Customer Reviews

Steel-String Guitar Construction: Acoustic Six-String, Twelve-String, and Arched-Top Guitars

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Irving Sloane's book on guitar construction was first published in 1975. A reprint was published in 1990. It is out of print, but still for sale new from luthier supply catalogs. Used copies can also be found through Amazon.

The book is nicely illustrated with clear black-and-white photographs on nearly every page, many of which are large, full-page pictures. Sloane's method of construction involves the assembly of the rim using a rudimentary mold, then attachment of the back and sides, and then the neck. His method of joining the neck to the body is unusual and I doubt that I would ever attempt it. There are also sections on inlay and finishing techniques.

Like Cumpiano's book this one is quite old and does not reflect recent innovations in guitar construction. I am not certain that builders on a budget would want to put Sloane's book high on their list of required reading. Nevertheless it is a good book and it is always worthwhile to see how different builders go about different ways of solving a problem. As an aside, there is a brief section on archtop guitar construction which is interesting in that it shows famous arch-top makers John D'Angelico and his successor James D'Aquisto at work in their shop. This may be the most worthwhile thing in Sloane's book, given the abundance of guitar construction information available on the internet and in newer publications.

As another reader has pointed out, Sloane's book is not for the beginner; it may not be for the advanced builder either, but the point is probably moot. Of the hundreds of steps required to build a steel-string guitar, Sloane has detailed perhaps 25, and has left the reader to puzzle out things like the intricacies of bridge, nut, and saddle execution. The section on the archtop guitar is pure picture-book, but fascinating, and at least gives readers a good look inside the archtop, which dramatically highlights its differences from the fixed-bridge steel-string.

But I have to take issue with the reader who said Cumpiano's book wasn't up to contemporary standards of building. Having built a guitar with Cumpiano in his shop - preceded by two careful readings of his book - I can personally attest to the value of the writing and of the hundreds of detailed pictures, drawings and diagrams. I highly recommend Cumpiano's book to anyone who is thinking of building a guitar. Updates to some of his procedures are available from Cumpiano's web site.

This book isn't that flash. I bought this for the 12 string and archtop component in it but was dissappointed. The bracing diagrams for the soundboard are a bit of a help but they're just not up to scratch of some other 6 string books on the market. This book is not for thr first timer. If you want to build a 12 string, build a 6 string first from Jonathan Kinkead's book then replicate it with the structural / measurement adjustments necessary for a 12 string. Good luck!!!

Product was delivered in less than 2 weeks international. Book was in good condition with minor wear and the price seemed fair.

This book is a great reference and roadmap for beginning guitar builders. Everything from shaping the side to spraying the finish