References

The first reference I would highly recommend is membership in the Guild of American Luthiers.  They publish an outstanding quarterly journal and offer a wealth of information for luthiers.  If you are interested in building instruments or are just want to read about how it is done you should join The Guild.

In addition to membership in The Guild, I highly recommend any and all of the following reference books.  While they are not all specifically about banjos they are all great luthier reference books.

Constructing a 5-String Banjo: A Complete Technical Guide by Roger Siminoff

Easily the best book on the construction of 5-string banjos.
Contructing a Bluegrass Mandolin: Mandolin Reference by Roger Siminoff

(The reason that I purchased both the mandolin and banjo books is that the author describes the two different methods of binding and fretting.  In the banjo book he describes the method where you bind first and fit the ends of the frets over the binding.  In the mandolin book he describes the method where you fret first, bind second, and then form the binding around the end of the frets.  In my observation Gibson typically uses the second method and Stelling uses the first.)
Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology: A Complete Reference for the Design & Construction of the Steel-String Folk Guitar & the Classical Guitar By Jonathan Natelson and William Cumpiano

A must have book if you intend to build guitars and I'd even recommend it if you don't plan to build but are simply interested in how guitars are constructed.
Acquired of the Angels: The Lives and Works of Master Guitar Makers John D'Angelico and James L. D'Aquisto by Paul William Schmidt

Purchase this book solely for inspiration from two absolute master builders.
Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans by Jonathan Kinkead

A very good book with some nice ideas for variations on building.
How to Set Up the Best Sounding Banjo by Roger Siminoff
The Luthier's Handbook: A Guide to Building Great Tone in Acoustic Stringed Instruments by Roger Siminoff
Understanding Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley
Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument by Allen St. John

This book isn't a how-to manual, it's a well written story about master builder (and player), Wayne Henderson.
Making an Archtop Guitar by Robert Benedetto
Make Your Own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock

 THE BIG RED BOOK of American Lutherie, Volume One, Published by The Guild of American Luthiers

cover

THE BIG RED BOOK of American Lutherie, Volume Two, Published by The Guild of American Luthiers

cover

Lutherie Tools, Published by The Guild of American Luthiers

cover

Lutherie Woods and Steel String Guitars, Published by The Guild of American Luthiers

cover

Pearl Inlay, by James E. Patterson  (No ISBN - Available from Stewart-MacDonald)
 

 
   

Project Home

Home