Official Luthiers Forum!

So, this is my first archtop build.
Soundboard: Englemann Spruce
Back and sides: QLD Maple
Neck: Australian Red Cedar
Fretboard: Australian Gidgee
Pickguard and headstock veneer: Gidgee
Bindings: Curly Maple
Pickup: Benedetto S6

I'm really pleased with the outcome, it is loud acoustically and sounds awesome plugged in. I will definitely be making more. I loved the hand carving although my wife would probably point out at this moment that I did complain of shoulder pain at the time!

Also, the bridge is an experiment to try and get full contact and also have adjustability. It is a little heavier (35g) than what I want to get to (25g) but I will make a few options for it I think.

For those interested I used the Benedetto book as reference although I am not that good at following books (except for yours Trevor Gore).

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au

That's just B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.
What a nice guitar!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Agreed, quite the beauty. I've always wanted to try my hand at one of these but they are rather intimidating to build. A different animal from what I am used to for sure. Did you happen to record how many hours it took you?

Just...beautiful!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

In the end it took about the same as I spend on a normal acoustic. and I understand the intimidating bit, I certainly felt that as I stepped off the abyss but I must say, it was really enjoyable and I'll definitely be doing it again. I know I haven't said the hours but I work fairly quickly so all up approx 50 hours of build time. The spraying was done by a friend who is an amazing guitar builder near where I live.

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au

Well done, indeed! I can only hope to match you when I finally embark on my own archtop project.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Wow!
Really great looking guitar Martin!
Dan

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Nice! You are hooked. Archtops are so cool.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Wow 50 hours???

You do work fast. I would have thought that an archie would take twice as long.

Absolutely beautiful! As a player, I do appreciate the cutaway. But as a builder and as someone who loves guitars as objects of beauty I far prefer the look of a non-cutaway.

And your friend appears to be a gifted finisher.

For some reason I always thought that a guy named "Martin Taylor" should be able to construct a mighty fine guitar -- way to go! Very nice.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Super nice!!! A very classy guitar

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I admit I was wondering if we were talking to one and the same. I guess "Martin Taylor" the player lives in Scotland, not Australia. Not a bad namesake to have if you are into guitars!

Stunning! Everything about it is gorgeous

I like the extra-curvaceous body shape. Is this an 18-inch instrument? Or is it a 17-inch instrument that simply looks like it's 18 inches wide?

I'm sure it's a wonderful guitar, but I'm perplexed. Am I the only person who doesn't see pics of an archtop? I see a couple of pics of an unfinished 14 fret flattop, and other pics of a completed classical. No archtop. I'm looking through Tapatalk.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tim, I see the same thing on Tapatalk. The archtop shows up on the computer. Strange.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Crikey mate! She's a beaut! Well done Martin.

That looks fantastic Martin. The f-hole binding looks like wood/maple. How did you get it to bend into the tight curl without breaking?

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- Keith

Thanks.

The binding is all wood. I made a form, soaked the timber veneers in boiling water, bent the veneers over the form until dry then used the same form when gluing up the veneers.

If I get the chance I'll take a photo of the forms and upload it.

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au

Yeah I see the flattop on tapatalk too?? Weird.

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au

Thanks, it is a 17inch lower bout that I based on the Benedetto shape but redrew a little (just because I wanted to). It might be the photos that make it look a little bigger?

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Martin Taylor
http://martintaylorguitars.com.au

Fine looking musical instrument. I really like the Gidgee. I bet it sounds awesome too! Gotta be proud of this one.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601