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  #1  
Old 01-09-2016, 05:08 PM
GeoffStGermaine GeoffStGermaine is offline
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Default New Archtop Guitar Build

I thought I'd share my 3rd Archtop Guitar build with you.

17" x 3" cutaway body
German spruce top
Claro walnut back/sides
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard and trimmings
Kent Armstrong Floating PAF pickup
Gotoh SGL510Z Tuners
Paua Abalone Front and Side Dots and Logo
Dyed top with clear nitrocellulose finish









I appreciate any feedback, criticism or questions.
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  #2  
Old 01-09-2016, 06:09 PM
printer2 printer2 is offline
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Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine View Post

I appreciate any feedback, criticism or questions.
Wow... ...!
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Old 01-10-2016, 12:02 PM
terryj47 terryj47 is offline
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Plus about a zillion!
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  #4  
Old 01-10-2016, 01:52 PM
Ned Milburn Ned Milburn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine View Post
I appreciate any feedback, criticism or questions.
Very very pretty. It is definitely a "looker".

Without playing it, only 2 things would come to mind.

First, likely doesn't matter much since archtops are generally played amplified, but if it were to be designed as an instrument with strong acoustic sound in mind, the position and size of the sound holes are such that It seems to rob from the size of the vibrating diaphragm, which could potentially rob from the acoustic volume output. That said, most archtops are played amplified, so in fact, a strong acoustic projection can be bad in that it causes more feedback. So this could be an entirely moot point. Structurally, if your bracing is fine inside (is it x or semi-parallel A bracing...??) then the size of the soundholes shouldn't be an issue.

Second, it seems like the pickguard comes close to, perhaps even over the cut-away slightly. The pickguard is pretty much redundant in this area, so keeping it away from the hand reaching to high frets could improve accessibility somewhat.

Gorgeous instrument, though!! Would be fun to try out.
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Old 01-10-2016, 01:58 PM
redir redir is offline
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Beautiful!

Building an arch top has been on my list of things to do for some time now. I'm quite intimidated by it though and as such have put it off for years.
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Old 01-10-2016, 04:12 PM
GeoffStGermaine GeoffStGermaine is offline
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Ned - the top has semi-parallel bracing, so they are kept well outside of the area of the sound holes. It is a good point though and as I would like my next archtops to have more acoustic output, they will be quite different in this respect. The pickguard is a fair observation - it could be reduced IVO the cutaway so as to improve fretboard access.

Cheers,
Geoff
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Old 01-10-2016, 06:03 PM
Ned Milburn Ned Milburn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine View Post
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Ned - the top has semi-parallel bracing, so they are kept well outside of the area of the sound holes. It is a good point though and as I would like my next archtops to have more acoustic output, they will be quite different in this respect. The pickguard is a fair observation - it could be reduced IVO the cutaway so as to improve fretboard access.

Cheers,
Geoff
Cool! That's the bracing I guessed from the style. I don't mind saying again, it is a real looker!! Nice!!
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Old 01-10-2016, 06:06 PM
GeoffStGermaine GeoffStGermaine is offline
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Thanks a lot, Ned!
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Old 01-10-2016, 06:20 PM
Quickstep192 Quickstep192 is offline
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Oh my! Simply stunning.
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  #10  
Old 01-10-2016, 06:55 PM
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Kitchen Guitars Kitchen Guitars is offline
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Love it! Really nice craftsmanship!
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Old 01-10-2016, 06:59 PM
DaBoz DaBoz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickstep192 View Post
Oh my! Simply stunning.
What he said!
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  #12  
Old 01-11-2016, 07:18 AM
KingCavalier KingCavalier is offline
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Looks GREAT, I'd be very happy to have that in my collection.
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  #13  
Old 01-11-2016, 08:42 AM
Sam VanLaningham Sam VanLaningham is offline
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Really spectacular. Design, shapes, aesthetics all look great to me. Very nice work. All the best on future builds!

Sam
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  #14  
Old 01-17-2016, 11:22 AM
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BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
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That is one beautiful guitar! How does it sound?

Todd
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