Instruction Books - These are step by step instruction books intended to lead the beginning luthier through the complete process of making an instrument.
Build Your Own Electric Guitar, Bill Foley, GVM Publishing, 0961836105, -A basic book devoted to solid body electrics. Enough illustrations and background information that just about anyone with basic mechanical skills should be successful. If you can't build a guitar from this book, you need to either pack it in or get some help from someone who's built a successful instrument.
Fret Work Step by Step, Stewart MacDonald Shop Guide Series, , 0964475219, -Heavily illustrated guide by the folks at Stewart-MacDonald. It's hard to imagine needing to know anything more about fret work.
Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology, William R. Cumpian and Jonathan D. Natelson, Cronicle Books LLC, 0811806405, -Pretty much the bible of acoustic guitar making. It's very complete, though sometimes it takes a little time to find a specific piece of information. It is a bit old now, but still a very good reference. They do almost everything with hand tools. This is certainly a plus for people without a well-equipped shop, but it must have taken them forever to make a guitar. This book has the additional advantage of being stocked in lots of book stores. Borders, Barnes and Noble or the equivalent often have a copy on the shelf.
Making an Archtop Guitar, Robert Benedetto, Centerstream Publishing, 1574240005, -I'm biased, but for my money, Bob's the man. His book is clear and easy to follow. He also includes templates (which I never used). There is also a series of videos that complement the book. I once had the chance to meet Bob and his wife, Cindy. They are very nice people who are generous in sharing their knowledge of luthiery.
Making Master Guitars, Roy Courtnall, Robert Hale Limited, 0709048092, -This one is pretty much the magnum opus of classical guitar making. It is nicely done with lots of pictures, drawings and measurements from a number of instruments from master builders. Roughly the second half of the book is devoted to instructions on how to make an instrument. I see no reason why a beginner couldn't make a good instrument using this book, but it doesn't hold your hand through the process. Like many others, it makes very little mention of power tools.
The Guitar Maker's Workshop, Rik Middelton, Crowood Press, 186126707x, -A pretty good book from a British author. It's clear and well-illustrated. I bought it sight-unseen from an online book seller and was glad to have taken the chance on it. I'm not sure why it isn't stocked along with some of the other standard works (like Cumpiano and Natelson) in large bookstores. My only two minor complaints are that all measurements are in mm (ironically, as a revolting colonial type, I'm still happiest with English units) and that British English sometimes needs a bit of translation. For example, what we call a C-clamp, the Brits apparently call a G-cramp. Middleton's book deserves to be more popular on this side of the pond.
Violin-Making: A Practical Guide, Juliet Barker, Crowood Press, 1861264364, -Not a guitar book, but a must for people interested in making instruments. It is well-illustrated and very nicely done. Juliet Barker should be proud of this one.
Reference Books - These may include some instructions, but mostly contain commentaries on guitar-making, background information and descriptions of particularly interesting instruments.
The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars, Manuel Rodriguez, Hal Leonard, , -A nice, well-illustrated book that includes sections about history, materials, construction techniques and exhibitions and schools. It's not an instruction book for beginning luthiers, but is an interesting read for someone interested learning more about classical guitars.
Custom Guitars, Simone Solonds, ed., String Letter Publishing, 1890490296, -If this book were food, it would be German dark chocolate cake with strawberries. It is a gratuitously illustrated survey of fine, handcrafted guitars. There is relatively little text and very little technical information, but that's not the point. This is where you go to find out how a really good guitar is supposed to look.
Ferrington Guitars, Kate Geil, ed., Harper Collins Publishers, , -This book is essentially a tribute to luthier Danny Ferrington. It is unusual in that it is not rectangular - the outer edge is cut at about a 20 degree angle so the book is wider on the top than on the bottom. My edition came with a CD of music played on Ferrington guitars. The book is well-illustrated with examples of his instruments made for well-known musicians. There is also a short section on how he makes his instruments.
The Fine Guitar, Jose Oribe, Mel Bay Publications, , -This is a short, nicely illustrated book giving his take on making classical guitars. He's definitely of the school that believes only the best materials can be used to make a 'legitimate' instrument. He's very specific about what materials should be used, right down the type of hot hide glue that works best. A very nice book, though his insistence on very specific procedures might intimidate a beginner. He freely shares what he's learned over a long career of making very good instruments.
The Luthier's Handbook, Roger H. Siminoff, Hal Leonard, 0634014684, -Combines guidelines on the practical aspects of making guitars with some basic technical background. Lots of pictures and easy to follow. The electronic equipment shown in the book is very old - much more modern equipment is widely available.
Manual of Guitar Making, Franz Jahnel, The Bold Strummer, 0933224990, -This spiral bound paperback is an incredibly detailed collection of reference material for guitar makers. There is a section at the beginning on the history of the guitar. The remainder of the book is devoted to charts and tables of everything from material properties of wood to the details of Pythagorean and even tempered scales. There is also a section giving measurements and drawing for a number of different instruments. This, combined with the fact that…
Things About The Guitar, Jose Ramirez III, Soneto, 8487969402, -This is essentially a memoir by Jose Ramirez III recounting the history of the Ramirez family in their classical guitar making business. There are a few comments on how good instruments should be made. It's a bit arcane and I think will be of interest only to serious guitar fanatics.
Violin Varnishes, Josef and Reiner Hammerl, , , -Nothing in the violin world has been the subject of more discussion, speculation and outright silliness than finish. Great violin makers sometimes have a secret recipe for finish that they guard as they would the location of buried treasure. This self-published book (originally in German) lists the possible ingredients of violin varnish and the properties they impart. A very useful reference for people making their own, finishes, but limited appeal beyond that.