Archtop build number 2.

PeteC

Really appreciate you sharing these insights on the arch top builds @WezV ;
Looking great as ever. 

WezV

danishbacon said:

very interesting. The mid 30s Epiphone Broadway was available in spruce and walnut, not sure when they moved from 16 to 17” but the walnut ones are sought after. 

i wasn't aware of that.. looking at them its identical wood choices to this one, with a figured maple neck and ebony board

Jalapeno

Looking as tasty as ever !  loving it ! More ! More !!!!!!!

WezV

Another thing to note on this one is I have wedged the back of the neck block. It's longer on top where it will hold the pickup. doesn't need to be as long on the back so i cut a big chunk away i could probably get away with a much smaller neck block, but i like this method of construction. The only bit i am not sure about yet is that it will leave me with an obvious mahogany section showing in the cutaway. ideally I will want to show the construction, but if it stands out to much it may get disguised in finish

WezV

Just taken delivery of some black tulipwood veneer.

These are 270x18x0.06cm


A lot more than I need right now, but it will all get used along the way.   I can now proceed with veneering the headstock faces and heel, and I have plenty for purfling lines later on

kaypeejay

Cool cat!

WezV

Yeah, he likes to be involved.

SteveRobinson

Do you get cat hairs in your finish? It's the bane of my life.

WezV

Normally he doesn't loose much hair, the coat on maine coons is a bit different to normal cats.    Losing a lot now its spring though.

WezV

Head stock face is veneered with black tulipwood and walnut.  

The back will have the same, just need to bend the walnut plate to fit the curve shown above.  It will then get a carved volute showing the layers.

I also started on the tailpiece and got the main bits made



I need to trim the main wooden bit back a bit for a better match at the join, but its not looking too bad.   Gonna fit a brass or bone saddle in front of the strings slots as I don't think the walnut will resist string wear.

I may also look into weight relieving the brass before epoxying the whole thing together.   Currently it's 164g. A few holes drilled through the middle section might help reduce it without compromising strength.

 One its a solid unit I can carve some bevels either side and make the whole thing a lot more graceful.

So far so good. 

WezV

New headstock design for this, for straighter string pull than the Gibson style I have been using recently.


It's still a bit thick, but I'm playing with ideas.

Heel had the same walnut/ black veneer scheme.   Neck has been trimmed to depth and width.  Fretboard is not glued yet, I need to cut my heel first.  Going for a shorter tenon on this 

Jez6345789

As always lovely build to watch come together

Jazzthat

Good progress and I like the headstock shape .

WezV

Rims are done, not have all kerfing and side supports in place, and a few aesthetic touches have begun


next jobs there will be to level off the top and back so once the plates are done i can glue up the box and tidy everything up


i also started bending the binding for the cutaway... probably should have got these thinner first.  i have got it to match the template, but it springs back a bit for the pic so will go in the mold to cool down and hopefully hold its shape better.   if it doesn't work, i have plenty more walnut to make some more.   

I will be gluing the binding with hot hide glue so i can reshape as I go on the iron if needed, and remove easily if it does mess up

I really should have glued black purling on the body first, but will cut some to match the curves instead now



Its common with acoustic purfling to do mitered corners. Its fancy, I like it,  but I am purposely doing things much simpler. 

its the difference between these - my way on top, traditional mitered purfling on bottom

PeteC

Looking great.  Really like
the look of the wedge at the back 

Andyjr1515

Yes - nice work

joeW

Really great to watch an arch top build through the stages.  Looking really tasty

WezV

rough cut the f-holes.   I draw them on first, drill some holes at the circles and points, and cut it by hand with a coping saw and sharp knife.   Still a bit of evening out and tidying up to do, but a good start

davros

They are some really elegant f-holes!

WezV

davros said:

They are some really elegant f-holes!

I do like to keep them quite slim and elegant, but there are a few things to consider that may still see them open up a bit more.

the main considerations, according to Benedetto, are : 
1 - space between f-holes.  too close will reduce the main are of the top
2 - narrow f-holes can choke the acoustic sound and reduce its responsiveness
3 - Wide f-holes can reduce protection
4 - the mid points should line up with the bridge

I think I have the positioning pretty good on this one. There is a risk they are too narrow at the moment, but I would rather that, and be able to tweak as I go than have them too wide already.


I am not going to bind them. i much prefer un bound f-holes on this kind of thing.   I'm also not going to do them big enough to pass pots and wiring through... so will need an access port on the back