Video Series

Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 185
Bridge Hole Slots

Luthier and Instructor, Robert O'Brien, shows how to cut slots for the strings in the bridge holes. Visit my website to learn more about lutherie: https://lutherieacademy.com/ Learn how to build your guitar (acoustic, classical, electric, flamenco, archtop and more!) as well as everything related to this art with my online courses. From full builds to special topics such as top voicing, finishing techniques, fretting, neck setting, rosettes, marketing, sharpening your tools, you name it. Do you want to work on other instruments besides guitars? Mandolins? Ukuleles? Violins? My colleagues and I got you covered. https://lutherieacademy.com/courses I also offer private, group and virtual classes: https://lutherieacademy.com/teaching 🔸Tools and Supplies List https://www.amazon.com/shop/obrienguitars?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh 🔸 Shop favorites ✦ Mask › RZ Mask: https://amzn.to/380WuQo › 3M Respirator: https://amzn.to/3aqRkgs › Cartridge: https://amzn.to/3tkVPS8 ✦ Saw blades Thin kerf saw blade for cutting Spanish heel slots and bracing: › I use this blade: https://amzn.to/357XgJc › Freud has a similar blade that I have also used: https://amzn.to/3b5fWgr › You can even get them in a 5 pack: https://amzn.to/3ociE7E ✦ Sanding and Scraping › Micromesh: https://amzn.to/3olE4iF › Scraper e burnisher: https://amzn.to/3pKRNzY › Nicholson rasp #49: https://amzn.to/3arqrJk › Nicholson rasp #50: https://amzn.to/3jdHked ✦ Dust collectors › Oneida Benchtop Dust Collector: https://amzn.to/3bGYTBo › Oneida high pressure system (14 gallon): https://amzn.to/380dYwf › Oneida Deluxe Dust Deputy (10 gallon): https://amzn.to/3n0YkVp › Oneida Deluxe Dust Deputy (5 gallon): https://amzn.to/2Le90TG › Oneida cyclone separator only: https://amzn.to/3hv5EHG › Oneida Mini-Gorilla Portable Cyclone Dust Collector: https://amzn.to/2WW2tzq › Jet cyclone cust collector: https://amzn.to/2MkGP5Y › Jet collector only: https://amzn.to/34YTDFq › Powermatic dust collector - https://amzn.to/380GD40 ✦ Air filtration › Powermatic Air Filtration: https://amzn.to/3pBP7ol › Jet Air Filtration: https://amzn.to/3pCpYdi 🔸 Brazilian treats If you need some Brazilian coffee here are a couple of brands I purchase when I go to Brazil. They are also available through Amazon: › Melitta: https://amzn.to/3o7eQEE › Pilão: https://amzn.to/3n3p5Zs Cheese bread: › Box of 8 - https://amzn.to/353kJeG › Brazibites: https://amzn.to/2JDA26p This video and description contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I may receive a commission. Money earned helps to support my channel.
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 185
Bridge Hole Slots
03:10
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 184
String Buzzing at the Nut
02:54
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 183
Installing Tuner Screws
02:20
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 182
Removing Fine Scratches
02:25
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 181
Avoiding Finish Chipping When Installing Tuners
02:24
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 180
Power Sanding the Finish
03:33
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 179
Kerfing
02:47
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 178
Removing Tape Without Chipping the Finish
04:42
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 177
How to Diagnose and Fix Loose Frets
05:58
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 176
Symptoms of Lack of Humidity
02:45
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 175
Fixing tuner hole blowout
02:35
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 174
Broom and dustpan storage solution
01:26
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 173
Keeping blocks aligned while gluing
02:17
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 172
Chipped Ebony Repair
03:09
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 171
Three Piece Back
08:48
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 170
Bending Cutaway Side by Hand
09:30
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 169
Bridge Removal
03:55
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 168
Repairing a Water Based Finish
04:07
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 167
CA Glue Catalyst - Water
03:20
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 166
Filling Gaps on Fret Ends
02:43
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 165
LMI Water Based Pore Filler
02:06
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 164
Misaligned Purflings
03:16
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 163
Glu Boost Gel for Inlay
03:06
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 162
How to Control Thin CA Glues During Repairs
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 161
Flamenco vs Classical
08:05
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 160
Making a Solera
08:35
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 159
Fret Tang Filer
03:37
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 158
CNC and Lutherie
03:15
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 157
Grain Orientation in Braces
03:24
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 156
Joining plates using the LMI sanding bars
01:59
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 155
Royal Lac
02:00
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 154
Working when tired
02:18
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 153
Sculpted heel
04:14
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 152
High gloss finish without a buffer II
04:22
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 151
Back injury advice and bench jig
04:29
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 150
LMI micro bead pore filler
03:05
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 149
LMI headstock drilling and slotting jig
03:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 148
Tie block bones
01:51
Luthier tips du jour mailbag 147
Mineral deposits in wood
02:35
Luthier tips du jour mailbag 146
Unusual stories
03:54
Luthier tips du jour mailbag 145
Shellac
05:55
Luthier tips du jour mailbag 144
Shop safety and kids
03:29
Luthier tips du jour mailbag 143
Humidifiers
07:03
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 142
Fan frets
08:22
Luthier Tips Du Jour Mailbag 141
Finish Repair - Sunburst
04:06
Luthier Tips du Jour mailbag 140
Sharpening Angle
02:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 139
Wife's permission
01:52
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 138
Sanding around neck area while finishing
03:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 137
Recipe for depression
02:15
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 136
LMI semi-carved classical guitar neck
02:52
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 135
Ripples in sides
02:38
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 134
Re-topping a guitar
03:51
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 133
Maintaining RH levels after the guitar is built
03:37
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 132
Calibrating hygrometers with potassium carbonate
02:29
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 131
Fixing color finishes
06:57
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 130
Strap button installation
03:50
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 129
Replacing the bridge on a 1943 Martin OO 18
03:06
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 128
Clamping a bridge
03:57
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 127
Drilling bridge pin holes accurately
02:22
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 126
Wolf Note
06:28
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 125
Strings
03:25
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 124
Cedar vs Spruce
04:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 123
Bad sounding string
01:51
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 122
3 or 4 back braces
01:42
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 121
Cleaning saw blades
02:22
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 120
Binding repair
03:56
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 119
Finish repair
06:03
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 118
Re-shaping an Electric Guitar Pickguard
03:57
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 117
Crack repair using tuning machines
04:47
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 116
sanding bars
03:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 115
Reaching inside the guitar
02:00
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 114
Beveling classical bridge ends
03:22
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 113
Covid 19 edition
01:41
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 112
Royal lac post cat
