Building an Archtop Guitar

**clem_gael** · 01-13-2011, 12:12 AM

I want one!
I want one!
Me!
Me!
Me!

**lindydanny** · 01-13-2011, 10:49 AM

No, me first!

~DB

**Meggy** · 01-13-2011, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by wwwilkie

Thank you!
I plan to take it out of the box tomorrow, having achieved what I think is the right look. Now the finishing process begins. I'll get into that after the big move which is coming up in a few days.

Thank you for that extra photo there - that really shows what I was talking about. I do love the UV treatment also, for me it definitely does something great, and a bit more "profound" than any sort of subtle staining could achieve.

Now you are back up to speed I can look forward to the final stages!

**Meggy** · 01-13-2011, 06:04 PM

I have just had a look at the finishing photos - it seems impossible, but it looks even more desirable than before! Absolutely sensational! There must be more than a few of us lusting after this guitar by now...

**Dad3353** · 01-13-2011, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Meggy

There must be more than a few of us lusting after this guitar by now...

Wyatt...
It seems like you may need some help here, being so busy with building, so I'll start the ball rolling, if you permit...

Good evening, all...
We will start the bidding at 48000 USD... Do I hear 48000..? 49..? 50..? 52 on the left over here... a telephone bid from Japan for 55000... Do I have 60..? 65..? Going, going...(thunk...) gone..!
Please don't forget the 12% fee; make your bank draft out to Wilkie Stringed Instruments. Thank you.

There, that may calm them down (at least slightly..?). Or not..?

(Sorry, I may have undersold your work; it is probably worth more...)
Respect.

**wwwilkie** · 01-13-2011, 11:47 PM

Douglas, well done, thanks for that! But Steve's not going to be happy when he finds out we sold his guitar.

**lindydanny** · 01-14-2011, 10:58 AM

So, you say you would sell it...?

J/K

I do have to say one of my favorite details is the joint at the nut for the neck and head stock. The way the laminated lines come together on the back takes my breath away. When I finally get around to building my own guitar or uke, I'm totally stealing that technique!

~DB

**wwwilkie** · 01-14-2011, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by clem_gael

I want one!
I want one!
Me!
Me!
Me!

Eric, just noticed you're in Montreal, I've been invited to the Montreal Guitar Festival this year so I hope to see you there.

DB- Steal away!

**clem_gael** · 01-14-2011, 02:43 PM

Are you CRAZY?!!!

If I talk to you in person, I will order you a guitar....no way...I'm not that stupid...I...euh....I...need...help....must....res ist....

I'm really glad for you. The Montreal guitar show is a wonderful event! You will see me there for sure.

BTW, it would be my pleasure to help you if you need a speaker cabinet or an amp for the Montreal guitar show. I'm a speaker cabinet maker and I can lend you a cab or 2 if you want.

Éric Dolbec

**wwwilkie** · 01-14-2011, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by clem_gael

Are you CRAZY?!!!

If I talk to you in person, I will order you a guitar....no way...I'm not that stupid...I...euh....I...need...help....must....res ist....

I'm really glad for you. The Montreal guitar show is a wonderful event! You will see me there for sure.

BTW, it would be my pleasure to help you if you need a speaker cabinet or an amp for the Montreal guitar show. I'm a speaker cabinet maker and I can lend you a cab or 2 if you want.

Éric Dolbec

Yes! Thanks very much for the offer. I'll send you a message.

**wwwilkie** · 01-16-2011, 02:55 PM

A couple more shots of the finishing process. The finish is starting to build up nicely after a few sessions.

**lindydanny** · 01-18-2011, 12:03 PM

So... Does it come in polka-dot?

~DB

**Dookychase** · 01-18-2011, 12:17 PM

That would be the Buddy Guy model.

**lindydanny** · 01-18-2011, 03:59 PM

I was hoping more for Betty Boop.

**wwwilkie** · 01-19-2011, 12:36 AM

Ok I'll admit, there hasn't been much to report lately. The finishing process can be pretty dull to the observer but very soon I'll be making the ebony tailpiece et al.
Betty Boop?

**lindydanny** · 01-19-2011, 10:26 AM

Surely you could make a silhouette tail piece! Maybe that naked chick from the mud flaps! Yeah! Truckers are cool!

~DB

(Would like to apologize for redneck tendencies.)

**wwwilkie** · 01-24-2011, 10:32 PM

Here I have a maple model of the new tailpiece design for Steve's guitar. The actual tailpiece will be solid ebony and of course won't have a drill hole in the center of it.
The first photo shows the completed model with strap attached to check for the correct length.
Photo 2 is the underside showing how the strap attaches to the tailpiece. I built some new jigs for this one and I use the pin router to rout the channels, drill press for string holes, I cut it out on the bandsaw and did much of the shaping on the belt sander.
The next photo shows the model tailpiece on the guitar and last the almost finished guitar.

