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I am considering building a small archtop(15 inch lower bout) as my next build (I normally build bowl back Greek bouzoukis). I have a few design questions. I have corresponded with some archtop builders on this topic, and some have said that such a small instrument will not sound good acoustically, and that it would only sound decent if amplified, which would not be my goal. Others have said it can be done if you take into consideration the smaller size.

I am, therefore, wondering, if anybody has built a smaller size archtop than the normal 16, 17, or 18 inch body, and what you did to account for the smaller size (ie. thinner top, smaller braces, higher arch, etc).

Also, should the sound holes be reduced in size proportionally, or should I just use standard size soundholes, like on the 17 inch plan of the Benedetto guitar I bought.
Thanks for your help.
Christ Kacoyannakis

I am planning on a 14.5" or 15" too. Remember the Gibson ES140? It was a hollowbody the size of a Les Paul with a shorter scale neck. A friend of mine had one renecked with a 24.75" scale neck placed on it. It sounded very decent accoustically. His was the full body size...which I think was just over 3.25" thick. Also, Benedetto now has a travel size Archtop that is about the same size guitar. If you search on youtube for his NAMM video, you can see and hear it being played.

I used the Gretsch "oversized cello" style on my 16". I think they would be way to big for your concept. I would also think that the length of the F holes would need to be shortend some. So a reduce size F hole would probably be needed. Just don't close them up too much or no sound will come out.


Not sure any of this helped....

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Joe

Christ,
I should think if you shift the sound holes out to the edge, keeping the relative distance to themselves as they are for the full size plan, and make the instrument a bit deeper to keep the inner air close to the same as the full, you should be ok. Just my gut feeling on that, not based on actual experience.

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Gibson ES140

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Joe

benedetto 14.5"

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Joe

Hi everyone, thanks for all the great information.

You may want to check out this site http://www.liutaiomottola.com/instruments.htm

They show a plan & some good notes for a "Girasoli parlor jazz guitar" (both round & f-hole) which may answer some of your questions.

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Dave
Milton, ON