Applications: Musical Instruments
NAMM Sample Slideshow – featuring the ShopBot luthier community
Mathis Guitars – Master Inlay Artist and Guitar Luthier – ShopBot Desktop 18×24
Why Do Luthiers Choose ShopBot CNC Routers?
ShopBot CNC routers are trusted by luthiers and instrument makers for their precision, efficiency, versatility and reliability. Whether you’re crafting guitars, banjos, mandolins, pianos, dulcimers, applying custom 3D details or intricate inlay, our CNC machines for musical instrument making streamline production while preserving craftsmanship.
How Can ShopBot CNC Machines Help Luthiers?
ShopBot CNC machines provide luthiers with:
- Automated Precision – Achieve precise, consistent, and repeatable results. Carve instrument bodies, necks, pick guards, control cavity covers, fret slots, inlay, and more!
- Material Versatility – Work with hardwoods, softwoods, composites, plastics, non-ferous (soft) metals, and more.
- Customization – Create detailed inlay with tight tolerances, engravings, and 3D curvature with ease.
- Efficiency & Workflow Optimization – Reduce time spent on tedious manual processes and increase production capacity. Automate the grunt work!
What Materials Can You Cut with a ShopBot CNC?
ShopBot CNC routers excel in working with a variety of materials essential to musical instrument making:
- Hardwoods: Maple, mahogany, rosewood, walnut, and ebony are commonly used for guitar bodies, necks, fingerboards, headstock veneer, cavity covers, and inlay.
- Softwoods: Spruce and cedar, ideal for acoustic string instruments for soundboards and bracing.
- Composites: Laminates and carbon fiber for innovative structural and decorative instrument designs.
- Plastics: Acrylics and polycarbonates for pickguards, cavity covers, and related elements.
- Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, Recon Stone: For intricate inlay or fret markers.
- Soft Metals: Aluminum and brass for certain hardware, engraving, and related decorative accents.
- Foam: For prototyping, custom packaging, and instrument cases.
The Go-To CNC Solution for Luthiers
Whether you’re shaping, carving, or engraving, ShopBot CNC precision in instrument making delivers professional results, every time.
Join the many instrument makers who rely on ShopBot CNC machines to elevate their businesses. Popular models like the Desktop MAX ATC and PRS5 Alpha provide the performance, accuracy, and versatility needed to handle everything from prototyping to all-day production.
- What is the best CNC machine for luthiers?
ShopBot offers CNC routers ideal for luthiers, including the Desktop MAX, Desktop MAX ATC, and PRS5 Alpha (available in many sizes), designed for precision woodworking and instrument making.
- Can a ShopBot CNC machine cut inlays and fret slots?
Yes! ShopBot CNC machines can carve intricate inlays, fret slots, and fine decorative details, using materials like mother-of-pearl, abalone, and hardwoods with incredible precision.
- What software do I need for CNC instrument making?
We recommend Vectric VCarve Pro or Aspire for design and toolpath creation, which integrate seamlessly with ShopBot CNC machines.
Ready to Start CNC Crafting?
ShopBot CNC routers help luthiers create precision-cut guitars, mandolins, pianos, and more. Call 888-680-4466 or Request a Tool Quote to find the best CNC machine for your workshop.