17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!

[krrtlr1]

Beautiful work Kevin. Can't wait to see it finished!

[Morecowbell]

.
Oh - and where did you get your wood?

Thanks!

C

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I got all the wood for the archtop from a Canadian supplier 5 1/2 years ago called Bow River.
I think in some form they still exist but last I looked they don't really cater to the archtop guitar any longer.
Back then they had "kits" you could choose from, levels of quality, figure, etc. They had it all in one place!

[Stray Feathers]

Bow River still exists, as Bow River Wood to Works:

https://www.woodtoworks.com

They still have some archtop wood but it is hit and miss. They had an arrangement with a fellow who did a lot of their tonewood, but he decided to go on his own recently and has a new company called Edco Fine Woods:

https://edcofinewoods.com/collections/s ... -arch-tops

He has more tonewood now, including some archtop wood.

It doesn't look like either sells complete kits of any kind just now. Solo Music sells kits, including a couple of Martins, in Canada, but I don't see archtop kits:

wwwdotsolomusicgeardotcom (too many URLs . . .) Bruce W.

[Morecowbell]

Thanks for the sources! Great to have some new ones.

[phavriluk]

I bought a bunch of tops from Bow River a few years ago, and looking at the EDCO site, I get the same vibe, similar language. And Bow River seems to be out of the soundboard business today, all of 2 tops listed today and EDCO looks like the old Bow River presentation using the same language and images.

[Stray Feathers]

Peter, my understanding is that that's exactly what happened, even including the web site design. So I don't know if Bow River will rebuild its tonewood activity - they still list more other luthier supplies than Edco does, but Edco may still be building that capacity. And if you go to their web site you will see that they are again a sponsor/participant in the "Guitars by Hand" show in October. Bruce W.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Kerfing and side supports are in. Top and bottom are leveled. With some spreaders the form fits the mold quite well except at the inside of the cutaway where now it does not fit tight. About an 1/8" gap or maybe a little less. Oh well it's just going to allow playing at the 21st fret!!!!

Next I will drill the hole in the end block for the end pin jack. Then will see how the top and back fit.

I may need to make a clamping caul for attaching top and back. Will see. Be great if I could clamp it will the go-bar deck.

[Morecowbell]

Really fun to follow along on this build. I've been actually reading the Benedetto book this morning (instead of skimming it) and am finding it very reassuring. Also re-watching the Ken Parker "Archtoppery" series which is fascinating because of the contrast in approaches.

Really looking forward to your finished product!

[Diane Kauffmds]

Woe Kev. I need to go through everything. I want to build an archtop one day. You always do beautiful work.