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HI everyone. This is my first post on this website. it was suggested to me by someone over in the acoustic guitar forum.
I have a new model of archtop that I will be debuting at the memphis guitar festival the first weekend of June. I recently finished up the first one of 3 versions of the instrument and thought I'd share. I specifically designed the instrument to be a bit more simple and affordable than my other instruments.
It is a 15-3/4" bout width, with a 25.1" scale length. About 3" body depth.
any other questions please feel free. You can also check out my other instruments at stuartdayguitars.com
this model is called the "steel city" which is a nod to Pittsburgh, Pa. I recently moved from northern california to Pittsburgh and the city has been great to me as I build the foundation of my new business. I also think of this guitar as more of an "everyman" guitar and I think that represents Pittsburgh as well. I loosely based the foundation of the instrument on a late 20's L5. This particular one has X-braces but the "steel city" will normally be parallel braced.
Enjoy,
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05-18-2015 09:23 PM
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Beautiful Design
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agreed.
how does the classical style armrest affect right hand position?
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Beautiful work
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Absolutely stunning, beautifully designed simplicity! I love everything about it, from tailpiece to headstock, just wondering if I would like the feel of the armrest. Is the strap pin an output jack, so is a floating pickup an option? Nut width and fretboard radius don't look out of the ordinary but I'd welcome a few more detailed specs.
Can't wait to see the other two versions once they are finished. I love your philosophy and have bookmarked your site. I wish you success with your business.
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My goodness, what a beautiful guitar. Love the f holes.
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I was just looking at this on facebook a few hours ago. A lot to like in this one.
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Welcome Stuart!
Glad you took my advice and came over.
There's a lot more exposure for archtops here than on AGF.
Once again, congratulations on a very elegant guitar!Last edited by kkfan; 05-19-2015 at 02:50 AM.
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I was checking the progress through instagram on this one Stuart.
That one is a beautiful instrument!
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Looks great, Stuart, and makes a perfect first post here.
You say it is X-braced, though future ones will be parallel. If you don't mind me asking, why is that?
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Very very nice. Wonderful woodwork. If it sounds as nice as it looks, you have a winner.
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This is a very beautiful design. Congratulations, I think you have a winner here. I love the understated simplicity.
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There were a few more pics on AGF. These were among my favorites:
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Nice Tele-style on his site as well, for those so inclined...
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Mate, those 'F' holes and tailpiece, woo hoo!
Practically perfect asthetic in every way, your signature n'est pas?
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Simple but classic, understated but elegant. LOTS to like here.
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Nicely done! Good luck with your endeavors. Pittsburgh is a great town. Lived there in the mid 80's. Great people and a fun place to be. Make sure to try the shrimp pizza. Sounds odd but tastes great!
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Thank you very much everybody! What a great welcome to the group. Thanks KKfan for the advice.
In response to some of the questions;
The Armrest. Its pretty low profile. I didn't want it to be obtrusive, just round over the edge a bit. It was really just an experiment as I had never done one before. I like it. It does move your forearm forward a tad and makes everything feel a bit more "suspended" but for my playing style at least it has no real effect other than just making that edge feel a little less sharp.
X vs Parallel braces. I already have an arch-top model called the "Church" which is what I refer to as a "contemporary" guitar. Its very versatile, balanced, warm, and has a a lot more bass response than people are used to getting out of an arch-top guitar. When flat top players play it they are typically surprised by it. But I understand that many arch-top players prefer a tone that some consider to be more "traditional". Which is a little more percussive, punchy, leans slightly away from big bass response, and fills in a certain section of the register of a big band. So, I designed the "Steel City" to fill that role and parallel bracing was part of that equation. Among other things they Create a stiffer top which means my carve can be thinner and lighter. I will build any guitar in any way a client wants obviously, and the reason I made this one with X is to see how the X worked with this body shape and just cross my Ts since it's a new design. But when I design an instrument I usually have a particular sound in my mind first. Everything else follows that and I try to make my designs complete. So the standard arrangement for the Church is X-brace and the standard arrangement for the steel city is Parallel
End Jack. Yes this is a fishman output jack. I just wanted future owners of the guitar to have options that didn't require fiddling around with the tail piece. The Tail piece, I don't think I mentioned, is stainless steel almost 1/8" thick. Its very light because there isn't a lot of material but its also very strong and trying to modify the hole there would be a chore. My default is typically a floating Bartolini 5J. Its my favorite arch-top pickup.
Spec;
Fretboard radius is a compound from 12@the nut to 15
Neck width @nut is 1.690 and @14th fret 2.2"
I do a conical playing surface, so it is not absolutely flat as some makers do. Its forms more closely to the natural motion of the strings, which allows for a lower action. This is something I recently started doing after spending some time with Ken Parker.
Bridge height is a little over 1"
Body depth is 3"
15-3/4" bout
neck thickness can be tailored but my default is .840" at the 1st and .950" at the 12
The f-holes are unbound. Which is new to me. I usually bind my F-holes. But as I said I was going for a different tone with this instrument so I chose to design them as they are and as a result of the geometry binding is pretty much not an option.
I think that covers everything but the shrimp pizza. So far I haven't been loving the Pittsburgh cuisine. haha. I don't know why coleslaw and frenchfries have to be put ON the sandwiches. Maybe it will grow on me.
Anyway, Thanks again very much everybody. Its not easy entering the market as a new guitar maker, especially a new arch-top guitar maker. So the positive feedback really is impactful and means a lot to me.
EDIT a quick update - this guitar is now sold. But I do have one or two builds slots available to finish out the rest of the year if anyone is so inclined.Last edited by stuartdayguitars; 05-19-2015 at 08:28 AM.
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Gorgeous Guitar.
I love how stylish and clean it is at the same time. You are quite an artist.
Thanks for sharing.
JD
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Hmmm
I don't think I can make it this year .... but a guitar festival would be a great excuse to visit my family in Memphis
Maybe next year
Nice guitar, too
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Really like the design. I'm not a fan of bling on guitars. A very good looking instrument. Did you fabricate your own tailpiece? Looks really good.
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Thanks you. I like well placed and thought out accents but always think leaning towards minimalism is a good thing.
Originally Posted by Spook410
The Tailpiece was designed by me both on paper and then digitally, then cut out on a waterjet by a local fabricator, then bent and polished and fit by me.
I spent a day trying to figure out how to do it all myself, then realized I was being silly since I dont have a metal shop
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That tailpiece is especially unique and beautiful! Originally Posted by stuartdayguitars
Can the guitar be strung with TI George Benson strings without any modifications to the tailpiece?
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Originally Posted by kkfan
That tailpiece is especially unique and beautiful!
Can the guitar be strung with TI George Benson strings without any modifications to the tailpiece?
I'm not familiar with those strings. do they have an unusual anchor?
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No, just the typical ball end. But they go from 12-53 or from 14-55. Above that, at the end of the string there is a fabric that enhances the diameter of the string end. You don' t get these through the standard holes of a Tele, for example (as always: iirc).
Oh, I forgot: this is a very cool guitar with some very cool ideas. Good luck to you and your new business!Last edited by fonkyfingers; 05-19-2015 at 05:59 PM.
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