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How do you do a bent top?
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Author:  Jguitars470 [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:30 pm ]
Post subject:  How do you do a bent top?
Hi, Im trying to do a bent top on an electric guitar. its ash with a flame maple top. i did the comfort cut for the elbow. How would i bend the top to sit on the comfort cut? would i need an iron or something like that? thanks
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
You said bent top. I assume you mean a carved top like a Les Paul or PRS? if so those are carved to shape and often a thin veneer is applied to the top such as curly maple or quilted maple. If veneered the body is carved to shape and the top veneer is applied using a vacuum system the tops are not pre bent to the carved shape. If you mean like a ARC top guitar those are carved to shape.
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Drop caps are usually 1/4" thick which is too thick to bend on a hot iron. You might be able to bend it using a steam box but that would be a lot of work. Normally, the cap is glued on before carving and then the cap is carved away exposing the core. Not a bad way to go.
Author:  Jguitars470 [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
No i think they call it a bent top. I know Tom Anderson does it on his drop tops. its were u bend the top to the comfort cut already carved out.


Heres what im talking about.

http://www.andersonguitars.com/cfPages/ ... yWoodID=16
Author:  joel Thompson [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Thats very interestin the way he has shaped his body i have not seen that before.

the mahogany base is carved alot thinner on the top of the lower bout.

it would be tricky to replicate from that photo i Think.

i have never heard of a bent top before?
this is obviously carved but it does look a bit "bent" out of shape!

whatever its called i like it.

Joel.
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
I have bent (as in flexed it into position and glued on, no hot pipe bending) an 1/8 inch quilted maple to do a armrest type slope on a strat body .. but not sure how its done with something as thick as a 1/4 or more ala Tom Anderson ...
Author:  jack [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
There is a book by Jim English 'Making a laminated hollow body electric guitar ' that covers how to do it.
I believe StewMac sells the book. He makes a good looking Gretch style single cut-a-way , judging by the photos in the book
jack
Author:  SniderMike [ Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Here is a supremely crude drawing of how I would maybe possibly consider attempting to do it:

Attachment:
topConfromity.jpg


This would be a view of the back of the top plate (the part that's going to get glued to the body). The red lines represent saw kerfs that stop just shy of the outer border. My thought is that the kerfs might allow the top to flex enough there conform with clamping pressure. Actually it would be a lot easier to make the cuts with a router.

Can't say for certain if this would work or not. Just an idea.
Author:  Jguitars470 [ Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
kool. thanks alot for your help guys. I guess ill just have to try it out. And probably buy that book. Thanks i appreciate it greatly!
Author:  vachterman [ Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Hey J,
take a look over here: http://www.andersonforum.com/shoptour/shoptour.htm
pics 4,5,8 show the "trick". indeed kerfs similar to those SniderMike suggested.
also, i have long had this page http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=3564&st=0 bookmarked and for a reason...

hope youll find it all helpful.

Udi.
Author:  Brett L Faust [ Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Mike is on the money with the kerfed idea .Tom Anderson uses a.200"top if my memory is correct.Yes, it is kerfed with a router and stopped inside the perimeter.
I have bent many hundreds at.125" and .100 " using a vacuum bag.
The tricks are. Index and pin your top, NEVER put a compound curve like a dome into your core wow7-eyes . Use a gentle curve,no kinks. Depth is not too much of an issue but remember to account for the greater length of the top . Do not cut to your perimeter then bend. You will be short on top. duh Try not to have your contour go past center line because you may delam your joint if you need to steam bend the top gaah
Woods like Koa,some rosewoods,Hardrockmaple,Wenge,Ebony should probably be steamed. You can do it with an ordinary clothes iron and a rag. Most western quilt and flame maple can be bent with just a spritz of water and no steam before you put it in a vacuum bag.Let cook for at least 2 hours,a bit longer on Mahogany.
I hope that helps, good luck :D
Author:  SniderMike [ Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
Well now I might just have to make one!
Author:  Kevin Gallagher [ Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How do you do a bent top?
It's called a "Drop Top" simply and obviously because it drops back to form the arm bevel.

1/8" deep kerf cuts in a 1/4" thick top that stop 1/8" short of the perimter so you can still
have the Maple there to mask for the faux binding. Anything thinner than 1/4" doesn't allow
for a convincing binding illusion.

All of the top end custom electric builders like Tom Anderson, Gerard Melancon, Gene Baker,
John Suhr and others are using this or a close variation of this method and are getting great
results.

Relieve the top with the kerfs, bend it close to the substrate body blank and use a vacuum
bag or box to clamp it in place.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars
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