Building an archtop guitar: how hard is it, really?

Matthew Hamauei - 02:03pm Jun 28, 1999

I am a novice woodworker ( a guitar/Bass playing banker) with access to some skilled help,(wood working help no guitar building help) I would like to build an archtop. Am I biting off more than I can chew? Suggestions, please.

Am I biting off more than I can chew?

Not necessarilly, but you will have your mouth full. <g>

I'd highly suggest that you get a copy of Making an Archtop Guitar by Robert Benedetto. Read the book while keeping your woodworking ability in mind, and then assess your fear level. If you're only moderately afraid after reading the book, I'd suggest going for it.

Matthew, funny you mentioned that! I am a guitar/bass player and work in telecommunications in the banking industry. I have built a few bolt on neck guitars and a custom bass and also have a couple in the works. I recently sold several guitars and an amp so I could by wood working tools/machines and luthier tools in hopes of building my first and some day ultimate archtop guitar. I definitely agree with Hal, my wife gave me Benedetto's book on how to build an archtop guitar and I have been doing reasearch and getting a lot of Ideas ever since. I've also picked the brains of several local and distant luthiers. The archtop is probably the most dificult type of guitar to build in most luthiers opinions, however it is not out of the question. Nothing has discourage me, it's going a little slower than expected however I should have some pictures of my guitars by the end of the year.

I spent about $500 just in luthier tools and will eventually need more, however I expect to build several if not many guitars. You may also go into sticker shock when you start looking at purchasing good wood to use.

I would do lots and lots of research and talk to local luthiers if possible. However, remember that for some reason there are people that will try to discourage you. (stay clear of them). I'v even talked a couple of local luthiers into giving me a sort of class on guitar building.

In short, No! it isnt out of the question and it is truely in my mind a wonderful goal. Just remember you wont do it overnight. If I can be of more assistance you can E-Mail me at [e-mail address removed by staff].

Good Luck!

P.S. Benedetto also has a set of video tapes (which I'm dying for) that goes hand in hand with his book. (about $90)

I've been thinking about trying an archtop too. The materials expense can be double other guitars, and the risk of screwing up the plates is intimidating. I wonder if anyone supplies the plates roughly shaped. I've hand shaped violin plates, and it is alot of tedious work, and a violin is a whole lot smaller. If the plates were already roughed, the job would seem less frightening to me.

I just got the Benedetto text, and it is a work of art. I can't say enough good stuff about it!

Matthew,

Your goal is definately obtainable. I'm talking "Bill Moll's Archtop Course" on this forum right now and it is not as difficult as most might think. Buy the Benedetto book, then buy Bill Moll's archtop plans from this forum, it is complete with arching patterns you can make templates from. Plus I like Bill's plans better than Benedetto's the horn in the cutaway is shaped better and the "f" holes are closer to the sides which gives the instrument more lungs like a cello. Take your time, measure twice cut once. You'll make some mistakes, but that is part of the learning process. I promise you'll want to make more, it's addicting. I'm having a blast with mine.

Randy

Although "traditional" archtop materials are expensive, you might try Benedetto's experimental approach and build your first out of construction grade pine and unmatched maple from the lumberyard. It's not going to look attractive, but you'll learn your chops on very cheap materials. Its so easy to ruin a piece, even for those with years of experience; you might as well try it out on some very replacable stock.

I don't think that just because you use cheap or scrounged materials that the instrument has to end up looking second rate. I'm making two archtops right now, one with first grade materials and the other with scrounged materials. They are both proceeding very well but I'm developing an attachment to the mongrel that I just don't get from the first grade materials. I'd have no problems selling the instrument made from the good stuff but a person would have to offer me a ridiculous sum to part with the mongrel.

As a side note, I think that you need both the book and the videos from Benedetto to have any real chance for success. They are very good at filling in the gaps for each other. It's not an easy task. I'm just at the point where the bodies are almost finished, it's been very frustrating at times but also very satisfying. Bottom line...you can do it!

Ok. I just have to weigh in on this one. I'm taking Bill's course also. I've never built a guitar before. I've been woodworking for a few years but mostly with power tools, rarely touch a plane. However, between Benedetto's book, tape set, and Bill's expert guidance I'm just finishing the sound box it's not bad. In fact, I just had over one of the premier players in my area to see it so far and he was astounded at the tone. Of course, I know where all the flaws are but when it's all done they won't be that noticable. Like Julian, I'm making a "mongrel" using pine for the top and flat sawn soft maple for the back and ribs. It still sounds and looks pretty nice. So, my advice it go for it. To quote Bill Moll, take it slow and concentrate on technique.

One word of caution. On the Benedetto video he uses a flush trim bit in a drill press to trim the bulk of the edge binding. I tried this the other day and let it pull my finger into the bit. I was very fortunate the damage wasn't bad. Could have been much worse. As I've stated on the archtop course forum, it's my fault. I should have been more cautous. But since this is an unusual technique (I think) I just want to take every opportunity to warn others of the potential danger. Good luck in your quest Mathew, whatever you decide.

Julian, I wasn't commenting on his execution but rather that if one uses the materials I suggested, i.e., #2 grade pine, it isn't going to look the same as one made from slightly more expensive materials. It's an exercise and nothing more.

I just need to put in my two cents. I also purchased the Bennedeto book and was amazed. I have about 12 years experience in cabinet making and 2 years in solid body guitar making and the only thing I can see having a problem with is carving the re-curve. As for the material for my first archtop I'm going with the construction grade pine and mis-matched maple, that way if I screw up my fire wood pile won't be so expensive. So don't get discouraged and take your time, next thing you'll notice people are asking where did you get that cool ax.

No problem David. I guess I was wanting to make the observation that it is possible to make a very "professional" looking instrument out of 2nd rate materials. On that note I find the Pallet Guitar from Taylor to be a much nicer looking instrument than Benedetto's construction grade pine archtop. I think that if Bob Benedetto had taken more care with binding and using his normal peghead overlay that that particular guitar would not be such an obvious oddity. He does play that guitar just a bit on his video series and it seems to sound just fine. Of course this was the purpose of the instrument, to prove that the maker is more important than the materials.

To reinforce what David said (I hope this is what you mean) don't worry so much about the materials at this point, it's much more important that you get started. One of my favorite parts of the Benedetto material are his stories about guitars he's made out of the family furniture. He obviously has a very understanding family.

I think that it is important to get the top close to the quarter. I find good quality red wood quite cheap locally. If you board match your top you don't have to resaw. Another source is white wood construction lumber, it is often a form of spruce, and if you go through enough boards you should find some close to the quarter. You may have to go with a four piece top. For your maple, I almost always find at least one board in a pile with a little figure along one edge. Put that edge in the center, finish with a nice burst, real dark aroun d the edges, and you have a pretty guitar. This was done by Gibson all the time. Cheap can be beautiful!

The sad thing about Gibson was their propensity to use an incredibly figured maple for the neck and then paint it completely with a brown to black burst. You can't see the figure in a L5 we have at the guitar shop but at the absolute center of the neck. It's a crime.

Hi Matthew:

Everybody who has answered has been right on. The archtop experience is definitely one of the greatest highs in luthery. I think everyone experiences the doubts and trepedations you have in beginning an archtop. The best advice: Start with the el cheapo wood.

As one of your respondents mentioned, go to a friendly local building supply and tell them what you are looking for..something to make a guitar out of. Most of them will let you cull through their supply of spruce two by eights or tens looking for the randomly quartersawn board. You will probably find several boards out of which you can cut some top wood. The Benedetto book and tapes are of immense value in getting started. He is a reasonable fellow unaffected by most of the guitar voodoo that you may run into from time to time. Same process for the maple, birch or whatever else you select for the sides and back. Take care that the wood is seasoned. Wet wood will curl up like a dead leaf when you start hogging large volumes off one side at a time. I have on top that curled up on the edges right after I had shaped it with my Lancelot. Looked real wierd so I tossed it in the scrap barrel. A couple of months later I got to looking at it and saw that it reminded me strongly of my 70s model Corvette Sting Ray...domed in the middle with the outside edges of the top flared up. I decided what the heck and so with great difficulty designed some sides to accomodate it. I cut teardrop shaped sound holes and did some guesswork bracing on the top. I don't know what it will sound like, but the sucker looks like it will do zero to sixty in about 3.5. Not very practical but this is the fun of building for yourself. I still have hopes that it will ring like a Benedetto.

Now, that's high octane lutherie! Are you going to put a mag pickguard on it? <G>

Good luck with it-- let us know how it comes out.

For those looking for already shaped tops & backs, Stew-mac sells them - carved, pressed, & laminated, depending on the depth of your pockets. I haven't tried them, just saw them in the catalog.

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