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.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Soldering

 Hole drilled through end block. It is 1/2", to accept the Fishman endpin jack.
I'm soldering the "hot" wire to the tip lead of the jack here. I then soldered the ground wire (no pic, sorry).

I see now that I could have made my end block a little thinner, as I only just had enough room to thread the bolt onto the inside and tighten it enough to feel secure. You can't really see in this photo, but I have put a piece of ebony down the centre of the back end of the body, where the endpin goes into the guitar. This will be both decorative and add extra strength.
So that I don't forget which wire comes from which lead I labelled them. Wouldn't do much good to forget which wire is which and wire them backwards to the electronics.

The "tip" is simply the lead on the jack that connects with the plug end on the cable.
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