JOHN BUSCARINO: 16” Monarch Archtop (Carpathian Spruce/ Fiddleback Sycamore Maple)

[iim7V7IM7]

John began to rough carve the fleur de lis shaped sound port into the rim in the upper bout.

[iim7V7IM7]

John has glued the rough carved Carpathian Spruce top and European Sycamore back plates to the reinforced, lied rims. He has now moved on to constructing the Birdseye Sugar Maple bindings and purflings.

The carved Carpathian Spruce top has a bunch of distinct winter growth similar to what we see in some Red Spruce sets.



The carved fiddleback European Sycamore back under John’s rough carve is beginning to reveal itself and should fully show under finish.



John’s Fleur di Lis shaped side port can be seen in the upper bout of the figured maple rims.

[cigarfan]

Looking Schweeet!

That soundport is gorgeous.

[Rwpierce]

Wow Bob, going to another be another amazing guitar!

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Looking Schweeet!

That soundport is gorgeous.

Thanks Dennis.... A Fleur de Lis sound port is one John’s signature design features. I have one on the nylon string that he made for me as well.

Originally Posted by Rwpierce

Wow Bob, going to another be another amazing guitar!

Thanks Rob. You have a couple of beauties on the bench as well with your recent guitar by Bruce and the one soon to be delivered by Laurent.

[GeoffStGermaine]

Wow! It's really looking amazing! The 1/2" of taper between the two ends of the body looks like it's going to be very comfortable.

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by GeoffStGermaine

Wow! It's really looking amazing! The 1/2" of taper between the two ends of the body looks like it's going to be very comfortable.

I certainly hope so... The thought behind the tapered rims (3.0" to 3.5") is playing comfort with enhanced acoustic response by adding body volume and changing the reflective characteristics of the back with respect to the top in a smaller, 16" archtop.

[iim7V7IM7]

Here is a shot of the Carpathian Spruce top now with both the rims and f-holes bound and purfled in Birdseye Sugar Maple.



The beautiful fiddleback Sycamore Maple back is showing its figure.



Looking at this side view of the body, you can see the 3” to 3-1/2” tapered rims.

[Jwills57]

This is why we all who visit this site love guitars and the romance of the handmade instrument. That is just so incredibly beautiful and compelling. Nothing more to say! Best, Jack

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by Jwills57

This is why we all who visit this site love guitars and the romance of the handmade instrument. That is just so incredibly beautiful and compelling. Nothing more to say! Best, Jack

Thank you Jack.... That is the exact reason many of us l share the work of these artisans here in the forum...

[iim7V7IM7]

John sent me a CAD drawing of the headstock design. The veneer will be Ebony with purfled Birdseye Sugar Maple binding. The logo will be MOP and the Stylized Torch will be a mixture of MOP and Green Abalone.

[justonwo]

SICK-amore!

[jt1]

Gorgeous!

Thanks for sharing with us.

[iim7V7IM7]

John has completed the MOP and Green Abalone inlays for both the Ebony headstock veneer as well as the fretboard split block inlays. The veneer is just placed into the headstock pocket so some of the miters will be cleaned up. The peghead binding is Birdseye Sugar Maple.




A hint at the flame can be seen in the roughed 3-piece Sugar Maple neck and you can see how the choice of shell used in the peghead and fretboard match beautifully.

[cigarfan]

Looking schweeet!