Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm more of an archtop guy. In lutherie I rarely stick my nose into anything unless it's got at least a little to do with the archtop beasts. Well, I've already written a couple of posts on here about a nylon string I want to build that will be a archtop/classical hybrid. I need a plan for this.... literally. On ebay recently someone's been selling spruce that says it's good for a "folk cutaway guitar". I like this shape! I'll post it for all to see. So..... Can any of you guys direct me to a plan I can purchase that has a similar shape? When it comes to nylon string guitars all the plans I see are for Hausser clones, etc... I want something like this:

Sorry the outline isn't very strong. I tried playing with it in Photoshop but couldn't get very good results. I think you can still get the idea though. I want a classical with some sort of cutaway. Failing that I would go for a steel string plan. Thanks all.
-John

Not really looking like a classical... They have narrower lower bouts, the waist is probably lower and more open among others.

Anyway, for plans look here: http://www.luth.org/plans/classic.htm#plan12

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Build log

This looks very much like a 14 fret 000 Martin cutaway shape. It's quite common and you could certainly copy it by tracing a guitar at almost any Guitar Center store. It's around 15" at the lower bout.
I don't know of any plans for this type of nylon string, but it would be a simple mattter to use an establshed bracing pattern and this body shape, of course adjusting for neck join location (12th or 14th fret) and fretboard length.

Best

You could look at the Taylor nylon string. You can see their bracing plans on their site.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

John, right now I can't help as day job is eating me alive with travel and time but I am in the middle of designing my own contemorary shaped classical with a bolt on neck that has a spanish heel look to the neck block. once the design an proto-types are finished I will make the plans available as OLF plans Who know maybe Stewmac will carry them. However this may still be some time down the road. Like spring some time. I have built one with a conventional spanish heel neck and the bracing is pretty much the same as Hausser SR. 1946 moddel with one more fan brace to make the spread work for the lower bout. it worked well but I don't have the plans drawn for it I free winged it.

Daves post is the way to go .
You can easily adapt that shape for nylon strings .

Keep posting as you go & we'll all help you out.


Mike

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Mike Collins

Wow guys! Thanks for all the help on this. Like I said, I'm an archtop guy and I really don't know much (nor pretend to) about steel string shapes, construction, etc.... I mainly have an interest in the body shape and not so much in the bracing. Most likely my build will have a flat top (with some kind of sound hole), and an arched maple back. I'm almost 100% sure I will be putting an X-Brace on the top (like an archtop would have) and that's it. This is for my nylon string archtop project I hope to get off the ground within the year!! I'm actually shooting for something like a 15" lower bout so this is good. So if this looks like some kind of Martin, Taylor, etc... Maybe I'll just try to trace one. I can hardly picture the Guitar Center letting me!

Does anyone have an acoustic guitar like this (be it a Mrtin or Taylor)? I would be more than happy to pay for a tracing if anyone would be so kind?

Best to all!
-John