@sparrowhawk81]

Why would anyone care if you make a vector graphic in illustrator vs a CAD program? If you just need points in 2D space and you have an illustrator license, honestly Illustrator is pretty nice, pretty intuitive, well optimized in terms of performance too.

[@scillyautomatic]

Awesome Thumbnail.

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

Hi! New subscriber and currently consuming lots of your video's! Thanks for making them. :-) I've never done any kind of fret level before. But i just bought a short fret leveling beam and im going to start with the spot leveling technique you demonstrated in your videos, using files and sandpaper. But as I've thought about the problem more, I realized something that I haven't seen mentioned in ANY of the many videos that I've watched on the subject. And that is the fact that getting a "click" with a fret rocker can't always mean that the center of the 3 frets you span is high and needs to be leveled, correct? Couldn't it sometimes also mean that 1 or both of the outer 3 frets are actually low instead? Especially if you are also getting some rocking on the frets immediately before or after the "suspect" fret? I think before i level any fret, i will take a backlight as im using the rocker and check for light shining thu beneath it on the preceeding and proceeding frets (or maybe my short leveling beam would be better suited?). Just to make sure im not actually spot leveling a good fret down to the level of a low one...? Or perhaps encountering a low fret means the entire neck, or at least section of it, just needs to be leveled with a beam instead? Would it be advisable to try and (just slighly) lift up and then reseat a low fret to a proper level? Instead of sanding all the others down? Any advice? P.s. I should preface. Tho Im totally new to fret work, i am handy and nearly have more tools than my garage can hold...and some cheap guitars to prectice on lol. So tho i want to proceed with care, im not afraid of trying and failing if i must in order to make every guitar a great one. 😅

[@HighlineGuitars]

A high fret automatically means the adjacent frets are low. That's just common sense. However, you cannot add material to or raise a low fret. You can only reduce a high fret. If you installed and leveled the frets properly, you likely won't have to worry about this issue. After you level the frets, you can check them with a fret rocker, but don't get too obsessed over every little click you hear. Just listen for the loud and obvious clicks. Fix the really bad one(s) and string up the guitar. Play each string at every fret and listen for string buzz. If you hear it, use the rocker to isolate the offending fret and fix it. The path you're headed down will drive you insane. Focus on the high frets and save your sanity.

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

@@HighlineGuitars LOL. Point taken, thanks for the advice. You've just saved me a lot of headache, hearing from a pro that the tiny clicks are inconsequential. That is another thing that i havent seen stated anywhere untill now. These aren't guitars I've built, only mass produced ones I've aquired that have never had a proper fret level (except for my Martin wich was plecked), so most of them do need some attention to the fretwork since the factories really don't take the time to. But I plan on building one from scratch soon, with the help of your videos and one of your blueprints, of course 😉. Thanks!

[@dalgguitars]

Cliffie is my man! NORM!

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

Dude! You did not really use your real Mom’s picture on this video- did you??

[@HighlineGuitars]

I was going to say she just died, but that’s not true and it’s kind of mean. In truth, I used Photoshop’s generative fill to to create it with AI.

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

@@HighlineGuitars ok cool glad thats not your mom she looks mean!! thanks for the cool videos. I am your newest subscriber!

[@scottakam]

It's a little know fact that Cliff Clavin is a national hero!