New Wilkie Acoustic Archtop Build

[AKA]

Thanks Chuck. It’s been quite a journey. I can’t wait to give it a spin.

It’s such a beautiful guitar, Albert! I’m so excited for you.


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[RJVB]

That top wood is gorgeous!

Is that a violin-style nylon tailpiece "gut" holding the tailpiece to the endpin? If so I hope you have better luck with it than I have!

[Woody Sound]

My wife has taken extraordinary comfort in this and looks forward each year for a visit from the red dragonfly.

That's a beautiful story.

[Woody Sound]

Is there a special function to the two-layered sound holes, or is it purely aesthetic?

[AKA]

Is there a special function to the two-layered sound holes, or is it purely aesthetic?

Wilkie’s archtop designs range from faithful interpretations of classic Gibson L5 and Super 400 instruments, to more modern instrument designs where he reinterprets certain stylistic elements. The “carved sound holes” are a case in point. So, purely aesthetic.

AKA

[AKA]

Yes - the one-piece curly redwood top is beautiful.

Wilkie apprenticed with Benedetto. Most of his instruments have adopted the violin-style tailpiece design. A number of working musicians are using his instruments. I haven’t heard of any problems. I’ll keep an eye on it though.

AKA

That top wood is gorgeous!

Is that a violin-style nylon tailpiece "gut" holding the tailpiece to the endpin? If so I hope you have better luck with it than I have!

[wintermoon]

Looking good Albert!
What's the thinking behind the wood choices if I may ask.

[AKA]

Looking good Albert!
What's the thinking behind the wood choices if I may ask.

I advised Wilkie that over years I’ve owned several archtops built using traditional tight straight-grained spruce tops, and figured maple or mahogany for the back/sides. I asked him to recommend alternatives woods to produce an acoustic archtop with a rich resonant voice with a striking visual appearance. He recommended Claro Walnut for the back and sides, and either Curly Redwood or Port Orford Cedar for the top. I selected the Curly Redwood and Claro Walnut.

AKA

[fretbuzzard]

FWIW, George Lowden is particularly fond of these combinations of timbers for acoustic flat top guitars. I image your archtop will sound amazing!

[2bornot2bop]

Oh c’mon let’s see a close up of that beautiful back!

[AKA]

These photos were shot at Wilkie’s shop a couple of days ago. The best back shots are in posts 26 & 49. I should have the instrument in-hand shortly and will get some close-ups of the back.

AKA

Oh c’mon let’s see a close up of that beautiful back!

[ccroft]

I believe he calls them “carved sound holes”.

Of course! Very pragmatic. Hope we get to see full shots of the whole guitar front, 3/4 & back so we can appreciate the whole composition.

The Sacconi strap seems to work just fine for lots of folks. I guess just like anything else there's the right way to do it and the other way.

[SierraTango]

That top wood is gorgeous!

Is that a violin-style nylon tailpiece "gut" holding the tailpiece to the endpin? If so I hope you have better luck with it than I have!

As the owner of the "other" 1990 Benedetto Cremona, I can honestly report that the so called Sacconi cable linking the tailpiece to the endpin jack has never been a problem or issue for me. And that's with hundreds of gigs and many string changes over the years.
Part of the Benedetto formula and this builder studied with Bob.
Beautiful instrument BTW AKA!

[AKA]

As the owner of the "other" 1990 Benedetto Cremona, I can honestly report that the so called Sacconi cable linking the tailpiece to the endpin jack has never been a problem or issue for me. And that's with hundreds of gigs and many string changes over the years.
Part of the Benedetto formula and this builder studied with Bob.
Beautiful instrument BTW AKA!

Thanks SierraTango.

I know I said no more pictures, but ……

AKA

[RJVB]

Most of his instruments have adopted the violin-style tailpiece design. A number of working musicians are using his instruments. I haven’t heard of any problems. I’ll keep an eye on it though.

I've had these cables break on 2 study instruments in the relatively short period that I played modern violin, by some freak chance without damage to anything other than the easily replaceable bridges. IIRC I was told it's a not uncommon thing to happen, and unpredictible because you can't see any degradation of the nylon (unlike with actual tail gut, which I had ever since). Maybe it is more common on violins for some reason (diameter a bit thin for the high tension it must support? Attacked by sweat and heat [nylon is hygroscopic]?) and maybe I was just unlucky, and of course I don't think luthiers replace these when an instrument comes back in so who knows how long they had been on already.
I didn't want to make you worry so I left out the details, but I did mean I wish you more luck than I had!

[AKA]

I've had these cables break on 2 study instruments in the relatively short period that I played modern violin, by some freak chance without damage to anything other than the easily replaceable bridges. IIRC I was told it's a not uncommon thing to happen, and unpredictible because you can't see any degradation of the nylon (unlike with actual tail gut, which I had ever since). Maybe it is more common on violins for some reason (diameter a bit thin for the high tension it must support? Attacked by sweat and heat [nylon is hygroscopic]?) and maybe I was just unlucky, and of course I don't think luthiers replace these when an instrument comes back in so who knows how long they had been on already.
I didn't want to make you worry so I left out the details, but I did mean I wish you more luck than I had!

RJVB - I’ve been advised that for the "tailgut" strap, Wilkie uses a steel cable, unlike the nylon they typically use for violins and cellos.

AKA

[RJVB]

RJVB - I’ve been advised that for the "tailgut" strap, Wilkie uses a steel cable, unlike the nylon they typically use for violins and cellos.

Sorry for the noise then, that sounds like a reassuring choice!