Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and also quite new at building guitars. I am currently building a Gibson L-00 and want to do an archtop when I've finished.

I have always loved the looks of a Gibson style O and since this is an archtop, I have decided that this shall be my next project

The only problem is...I can't find any building plans or even dimensions of this beauty, so the question is...

Does anybody know where I can find building plans for this guitar?

Thanks,

YiFo

I'm guessing you won't find a plan for that one. If it were be I would get my hands on one and take as many measurements, tracings and photos as necessary. Get the Benedetto book and plan and go from that.

I began building a Style 0 today. First I reread these books.



Then I was successful bending the sides.



The Benedetto is 17" wide and the Style 0 is 16".



I could not find plans for this guitar but I did research it very well and I know how I will proceed.

Michael

Nice job so far!
My guess is they have one transverse brace probably about 1/2-3/4" behind the soundhole. Don't skimp on the graduations, don't make the top too thin and use red spruce.

YiFo,
There, in Michael's post, you see proof that basic parameter can be derived from other sources.

Michael,
Nice derivation. I hope you will launch a thread and post progress pictures on your project. But I have a question about the body size. I have Benedetto's book, too, and it shows a 17" body plan. I do not have the later published plans. Did you derive your 16" body width or are both sizes shown on the flat plan?

Ops..Sorry, the Benedetto is 17" and the Style 0 is 16" although Gibson made an 18" Style 0 also. I fixed my original post.

Michael

Wow, nice work Michael.
Thanks for the replies!
I'll start drawing from other sources then...but first research!

Oops, didn't realize there were 2 different builds being attempted here...
Yifo, would probably be a good idea to find a straight on shot of the instrument somewhere and blow it up in Photoshop or some other app. You can scale it by measuring the tuners.
Michael, nice start as I said. Like the building form...

You might take a look at this thread and contact the original poster to see if he would give you details and measurements on his.

http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=44224

I am a big Gibson fan and have done some research on this particular Gibson 0 model. This guitar is not a big collector item because it was part of the transition from Gibson strictly making mandolins to building guitars. Some collectors do desire it but not for its playability or sound, it was said to sound pretty bad and play like a 2X4 so you may want to do look into how you can improve the bracing and neck design before you venture into actually starting your build.

I hope that link proves to be some help.

Cheers,
Bob

I saw that thread you have highlighted. I even mentioned this build in it.

I am building it because I think it is the 2nd most beautiful factory built guitar ever made. These were braced with 2 large pillars on either side off the box. I found a 1914 Patent for this model that shows 2 braces attached to the top extending from near the center of the tail block up and separating to end a couple of inches out from each side of the neck block. I plan to X brace the top. I think I can make it sound good but I just want to look at it every morning when I wake up (I will keep it in another room).

Michael

Michael, I agree with you about it being a nice looking guitar. If I ran across one I would probably buy it just because it is cool looking but also because it was one of Gibson's first. I would restore it but leave it all original. I do think if you are building one that X-bracing would be the best way to go as well as slimming down the neck. I have never seen one but I have read the neck is pretty thick and wide.

Please do keep us posted on your build. I would like to follow what you do on it.

Cheers,
Bob

The first style O guitars were standard, non cutaway oval hole guitars. Different models were available (O-1, O-2, etc.) and appeared in Gibson's inaugural 1902 catalog. The O was upgraded to the scroll body in about 1910, and it remained Gibson's top-of-the-line guitar until the introduction of the L-5 in 1923. The earliest scroll body guitars were labeled "O - New Style" as they transitioned from the standard body shape. Later ones, from the "Loar era" (around 1924) typically sound much stronger than the earliest scroll body Os. Those have truss rods although with that monster neck, it's arguable as to whether there's any need. . .

_________________
Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

I had a style "O" with the scroll body (1914?) and it did have a baseball bat neck. It didn't sound great, but it wasn't a dog either. Middle of the road guitar, soundwise.

Well, what about making one that sounds actually really good? Using the looks with features of other great models? Not sure whether I would do it as an archtop after reading your replies.
So while I'm still working on my current project, I'm already making plans for my next. Of course an archtop is on my list, but with the comments and lack of building plans, I would have to design it myself and that made me think:
Maybe make a "flattop" with an arch-like radius (kinda like a Martin R-18), X-bracing and a more comfortable J45 neck and use the outline of the Style O as a template. I just love the scroll body....I know the scroll doesn't have any function and I know there's supposed to be a massive block of wood in there, but maybe with some solid linings, I could make it hollow.
I think I'll start building in about 6 months from now, so, just planning ahead. All suggestions are welcome of course.

YiFo

I am not building an exact copy. I will make it more player friendly. It will still look like an 0.

Progress so far:



I am documenting this build on another forum with build pics. I will update here as people have interest.

Michael

Nice! Could you also post a link to the other thread?