Ed Minch and porch dwellers everywhere,

Guitar-making question.

I’ve got a buddy making an arch-top, and he’s borrowing a few gouges of mine. (I
woodwork vicariously through others) He’s made a few acoustics and scads of
solid bodied guitars. Even patented his own saddle-less bridge, too.
(rayrossbass.com <http://rayrossbass.com/">http://rayrossbass.com/>)

I thought for the underside of the top, what he might need is one of those
convex bottomed luthier planes with the palm-knob, but I’m no luthier. I’m going
to obtain one for him if further research indicates that’s the way to go.

So, here’s my question:

On ebay there are scads of them. Surely not made well. They span from $19 on up.

Are these little planes an area where even cheap ones do the job 95% like a
“nice” one? Or am I foolish to go the low-quality route in this instance?

Any thoughts?

Matthew Groves
Springfield, MO