DIY Guitar Making

Luthier Eric Schaefer dives deep into acoustic guitar building techniques, sharing secrets of the craft so that you can step up your lutherie game! From soundboard bracing to neck angles to fretwork, no stone is left unturned. Sometimes it is a solo show that delves into a particular topic. Sometimes it is a Q and A show featuring member's of Eric's online guitar building course. Sometimes it is an interview with another luthier, woodworker, or guitar repair tech.

Last refreshed: July 10th, 2025 at 10:21 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Buying Equipment for Guitar Making

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss stationary power tools and the considerations that go into purchasing them for a luthier's shop. We cover the bandsaw, the table saw, the planer, the drum sander, industrial thickness sanders, belt sanders, disc sanders, spindle sanders, edge sanders, router table setups, the drill press and the jointer. To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Buildin...

Oct 24, 2021•40 min•Ep. 9

Torrefied Wood Explained

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss the torrefaction process, the tonal implications of torrefied wood for guitar parts such as tops, backs, and necks, and the inherent stability of torrefied wood and more. To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops and online guitar building courses visit: www.ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos a...

Oct 15, 2021•14 min•Ep. 8

Understanding Guitar Body Sizes

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss the history of Martin Guitars and how their designation system for body sizes is something that guitar makers use today. I discuss the dimensional differences as well as the tonal differences that you can expect. These are the models that I discuss in detail: 00 (Grand Concert) 000 (Auditorium) OM (Orchestra Model) D (Dreadnought) J (Jumbo) To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For infor...

Sep 16, 2021•31 min•Ep. 7

Q&A - Natural Harmonics, Reverse Kerfing, and Bevelling Side Braces

This is a Q&A episode of DIY Guitar Making where I answer questions from the Member's Forum in the Online Guitar Building School at ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops and online guitar building courses visit: www.ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For informat...

Dec 29, 2020•21 min•Ep. 6

Analyzing the Guitar String

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss all things strings: string gauges, scale lengths, hex core vs. round core, phosphor bronze, 80/20 bronze etc... String Tension Guide: https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/pdfs/accessories/tension_chart_13934.pdf Compensation Calculator: https://www.liutaiomottola.com/formulae/compensation.htm To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops...

Oct 28, 2020•23 min•Ep. 5

Interview with Jim Harris

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I have a conversation with Jim Harris of the popular woodworking youtube channel LastingBuild. Jim is a woodworker and he is getting started on his first acoustic guitar build. Check out LastingBuild at his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Fui0XnhXKJ8inSOfOg42A Or check out his Acoustic Guitar Build series at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAc-TSV4SAA&list=PLObh4DTL46MoVtTmD7E2urQLZcISMLrrw To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AN...

Oct 26, 2020•43 min•Ep. 4

Sourcing Wood for Guitar Builds

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss options for sourcing acoustic guitar tonewoods from online luthier suppliers, from local hardwood suppliers, and even from the forest floor itself! (but dont' do that...) To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops and online guitar building courses visit: www.ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos a...

Oct 23, 2020•31 min•Ep. 3

Fretting

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I cover some fret installation basics including fretboard materials, fretwire selection, hammering frets versus pressing frets, securing fret ends, dealing with chipout, and gluing in frets. To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops and online guitar building courses visit: www.ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AN...

Oct 22, 2020•24 min•Ep. 2

Introduction and the Role of the Soundbox

Episode ONE! Dun, dun dun...I introduce what we'll be doing here with DIY Guitar Making and talk a little bit about my own background. Then we get into it with a discussion of the acoustic guitar soundbox and how that system works. To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts AND videos all in one place visit: www.diyguitarmaking.com For information on the Hands-on Guitar Building Workshops and online guitar building courses visit: www.ericschaeferguitars.com To find the "DIY Guitar Making" podcasts...

Oct 21, 2020•19 min•Ep. 1

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