Official Luthiers Forum!

Could it be possible to add an Archtop building section on the main page, like the reso forum? ithink it would stir a bit more action and interest towards that kind of build?just a thought !

Thanks

Serge

Serge perhaps not appropriate to interject -- but here's my 2 cents.

There are only a handful of Archtop builders that I am aware of on the OLF (apologies if I've missed anyone):
- Brad Goodman
- Craig Sullivan
- Mike Variano
- Nelson Palen
- Anthony Zlahtic

A couple of Mando builders come to mind - Arnt Rian and Mario Proulx.

Selfishly I wish there were more to warrant a seperate section. I suspect if it were hived off there wouldn't be a lot of action. For what its worth I pick up a lot of useful info and techniques here that's applicable to Archtop building. The only thing that is really different is plate carving and bracing. The MIMF has a seperate Archtop section which doesn't see a lot of threads.

Yeah, good point Anthony, my goal was really not to separate you guys from the main discussion forum but more to encourage you guys to post more threads on the subject but hey if you guys would post it here, it would be just great! I really love Archtops and would like to see what you guys are building some more, who'll be the first to document a build?

Serge

Serge -- I didn't interpret your thread as to suggest you wanted to seperate the archtop shepherds from the flattop herd

Addendum to my previous post --- Paul Woolson has a couple on the go as well.

I've got part of an Archtop build documented. It's a lot of man hours to do it right. I've posted bits and pieces here in the past and aside from yourself and maybe a couple of others there wasn't much interest. There isn't too too much to add to the great Benedetto book -- which you really should purchase if you want to build one. The book has a lot of good ideas and jigs applicable to flattop builders.

I'll email this week or early next week.

Bill Moll builds archtops, does he still hang around here?

Someone gave me Benedetto's book a couple of years ago. It was my first book on instrument making and have to agree with Anthony, it is a great read. Many of the techniques in the book span all types of instrument making.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

[QUOTE=Anthony Z]   I've posted bits and pieces here in the past and aside from yourself and maybe a couple of others there wasn't much interest.[/QUOTE]
I'm interested! Post away!

Bob Bennedetto's book is great-but we all do things a little different.
Of course, I would like to see more on archtop building.

I'll be tackling an archtop soon... It's the reason I started building in the first place... It's my 'ultimate goal'...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Hey guys, Luigi is also building some, i'm sure my bud Alain Desforges is interested in seeing more on the subject also, and i'm also sure that Benedetto's book is the reference to look at but still, there's nothing like a fellow builder showin' his/her work with descriptions, tricks he/she developed, many of us are here for acoustic guitars, true, but also have other interests like Mario's and Arnt's mandolins, Geoff's ukes etc etc, your Archtops are beautiful and awesome, just want to see more of them, that's all! Isn't this place called Official Luthier Forum?

I guess we were posting at the same time bud huh? Great minds...... Serge Poirier38862.539375

I am reluctant to add any more forums until we update our software. Not that the current version wont support more forums, cuz it will. When we update were going to do away with the cascading threads, leaveing only the "active topics" view.
This way, when someone posts to another forum, we will see it in the main discussion forum (at the bottom), it wont seem like were all split up, but rather just sub divided.   

I really don't want to loose the community feel we have here. I have see that happen at other forums.LanceK38862.5948263889

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Howard Klepper builds awesome arches as well.

Shane

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Canada

Yes, great. I'd love to see more about archtops.
Luigi

Great to see you back here Luigi, please don't stay away that long next time ok? We missed you here bud!

Sergio

Luigi!!!!!    How are you doing, my friend? What's new in the wood business?

Don't even want to hear about wood... still up to my nose with that @°§§_* spruce. Think I've bought too much this year .
Luigi

Ok, seriously guys, we got people here with huge talent on Achtops, Nelson posted his elegant one just last week, but we still need a courageous fellow with big cajhones to post pics of them builds, the process, such and such step, anything, we just wanna see more of how you work! Who'll start the dance?

Serge

Joe, love your new avatar!Serge Poirier38862.739375

Brad, you quite right -- my post suggesting there isn't much to say beyond the Benedetto book was off base. When I think about it -- there are a number of things that I do that Benedetto doesn't do in his book or videos. I'll bet the same applies to you as well!

Serge -- I'll keep your request in mind and hopefully if next week isn't too crazy I'll organize some of my photos and start posting.

Anthony, you rock dude, it just takes a post, a small thread to kick start it so others find the courage to embark as well so please do it, keeping in mind that it's a no pressure request!

You already had my respect my friend but now you've just shown great solidarity! Thank you Anthony!


Serge