G'day from Oz

[ozziebluesman]

G'day everyone,

I'm a baby boomer and have been a musician all my life. After thirty years I still can't get enough of playing guitar and I love to play all styles of music especially the blues. I have always messed with jazz on the guitar but don't consider myself a very good jazz player. As you all know, jazz takes over where music leaves off.

My other passion is building stringed instruments. I have built a few electrics and five acoustics thus far. A future plan is to attempt an Archtop.

So I am hear to learn.

Cheers

Alan

[ksjazzguitar]

Welcome to the group.

If you ever get around to making a 7-string archtop, I'll put in my order now. I always wanted one of those.

Peace,
Kevin

[RoyaleT]

Hello and welcome, Alan

[derek]

Welcome aboard Alan.

[ozziebluesman]

G'day to you all,
This build started over the Christmas holiday break. Mr Benedetto has guided me through the build nicely so far. This was my first go at a cutaway side bend as well. I have gone with a bolt on neck, other than that, I tried to follow his book. His dvds are great and very helpful for someone who has not built one of these guitars before.
Top: Is beautiful Lutz Spruce
Back and sides: Some straight grained Queensland Maple
Neck: Nicely figured one piece Queensland Maple
Head and Back plate: Tiger Myrtle
Fingerboard: Ebony
Here are a few pictures of progress:




I have enjoyed the build very much thus far. It was daunting at the start but I followed Benedetto's book and so far, so good! The biggest time consuming job was getting the neck joint snug over the neck block and then shaping underneath the fingerboard extension to follow the curve of the top. The sides where not long enough so a piece was added at the butt of the guitar with two thin strips of tiger myrtle to cover up the shortfall. I'm not sure if I will bind the guitar and may go with chamfering around the f holes, the body edges and some sort of sunburst finish. I may do a a inlay at the twelth fret but I like to keep things simple.
Thanks for looking in on my build.
Cheers
Alan

[RonD]

Nice work Alan.

[caravan]

I like the headstock. It reminds me of a Fender D'Aquisto jazz guitar.

[AlohaJoe]

Welcome Alan, and that's a nice looking guitar! I look forward to seeing more pictures as she progresses.

[VikingBlues]

Originally Posted by ozziebluesman

After thirty years I still can't get enough of playing guitar and I love to play all styles of music especially the blues. I have always messed with jazz on the guitar but don't consider myself a very good jazz player.

Welcome to the forum Alan from another new member.

What you said above reminded me of someone - oh, of course - it's me!

Very fine looking guitar building project you have there and you look to do the whole fully blown build project so you get a load of admiration from me for your courage and skill - I've only had the nerve to do solid bodies, only used ready built necks and its mostly been assembly jobs with just a couple of full body carve jobs in there. It wasn't until attempt number 6 at a self build that I got a "keeper" and since then the bug has not struck again - I guess it will though!

Look forward to seeing you around on the forum.

[ozziebluesman]

Thank you everyone for your welcome and kind comments.

Over the weekend I have closed the box. All good so far.

Here are two pictures:


Cheers
Alan

[ozziebluesman]

Another picture for you

Cheers
Alan

[ozziebluesman]

Hi there,

Almost ready to string her up.



Cheers

Alan

[ozziebluesman]

French polish process is now complete. Needs a few more weeks to dry and then it's final sand, polish and setup.


Cheers
Alan

[ozziebluesman]

The archie is all done.

Here is a short mp3 warts and all....

MP3 Player SoundClick

A few pictures for you all.....


Thanks for looking..
Merry Christmas to you all
Alan

[mississippi]

That looks mighty nice

[AlohaJoe]

Beautiful! I think Tom Painter does his without binding also and it's a very nice, clean look. Congratulations!.