02:41
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 111
Installing reverse kerfing without breaking
06:15
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 110
Spray equipment
02:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 109
Truss rod - testing before use
02:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 108
LED Lighting
02:10
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 107
Compound radius
10:08
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 106
What is torrefied wood?
14:55
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 105
How wood is processed
18:21
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 104
Cool machines
05:25
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 103
How to process bone
04:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 102
Go bar deck base
02:29
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 101
rosette installation
08:40
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 100
How to find my videos
07:23
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 99
How to laminate sides
03:28
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 98
Scratch repair with glu boost
04:15
Luthier Tips du Jour mailbag 97
Glu Boost
08:12
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 96
Tuners
05:12
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 95
Sharpening convex plane blades
06:39
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 94
LMI cutaway template
02:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 93
Classical guitar action too high
07:19
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 92
Holding the guitar
02:05
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 91
LMI bridge drill jig
03:01
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 90
Back crack repair
05:56
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 89
scratch repair
06:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 88
Leveling rosettes
07:18
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 87
cutting fretboard to length
02:35
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 86
Mitered Purflings
05:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 85
Jack the gripper
01:33
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 84
Zpoxy pore fill
21:01
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 83
Tape removal without damaging the finish
03:56
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 82
Brace height
02:06
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 81
CA glue shelf life
02:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 80
More CITES information
10:30
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 79
Laminating Sides
13:24
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 78
Crackle Finish
03:34
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 77
DIY humidifier with ultrasonic mist makers
08:03
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 76
Rocklite
02:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 75
Bone shims
02:35
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 74
Bending a cutaway side
01:51
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 73
Inlay tool tip
03:24
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 72
Wax for easy glue cleanup
03:00
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 71
arm bevel block size
03:03
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 70
Torrefied wood
07:48
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 69
Fixing dents
03:16
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 68
CITES
08:26
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 67
Showroom shine
02:52
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 66
Removing buffing compound residue
02:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 65
UV Pore Fill
03:55
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 64
Drilling tuner holes
01:50
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 63
Twill tape
06:51
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 62
LMI Nut and Saddle Setup Gauge
02:26
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 61
Super Six Planer
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 60
How often to sharpen tools
02:36
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 59
Lutherie wax and lemon oil
03:32
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 58
Is it really as easy at it looks?
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 57
Radiusing braces
04:54
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 56
Marketing your work
06:11
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 55
Calibrating hygrometers
07:44
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 54
A better glue bottle
106:44
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 53
Friendly plastic
02:23
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 52
The articulated clamp
03:19
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 51
Pore filling rosettes
03:57
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 50
Sealing tuner holes before finishing
02:57
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 49
Closing the Box
03:45
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 48
Working with problem woods
05:34
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 47
Sandpaper
03:39
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 46
High gloss without a buffer
03:16
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 45
LMI pre-carved classical neck
02:37
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 44
Bending Bindings
03:32
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 43
Safe-t-planer
03:07
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 42
Binding jig advice
05:17
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 41
Tonewood
07:07
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 40
Baking Tops
03:11
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 39
Re-attaching a bridge
06:21
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 38
LMI Yellow glue
03:09
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 37
Pandora's Box
11:48
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 36
Royal Lac
36:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 35
Aqua Coat pore filler
06:01
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 34
Drilling an end pin hole
03:28
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 33
K&K Guitar pickup install
03:56
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 32
Side bending
03:56
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 31
Mando pickup install
10:11
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 30
Shellac and sawdust pore fill
06:04
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 29
Shop design
14:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 28
Redwood
02:24
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 27
Burn in sticks
02:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 26
Tonerite
05:06
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 25
Determining Finish type
03:26
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 24
Finish repair
10:29
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 23
Fret Removal
04:34
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 22
Pickguards
09:41
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 21
Nut slots
04:49
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 20
CA glue for gap filling
03:59
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 19
Working pain free
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 18
Gluing frets
01:43
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 17
Fretboard Binding
08:20
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 16
CA Glue
07:23
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 15
LMI Fret Tang Filer
02:20
Luthier Tips dui Jour Mailbag 14
CA glue and tie block bones
03:50
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag-13
Buffing high gloss finishes
03:17
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 12
Pickups
08:52
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 11
CA glue on fret ends
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 10
Sunburst Finishes
03:20
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 9
Hide Glue
09:27
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 8
UV systems
03:53
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 7
Dust Collection
04:27
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 6
Bindings with CA glue
05:10
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 5
Vacuum fixtures
02:31
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 4
String height at the nut
03:33
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 3
Crack Repair
04:14
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 2
Filing fret Ends
05:46
Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag - Hygrometers
04:30

