Official Luthiers Forum!

In making the front and back plates for an archtop acoustic guitar, can three 6 inch boards be joined instead of two 9 inch boards?

I recently completed a an archtop based on Robert Benedetto's builders plans and video. It sounds so good that I would like to build another, but at a more reasonable cost. I plan on spraying the front and back plates black, and use figured maple stained cherry for the sides and neck. Therefore, the plates don't need to be made of eye-popping wood.

I imagine that I can get 6 inch wide boards cheaper than 9 inch wide boards. If 3 narrower boards are joined together, we they sound as good as 2 wider boards? Please let me know. Thanks.

Yes, it is done alot. And it might even sound better because of it. I have found that the more glue joints, the better for sound.

Gee Gary,

Can they? Well now let me see...um, gee why not? Why not 4 or 5? Gee lets join up a whole bunch and call it a bowl top.

Why not just go to your lumber yard and buy an 8 ft. 2 x 10 or 12 stick of SPF for about $10 or $15 bucks and end up with 2 tops? Of course you may have to search though the whole pile for quartersawn .... I usually find the best quartered material in 2 x 12 x 16 ft lengths or longer.

But there ain't nothing wrong with flat sawn and even rift sawn material for an archtop, and if you read Benedettos book you would know this.

Now regarding you question, that of "can three 6 inch boards be joined"...no Gary they can not, but
you may if you wish. I mean like gee dude, its your shop and your money, glue up what ever you want. And you know what...I'll lay odds that it will work just fine.


blessings
the
Padma

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I'm planning on doing it myself. I have the tightest grained straightest redwood that I can't wait to make a top out of . It'll have to be a three piece top, but it's going to look purty. A friend gave me several boards of it, cut from a guard rail post.

Darrin

Oh yes! I've got a 4 piece Brazilian back that rings like a bell. Not only can it be done, but sometimes it should be done, and others it must be done. Perfect wood is difficult to come by...don't let something like a little knot stop you from using awesome tonewood.

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We are all gathered here today to join these three boards together in Holy Harmony ! As a Offical Luthires Minister , I have to ask, do u have the proper papers from the state ? OK !

If Anyone Objects to the Joining of these Three boards in Holy Harmony Speak Now or forever hold your Tone !


Let us proceed

If you will turn with me in your copies of the " King Padma's" Version Of the Luthiers Bible ............

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