Guitar Making References

Below is a list of some of the books that are on my shelf at home related to guitar building. All these books have provided me with helpful information on a variety of topics that has helped me with my guitar making efforts. Titles are divided by subject, and some titles included a brief description of the general content. By no means is this a comprehensive description.

Guitar Making Books

Courtnall, Roy, “Making Master Guitars“, London, Robert Hale, Ohio, Stewart-Macdonald, 1993. Plans for historic guitars with a how to section.

Cumpiano, R. William, and Jonathan D. Natelson, “Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology“. San Francisco, Chronicle Books, 1993.

Romanillos, L. Jose, “Antonio de Torres Guitarmaker – His Life and Work“, Westport Ct., The Bold Strummer, Ltd., 1997. The story of Antonio de Torres’ life and details of his guitars.

Siminoff, H. Roger, “The lutheir’s handbook“, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hal Leonard Corporation, 2002. Advanced plate tuning.

Sloane, Irving, “Classical Guitar Construction“, New York, E. P. Dutton & Co. Inc., 1996. A simple approach to guitar building.

Teeter E. Don, “The Acoustic Guitar; Adjustment, Care, Maintenance, and Repair“, Norman, Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma Press, 1996.

Urlick, Sheldon, “A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars from Torres to the Present“, Commerce, Connecticut, Sunny Knoll Publishing Co., 1997.

Woodworking Technical Reference

Below is a list of my own personal collection of books related to woodworking. These books have provided me with helpful information and have provided me with ideas for new methods or techniques which have been very beneficial to my guitar making efforts. Titles are divided by subject. Some titles included a brief description of the general content. Again, this is by no means is this a comprehensive description. I have gotten useful information out of each one, maybe they can be of benefit to you also.

Sharpening Books

Hock, Ron, “The Perfect Edge: The Ulitmate Guide to Sharpening for Woodworkers“, Cincinnati, Ohio, Popular Woodworking Books, 2009. As the title states, the ultimate guide to sharpening, there is no equal.

Woodworking Books

Krenov, James, “A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc, 1991.
An inspiring explanation of why someone is a craftsman. This book got me started in woodworking.

Krenov, James, “The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc, 1992.
Information on hand made tools, sharpening, and woodworking techniques.

Joyce, Ernest, “Encyclopedia of Furniture Making“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 1987.
A great guide for information on wood, tools, equipment, and just about any woodworking technique.

Nagyszakanczy, Sandor, “Setting Up Shop“, Newton, Connecticut, Taunton Press, 2001.
An excellent reference for information on shop layout, equipment, dust collection, lighting and storage in a shop.

Onians, Dick,”Essential Woodcarving Techniques“, East Sussex, England, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd., 1997. Information on sharpening, tools and woodcarving.

Butz, Richard, “How to Carve Wood; A Book of Projects and Techniques“, Newton, Connecticut, Taunton Press, 1984. A good reference for sharpening carving tools and carving techniques.

Duginske, Mark, “Band Saw Handbook“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 1989.

Finck, David, “Making and Mastering Wood Planes“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 2005 Revised Edition.
An excellent reference for sharpening and plane making.

Wood & Finishing Books

Hoadley, Bruce R. “Understanding Wood; A Craftsman’s Guide to Wood Technology“, Newton, Connecticut, Taunton Press, 2000. Contains information on wood and its properties.

Flexner, Bob, “Understanding Wood Finishing; How to Select and Apply the Right Finish“, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Rodale Press, 1994. An excellent reference for information about types of finishes and finishing techniques.

Allen, Sam, “Classic Finishing Techniques“, New York, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 1995.

Benade, H. Arthur, “Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics“, Second Revised Edition, New York, Dover Publications, Inc., 1990.

Journals, Periodicals and Web Sites

“Journal of Guitar Acoustics, All Seven Issues – Complete and Unabridged with Addenda”
Available from:
Timothy P. White
146 Lull Rd.
New Boston, NH 03070

“Plane Making, Make Your Own Wooden Hand Plane“, article by David Welter.