Building an Archtop Guitar - Page 8

wwwilkie · #**211** 03-23-2011, 03:49 PM

A few shots of the finished guitar taken in my shop before delivery.
I guess that's it from my end. Thanks to everyone involved and I hope to see some of you in Montreal.
Wyatt

Jazzaluk · #**212** 03-23-2011, 04:33 PM

Fantastic guitar. I'd love to give it a try. Thanks for a brilliant thread.

Scotto · #**213** 03-23-2011, 05:10 PM

What an absolutely beautiful instrument. Thanks for taking us along the journey... when do we start the next one.!

wizard3739 · #**214** 03-23-2011, 05:26 PM

Beautiful instrument!! Have you made a 7-string yet?

wiz

clem_gael · #**215** 03-23-2011, 06:47 PM

Can't wait for the Montréal guitar show!!!!

Once again, NICE JOB!!!

mangotango · #**216** 03-24-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem_gael

Once again, NICE JOB!!!

...not just the building of such a beautiful instrument....but also, the guided tour of the process. A very enlightening thread. Well done.

aoskayak · #**217** 03-24-2011, 11:47 AM

Wyatt built this guitar for me. I thought it would be appropriate, as this thread is coming to an end, to say something about my experience working with Wyatt.

I hired him to build me a guitar based upon the esthetics I saw in his mandolins. From the start he was supportive, creative and enthused about the project. There were many points at which tough design decisions had to be made. He was always right on target with the best answer while maintaining a excellent balance between a clients fears and desires and the right choices that needed to be made. I would build another guitar in a heart beat with Wyatt.

The guitar itself is easily the best guitar I own across any metric. His workmanship was outstanding, detail was perfect. I was surprised at how lustrous (only word I could think of) the French polish turned out. The guitar is simple, clean and focused upon making music. It’s like the Ferrari of Archtops. At the same time it is complex, deep and expansive. It has a very mellow sound. It is highly responsive to the touch, almost alive. It has a surprisingly deep and resonant base. Access to the full fretboard is excellent. You feel guilty how good it is. A full description would go on forever, so I will stop now.

Steve Rowe

Dookychase · #**218** 03-24-2011, 01:09 PM

Steve, congratulations. That's an incredible guitar. I'm glad it plays and sounds as good as it looks.

aoskayak · #**219** 03-24-2011, 04:59 PM

I have a couple of mp3's of Wyatt's guitar being played by my teacher. I tried to post these using the advanced option and uploading the files but I kept getting an upload failed notice. Can anyone tell me how to do this. They are around 3 meg each.

Meggy · #**220** 03-25-2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aoskayak

Wyatt built this guitar for me. I thought it would be appropriate, as this thread is coming to an end, to say something about my experience working with Wyatt.

I hired him to build me a guitar based upon the esthetics I saw in his mandolins. From the start he was supportive, creative and enthused about the project. There were many points at which tough design decisions had to be made. He was always right on target with the best answer while maintaining a excellent balance between a clients fears and desires and the right choices that needed to be made. I would build another guitar in a heart beat with Wyatt.

The guitar itself is easily the best guitar I own across any metric. His workmanship was outstanding, detail was perfect. I was surprised at how lustrous (only word I could think of) the French polish turned out. The guitar is simple, clean and focused upon making music. It’s like the Ferrari of Archtops. At the same time it is complex, deep and expansive. It has a very mellow sound. It is highly responsive to the touch, almost alive. It has a surprisingly deep and resonant base. Access to the full fretboard is excellent. You feel guilty how good it is. A full description would go on forever, so I will stop now.

Steve Rowe

I already had a really major case of GAS from reading this thread, reviews like this only make it worse! One day, when funds allow, I will treat myself to a guitar like this.

I've said it before, but it really does look stunning. Thank you for such a great thread, sad to see it ending, but please do another one if you are making an interesting guitar in the future.

wwwilkie · #**221** 03-31-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard3739

Beautiful instrument!! Have you made a 7-string yet?

wiz

Hi, thanks very much. I had the opportunity to build several 7-strings during my time with Bob Benedetto. I have yet to add one to my own list of models but it's only a matter of time.

Meggy- Thanks again and I was thinking I could keep adding to this thread as interesting projects arise. Currently working on several archtop guitars so there is plenty to show if you would like. I'll try to fill in the gaps I left during the building of the last one.
I had a request to show the grounding of the strings. I inlaid a wire in the underside of the tailpiece and soldered it to a brass plate which touches the ball-ends of the strings. The wire then runs to the endpin jack through a hole drilled in the top of the guitar.
Steve and I both tried to upload recordings of the guitar without success. I'll add them to my website before long.

