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Site Map

       This web site has gotten way too large for a few simple navigation buttons (as of 12/15/2002 there are 130 separate pages with more than 1000 photos), so I decided to give a try at a complete index.  I have tried to create links to the correct page, and in some instances, to the correct image on those pages.  I hope this helps.   

Scoop repair  

SOUND CLIPS

HEALDSBURG SHOW

HOFFMAN GUITARS  --  A description of my philosophy of building guitars.  Model and Price information.   Photos.

        Parlor guitar

        Single O

        PICCALO

        00

        Concert guitar

        Concert-12

         Jumbo

         Jumbo 12 String

         Cutaways

        Dreadnaught

        Harp Guitars

        End Wedge Decoration

         Slope D

        Custom Options

        ERGONOMICS

        The WEDGE

        The BEVEL EDGE 

         Peg Heads

          Bridges

        Price List

        Serial Numbers.

        Warranty

Inlay:  This page shows some of the inlay patterns which are commonly available. Of course lots of custom work is also available.

Rosettes:  Some available Styles.

TONE:  An attempt, perhaps foolish, but valiant nonetheless, to define the tonal characteristics of the guitar.

Wood choices.  From time to time I will post photos here offering an out of town customer some choices of different woods (such as several different pieces of koa and Brazilian rosewood).

Binding Styles:  Shows some of the choices available.

Tone:  Some thoughts on the elements which make up the complex concept of tone for guitars.

SHIPPING YOUR GUITAR

HUMIDITY AND YOUR GUITAR

GALLERY:  Photos of interesting stuff that shows up in the shop.

GALLERY 2More of the same, including a very interesting Howe-Orme Guitar.

GALLERY 3:   Matching right and left handed Gibson Harp Guitars.  Possibly the only left  handed Gibson Harp Guitar in existence.

RESTORATION OF 1934 000-18

CURRENT PRODUCTION  --  A set of pages about the guitars I am presently making.  If you have a guitar on order, here is where you can see its progress.  There is a general page  (and a general page 2 and a Page 3 and Page 4 and Page 5.) and a page for each of the current batch of guitars.   You can reach the individual pages by using these links.  

1;  2; 3; 4;  5;  6;  7;  8;  9;  10;  11;  12;  13;  14;

GUITARS FOR SALE.  From time to time I have guitars for sale, and I have some dealers who may have guitars in stock.  Look HERE for info on these instruments.

ABOUT US  --  Who works at Hoffman Guitars, and related gossip.

              Michele Beardsley

              Charlie Hoffman

              Kevin Schwab

               Ron Tracy

GRANDCHILDREN:   Regulars to the site know that I often post photos of my grandchildren.  We now have three - all wonderful and the joy of our lives.

BUILDING A GUITAR  --  This section is quite large, and will eventually be a complete pictorial description of every step in the making of my guitars.  Some of the sections are quite long - the section on making necks has 8 separate pages.  

STEP BY STEP  This section will be a fairly lengthy verbal description of how I do it.  When done it will have links to the pages with accompanying photos.  It is four pages long - at least now.    Page 1;   Page 2;   Page 3;    Page 4

RIMS

       Making the Mold

         Cutting the Sides to shape

          Bending the Sides

          Making and installing the linings.

          End Blocks

TOP AND BACK

            Joining the Top and Back

            Thicknessing the Top and Back

            Cutting the Rosette Channels

            Installing the Rosette

           Making the X Brace

            Gluing the Top Braces

            Gluing the Center Seam reinforcement

ASSEMBLING THE BODY

            Assembling the Body

            Binding the Body

            Preparation for Finishing

NECKS  

            Making the neck blocks    

            Dovetail Joints

            Making and installing the truss rod.

            Shaping the neck

            Neck Construction

                 Page 1;   Page 2;   Page 3;   Page 4;   Page 5;   Page 6Page 7;   Page 8

            Making the Fingerboard

            Fitting the Neck

FINISHING AND ASSEMBLY  

            Finishing the Guitar 

            Fitting the Neck

            Making the Bridge

             Making a Pyramid Bridge

            Gluing the Bridge.

           

GUITAR REPAIRS  - Lots of info about our repair business, including prices and techniques.

        Repair Price List

        Repair Techniques

        Neck Removal

          Bridge Removal

          Special Clamps

          Scoop Repair

         Bridge Slotting

A VISIT TO JIM OLSON'S SHOP  --  Jim Olson and I have been friends for many years and I visit his shop often,  Here are some photos of his shop where he builds some really nice guitars.  Five pages worth.  1   2   3   4   5   A recent visit with Dan Erlewine led to some other photos of Jim's shop.  Look HERE.

A Visit with Dan Erlewine. Dan Erlewine recently visited our shop and we also went to visit Jim Olson's shop.  A few photos are here.

MISCELLANEOUS

        Doodles

       Bill Monroe's Cabin

       Wood Turnings

       Mike Osgar  (a dear friend who taught me quite a bit about instruments and craftsmanship.)

LINKS

OUR SHOP

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RECENT ADDITIONS

REPAIRS   

ROSETTES

SCHWAB MANDOLINS

SPECIAL PROJECTS

        Harp Guitars

       Restoration of 0-17  

            Neck Removal

            Bridge Removal

            Back Removal

TOOLS AND JIGS

        Tools I have Bought

           Buffing Machine

            Side Bender

        Tools I have made.

            Molds

            Dovetail Jigs

            Spray Booth

            Vacuum Gluing Jig

            Vacuum Holding Jigs

            Soaking Trough

WOODS

        Spruce    

        Koa

        Mahogany

        Maple

        Rosewood

        Walnut

WARRANTY

   Wood Selection Page.     

This website and all of its content, text and images are copyright ©1997-2012  by Charles A. Hoffman, Inc.  All rights reserved.

           

2219 East Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN. 55404

hoffmanguitars@qwestoffice.net or choffman820@comcast.net

(612) 338-1079