Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

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

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.

Looking beautiful Paul Really Nice

The Guitarfather wrote: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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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..

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.

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

Amazing work!