Gillander Guitars - Archtop Build
 

This archtop has been on the back burner for a while, but it’s time it starts to get some attention. I’ll post progress pictures as I make my way through the build.

The rim assembled
 

Keeper lining and side braces attached. Still need flatten the area where the top and back are glued on, and bevel the tail block.

Found more images on your Facebook page, including one of Dean Parks! There's a guy who's played on an album or two.

Ha! Yup, just a couple! I wish I got a video of him playing this cocobolo size 0 concert 12 fret, but at least I got a photo with him.

Shaved a few pounds
 

The top is now graduated, and in the process, I made plenty of shavings to help get a few campfires started this summer.

Carving the back
 

Carving maple takes some time, but it’s all in good fun! The outside lines of the back are starting to appear.

New tool day!
 

Having the right tool for the job sure makes things easier! It also helps when they are as stunning to look at as they are functional. It doesn’t get much better than a handmade tool from Bob Benedetto.

It occurs to me that you have carve the inside after this! That must be tricky work, but I guess that mini plane helps you to get in close.

Yup, once the outside shape is established, the inside is carved to the appropriate thickness. The outside shape can still be refined to tune the plates after the body is closed up. Small convex planes definitely help make life easier along the way!

Continued progress on carving the back
 

Here both sides of the back are now roughly carved.

Cutting the F Holes
 

After making several templates with a laser cutter, I finally found one I liked. I then transferred the pattern to the top and hand cut the f holes. A little more clean up and they should be good to go.

Brace yourself!
 

The start of fitting the x brace to a complex curve.

XBrace
 

X brace glued in place. When it dries, it’ll be time to give them some shape.

I admire your patience Chad. When I see the work of carving and then matching the bracing, I wonder why people started making guitars this way. A flat top seems so much easier! How did arch top guitars come about? Were they originally made by violin and cello makers (and excellent woodcarvers) that were diversifying?

You can blame Orville Gibson, the namesake of the Gibson guitar company, for that.