**caravan** · 01-25-2011, 12:12 AM

It appears that the strings aren't grounded... just an observation.

**wwwilkie** · 01-25-2011, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by caravan

It appears that the strings aren't grounded... just an observation.

If the guitar will be fitted with a floating pickup, and it probably will be, the strings will be grounded.
This tailpiece is only a model and is used as a reference for future tailpieces.

**SamBooka** · 01-25-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by wwwilkie

Eric, just noticed you're in Montreal, I've been invited to the Montreal Guitar Festival this year so I hope to see you there.

DB- Steal away!

You are going to be displaying??

**SamBooka** · 01-25-2011, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by caravan

It appears that the strings aren't grounded... just an observation.

I did a little digging at the Guitar show last year. Most of the archtops with woodend TPs were not grounded. Only the ones where it could be done easily and neatly (example metal tailpieces, which were the exception) were grounded.

The year before I asked Bob Benedetto about how to do it with his aftermarket. He told me that a properly shielded pickup doesnt need a string ground. I was skeptical. After doing my own experiments I agree with him.

I have discussed this at length on thegearpage. I have learned that everyone has an opinion on this. I do what works for me, make helpful suggestion when questions are asked. If someone wants to argue about the strong EM radiation the human body eminates I politely backaway.

**wwwilkie** · 01-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

You are going to be displaying??

Yes! I've been invited to exhibit and have accepted the offer. I should have a few different models with me. Really looking forward to it.
About the string ground, I've discussed it with the customer and we're going to ground the strings. It's simple enough to do so I'm just going to go ahead with it. It would be easier I think to do it when installing the pickup rather than going back in later if I decide it needs it.
I'm with you and decide not to argue the point especially since I'm really not an electronics guy. I just try to do what works best and not get electrocuted in the process.

**Meggy** · 01-26-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

I did a little digging at the Guitar show last year. Most of the archtops with woodend TPs were not grounded. Only the ones where it could be done easily and neatly (example metal tailpieces, which were the exception) were grounded.

The year before I asked Bob Benedetto about how to do it with his aftermarket. He told me that a properly shielded pickup doesnt need a string ground. I was skeptical. After doing my own experiments I agree with him.

I have discussed this at length on thegearpage. I have learned that everyone has an opinion on this. I do what works for me, make helpful suggestion when questions are asked. If someone wants to argue about the strong EM radiation the human body eminates I politely backaway.

I have a jazz guitar with wooden tailpiece and non-grounded strings (used with a humbucking pickup). I too would tend to agree with Bob Benedetto - I've never had any problems whatsoever with hum or other unwanted noise happening. Although I guess there is no harm in having grounded strings if it is possible (not an easy mod to do in an invisible way on my guitar though, so I plan to leave things alone).

**wwwilkie** · 01-26-2011, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Meggy

I have a jazz guitar with wooden tailpiece and non-grounded strings (used with a humbucking pickup). I too would tend to agree with Bob Benedetto - I've never had any problems whatsoever with hum or other unwanted noise happening. Although I guess there is no harm in having grounded strings if it is possible (not an easy mod to do in an invisible way on my guitar though, so I plan to leave things alone).

Thanks Meggy,
that's what I'm thinking, it would be easier to do it sooner than later.

**wwwilkie** · 02-07-2011, 06:40 PM

It's been a while since my last post, not much to report while french polishing. It's just a matter of building up, leveling, building up..... not exactly a spectator sport.
Since this is a special custom guitar it needed to get specially designed parts.
As this guitar is modeled after my Northern Flyer mandolin I thought it would be a good idea to build a similar bridge. The first photo shows the first stages of bridge building which is done mainly on the belt sander. I start with an 80 grit belt and finish up on 220 grit, later sanding it with 400 using a hand sander.
It is then taken to my radius sanding block which will rough out the approximate curve making it a close fit to the top of the guitar. The final fit will be done later.
Photo 3 shows a tap being used to cut the grooves for the bridge posts
and in photo 4 we have the finished and buffed bridge, saddle and finger rest. The saddle was shaped on the belt sander as well. The belt sander is a tool I would not want to live without.
The last 2 photos show the finished tailpiece which was a lot of fun to design and build. I'm sorry I forgot to take a photo of the underside but it has a metal plate which the ball-ends of the strings butt up against and from there a ground-wire is inlaid down to the fulcrum and will make it's way from there into the guitar. I'll try to get a photo of that later.