The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    Hi to all!

    I would share with you my little experience on archtop building. I started my passion some years ago when I bought Bob Benedetto book and DVDs. Then I searched information here and there about general woodworking, jigs, tool sharpening, helped by tricks of professional luthier aorund the world.

    After my first build, a 17" non cutaway archtop, I started collaboration with my friend Antonio Tosques. He's Italian (Foggia city) professional player so I was extremely excited to start that challenge with him.

    The guitar was my second archtop, built under some Antonio's specs.

    Made of Val di Fiemme spruce top with some bearclaws, 16" body at lower bout and 2" depth. Figured poplar back and sides, one piece back. Flame maple neck, 3 pieces with padouk central insert; ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, 25" scale.

    I used few power tools when needed (bandsaw, drill press, router) but a lot of work with hand tools for top and back carvig and neck shaping.

    This guitar was completed on September 2018 and sadly I lost some building process pictures.

    Hope you enjoy!

  2.  

    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    The project started with carving and roughing the back

    Solid wood Archtop build-img_2752-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_2985-jpg

  4. #3

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    Side bent. Mahogany kerfing, spruce neck and tailblock. Reinforcement on side jack port.
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_4118-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_4128-jpg

  5. #4

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    Spruce top. Cedar parallel bracing and some additional braces on pickup opening. Transversal brace directly under the bridge to add some strenght and more sustain. Small patches under pots.Solid wood Archtop build-img_7132-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_8671-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9360-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9362-jpg

  6. #5

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    Closing the box and adding some binding.
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_9428-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9803-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9804-jpg

  7. #6

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    Three pieces flame maple neck, with padouk insert. Double action truss rod. Ebony headplate.
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_3605-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_3606-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9690-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9691-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_9968-jpg

  8. #7

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    First time together!
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_9877-jpg

  9. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tiopepe
    Hi to all!

    I would share with you my little experience on archtop building. I started my passion some years ago when I bought Bob Benedetto book and DVDs. Then I searched information here and there about general woodworking, jigs, tool sharpening, helped by tricks of professional luthier aorund the world.

    After my first build, a 17" non cutaway archtop, I started collaboration with my friend Antonio Tosques. He's Italian (Foggia city) professional player so I was extremely excited to start that challenge with him.

    The guitar was my second archtop, built under some Antonio's specs.

    Made of Val di Fiemme spruce top with some bearclaws, 16" body at lower bout and 2" depth. Figured poplar back and sides, one piece back. Flame maple neck, 3 pieces with padouk central insert; ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, 25" scale.

    I used few power tools when needed (bandsaw, drill press, router) but a lot of work with hand tools for top and back carvig and neck shaping.

    This guitar was completed on September 2018 and sadly I lost some building process pictures.

    Hope you enjoy!
    Nice work! Well done!

  10. #9

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    Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

  11. #10

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    Beauty!

  12. #11

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    Thanks to all!
    Some pics has been recovered, so let's go on!
    Adding some details and start to sanding smooth
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_0301-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_0314-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_0473-jpg

  13. #12

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    And final, first finish ground with Tung Oil. It shows that beautiful woods!
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_0843-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_0848-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-img_0043-jpg

  14. #13

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    The finish is done, after 6 layers of amber oil varnish applied by hand.
    Attached Images Attached Images Solid wood Archtop build-img_1072-jpg 

  15. #14

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    Solid wood Archtop build-img_1073-jpg

  16. #15

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    Completed with handowound humbucker with AlNiCo 4 rough bar magnet. The scatterwound and the magnet give to guitar a nice, clear and balanced sound.
    Solid wood Archtop build-3-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-5-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-6-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-9-jpgSolid wood Archtop build-dscn0192-jpg

  17. #16

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    Ready for delivery
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_1307-jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images Solid wood Archtop build-img_1308-jpg 

  18. #17

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    An happy player, the great Antonio Tosques!
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_1573-jpg


    On Stage
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_20190505_121953-jpg

  19. #18

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  20. #19

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    A truly beautiful instrument, Thanks for sharing with us!

  21. #20

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    Congrats- lovely instrument!

  22. #21

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    It’s got a sweet tone. How great to create a guitar and then have it go to the capable hands of someone who features the skills of AT. That’s a win-win!

  23. #22

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    Thank you so much for your kind words!
    I learned a lot from this experience and I currently work to make new great instruments.

  24. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tiopepe
    Closing the box and adding some binding.
    Solid wood Archtop build-img_9804-jpg

    Hiya Pepe,

    Can you tell me about what pieces you used for this binding here and your application process?

    Gonna give it a whirl on my next build!

  25. #24

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    Sounds sweet & looks beautiful. Impresssive, especially for your first guitar!

  26. #25

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    gorgeous! Bravo on the great craftsmanship!