Kauri and Tulip Archtop

[Jehu]

Hey folks,

Just finished my second instrument, another 17" archtop. This one is noncutaway for full-blast, in-your-face, rhythm glory. Mistakes were made, of course, but we don't talk about that sort of thing. Overall I am happy with how it turned out. It is a surprise birthday gift for my father.

The top is (as far as I know) Kauri, taken out of renovations on an old villa. In its former life it was a pantry. The back and sides are Tulip Tree (say what?), the neck is Rimu, and the rest of the bits and pieces are Puriri. (Thanks to Christian for the the Rimu and Puriri!)

[Mark McLean]

Man - that looks sensational. No mistakes evident to my eye. What did you use for the finish - it complements those timbers really well. The old man will be pretty pleased with that I would think.
Great work
Mark

[56nortondomy]

That's a great looking instrument, I'm almost at the finish stage of my first archtop, I'd be more than happy if it turns out as nice as this one.
Wayne

[lauburu]

A fine looking beast. That must have taken some carving. I'm surprised that having made one archtop, anyone would go back and want to do it again.

Miguel

[kiwigeo]

Tulip Tree...related to Magnolias?

Nice looking instrument.

[dotbot]

That is a stunning guitar, well done.

Tulip trees (L. Tulipifera) are common in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. I lived in Maryland for two years and saw a fair few in the woods. Probably the biggest tree I've ever seen was one.

I think this the first guitar I've seen out of this tree, though; I like it!

Cheers,
Aaron

[kiwinoz62]

Wow. . . certainly different to traditional woods used.
What a great gift for your father.

Well done.

[martintaylor]

What a beautiful instrument! Keen to build an archtop. I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

[Jehu]

Thanks, all!

Wayne -- it is a Tru-oil finish. My first time using it, and to be honest I'm not as crazy about it as a lot of people seem to be. There seemed to be a bit of a stickiness to it that hasn't really gone away.

Martin -- yep, Tulip is in the Magnolia family. It's a fairly hard wood, but it planes quite nicely.