About My Video Series

Luthier Tips du Jour

In 2008 I started a free instructional video series on Youtube called Luthier Tips du Jour. This series has become very popular the world over and has grown to be a very inclusive “How to” video library. It continues to grow as I add more videos every few weeks to the already extensive list.

How I began the Luthier Tips du Jour series is an interesting story. I literally had the idea come to me in the shower one morning. Not knowing anything about video editing or even camera work I almost gave up on several occasions. In the beginning I was spending more than 40 hours to produce a 5 minute video. It took an exacting toll on me, my shop time and my personal life. LMI turned me onto some video editing software and that helped considerably. I now am able to edit the videos much quicker but still spend a considerable amount of time to produce the videos. It has been a huge learning curve for me and I continue to learn more about video production with each video I produce. You will notice as you watch the videos that over time the quality of the editing has improved considerably.

The second largest viewing audience I have comes from Brazil. In February of 2009 Cesar Tessarin suggested adding English and Portuguese subtitles to the videos and then took on the task of translating the audio and including the subtitles for both languages in the videos! This is also a monumental task and I am very grateful to Cesar for taking this on. Using the CC option on Youtube allows the viewer to then have the subtitles translated into any other language. Having the Portuguese subtitles allows the Youtube CC translation to be more true to the original when translating to other Latin based languages than if it were being translated from English.

Luthiers Mercantile International proudly sponsors the Luthier Tips du Jour videos. In addition to LMI, videos 1-65 also say sponsored by the Red Rocks Community College School of Lutherie. I started that program in 2003 and grew it to International recognition with over 100 students per semester. However, I left the college in March of 2012 and am no longer associated with the school. Videos after number 65 reflect this.

I hope you enjoy the videos and appreciate my efforts.

Watch Luthier Tips du Jour

Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag

Over the years I have gotten many emails from viewers around the world asking questions on topics they have seen in my Luthier Tips du Jour videos. So, in January of 2013 I decided to address some of these questions in a new series called Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag. These videos are not subtitled.

Watch Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag

Product Videos

I have been asked to do many product demo and instructional videos. Since I am a consultant for LMI I do most of the videos for the products they develop. These are available here as well as on DVD’s when you purchase the products from them. Some of these videos are short demo videos while others are very in depth instructional videos on how to set up and use different products.

Watch Product Videos

Robert’s Guitars

If you have ever wondered what an O'Brien Guitar sounds like, here are a bunch of videos of folks playing his guitars.

Watch Videos About Robert’s Guitars

Instruments built by students

Many folks come to O'Brien Guitars every year and build their guitars with Robert. Here are some videos of those guitars.

Watch Videos of Instruments Built by Students

Repairs

Many of the repairs I do in my shop have been documented on video. Check out these videos to see some of the scope of my work. If you want to go more in depth and see more details about some of the repairs, check out my Repair and Restoration Course. Greg Maxwell also has a Setup and Repair Course that you will find useful.

Watch Videos of Repairs

Live Streams

Do you want to learn more about all things lutherie related and have some fun doing it? Then check out this list of my Live Stream videos. Some of the guests on my Live Streams are the best in the business and willingly share information and their experiences with the viewers in an interactive and fun format!

Watch Live Stream Replays

Builder's Showcase

This series of videos was the brainchild of friend and fellow luthier, Elaine seat. She invited members of my invitation only private Google Chat Group to showcase their work using the Zoom platform. Viewers were able to ask questions about their work and guitars. A lot of useful information was freely shared.

Watch Videos of Builder's Showcase

Other Videos

Here you will find a bunch of my other videos. These range from videos of guitars produced in my private guitar building classes to videos of artists playing some of my guitars as well as interviews with people like renowned luthier José Romanillos.

Watch Other Videos