Radio Jazz Box: February 2012

Welcome to my Archtop Guitar Project Blog

The Archtop, or "Jazz Box", is a unique style of guitar. It has a complex design, and a sound that one might say can only come from such a design. Having never built a guitar of any kind before (unless you consider a ukulele to be a guitar) I have decided to jump right in up to the neck and start with the archtop. When I tell this to people, the normal response is something like, "have you ever built a guitar before?" or "so, you have a pretty good idea how to do this, right?". My usual reply is, "nope". I do, however, make a point to assure them that I have built many kinds of things, using many different materials, and I consider all constructions to have a logical and understandable process.

So, if you're interested in "newbe" projects like this, then grab a fresh cup of coffee or tea and follow along. The earliest post shows the design I'm going for.

**UPDATE TO INTRODUCTORY TEXT** You will see as the posts progress from earliest to newest that a few modifications and compromises have been made. As with all learning experiences, this project has allowed me to work out any problems with a design that have not been foreseen on paper. I also welcome any input from readers/followers who have some experience in either building or playing guitars that will point out potential problems.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

On The Level

Now the task is to make the outside of the back level before I start to carve it down to match the inside contours. I am doing this with a very old Stanley plane I found at the flea market. It needs proper sharpening, which I am working on, but I was able to get it sharp enough to bring the laminated sections down to pretty much level. The centre piece is actually the level I'm going for. I wish the others had been the same thickness but that's just the way I got them, and I don't have an electric planer.

As you can see, there are variations in the grain patterns. I actually wanted that for this guitar. Most builders go out of their way to get a consistent grain, but I'm going for a look that will evoke the feeling of an old style radio, which often made use of wood grain in a different way. As I progress with the back, I will simply add new photos to this post, as I did with the inside carving earlier.