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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 15, 2003 #2
    Bass Kahuna

    Bass Kahuna

    Dec 3, 2002
    West Lafayette, Indiana
    Luthier, Custom Builder
    It will take more than sanding. You going to need some fingerplanes and heavy files.

    Also, if they want the top to be a figured wood, you're going to need a thicker piece than the standard 1/4" - 3/8" thick top pieces that most luthier supply houses sell. Stewart MacDonald (www.stewmac.com) sells either flamed or quilted maple bookmatch tops for making an archtop electric guitar. I would also give Larry at Gallery Hardwoods (www.galleryhardwoods.com) a call.

    Lastly, if you make an archtop electric, the angle at which you connect the neck is going to need to be a bit different that for a standard flat top electric, depending on where the "crown" of the arch ends up in relation to the bridge.

    :^)~