CHEAP Archtops, DIY

[Jason Rodgers]

While I have to admire the efforts of many to change my mind and talk me out of my position, please understand I want to know how to do this. Telling me why I can't or shouldn't is not why I'm here.

Ha-ha-ha! Well, why didn't you SAY so?!

Go laminate to your heart's content. I was taking your meaning along Beate's reasoning, too. Yes, that sounds like fun, but then I have a pretty heavy DIY addiction. Hell, my next project, betwixt and between finishing those other half dozen projects, is vacuum thermoforming my own pickup covers.

[Michael Lewis]

Alan, your point is made and clear. May you enjoy the journey. Certainly I can't tell you what you like, or what you SHOULD like. It's just that the time and effort involved in such a project . . . . oh, never mind.

I really do hope you have some fun with this, and show us what you come up with.

[DJ Parker]

Not that I have ever built an archtop but after reading about and watching the videos, I would say that the Finnochio method of steam bending should be an option. Yes, you have to make a couple of moulds but there are even ways to simplify that using a 'rib method' as discussed in the videos. This would aide in bending veneers for laminating or even thicker pieces up to say, 3/16".

Actually, I am going to try this myself and just wanted another builder to bounce ideas off of
Just my 2-cents.

Thanks,

DJ

[Michael Lewis]

You can make just about any method work if you persevere and get to the end of the process. Some methods are more efficient for production, some more efficient for use of materials, some better for the style of an individual maker. They all work, pick the best for you and your situation. Personally I prefer to carve my tops and backs, and to use as few glue joints as I can get away with. Though I have on occasion used 3 and 4 part tops, but usually two piece, and one piece when I have them.

[fbazan]

I have used Frank Finnochio's steam bending technique for making the archtop plates. It worked extremely well. I am in the process of making a 175 style with a Charlie Christian pickup. I can't find the dvds he made for steaming the plates but he does talk about it in his archtop dvds. You should give hime a call.

[Art Davila]

If your going to make the mold consider watching some auto body videos I have seen some where they make molds out of epoxy to make new fenders and such.
Making molds of the top and bottom plates using bondo or some fiber glass molds would probably result in much lighter and durable molds.

I am not thinking your trying to mass produce the items but if you make any mistakes, having a mold you can use multiple times might come in handy.

Not that I know anything about making mistakes.

[Dennis Weaver]

Only picture I have of my friend Ed playing the archtop he made.

He bought Bob Benedetto's arch top making book. Most of his woods he got from Home Depot. Note the 3 piece top.

Then after joining he carved it.

[Dennis Weaver]

Well,
Get a cheap plywood archtop from somewhere cheap. Take it apart and use the top as the top mold and the back as a back mold.

Buy the cheapest grade A reject soundboards or whatever and glue up several layers with glue and clamp them into the homemade mold which is a old archtop top or back. Maybe need to use heat ????? maybe boil in water a few minutes and use a water aided glue. Maybe put them in boiling water to clamp in mold for pass one and then when dry glue them up and re clamp them in for pass 2.

Polyurethane and wax the mold to protect it from water and glue. Maybe get some kind of cement/ plaster or whatever to reinforce under it.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

Making Stringed Instruments, by George Buchanan. 8' of Douglas Fir stairs tread, 6' Douglas Fir jamb stock, open back tuners, a fingerboard, 7 Pearloid dots, a trapeze tailpiece, a truss rod, a couple of feet of fret wire, a nut, a very small chunk of Maple, a couple of thumb wheels, some varnish, glue, some binding, a little particle board and drywall screws, some paper and a pencil and ...Bob's your uncle.

[Paco Jimenez]

One of the best archtops I've played and owned is a '50s laminated Bräuer (former Czechoslovakia). Not a budget guitar at all. Built to high standards. The key is how you laminate the plates. They are commonly 4 or 5 plies of very specific thicknessings and spices.

[Jason Rodgers]

Paco! Long time, man! Stop by and tell us about cool old archtops more often!