3 piece tops

[joe breeden]

In the process of building a weissenborn guitar. Would like input on using a 3 piece top. I have some great, really old quarter sawn mahogany, but only five inches wide. Top would be in 3 pieces. I have no experience in this sort of thing and I have the greatest respect for the members of this forum and would appreciate and and all comments and help. Thanks Joe

[Nick Payne]

I haven't done it, but here's someone who's building a classical using a five peice top and four piece back: http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/v ... 11&t=70696.

[kiwigeo]

Joe....Ive deleted your duplicate post.

Multi-piece backs often used by the old classical builders purely to make more economical use of tonewood. I havent done so on a Weissy but I dont see any reason not to do a three piece back. Visually three piece backs can look quite pleasing.

[Bob Connor]

I don't think there'd be any problem using a three piece top Joe. Go for it.

Regards

[Trevor Gore]

Here's another one; five piece top, four piece back. No need to worry about the number of pieces!

[jeffhigh]

3 piece is probably quite an economical way to go on a weissy. I'd do it if I had that piece of wood to use.

[Kim]

Hey Joe

I was looking at a 1920's Hilo model 640 recently. It had a 2 piece spruce top but hardly a bookmatch. One bit owned 70% of the realestate and the other 30% on the treble side was a complete miss match. Still sounded pretty bloody good though and its holding up just fine after near 100 years.

Point is that I don't think it matters that much within reason how many bits of wood make up the top or back just as long as they are jointed well and it's braced acording to the stiffness you end up with.

Cheers

Kim

[simonm]

Put "TACCHI Coclea Thucea" into google and search for images. Your for only $27k over at GSI.

[Sergy]

Perhaps it is also a solution -

1.jpg (46.88 KiB) Viewed 18180 times

2.jpg (48.91 KiB) Viewed 18180 times

[Patrick Hanna]

I'm no expert on structural matters, but I don't see how a three piece top could hurt. It might lend very exciting visual design opportunities, too. When building my archtop guitar, I came out with the extremities of the lower bouts too thin. My solution was to shave off the thin parts to a grain line on either side and graft on "wings" of the same top material. Thus, a four-piece top. This is an option you could consider as well, as it would still leave you with a visible book matched center line joint, with wider wings on either side. My wings are virtually invisible, and the top is in great condition after five years of active use. I think it'll still be fine in another twenty years. I've seen multi-piece, staved backs that were built purely for the visual beauty of the design and they were stunning. You could do the same with a top made of any number of pieces. I say go for it.

[Dave White]

This one I made for Colin Symonds had a six piece top and six piece back - made from the doors of an old Georgian corner cupboard. Sounds great.

[kiwigeo]

Is the sound Georgian?

[charangohabsburg]

Sounds great.

And looks great!

[Dave White]

Is the sound Georgian?

Absolutely - Quadrilles sound just right.

[joe breeden]

Thanks to all who responded with help. I really appreciate and respect your input. I'm going for it. Joe

[mtracz]

Glad to hear you are going for it.

This pair has 4 piece WRC tops / backs and worked out just fine.






Best of luck!

_Mike

[joe breeden]

Thanks, Dave and Mike for those pictures. Hope mine will look half as good. Joe