Canted top guitar?

[Shabby Chic]

Reading Graham McDonald's Mandolin Project got me thinking about what a canted top steel stringed guitar might be like. I've heard some archtop guitar makers talk about how some of their customers are looking for a tone somewhere between an archtop and a flat top and I thought a canted top guitar might just fill that niche... It seems to me a good way to address the challenges of making a flat top guitar with a floating bridge and tailpiece.

I have learned over and over again - usually the hard way - that there is really nothing new in the world, so I thought I might ask the experienced players and luthiers here if they have heard of such an instrument. Surely it's been tried, no?

[Scholar]

Hey. Sent you a PM...

[gitnoob]

Something like a Howe-Orme?

http://bellsouthpwp.com/r/d/rdevelli...ts.htm#508,858

[Shabby Chic]

Ha, it looks like someone put a tailpiece on that guitar but then thought better of it. I'm thinking of a top bent at the bridge all the way across the lower bout like on some old Neapolitan mandolins:

[Rollie]

That should deliver some good down force on that saddle ... I say go for it ...and keep us posted ...

[WhistlingFish]

Originally Posted by Shabby Chic

Surely it's been tried, no?

Yes! Google "selmer guitars + pliage" and you'll find a wealth of information about instruments constructed in this manner.

[Howard Klepper]

It's called a "pliage". I couldn't tell if that was what you meant until you posted the photo.

Yes, it has been used in many Selmer-Maccaferri guitars.

[Shabby Chic]

Yes, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!