A BIT OVER A YEAR IN THE MAKING...

[blueflamerick]

Amazing work Paul!

What about something like Martin uses on the CF-1 archtop, but made of walnut?

http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing ... p=m&m=CF-1

[jingle_jangle]

Erik, it's basically a Benedetto/violin style tailpiece. Looks fine on that Martin...the prportions are a bit stockier, and the guitar has classic "F" holes, which look OK with this style. I prefer the look of a metal piece.

[scotty]

Looking beautiful Paul Really Nice

[tennis_nick]

Mr. W., Excuse my (ad your word here) But, why does the piece that attaches to the top have to be a separate chuck? Was it too hard to create in one piece?


Words to choose - Stupididy, Ignorance, knotheadedness.

I believe this is a similarity in all jazz box style guitars, by having the neck "float" above the soundboard (the top of the guitar) you don't hinder it's vibration.

imagine a vibrating drum skin, and how much duller it sounds when you place something on it, sustain and frequencie wise.

That's how I understood it anyhow.

[jingle_jangle]

You understand correctly. I think you mean, "chunk", PM, eh?

Yep--it's a floating fretboard, on this one sculpted to match the top of the guitar and floated about 1 mm over it. Most of these German carved archtops have the edges of the extensions cut straight. The sculpted ones look much more elegant and at home.

I suppose it could have been made in one piece. We gain nothing in doing this, functionally or sonically, however, and it becomes nearly impossible to cut the neck dovetail.

[gellkeller]

Paul, what about a Guild tailpiece? The tailpiece on the Arist Award is very nice and I feel it would suit the shape too. It's a very organic shape.

[jingle_jangle]

Yeah, the Guild look is close to what my handmade one will look like. The Artist Award is really OTT with all that engraving!

[melibreits]

Beautiful, Paul.... Simply outstanding!

Can't wait to see what color it's going to be!

Don't know how I missed this thread; I guess I've been distracted by other things lately!

[doctorwho]

That is going to be so beautiful when completed! Fantastic work as always, Paul!

[gellkeller]

Paul, I forgot to mention that you work is truly stunning. A gift to the eye.

The Artist Award is really OTT with all that engraving!

How about all that binding as well. Even the soundholes are triple bound.

[squid]

I'm a big Guild fan and I happen to have an extra tailpiece that was taken off of an X-170. It's the same one as the one used on the Artist Award. I've always loved the shape of the Guild "harp" tailpiece, but I agree with Paul that it won't work here. For one, it is too ornate. Even my wife commented on it. She said it was too "bling" for the X-170 (which is a pretty modest guitar). Secondly, it's got a big "G" at the base of the harp. It doesn't show up in photos, but it's there. It would definitely stick out as a mismatched part.

Good suggestion, though.

[mrs_brown]

Being married to a wood worker for 27 years gives me an appreciation for beautiful wood. The grain seems to flow in this... absolutely wonderful.. I agree with the natural tones.. I cannot wait to see the finish...she's a beauty already..

[lennon211]

A bit late in the discussion, but what about some of the Hofner tailpieces that they put on their archtops? Here's one that was really striking:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hofner-Jazzica-Cust ... dZViewItem

Just a thought. What I've already seen is absolutely amazing. Please keep the photos coming.

[jch]

That is going to look just beautiful when it's finished Paul

Amazing work!