Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Aug 21, 2025 11:38 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:37 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:17 am
Posts: 1383
Location: Canada
Things have been kind of slow for archtops, so here's one I finished a couple of weeks ago.
It's Lutz spruce (from Shane) and locally obtained maple. (The back wasn't great when I cut it open, but I'm calling it "character"). Cocobolo bindings, headplate & bridge....my first shot at a "wedge" type adjustable bridge (rather than thumbwheels) & it worked out well. Kent Armstrong handwound PAF with stealth volume.
Hope you like.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Dave
Milton, ON


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:41 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:43 am
Posts: 601
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Focus: Build
I sure enjoy your work!

_________________
http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:16 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:44 pm
Posts: 217
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Sweet ! Interesting bridge also.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:20 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 1135
Location: Hudson, MA
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Quine
City: Hudson
State: MA
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That's a beautiful guitar! Really classy looking design. I don't know what's wrong with the maple on the back but it looks great in the photo


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:36 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:00 pm
Posts: 2020
Location: Utah
Wow! That is just a stunning instrument, and very tastefully appointed IMHO. [clap]


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:20 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:14 pm
Posts: 1066
First name: Heath
Last Name: Blair
City: Visalia
State: California
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
man, that is sweet. love it.

_________________
sweat the small stuff.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:09 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5903
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Exquisite!

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:14 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:50 am
Posts: 3152
Location: Canada
They just keep getting better Dave! Very nice!

Shane

_________________
Canada


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:15 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:45 pm
Posts: 1374
Location: Calgary, Canada
Status: Amateur
Another beauty Dave. How's it sound? How about a better shot of the tailgut connection. Looks a bit different?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:17 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:52 pm
Posts: 170
First name: Bruno
Last Name: Piancatelli
Country: Argentina
Status: Amateur
sexy looking guitar.!
what kind of mic has it on? any piezo?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:57 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 333
First name: jack
Country: usa
great looking guitar!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:14 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 10:32 am
Posts: 2616
First name: alan
Last Name: stassforth
City: Santa Rosa
State: ca
Zip/Postal Code: 95404
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Nice, Dave.
You've let the beauty of the woods used come through very tastefully.
Plus, I think an archtop is the purtiest of the guitars.
Is that bridge glued on?
Also, it looks very interesting.
Got a few close-ups of that?
Thanks,
Alan


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:21 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
Posts: 3447
Location: Alexandria MN
Looks great. Tell us about your tailpiece. Solid Ebony or is there some metal in there somewhere?

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:23 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:17 am
Posts: 1937
Location: Evanston, IL
First name: Steve
Last Name: Courtright
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Top notch, as always, Dave. I love the lines, esp. the tailpiece. Cheers.

_________________
"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:24 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:20 am
Posts: 2593
Location: Powell River BC Canada
First name: Danny
Last Name: Vincent
An archtop! An understatement. Beautifuly done as usual Dave. Is the bridge wedge a friction fit, holds it in place?

Danny


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:59 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:16 am
Posts: 2692
Nice, Dave. Love your work.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:20 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:06 am
Posts: 372
Beautiful!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:49 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:17 am
Posts: 1383
Location: Canada
Thanks for all the kind comments .... much appreciated.
Darrel, it sounds very sweet. If the bridge design contributes to that, I'm a fan. The tailpiece connection on this is a tailgut over a raised ebony saddle (like a violin). I prefer this over the pivot glued to the underside of the tailpiece, though I do both. The tailpiece is carved ebony only, no metal (...meant to replicate the soundhole shapes.)
Electrics are the pickup only...no mic or piezo.
The bridge is the floating variety typical of archtops (ie not glued on). The adjustment wedge is held by friction only. Few more shots below.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Dave
Milton, ON


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:29 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 10:32 am
Posts: 2616
First name: alan
Last Name: stassforth
City: Santa Rosa
State: ca
Zip/Postal Code: 95404
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Beautiful bridge,
creative design.
Let's call it "The Sushi Bridge".


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:08 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:19 am
Posts: 493
Location: United States
Excellent job!

What holds your truss rod cover on?

_________________
Horton, MI


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:14 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:01 pm
Posts: 3031
First name: Tony
Last Name: C
City: Brooklyn
State: NY
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Wow. I can't see anything wrong with the back, though I would agree it has character. This is a beautiful guitar. Outstanding work.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:53 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
Posts: 3447
Location: Alexandria MN
If the tailpiece is solid Ebony it looks like it might be a little fragile with those narrow struts. Ever had any breakage problems with that design? It looks great.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:43 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:17 am
Posts: 1383
Location: Canada
Thanks again.
I hate seeing screws so the cover is held in place with (4) 3mm magnets.... 2 a bit sunk in the headplate & 2 a bit proud of the cover surface. Allows it to "snap" into place along centerline. (I no longer use the felt.)
Attachment:
cover attach (41).jpg

The back has a couple of pin knots on the bass side. FWIW, to bring out the figure I tried a coat of polymerized tung oil on the maple, before shellac sealcoat & lacquer, & it seemed to work pretty well.
Terence, I was concerned but have not had any problems with the design. (I loop a belt "strirrup" through the opening of each one & make sure it will take my body weight jumping up & down before I use it)
cheers
(ps a non-identical twin is almost ready)


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Dave
Milton, ON


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:30 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:00 pm
Posts: 2020
Location: Utah
I would sure love to hear it played! Got any sound clips? Eat Drink


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: an archtop
PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:40 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:54 pm
Posts: 713
Location: United States
First name: nick
Last Name: fullerton
City: Vallejo
State: ca
Zip/Postal Code: 94590
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Nice. It looks like that bridge can't raise either side independently. I don't quite understand how it works, but the idea of full contact is excellent of course.
pizza

_________________
"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Colin North, Kbore, Ken Lewis and 15 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com