8-12/4 Mahogany For L-0 Style Archtop.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

Looking for a supplier for thick and wide Mahogany (Sapele or Khaya) for a little archtop. I know I could use Maple but these little archtops are already "cranky" enough in Mahogany. Can I get by with 8/4 x 7-8 wide? That seems to be pretty common. I have thought about using a flat sawn electric body blank?

[Randolph Rhett]

Smaller plates are stiffer than a larger plate with the same thickness and arch height. Likewise, the back doesn't need to withstand the down pressure of the strings. If your concern is that after re-sawing you won't have room for a 1/4" thick top with a 3/4" arch, I believe you would be alright with just a 1/2" arch on the back.

It may not be as traditional, but I have also played several archtops with flat backs constructed the same as "regular" flat top guitars. The played and sounded fine. If you are not concerned about recreating a traditional guitar, using a flat back would open up more wood options.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

That makes good sense.

[Michael Lewis]

Gilbert, is this going to be a solid body like for an electric (Les Paul), or a hollow body like for an acoustic? It makes significant difference in size of materials and construction style.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

Archtop Gibson L-1 clone. I could slip match some 4-5/4 VG stock. Use it for the neck, sides, and back, and stain it real good.

[Larry Davis]

Gilbert, I'm cutting genuine mahogany for GAL convention at the moment. Get in touch by email and I may be of help if you still are on the hunt.

I think this type of post is now proper.

[Michael Lewis]

Larry, I'll miss seeing you at the GAL event. I've never been, and now getting closer to not going to anything like that. I hope you do a bunch of business there.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

Thank, Larry. Since this is my first archtop guitar, I will be slip matching some quarter sawn 5/4 Sapele. I might even go with Douglas Fir stair tread and jamb stock from a local lumber yard. It's hard to find 8-10/4 quarter sawn Mahogany at prices a beginner can afford.