Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

You could do that but your plates wouldn’t be book matched, although you might get away with it in the case of Figian Mahogany

Rod

Im in Boronia,
I'd be looking for a billet of at least 50mm to resaw for a back, you'll want an arch of at least 22-23mm on a 17 inch archtop.

Cheers
Rod.

Where are you in Melbourne?

Forgot to mention Queensland maple which is another go to for these instruments also Figian mahogany which is plentiful in the size you need, cheaper than most species but still very nice to work and delivers a very nice product, likewise with Queensland Kauri beautiful to carve and also delivers th...

MK, one mistake I made when I first started out was choosing an unproven species for the back and sides, the instrument turned out ok for my first attempt but had a nice crack open up in the back, I should have gone with a regular choice and spent a bit more money on the project. I do use curly mapl...

Couple more shots of the local makers department includes:- Octigan, Spira, Hancock, Subotic, Eborall, Jacsetik, great bunch of blokes, was good to catch-up with.
Cheers
Rod

Yes, nice to meet you Steve.
I had a great weekend at the show now a few days rest and off to Port Fairy next weekend.
Cheers
Rod

A few more pics of the rim structure/ solid linings,,, enjoy!

Cheers
Rod

Just started this one to see me through a quiet patch, laminated back and sides in Blackwood with solid linings, carves top in Celerytop pine, neck in Birdseye maple and Bubinga fretboard, it's a 17 fret instead of 19 like the 335's
I'll pos a few more pics later.

Cheers

Rod

I have a little bit of experience with archtops and i haven't had any negative experience with the solid carves in regards to cracking at all. as a matter of interest with all the forums and social pages i peruse i don't recall any issues in general about carved arch top plates being prone to cracki...

Yes the blocks are Spruce Dave. I've put this on the back burner for a little while the reason being is that i planned on using some nice Otways Blackwood for back and sides, i've resawn the timber into back set and sides but the back is still a little high in moisture content but the sides are just...

Here's a couple of pics showing the corner blocks being shaped in the C bout.

Cheers
Rod,

Thanks Dave,,,
So i've got the inside form nearly ready to go , the next step is fitting the tail, neck and corner blocks....

Cheers
Rod.

The cello i'm building is a copy of a 1739 instrument titled, "Sleeping Beauty" by Italian master luthier, Domenico Montagnana who was based in Venice. I've been loaned some plans and have started making some patterns. I will be using Australian Otways Blackwood for the back and sides, supplied by K...

So i've been in this caper for about 13 years now and after building a pretty average violin to begin with decided to diverge a bit to arch top guitars and there i've been content and had quite a bit of success and starting to be recognised in some circles but felt i needed to expand a little so i'v...

Gazm wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:26 am

WOW!! I'll bet that beauty didn't sit on the show stand for long !!!

Is the Purple, Acacia Carnei ?

Well done Rod.

Gaz

Thanks Gaz , no it"s Purple Heart
Rod.

A fifteen inch lower, semi hollow , 10 foot radius back and bent sides in Blackwood, carved Sitka top, ABS binding and as is obvious, Purple heart everywhere else. 25 scale , Schaller roller bridge, Duesenberg Les Trem tailpiece, Microtone Nitro on the top, neck and headstock and 3220 on the blackwo...

Beautiful job, lovely clean work and bloody nicely finished, congratulations

Cheers
Rod.

Thanks Martin, but it almost drove me around the bend! The natural timber was a piece of cake using normal methods but the dark blue shows tiny swirl marks, had to go over and over to reduce them to a level I could tolerate under a light. Very happy with it now though.
Cheers
Rod.

This one it to be delivered today, pretty happy with the outcome.
400mmX 85mm Blackwood and Huon pine with Ebony binding.
Cheers

Rod

Thanks Graham, order placed!
Cheers
Rod.

No need to reply to this but Merry Christmas you lot!!

Rod.

Hi Mark, yeah they’ll be open on Monday morning, good luck
Merry Christmas
Rod

Cheers Martin you too.
Visiting SA early 22 will try to catch you for a guided tour of your green house!!

Rod

Mathews timber in Knoxfield Melbourne currently have a shipment in of Sitka Spruce in 50mm thick ranging from 150 wide up to 250mm wide lengths are 6 metres but staff will cut for you. Frank and I picked out some nicely quartered stuff with nice fine annular lines this morning!! Merry Christmas you ...