DaveS · #**222** 03-31-2011, 03:11 PM

Wyatt, would it be feasable to bare the tailgut wire (where it contacts the switchjack) to establish ground, then wire to the strings from it rather than drill a hole in the top??

wwwilkie · #**223** 03-31-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveS

Wyatt, would it be feasable to bare the tailgut wire (where it contacts the switchjack) to establish ground, then wire to the strings from it rather than drill a hole in the top??

Hi Dave,
I guess that would work, wouldn't it? I do think that either way is just as much work. Personally I don't really mind drilling the hole considering it's placement just a few millimeters from the tailblock, under the tailpiece and hidden from view. I do think it's nice to have a black covering on the tailpiece strap which keeps it from really digging into the ebony or bone saddle, and I think looks better black.

DaveS · #**224** 03-31-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwwilkie

Hi Dave,
I do think it's nice to have a black covering on the tailpiece strap which keeps it from really digging into the ebony or bone saddle, and I think looks better black.

Oh I agree..... I just meant the 1/2" or so where it contacted the switchjack. I hate the idea of drilling the top (which may be a bit silly considering the gorgeous Benedettos with pots mounted to top plates {8^) )

wwwilkie · #**225** 06-28-2011, 03:32 PM

Hey there everyone, just wanted to post my new Strathcona 17" in Honey Blonde as well as a set of Northern Flyers.
I'll have these with me at the Montreal Guitar Show in a few days.
Wyatt

SamBooka · #**226** 06-28-2011, 04:14 PM

Nice.. seeya there!!!

horel · #**227** 06-29-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwwilkie

Hey there everyone, just wanted to post my new Strathcona 17" in Honey Blonde as well as a set of Northern Flyers.
I'll have these with me at the Montreal Guitar Show in a few days.
Wyatt

Good luck at the show Wyatt. What does Strathkona mean? are you aware the is a Kona brand made in China?

wwwilkie · #**228** 06-29-2011, 10:59 AM

Strathcona is a made-up word. It was originally given to a Scottish-born Canadian fur trader who became Lord Strathcona. It is also a region in Canada and the name of more than a few parks. No relation to your Kona instrument.
Thanks James.

Davis Joachim · #**229** 07-13-2011, 10:51 PM

Hi all! I was at the Montreal guitar show and had the pleasure of trying dozens of instruments including both the Strathcona and the Northern Flyer. Both were great and in the end, I'm proud to say that Wyatt has accepted to build me a Northern Flyer with a few twists.

I have to agree with Steve. Wyatt is dedicated to the art and to my needs and specifications. He's a real artist and a luthier of the finest degree. We're hard at work on every detail of my instrument and I know that it will be a rare beauty. Thanks Wyatt!

clem_gael · #**230** 07-14-2011, 07:22 AM

....jealousy...

It's your first post and I already hate you....

Tell me about those "twists" you asked.
If I had the money, I'd ask wyatt to build a 17" Northern Flyer with a metal tailpiece like the one on his mandolins....but I don't have the money now...

wwwilkie · #**231** 09-07-2011, 09:26 PM

Hi all, thought I would resurrect this thread since I'm building another guitar for Steve Rowe. This is a custom guitar from start to finish. This is a brand new shape which is inspired by the Selmer-Maccaferri models. This is 15 3/4" across the lower bout, 2 3/4" deep with a very figured Port Orford Cedar top and Claro Walnut back and sides. I'll post more as it evolves.
Thanks!

Not sure why the photos show up as questions marks. I'll try to work on it. Any ideas?

tonedeaf · #**232** 09-07-2011, 10:41 PM

Great! I am looking forward to another installment.

wwwilkie · #**233** 09-09-2011, 09:25 PM

Well, it would seem I'm no longer able to post photos so I'll have to give this up. I'm guessing I reached my limit with available space? Not sure why it's happening but I can't get it to work.

caravan · #**234** 09-09-2011, 09:52 PM

I'm not able to attach pictures either. Not sure why.

wwwilkie · #**235** 09-10-2011, 01:12 AM

It's a mystery. I've sent a few messages to the powers that be, clicked on "contact us" but never get a reply. Not sure who "us" is.

wwwilkie · #**236** 01-05-2012, 03:08 PM

Just put together two slideshows with Ed Dunsavage playing the Northern Flyer Guitar I built for Steve Rowe which was featured in this thread. Thought I would post them here in case anyone wanted to hear.
Thanks!
Wyatt

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

valriver40 · #**237** 01-05-2012, 04:59 PM

great work! will be visiting chilliwack next week

mandojester · #**238** 01-06-2012, 10:52 AM

very enjoyable videos Wyatt! Thanks for posting. You do beautiful work.

wwwilkie · #**239** 01-06-2012, 07:35 PM

Thanks you guys. I'm glad to finish up this thread with some great playing by Ed Dunsavage. He's a terrific player in Ashland, Oregon.

voxwerx · #**240** 01-08-2012, 09:39 PM

What an incredible beauty. Now I just have to win the lottery....