The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1
    I would like to share with you all this prototype archtop I’ve developed. Instead of the normal archtop construction, where you have a top and back plate with bent sides, I have carved the top and back plates so that they meet along the perimeter. What you have in the end is essentially an archtop with no sides. It’s super thin bodied, and quite comfortable.

    Instead of traditional f holes, I have “vents” along the waist of the body. I also made the body shape an offset one.

    I hope I’m not breaking any forum rules posting this here, as I am a professional luthier and not a hobbyist. I am hoping to get some feedback from the real jazz players on here! Thanks guys.

    Ben

    Experimental Archtop-be0a537e-af08-4cac-a498-8740520c6cf4-jpg

    Experimental Archtop-2a623d8a-191e-4296-8816-db44540e57ea-jpg

    Experimental Archtop-a5fc044e-3549-4960-a1fe-849a6f02a23b-jpg

    Experimental Archtop-1e164791-32f9-449e-94bd-7ecfcc35ff81-jpg

    Experimental Archtop-fcea0bd5-380a-4935-8f04-f92a0d6f47e5-jpg

    Experimental Archtop-704921ac-aa6d-4435-a8b8-f6b5ef95be87-jpg

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

    User Info Menu

    Very interesting, any audio or video of playing it?

  4. #3

    User Info Menu

    Amazing work on the fingerboard and peghead inlays. Hours of effort no doubt!

    How does it sound compared to a conventional 3.5" archtop?
    Is there any arching to the inside or outside of the plates?
    Is there any top bracing?
    How long is the string length?
    What made you design almost no string-length between the bridge and tailpiece?
    Is there some sonic goal for the offset shape or is it purely aesthetic?
    What's the back made of?
    What's the finish on the neck?
    How well does it balance?
    Do you plan to install strap buttons, or is this for sitting only?
    What are you going to do for a case?
    How do you like it?

  5. #4

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    That is an intriguing design. How much does it weigh? Any audio/video clips?

  6. #5

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    Very interesting concept, design and execution.

    I took the liberty of checking out your website to get more info. You do amazing work!!

    Liggett GuitarsCustom, Handcrafted Guitars

  7. #6

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    yeah...cool website...picks n sunn plates too!!! nice

    welcome aboard...like the idea of the archtop ^...no sides..hah

    are those lollar teisco gold foils?


    cheers

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by citizenk74
    That is an intriguing design. How much does it weigh? Any audio/video clips?
    it weighs exactly 5.1lbs

    Ill throw up a quick video soon!

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Gitfiddler
    Very interesting concept, design and execution.

    I took the liberty of checking out your website to get more info. You do amazing work!!

    Liggett GuitarsCustom, Handcrafted Guitars
    Thanks so much for the kind words!

  10. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by neatomic

    are those lollar teisco gold foils?


    cheers
    They sure are. I’m a sucker for Lollars. I know they aren’t the jazziest pickup set, but I couldn’t resist these. I also have a hard time putting ONE pickup on things! Ha

  11. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

    How does it sound compared to a conventional 3.5" archtop?
    I honestly dont have much experience with archtops, and most I've heard sound very thin acoustically. This one is is also quite thin when unplugged, but with decent volume. Quite snappy.
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    Is there any arching to the inside or outside of the plates?
    Yes, it is a consistent thickness following the arches inside as well
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    Is there any top bracing?
    There are two parallel braces from the neck block to the tail
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    What made you design almost no string-length between the bridge and tailpiece?
    I didn't want a ton of string length past the bridge because I wanted a fairly straight forward tone. String length past the bridge colors the sound a bit, and I wanted it as snappy as possible.
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    Is there some sonic goal for the offset shape or is it purely aesthetic?
    Purely aesthetic. It did however make it extremely well balanced.
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    What's the back made of?
    quarter sawn One piece Black limba back
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    What's the finish on the neck?
    Oil finish
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Sherry
    Do you plan to install strap buttons, or is this for sitting only?
    What are you going to do for a case?
    How do you like it?
    I ended up Installing strap buttons.
    I have a Road case style case for it.
    Honestly, I love the thing, it turned out better than I had hoped. I can get a multitude of tones from it, from classic rock to jazz. The offset turned out to be very comfortable in terms of balance and neck placement when on my right knee. The thinness of the body is quite comfortable for my right arm as well.
    Thanks so much for all the thoughtful questions and compliments!

  12. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by LiggettGuitars
    Honestly, I love the thing, it turned out better than I had hoped
    For the win. That's the thing right there.

    Thank you for your patience with me and for taking the time to respond.

  13. #12

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    Cool guitar! As others have said, beautiful work on the inlays.

    Any clips? How do those gold foils sound?

  14. #13
    This is a quick video we took when the guitar was first completed. I have a better one with the amp mic'ed but I still need to sync the audio to the video. Let me know what you guys think!


  15. #14

    User Info Menu

    You need to open up the permissions on YouTube.

  16. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by TedBPhx
    You need to open up the permissions on YouTube.
    Fixed, I think! Apologies. I'll figure out this internet stuff one day