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

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Thanks Diane
Don't look too close. This one's a bit messy..

[Diane Kauffmds]

I've restored several old archtops. They really can't be cleaned up on the inside after closing the box, like acoustics with round soundholes. You'd be surprised at the messy glue jobs I've seen on the inside of these guitars. With the exception of the 1925 Calace, all are messy. I'm sure the one your building isn't nearly as bad.

But honestly, the mess didn't make one iota difference in the sound.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Today I routed the the pocket for the inlay on the head plate and epoxied it in. Looking good I think.

Next I attached the back to the rims clamped up in my gobar deck. This works well for the back while the rim is supported in the mold.

Then I drilled the end pin jack hole. I first use a 1/16" pilot hole and then a forstner bit. The end block at 1" is too thick for the Fishman jack I have so I came in first on the inside with a 5/8" forstner and went 1/4" deep then drilled with a 1/2" from the outside.

After gluing in a label I'll be ready to glue on the top. I will use clamps with leather cauls to protect the spruce top.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

More pics

[TEETERFAN]

Go, Kevin, go!

[Morecowbell]

Wow - this is moving right along, fantastic!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I only had a couple hours in the shop today but managed to glue a label inside the guitar. All I know is it will be sometime next year when it's completed. 😀

Then I glued the top to the rims and glued the headwaters to the headstock. The fretboard is pinned in its place but won't be glued on until the headstock is cut out and the binding installed or maybe after routing the binding channel but before binding.
The fretboard will be bound after its glued down to the neck and before trimming to size.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Body sides are leveled. Now trying to figure out how I'll route the binding channels. The arching is getting in the way of the router base o. My machine.

I may need to set up a special base on another palm router that won't touch the arching. Working on that tomorrow.

Curly maple veneer is now glued to the back of the head plate. Making progress.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

More pics

[TEETERFAN]

That’s really looking good!