I purchased all the materials for this build 5 1/2 years ago thinking I was going to get right into it. Ha!
Since then I've built 3 OM guitars and completed 2 Violins with a third just waiting for the finish.
So now I finally get to make MY Archtop guitar.
I'm building off the Benedetto plans using his video series class and book. Should be fun.
I've read the book a couple of times and viewed some of the videos over the years. This will be a new challenge, but the arch carving is not much different from the violin carving so I have a better understanding how that will be done.
This will also be my FIRST dovetail neck joint. I've always done bolt on M & T necks except for two classicals done traditionally. I have the jig and templates for the dovetail so I'm not too concerned about it but I will practice on scrap first!!!!
Today I traced the body outline off the plans and made an MDF template to make the mold. The template is made so next step is to make that mold.
I'm pretty sure this will be the only Archtop so I won't bother with making a bending form for the Fox style bender and just bend the sides by hand on my old handmade electric hot pipe.
I should be pulling out the wood for this guitar tomorrow and I'll take some pics for you all.
I have a Benedetto pickup for this with volume and tone controls so it will be ELECTRIFIED!
Wish me luck. I'll try and be good about posting with pics as o go along this journey.......Don't Sop Belive-in!!!
17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
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17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
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Re: 17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
I am looking forward to seeing the progress.
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Re: 17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
No progress but here are some pics of the materials.
Master Grade flamed maple back and sides and stock for bindings, headplate and pic guard (if I want a maple pickguard) Maybe maybe not.
The englemann spruce top is really nice too. Tight grain almost dead quartered.
The neck block has less flame but still nice.
I probably don't have the purfling I'll use. Tradition calls for bwbwb. I have bwb. Tuners are gold grovers. No clue on strings to use but I'm a long was from that.
I hope I can do it justice.
Master Grade flamed maple back and sides and stock for bindings, headplate and pic guard (if I want a maple pickguard) Maybe maybe not.
The englemann spruce top is really nice too. Tight grain almost dead quartered.
The neck block has less flame but still nice.
I probably don't have the purfling I'll use. Tradition calls for bwbwb. I have bwb. Tuners are gold grovers. No clue on strings to use but I'm a long was from that.
I hope I can do it justice.
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Re: 17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
One more
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Re: 17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
This type of guitar has been a long time on my mind. But never went for it. What kept me from it were:
-The lamination of the sides
-The carving of the plates
-I don't play jazz and
-I already have an upgraded Ibanez AS73. (Great guitar for the money BTW)
So show and convince me
Herman
-The lamination of the sides
-The carving of the plates
-I don't play jazz and
-I already have an upgraded Ibanez AS73. (Great guitar for the money BTW)
So show and convince me
Herman
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- Posts: 958
- Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:30 pm
- Location: Granby, CT
Re: 17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!
Accumulating all the parts one needs before starting construction can take a while. Been there, done that. Anybody want to see the plans and builder's manual for my airplane project I bought 15 years ago? How about the model airplane plans I bought fifty years ago?
Peter Havriluk