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Archtop "Lucky
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Author:  ozziebluesman [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:24 am ]
Post subject:  Archtop "Lucky
Hi to you all,

Here is my thirteenth acoustic guitar build an Archtop named "Lucky". The top set is a 2A European Spruce from Stew Mac which had some run out that grave me some grief when carving. The body is some local Queensland Kauri which was beautiful to carve. The back set is not a book match but it has some character which I like. The owner wanted a metal tailpiece that I'm not so keen on but it sounds good! The Kauri is more toward the softwood family and has given the guitar a warm tone.

Here are a few pics and thanks for looking:
Image
Image
Image
Cheers
Alan
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Always liked the unbound look. Well done Alan.
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Thanks Darrel.

I with you mate the unbound look makes for an earthy, no frills guitar. I like to build guitars that let the wood do all the talking.

Cheers

Alan
Author:  Matt Bouchie [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
That looks nice!

Matt
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Very nice, well done!
Author:  mkellyvrod [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Agree with the others, the lines are smooth and rounded. It flows nicely and appears seamless. Just a good look all around; outstanding. [:Y:]
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Very nice! What did you use for finish? Dovetail neck?
Author:  cphanna [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Very nice archtop! I love archtops. I also like to see them in different woods. I don't believe I've ever seen a piece of kauri, except in pictures. I think Lucky has a very nice, uncomplicated look, and very voluptuous lines. Well done.
Patrick
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Very nice Alan. Very "soft" & inviting! Well done [:Y:]
If you don't mind my asking, looks a substantial bridge height...how high is it?
Also what finish did you use?
Author:  Quine [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Great looking archtop man!!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
What a nice clean look! Great work!
Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Alan,
I want to pick it!
Really looks great!
I think the lack of "bling" lets the natural beauty show, and I like the smooth curves.
Very nice.
Dan
Author:  DannyV [ Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Oi crikey, she's a beauty mate! Love it, how's she sound Allen?

Cheers,
Danny
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Thanks Matt, Chris, mkellyvrod, Patrick, Quine, Waddy, Dan for your kind words and encouragement.

Terrence: I have used a bolt on neck and I made a tool to insert through the input jack hole to detach the neck.

Dave: The bridge is 1 1/8 inch from the top to the D string. I think from memory the Benedetto plan which I followed suggests 1 inch. I used a French Polish process using Blonde Shellac flakes with a final sand with 600 grit flexible paper from Stew Mac to achieve a satin finish. The Blonde Shellac has given the guitar a nice honey colour.

DannyV: Thanks mate for your comments. The guitar sounds good. Very nice sustain and the Kauri being on the soft side gives a warm tone. I personally don't like the metal tailpiece as it gives a brassiness to the tone. The owner wanted a metal tailpiece right or wrong so we reached a compromise and I sourced this one made from brass which was expensive but I wasn't prepared to fit a $12 made in Hong Kong tailpiece on the guitar.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.

Cheers

Alan
Author:  TonyKarol [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Yes indeedy .. that looks pretty sweet !!!
Author:  LarryH [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
So humbling to see a hand carved archtop. I can only dream of the needed skills. Nice job indeed and the unbound look is very warm and inviting. You should be very proud.
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Thanks Larry.

Cheers

Alan
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
Thanks Tony.

Cheers

Alan
Author:  DannyV [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
OK so why did you name it Lucky? :)
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
G'day Danny,

It was my thirteenth acoustic build.

Cheers

Alan
Author:  SteveSmith [ Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
I like the looks a lot, it looks like something I would just like to pick up and play. But I'm with you Alan, I'm not real keen on the tailpiece. An archtop is on my list of builds for the future - I've got Benedetto's book but that's as far as I've gotten :roll:
Author:  DannyV [ Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
ozziebluesman wrote:
G'day Danny,

It was my thirteenth acoustic build.

Cheers

Alan

:lol: Come to think of it, I think I'm on mine too.
Author:  Joe Sallis [ Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
really niece.
Author:  ozziebluesman [ Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Archtop "Lucky
G'day Steve and thanks for your comments. The Benedetto book dvd build is an acoustic instrument and the metal tailpiece tends to make the guitar sound thin IMO. My first archie was built as per the book with a handmade ebony tailpiece. Makes for a nice woody tone that I much prefer. It also makes the guitar lighter in weight. I would like to build another archie in the future but there is so much more work involved in the archtop than a standard acoustic build. All good fun!

Danny: Yep by the 13th build we should know what we are doing but I always seem to make a mistake on every build which keeps me thinking!

Thanks Joe for your thoughts.

Cheers

Alan
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