Acoustic Guitar Construction

No, it is not wide enough for that; I was looking at it this morning and wondering if it is worth the time to rebuild it.

The thing with 'real' gypsy guitars and carved-top guitars is that there is a real investment in time and tooling to build them correctly, and if it will be just a one-off type of thing, then you have to ask whether it is worth it. It might be, but I'm thinking I'm not at that point yet. I am so pleased with the "A"-braced instrument that I just finished that I think I will build another before I try something new; I have some ideas to incorporate into this next one that I really want to try out.

And meanwhile I can study the archtop methodology more extensively and get my mind around it, and maybe make a couple of jigs with the goal of eventually making the instrument.

Subject to change, of course :-)

Now what would be cool would be, if I knew someone with cnc stuff. Why? Benedetto points out that some good archtops are advertised as 'solid wood' when they are actually a laminate (not plywood) of 3 layers of good quality spruce, which are pressed into a form that has been cut into mdf or other suitable material.

Actually CNC would be the hard way --- easy way to make the mold is to get hold of the guitar you like, remove all the hardware tape over the holes cover it with "Saran Wrap" than cast a fiberglass mold.

Aaaaaah - yes!!

And I was working on a CNC machine for the same purpose

Eric

Eric - are you still working on that cnc?

Yes. I've had exactly 2 hours of shop time since the first of July. Something always interrupts. I finished the new benchtop in May. I fit the vises and was flipping it over to attach it to the bench. It slipped and hit the floor. Four pieces. I haven't had time to do anything since that disaster.
I work out of town during the week. We've had so much rain this summer I have to cut the grass three to four times on the weekend to get it to a height where I don't loose the dogs. The last TV I watched was 1/2 of a pre-recorded 'Woodsmith Shop' program a couple of weeks ago. I'm hopful that on my next slice of vacation I'll be able to get moving again. It sounds like I'm complaining, but it's just life and it comes in cycles. I keep my own honey-do list and my priority is keeping the little jobs in the house done for my wife. The alternative is to be unemployed and have all the time in the world.

If I ever get it don'e I'll be happy to probe some tops for you :-)

Eric