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Here’s what I do for a very clean tail pin installation. I made a jig to assure a vertical hole ( if I did it again, I’d use something transparent to see better) so that everything starts off correct. Very fresh brad point drill. Absolutely match the taper of the pin to the reamer! A slight chamfer around the opening of tapered hole will help prevent tragedy should you have to remove the pin. Seat it with a light dusting of crushed rosin. Drive it home with a wood or leather mallet. Bob’s your uncle!
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This fall will mark the 18th year since I abruptly quit my job as building contractor and undertook to become a professional luthier. 18 years, and I’ve been lucky enough to always have a commission on my bench, and a dozen eggs in the fridge. I still can’t quite believe that I get to do this for a living, and that after all this time I am still thrilled to be doing it.
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Koa and Carpathian spruce Sidewinder with a coat of epoxy pore filler. Next step is to cut the binding ledges and bind the body. Meanwhile- look at that koa!
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I took a few backyard photos of the Tree Sidewinder before it flew off to its new home. Here they be:
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Greg's Arum. A couple things- the scale length is 24.8-24.3, and the "middle" fret is the 12th. Don't listen to the guy in the video.
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Greg's Arum. A couple things- the multi scale is 24.8-24.3, and the middle fret is the 12th. Don't listen to the guy in the video.
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We wrote a new song this morning! This is called So Says the Little Bird.
www.frogandtoadmusic.com
www.wilbornguitars.com
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The Prodigal Baritone returns for a tune up, and I am really pleased with how it sounds after 4 years.
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Well, I am very happy to report that my new 2026 spec guitar has been claimed, and will be welcomed into its new home by a couple of older and more experienced Wilborn guitars. I’ll definitely be making a video demo of this guitar before it goes away, though- I am expecting it will sound wonderful. Thank you, David!
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Call me old fashioned, but I love jet black, straight grained ebony fingerboards. I just got this stellar shipment from Rahoul Waghmare. I begged him to select boards that had none of the mineral spotting that plagues Ceylon ebony, and he absolutely complied. I’ve been buying wood from him for maybe 10 years, and he is an honest man with a good eye for stock. Now I’ll let these babies rest for at least a year even though they are quite dry.
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Here’s a Nautilus I’ve been building in the tiny spaces in between commissions. Because I have too much free time? No- because I couldn’t wait to see this Brazilian rosewood with spalted sapwood in guitar form. And that honey- striped cedar as well. Now I’m in the home stretch of the building, and this guitar will be available in a couple months.
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Day two of five in the booth for this beautiful Arum in Brazilian and Tunnel 14 redwood.
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