SalInRI Report post Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) I'm going to try to fabricate one of these armrests out of leather. See the picture below ... it's the cloth piece under the guy's arm. I'm just wondering how I should fasten the three main pieces together. Bevel and saddle stitch at a 90 degree angle? Fold the leather over and saddle stitch straight on? Lace it? Any help and ideas are greatly appreciated. Sal Edited July 11, 2009 by SalInRI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tkleather1 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Just curious but why does it need to be three peices? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted July 11, 2009 More curiosity. What purpose does it serve, is it padded? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) Have not seen that before, my guess is it is slightly padded but seems that it would protect the top edge and face of the soundboard from sweat stains and such. I noticed discoloration and finish damage in that area on my gibson recently. My sweat is like acid rain eats right through my shirt collars. LOL Edited July 11, 2009 by Jordan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-Man Report post Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) I would think that depending on the overall size that you're going to affect the sound/tone of the guitar? Edited July 11, 2009 by K-Man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SalInRI Report post Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) It does indeed protect the lower bout of the guitar from arm sweat. A soft unfinished leather inside should not harm the guitar finish. I won't use as much leather as the picture shows cloth ... I'll scoop out the top a little along the contours of the body. This should still provide enough protection as it seems only the corner of the bout is really affected, and should not affect the tone as it's along the edge of the instrument. They make glue-on wooden protectors also and common consensus is that the tone is not affected by these. Heck, Martin Guitar markets an Elvis model guitar with most of the front sides and back covered in leather. I'm thinking three pieces; one in front as shown with a little scoop out along the bottom line, a mirror image of the front piece for the back of the guitar, and the top piece to connect them and lie along the side of the guitar. It'll kind of sit on the lower bout like a hat. It'll have two thin straps, one connecting to each button on the guitar to stabilize it during play. I've drawn up a Sheridan style pattern for the front piece. I'm just at a little bit of a loss for the best way to connect the three pieces; front, back, and top. Thanks for the help, Sal Edited July 11, 2009 by SalInRI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regis Report post Posted July 11, 2009 I see the problem with almost any stitch line creating a coarser area that rubs the edge of guitar. As someone mentioned earlier, why use 3 peices rather than one. If you use your original 3 tooled peices, you could sew them just so it is attractive seam (turned in and 1/2"+ glued back to itself inside). Then line with a single peice of lamb (garmet) sewn only around the outside edge and glued in. Interesting, I'll have to try one of these. Regis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted July 11, 2009 Velcro. That way it can be adjusted depending on who is playing, and if the tone is affected, it can be removed easily. Sweat does wear on a guitar, but usually the pickguard area takes more abuse. I'm not crazy about leather covers on guitars meant to be played, but I can understand the customer's desire to protect the finish on his guitar. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparks Report post Posted January 12, 2012 I'm with Johanna, and don't mean to be harsh. But if the decoration affects all that beautiful sound that the luthier (guitar maker) has tried to accomplish by finding just the right pieces of wood, and it get significantly changed by the leather (i.e. "ruined") it would certainly need to come off. I think anything snug would alter the vibrations of the wood and consequently alter the sound. Mind you, it's a pretty decoration for those with tastes that way, but enhancing the appearance of the guitar should in no way be at the cost of the SOUND of the guitar. After all, people purchase sound recordings of guitar performances, not so much pictures. Sparks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted January 12, 2012 Personally, I want my guitar to look worn. If it is from age and playing then the tone is just going to improve. Check out the hole in Willie's gut sting acustic. Picks have worn a hole in it you coud out your fist through! I perspire a bit with the outdoor bluegrass festivals, but I just spray Dunlop guitar wax on it a few times a month. Best thing I've ever seen. They use it exclusively at Gruhn's guitar shop. pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 13, 2012 That's what Kroger store sells Pledge wax for,.........protecting valuable guitars from sweat shop people. At least that is what happened to mine since about 30 years ago when I got my Ibanez Concord. But if you gotta have that thing, . . . Johanna hit it, . . . do the velcro thing, . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McJeep Report post Posted January 13, 2012 What about using a lighter weight leather to build the cover, which would allow you to use much less bulky seaming at the edges - then laminate (with stitched or laced border) the nice carved piece on to the face of the cover to dress it up - ease of construction - functional - and still had the carved pizazz you want to add? Just throwin it out there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
