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| Completed first archtop http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=52650 |
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| Author: | oatesguitars [ Thu Nov 21, 2019 10:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Completed first archtop |
I wanted to show you all the archtop I’ve just finished. Although it’s not the first archtop I’ made, it’s the first full size one I’ve made. It sounds quite mellow for an archtop. |
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| Author: | John Lewis [ Thu Nov 21, 2019 10:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
dang, that's pretty! |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Thumbs up from here! |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 5:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Very nice! |
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| Author: | Luthier1975 [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Wow! That is really pretty. Love the colors! |
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| Author: | jfmckenna [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Fantastic. That's a different animal there. I've been wanting to jump in and build one of those but it's intimidating. Nice job. |
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| Author: | Ken Nagy [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
First archtop? I'm just finishing mine. Yours has a clean, sophisticated look. You pulled off the contemporary arch top look. Even the smooth finish. Congrats. This is my first real guitar, and I can't pull off clean or sophisticated. It just can't happen yet. I've never achieved a perfectly smooth finish. I see from looking at yours that I need to really tune in my intonation and thin the top of the bridge. It is in the green with an online tuner, but not right on. I wanted to play it! But I need to make a new saddle out of bone, the rosewood is splitting. So I guess I have another day to get it done. Nice work. It looks like something that someone would be playing on stage. |
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| Author: | bionta [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 2:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Very nice. Archtops are sensuous beings and yours is beautiful. I completed my first archtop a few months ago. Right now I'm taking it apart and rebuilding it. I did not like the neck so I decided to make a new one and while I'm at it, make it a 7-string. So new bridge and tailpiece too. Having played it for a while (with phosphor bronze strings) I decided I'd like a little more warmth in the sound. I'm doing a lot of reading and shopping to put together a string order so I can assemble some 7-string sets and try some different types. I'm going to try some experiments on the top too. I attached the top to the ribs with a paper gasket between so I can easily remove it. This guitar is a learning platform first and foremost. It certainly doesn't look as beautiful or sophisticated as yours! |
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| Author: | Ruby50 [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Nice coloring and appointments. Very cleanly crafted. I like it a lot Ed |
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| Author: | oatesguitars [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Thanks for the compliments. I got a lot of help from you guys on this forum, so thanks everyone. Anyway, I’ve had it strung up for about two weeks now and I’ve noticed that I’m getting some fret buzz that I had not had. So it looks like there is a little sinking of the top. I assume this is to be expected in the first few weeks, right? |
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| Author: | Brad Goodman [ Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
oatesguitars wrote: Thanks for the compliments. I got a lot of help from you guys on this forum, so thanks everyone. Anyway, I’ve had it strung up for about two weeks now and I’ve noticed that I’m getting some fret buzz that I had not had. So it looks like there is a little sinking of the top. I assume this is to be expected in the first few weeks, right? Really nice guitar! The top shouldn't really "sink".... Hopefully it's not built too light Check the contour of the neck and the frets, they usually need a little attention after it settles in. |
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| Author: | oatesguitars [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
I’ll keep an eye on it and see if it drops any more. The action was set pretty low to begin with so the drop isn’t that significant yet. |
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| Author: | Bri [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Daniel that is a beauty! Any chance of some pics of the build process? I have assembled all the material I need to try my first archie. Still a bit intimidated by the carve. Thanks, B |
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| Author: | rlrhett [ Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Completed first archtop |
A few years ago I was chasing a fuller, rounder sound from my archtops and ended up pushing the limits of how light I could go. The test mule saw several sunken tops. It went from 3” rims to 1.5” thin line from having tops cut off! So if the top fails, don’t panic. Everything has a solution. That said, tops will sink a little if the wood dries out. Not a problem. That’s why your bridge has thumb wheels. If you just moved the guitar from your shop to a heated indoors, that may be all that is happening. Let it stabilize over a week or so of playing and then check. Your neck may also slightly yield under the new tension of strings. Especially if you have flat wounds on her. Again, that’s why you put a truss rod in. Super nice guitar, BTW. I just completed a non-cutaway and realize how much mojo they seem to bring. Yours is a real eye turner. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | oatesguitars [ Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Thanks Rirhett. The completion of this guitar unfortunately coincided with the heat being turned on for the winter. Forced air, woodburning stoves and radiators are all working overtime in my house right now. It’s a huge change from summer when I was in the midst of building this thing. I’m still checking a couple of time a day. |
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| Author: | Clay S. [ Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Keep a kettle on the wood burning stove. It will help humidify the air. |
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| Author: | Phil J [ Tue Jan 07, 2020 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Beautiful! I'd love to try building an archtop some day! Already have the Benedetto book! |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Tue Jan 07, 2020 4:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
That looks lovely! |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Tue Jan 07, 2020 5:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Looks nice! |
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| Author: | Quine [ Wed Jan 08, 2020 3:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Gorgeous |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Completed first archtop |
Nice! Let's see the headstock! Alan |
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