Archtop build

[Robdon]

Hi, I have started on my second guitar build. The first was a steel string OM guitar that I built with guidance from a very talented luthier, Noom, here in Brisbane. I posted a photo on this forum earlier this year and will post a few more photos on the completed guitars forum.
Noom is not around for a while so this next build is a solo exercise. Actually I am building two guitars. The first is a practice with some quandong I had under the house for the back and probably the neck. I am using European spruce which I bought from Jura tonewoods in France for the soundboard. I spent the kid’s inheritance on curly maple and Swiss spruce for the second guitar and that is why I am starting with the practice model. I bought very comprehensive plans from Genone luthier supplies and I am modifying them to put the sound holes at the top edge of the upper bout and on the side. (At least that is the plan at the moment.)
I have rough shaped the back and am working on the soundboard (photos attached). I have to say that carving spruce with a very sharp gouge chisel is a really meditative experience. The only time I experienced any pain was when my sister commented that the shavings would make great kindling for the fireplace. It is the most expensive kindling I have ever come across.

[mac007]

looks good- I'll look forward to seeing how you go carving the curly maple.

I surrendered after trying the gouge and used an angle grinder with an attachment to remove a lot of the (QLD maple) before going back to chisels and planes.

Where did you get the curly maple from?

cheers

mac007

[Robdon]

Hi Mac, I got the maple from “Jura tonewoods”. It was only a year from harvest and a little wet so I put it in the kiln at the Blackall Ranges Woodcrafters Guild for a few days and it has been equilibrating for a few months. It is fine now. After I bought it, I kept searching and found that tonewoodforviolin.com in Slovakia has a great range of figured wood. They don’t specifically sell for archtop guitars but a cello blank should be plenty big enough. (double check the cello arching height - the length/width 750/432mm are fine)
Best wishes,
Rob