I want to build an Archtop...

[Daniel P]

I've been having a great time building flat tops, but after seeing and playing a few incredible archtops at the La Conner Guitar Festival, I have to build one.

I've had the Benedetto Book and DVD on the shelf for some time, but wondering if any of you have first hand experience.

What carving tools are essential for the carved top/back? A gouge or curved bottom plane? Can I get away with only one size/type?

Are the Benedetto plans the go-to? Any other plans you'd recommend?

I'm hoping to track down a b-grade billet or two for practice carving a top.

Any thoughts, recommendations or advice greatly appreciated.

[John Parchem]

Interesting, I have been having the same thoughts. I bought robbie o'brien new archtop online class and have been watching it. It has nearly 24 hours of lessons, I have not made it through the entire course. I have not gotten far enough to answer your questions, but I am interested in the conversation.

[Daniel P]

John—that looks like a meaty course. I look forward to your wonderfully detailed posts about your first archtop build

So much to learn.

[Rick Milliken]

I’m half, maybe 2/3 of the way through my first archtop build (first guitar for that matter). Full disclosure, I started with violins, so some of that experience transferred.

I am using the Benedetto book and plans, I didn’t get the DVD.

I don’t think you need a great range of tools. My list would be fairly short, specifically for the top and back.
- a really good gouge. I use a #5 sweep, about 15mm wide. I’ll likely get a wider one at some point, but it’s a good all purpose.
- finger planes. If I was buying them I’d get a large one, 18mm wide blade, another about 10mm wide. And I’d get toothed blades for at least one of those (if you are using highly figured wood especially).
I made my original little ones for the violin and just made larger ones for the guitar. About a 20mm blade. Body size about 30mm wide x 120mm or so long. I forget the radius just now. But pretty easy to make.
- a device for measuring thickness across the width and length of the plates.
- a good set of curved card scrapers is indispensable in my opinion too.

Essentially I use the gouge to define the arches (I used templates). The plane smooths and connects all the lines and the scrapers got you down to final thickness. Over simplified but that’s really about it for tools specific to carving the top and back.

I made a plate holder, to hold things in place while carving, but those can be simple or really elaborate too.

[Daniel P]

Thank you Rick,

For the gouge what is a quality make to consider? (I know good planes, but not sweeps/gouges)
Do you use straight or spoon/bent gouges?

You made your own convex bottom planes - would love to see some images if you are open to sharing.

[Rick Milliken]

I got a 2 cherries brand gouge and like it a lot. The place I bought it sharpened and honed it for me, and all I’ve done over a couple of years use is to strop it when it gets a little dull. I understand that Henry Taylor and Pfeil are both good quality brands, but I’ve no direct experience with them.

The planes started out with seeing a blog, and trying it out.

https://finelystrung.com/2008/08/19/mor ... ng-planes/

Paul Sellers also has a YouTube video on making curved sole planes that’s useful.

For the blade, I shaped the base and just put the blank through the throat of the plane, marked the curve and then sharpened, much like sharpening a gouge.

[Kevin in California]

Daniel
I have the Benedetto book, I watched the Benedetto DVD's, and I have the Benedetto plans. I have all the wood, tuners, pickup, etc. All since around Feb. just waiting to get started.
That will happen in early June. I can't answer yet how I will do the carving, but, I have made many wood planes so I will probably make a curved bottom plane, and use small flat bottom and chisels.
I also have a safety planer, so will utilize that where I can.
I'm excited also to get started, it will be my first archtop after building 14 assorted steel string and classical acoustics.