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One one of my J200 jumbo's I carved an arched back out of maple. The guitar came out great and the customer loved it. Any one else do this? I am thinking of doing another one.

I'm not sure about steel string builders but a number of classical builders-mostly Aussies-have been doing this for quite a while, mostly in combination with lattice braced tops (Smallman, Price, etc.)

I have also seen this on some vintage guitars... jody

The guitar I made had great projection as well. Kind of a challenge to make but fun.

I've made a couple like this, and I think they came out pretty well. I think you add a bit of weight (though not too much!) but I do think it helps with projection.

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I built one many years ago, and helped a student make one once. You do get a sound that's between the flat top and archtop sound, which can be quite nice. Carving an arched plate is one way to sort of fool maple into acting like rosewood.

Guild has built many guitars in this style.

Interesting topic, unusual, worth study.

Your SJ carved back... how deep was the arch, did it have a recurve just like a traditional archtop guitar's back?
A picture would be nice.

Would not it be a significant cost increase to supply a carved arched back on a flat-top guitar?

Were not Guilds a pressed & laminated back?

I saw an advertisment, a year or so ago, for someone pressing arch tops and backs for sale.

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The Gretsch rancher had a plywood arched back. Not that there was much to recommend it as a guitar!! I collect Gretsches,but not some of them.

Unforetunatly I did not take any photos but I will next time I am in LA. My guitars are expensive so all ready so the cost did not play into the factor because there was plenty of margin. I cut it out on my duplicarver so it was not that big of a deal.
Deep arch about like a De Angelico archtop guitar.