Just Built My First Guitar

[mike_k]

I am a longtime forum member, who just dove into the world of building. I took a class at Nazareth Guitar Institute. Wow, what a great experience. I learned so much. This was also quite possibly the most fun I have had in a long time.

Here are photos of my build of a 17” European spruce top, maple top and sides.



I have a pickup on order, and I plan a clear lacquer finish.

Already, I am hoping to get started building another one.

[jazzshrink]

Congrats, and thank you for sharing this experience with us.

[skiboyny]

Very cool! I've never seen braces in two pieces, was there a sonic reason for this?

[RJVB]

Nice!

How did you do the brunt of the top carve?

[mike_k]

Regarding the x-braces, Yes, the design called for x-braces to be lapped. This is fashioned after the Benedetto x-bracing style of making archtops. It is documented in Robert Benedetto’s book, Making an Archtop Guitar.

[mike_k]

Nice!

How did you do the brunt of the top carve?

Thankfully, the top was pre-shaped by the class instructor. He showed me the spruce boards that he sends out to someone with a CNC. After assembly we did the carving by hand with cabinet scrapers.

[Freeman Keller]

Good job. I finally built my first carved top archtop after a couple of dozen flat tops. Whole different experience and certainly not what I would choose for my first. How did you do your voicing? Are you satisfied with it's voice?

[mike_k]

Good job. I finally built my first carved top archtop after a couple of dozen flat tops. Whole different experience and certainly not what I would choose for my first. How did you do your voicing? Are you satisfied with it's voice?

Thanks for the questions. Great to hear about your builds, too.

Yes, I am quite satisfied with the voicing. As this is x-braced, the carving is largely done on the sides and the middle is kept relatively thick. It was a process of getting the look right and then tapping along the way to hear the tone. In the end, it is a punchy guitar that emphasizes it mids. It has a big voice compared to flattops. If I get a moment, I’ll records some sound samples.

[sbeishline]

Congrats man!

[Doctor Jeff]

Beautiful!

I will probably take one of those courses someday. (I am a woodworker in my other life.)

Tell us about the finish—what lacquer, and how applying? To me this is one of the most challenging parts of finishing a guitar. Easy to screw up.

[mike_k]

Thanks for making me nervous, lol! I just started fishing today. I am using Stew Mac's lacquer cans, and I am going for a clear finish.

I sanded the guitar to 150 grit, then dampened the guitar and sanded with 320. Sprayed a singled coat. After an hour, I sanded it with 320 again. Then, I sprayed three coats spread over the day. My goal is 12 coats before sanding and buffing. But, we'll see how many coats we'll need.

[mike_k]

While I am no woodworker, I observe that there are significant transferable skills. I am guessing that you would take to the process quickly.

Beautiful!

I will probably take one of those courses someday. (I am a woodworker in my other life.)

Tell us about the finish—what lacquer, and how applying? To me this is one of the most challenging parts of finishing a guitar. Easy to screw up.

[Hep To The Jive]

Looks great! Thank you for choosing a classic metal tailpiece, not those modern wooden ones, make the guitar look much more appealing.