The Best Way to Bend Guitar Sides | Pro Luthier

Love this. A guy who builds some of the most sought after guitars on the planet, bending his sides with no fancy machines, jigs, etc. just a hot iron and a TON of skill. It’s incredibly inspiring.

Really enjoying watching you work!

I started building acoustic guitars a couple of years ago and didn't want the expense of buying a fancy banding machine. I found a second hand Ibex bending iron on ebay. I must admit to cracking one of my first attempts, however, having done a few now, you get to feel when the wood wants to bend. one other thing I find helps is to use a bending strip to support the back of the bend. i made mine out of a 0.5mm strip of copper sheet with wooden handles attached

I just got moved into side bending at Breedlove, the move was really unexpected, but I. Glad I am bending now because it’s actually fun.we use big benders there, but I would love to be able to do it your way too.

Always wondered how the wood is bent. Now i know

Great video!

Well that was rad!!!!

Great video! Love the spinnaker pole bending iron.

Nice bending style ! I like it, less is definitely more sometimes. I started making one piece sides, no tail seam. I select a side board with a really even riff flare/fade and center the tail on it. Looks really cool all one piece without the tail seam split binding. I like the simplistic smoothy look.

Great job!! Nice work

God bestow all of us luthiers with great health, long life, and the foresight to learn from our mistakes.

You are one of my favorite people alive thank you

Thank you for this videos I also want to be a guitar builder it looks fun and I think it is really nice to have something in the hand if you are finished the instrument😀

Anybody build a flying v acoustic side bending mold?

Well now, I rarely ever comment on you Tube...It looks as if mr snarky pulled his rude insult, rather than say sorry Marshall, I was out of line... which shows that he is a punk. Ya see, when i was a kid the internet did not exist. I grew up in an era of "trade secrets" you had to be in the circle to learn the tricks... nowadays, we are inundated with info and its amazing... but nobody is obligated to teach some entitled slug sitting on his butt... as if the world owes him something?...wtf. And then issue wise cracks from the safety of his house. If you wouldnt walk up to a man and voice whatever is on your mind without the fear of getting punched in the mouth... than STFU and dont spew poison from your couch. Thank you Marshall, I enjoyed your lesson.

Could you turn up the volume? I have my Youtube as high as it will go and still can't hear well.I find ash bends easily, does ash work for a guitar?

What thickness for the sides prior to bending?

How to make that bending jig?

Marshall you probably said and I missed it, but what thickness are your sides? I've tried to bend some figured mahogany that's .070" and having trouble with cracking. Plenty of heat and water, but still cracks.

@daniellinden2933 you must be viewing this video to learn about this subject matter. If you do not like the instructors approach on teaching YOU this subject for FREE... Then you should move on and keep your nasty comments to yourself genius.... It is not necessary to be RUDE.