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making a carved/arched top electric

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by skguitarsbasses, Jul 15, 2003.

  1. Jul 15, 2003 #1
    skguitarsbasses

    skguitarsbasses

    Jun 19, 2003
    northern virginia
    i have a friend that would like me to build a carved top guitar for them. something similiar to ESP horizon guitars where the center of the body is elevated and then it slopes down from there. do you have any suggestions as to the best way to accomplish this? is it just a matter of sanding? thank you.
     
  2. Jul 16, 2003 #2
    ColonelZulu

    ColonelZulu Not Impressed By Those Who Flaunt “Authority” Supporting Member

    Apr 14, 2001
    Pennsylvania
    I'd contact Matt Artinger www.artingerguitar.com

    Tell him Zulu sent you...not that it will get you anywhere...

    He's made some beautiful custom archtops. But there we are talking hollow body. If you want a solid bass that is contoured down to have the shape of an archtop, he may be able to help you there too. Figure a solid bass like that would weigh a ton, you may consider at least chambering it.
     
  3. Jul 16, 2003 #3
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Well, ESP and Gibson probably have CNC machines programmed to carve the arched tops, but guys like Greg Curbow probably use the same sorts of tools that an archtop guitar or mandolin builder would use. I believe the main tool is a small plane--there are some photos of a mandolin top being carved out here:

    http://www.tollway.com/mando/top.htm

    Something like the Benedetto book on archtop building might be helpful, too.

    Mike
     
  4. Jul 16, 2003 #4
    pilotjones

    pilotjones

    Nov 8, 2001
    US-NY-NYC
    If memory serves, one of the guitars in the Melvyn Hiscock is a carved-top.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2003 #5
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    I don't remember a carved top in the Hiscock book, but you could be right...

    Mike
     
  6. Jul 16, 2003 #6
    pilotjones

    pilotjones

    Nov 8, 2001
    US-NY-NYC
    The one on the cover is carved, and I think it's one of the ones detailed.
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jul 16, 2003 #7
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Ah! I've only got the older version, and the cover doesn't look anything like that, nor have any guitar like that inside.

    "Completely revised and updated"--maybe it's time to get the new edition. :)

    Mike
     
  8. Jul 16, 2003 #8
    skguitarsbasses

    skguitarsbasses

    Jun 19, 2003
    northern virginia
    so this book would definitely be a good start for me to get the info i need then?

    thanks for all of your replies
     
  9. Jul 19, 2003 #9
    Curbow

    Curbow

    Aug 1, 2002
    Give me a Call!
    I will give you some good pointers!
    Greg Curbow
     
  10. Jul 20, 2003 #10
    Skorzen

    Skorzen

    Mar 15, 2002
    Springfield MA
    I built a guitar like this. There are probably better ways to do this, but what I did was carve the rough shape out with gouges. After that I used an Orbital sander to smooth it out.