The Art Of Lutherie With Tom Bills

Dec 09 2024 25 ep. 17 mins 52
The Art Of Lutherie With Tom Bills Podcast artwork

The Art of Lutherie Podcast is your guide to mastering the art of guitar building. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced luthier, I’m here to help you build better guitars and deepen your creative process. I’m Tom Bills, a master luthier with 26+ years of experience crafting custom acoustic and archtop guitars. In each episode, I share practical insights, breaking down not just the “how” but the “why” behind techniques, so you can confidently create guitars that are uniquely yours. Explore more resources at theartoflutherie.com. Thank you for listening!

  Education
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


The Cure Time Principle: The Secret to a Better Guitar Finish and a Better Life

Dec 09 2024 44 mins  
Have you ever found yourself rushing through the guitar finishing process, eager to see the final result—only to end up facing frustration, soft finishes, or imperfections? In this podcast episode, I’m diving into the transformative power of "Cure Time"—not just as a technical approach to better guitar finishing, but as a principle that’s helped me create a more fulfilling

How To Spot & Avoid Stress Concentration

Jul 22 2024 17 mins  
Stress and tension are vital parts of the guitar's design. After all, the tension of the strings is the engine that drives the whole system. But sometimes, if we aren't aware of it, we build or design stress and tension into places or components of the guitar that can harm its long-term stability and sound quality. In this video, I share my approach to improving your guitars and yo

Stewmac Guitar Side Bender & How To Use It Step-By-Step

May 23 2024 46 mins  
Explore the new StewMac guitar side bending machine, how it compares to the older Fox Bender, and learn how to use it step-by-step. 👉Check out the new Stewmac side bender here: https://stewmac.sjv.io/AWvM6N 👉Learn more about the new Art Of Guitar Side Bending video course and join the waiting list here: https://theartoflutherie.com/guitar-side-bending/ 👉Free Ultimate

My Top 10+ Luthier Tools (Right Now)

Dec 27 2023 31 mins  
Check out my current picks for the best luthier tools. These are the tools that help me get more done, do higher quality work, and have more fun in the process. I hope this video helps you find some new top tools of your own to help you do your best guitar-building work in 2024 and beyond. 👉Free Ultimate Guide To Luthier Tools: https://theartoflutherie.com/luthier-tools/ 👉TO

French Polishing Techniques - French Polishing Fundamentals Part 7

Jun 29 2023 25 mins  
French Polishing Techniques: How to make and load the French Polishing pad and key techniques for applying a glossy and durable French Polish finish. It's the same system I use for my guitars (tbguitars.com) and that I teach in my online course: The Art Of French Polishing ⁠https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/⁠Links from the video: 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbo

How To Make Shellac - Part 6 French Polishing Fundamentals

Jun 13 2023 8 mins  
Learn my simple system and easy-to-remember formulas for making the perfect shellac for French Polishing. It's the same system I use for my guitars (tbguitars.com) and that I teach in my online course: The Art Of French Polishing https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/ Links from the video: 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook Here: https://theartoflutherie.com/shellac

Best Oils For French Polishing - Part 5 French Polishing Fundamentals

May 23 2023 10 mins  
Learn about the different types of oil for French Polishing and how they can be used to produce a more durable and glossy shellac finish for your next guitar. French Polishing Fundamentals Part 5 - Oils For French Polishing. Links from the video: 👉The Art Of French Polishing Video Course: https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/ 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook He

French Polishing Fundamentals Part 4 - Shellac For French Polishing

May 12 2023 13 mins  
Types of shellac for French Polishing. A deep dive into the different types of shellac for French polishing, colors of shellac, and recommendations for beginners. French Polishing Fundamentals Part 4 - Shellac. Links from the video: 👉The Art Of French Polishing Video Course: https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/ 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook Here: https://the

French Polishing Fundamentals Part 3 - Best Alcohol For Making Shellac

May 05 2023 8 mins  
Best types of alcohol for making shellac for French Polishing. How to choose the best solvent for making shellac - Ethanal, isopropyl or denatured alcohol? French Polishing Fundamentals - Part 3. Links from the video: 👉The Art Of French Polishing Video Course: https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/ 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook Here: https://theartoflutherie.c

French Polishing Fundamentals Part 2 - Wood Preparation

Apr 29 2023 7 mins  
Wood Preparation For French Polishing. French Polishing Fundamentals - Part 2. Links from the video: 👉The Art Of French Polishing Video Course: https://theartoflutherie.com/french-polishing/ 👉Download the Free Shellac Handbook Here: https://theartoflutherie.com/shellac-handbook-for-french-polishing/ 👉Introduction to French Polishing (Article): https://theartoflutherie.c