Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Happy New Year to you all.

Here is an Archtop build that has been on the bench for almost two years. I had some time out from work and guitar building in 2012 due to illness so this one has progressed very slowly. Sometimes it is good to have the time to reflect on the stages of a build. The Queensland Kauri was very easy to carve but the Spruce top set had some runout and was a pain in the ass to carve. I am happy with the final outcome and the tone is sweet. My first Archtop was Queensland Maple, Lutz top and it a very bright guitar. Both have a lovely sustain. This is my thirteenth build and hence the name, Lucky.

Top: European Spruce
Back and Sides: Queensland Kauri Pine
Neck: Laminated Queensland Maple and Blackwood
Fingerboard Headplate Pickguard: Ebony


Thanks for looking
Cheers
Alan

Very nice Alan, i like the no binding effect, the spruce looks very even have you added some pigment to your finish?
Cheers,,

Rod.

Lucky indeed! It looks great! One day I will attempt an archtop but not for a while I think. How does she sound?

Martin

My first thought when I saw that was vanilla ice cream cone. And I love it. Simple, beautiful and makes me want to pick it up and hold it. Great work Alan.

Nice one Alan, it does not seem that long ago I saw this guitar in the bare wood stage, it looks so different with the finish on and as mentioned a real cool colour to the top. I don't think I'll ever tackle an archie any time soon, if ever.

Thirteen builds, my god Al it does not seem that long ago you were visiting my workshop and working out how to start up. You have come a long way in a short time looking at how your workshop and the quality of your work has grown. Well done mate.

Very nice Alan.

No 13??? Youre way ahead of me mate.

Another very tasteful build Alan....nice subtle and stylish lines on your instruments.

Beautiful, Alan. Love the way the top coloured. Almost reminds me of a faded TV yellow finish.....

Great work Al , I have one of these on my list, I know who I will ask for advice when the time comes.

Very elegant in it's simplicity Alan. I'd love to hear a few sound byes of it.

Regards

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Rod: For my French Polish finish I usually use the LMI very light blonde shellac flakes. To try and even up the top colour difference I decided to use a blonde shellac flake and although it turned the top yellow, it evened out the colour difference. That was pure luck I achieved that outcome.

Martin: Yes an archtop build is very time consuming but all good fun. It sounds good but the metal tailpiece gives it a bright treble.

Allen: Thanks mate for your comments. I think I may have a little bit much Queensland sun in the picture also. It is very yellow!

Taffy: Yes it only seems like yesterday I started pestering you with guitar building questions. I think that I am very lucky to have you to be able to advise me when I needed guiding in the right direction. I liked how you would not hand me a solution on a plate but you would load my head with valuable information so I could sort out the problem myself.

Thank you again for all your positive comments.

I am working on a sound file.

Cheers

Alan

That is great! I would love to see some detail shots of the way you rolled the edges of the top and back.

Thanks Nate for your comments. I only have two pics of my rolling the edge process. No rocket science as you can see by a careful run around the body with a fine rasp. I then use sanding sticks and run around the edges carefully and create another two flat surfaces all around the body. Finally I carefully go around and round off the three edges. Notice I said carefully often in the method description. It did take a a good afternoon of patience to get the rounded edge nice and even.

Here are two pics of the rasp stage:


Cheers
Alan

Geez Alan your getting bloody good at this mate. Lucky looks great from all angles and I'm sure sounds wonderful too, hint, hint.

Cheers

Kim

Thank you all for your comments.
Here are a few pics taken of her on the workbench.



Cheers
Alan