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I want to build an archtop with a shape along the lines of the Super 300/Super 400 - 19" across. Unfortunately, all of the wood that seems to be available (at least through major sources) seems to be 18" max (9" x 2 pieces). Are there any sources for wood wider than 18"? If not, what's the best way to make a top that wide?

Thank you much,
John

Hi John,
I'd suggest you contact the suppliers directly, tell them what you're looking for and have them help you locate what you need. There's also the possibility of making 3piece backs, although with archtops, I have no idea how you'd go about bracing that. I'm sure one of the archtop experts will be along to answer that question.
But look at the suppliers links that sponsor this forum. Give them a call and explain to them what you're looking for. I bet they'll try to help locate what you need.
Good luck.
dave

A common method is to use offcuts from the waist area and add them as "wings" to the lower bouts to gain the necessary width. Make sure you flip the pieces over and glue the offcut from side 'A' to side 'B' and vice versa, or the joint will be more noticeable if there is any runout. This works well for top woods and many darker woods back woods, but it is harder to make it look convincing on things like figured maple.

I'm sure you can get top wood that is wide enough for a 19" two piece arch top, though. Like Dave said, contact the sponsors...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Ahh - I should have thought of that. Thanks!

In the Benedetto video he's faced with a similar problem for a top. He simply glues a Spruce "wing" to get his dimension. This adds enough wood to accommodate his tracing. I don't think this affects bracing or anything. Especially if it's for a back, as an archtop guitar has no back braces.
-John

Benedetto does, indeed, wing a top in his video/DVD series. He says it's for a sunburst guitar, so the glue joint won't show, and he doesn't worry about bracing it. I had to wing the top of my archtop,too, for a different reason. Mine is not sunburst. The wing joint is invisible in most lighting situations. I aligned the wing with the lower bout of my top, and noted that two of the grain lines were going to be almost touching each other along their entire length--thus calling attention to the joint. Using a shooting setup, I carefully planed off one gain line from one of the mating pieces. Then the glue joint was nearly invisible. Having said all that, I agree with the suggestion of just calling a supplier and asking if they can supply a 19-inch top. I expect most can do it. But either way, you'll be fine.
Patrick

I have also used the wing method to make up width on flat tops that were too narrow. It is sort of common for archtops, just as usefull for flat tops.
Sometimes the suppliers have really good adirondack spruce in small sizes, not as good quality or drastically more expensive in "000" or dread sizes.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY