Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Heya All,

I was talking to Martin the other day and realised how remiss I had been in not posting anything for such a long time. I can't quite believe how much running your own workshop dominates you're time. Despite having less time to build than I did before, I have managed to build a little, including my first archtop. I bought both the soundboard and back & side for this in 2015 from Canada in what I thought was a pique of indulgence. 10 years on and I look at the price of similar wood and can honestly say it was a fantastic investment.

So this archtop is 17" based on the Benedetto shape. Englemann spruce top with flame maple back, sides and neck. Ebony headstock, fertboard and maple interspaced pickgurad and tailpiece. There is also a bit paua about.

Lovely looking instrument Trent....

Wow - very stylish and well executed. I really like how you carried the art deco theme through everything - especially the matching shapes of the pickguard and tailpiece. Do you plan and draw all of that at the outset or does it evolve as the build goes on?

Thanks guys. Here is a quick sound sample with some very overexpose camera work


youtu.be/H0bNX3VxgrE

Great result Trent for your first archtop guitar build.

Interesting detailing, styling, inlay and wood selection for this guitar.

Wayne

That’s a stunning guitar Trent, congratulations

Thanks

Mark McLean wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 10, 2025 5:35 am

Wow - very stylish and well executed. I really like how you carried the art deco theme through everything - especially the matching shapes of the pickguard and tailpiece. Do you plan and draw all of that at the outset or does it evolve as the build goes on?

I usually have a theme or one idea that then I try an compliment or repeat/rhyme as I go along. Although I do normally know the pallet of woods I want to use. For this one I knew I didn't want to do traditional f holes and I made the headstock: the rest followed from there.