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, October 9, 2011

Button Problem Solved.

Well, I played with a whole bunch of ideas for new sound holes, most of them involving completely new designs. In the end, all I did was make them a little smaller, flip them end for end, and move them forward. The first pic is my original design; the problem with the sound holes is they don't allow for the best placement of the vol/tone buttons. I cut two sound hole shapes out of card stock to play with placement and size. After making the changes to the size and position of the holes, there is now plenty of room for the buttons, and I think I have managed to maintain the cathedral radio influence I was going for.


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