Official Luthiers Forum!

I just signed up with OLF the other day. Looks like you've got quite a knowledge pool here (I'm still splashing around in the kiddie pool myself - I didn't start building guitars until '99).

My interest is in building archtop guitars (nothing wrong with flat tops or solid bodies of course, I'd just rather concentrate on doing one thing and learning to do it really well - and I've always had a thing for archtops). I'm always looking to glean any bits of lutherie wisdom I can find.

Does anyone out there know of a tonewood supplier other than LMI or StewMac that offers wood for archtop guitars (1" thick spruce tops and curly maple backs)?

Thanks,

Troy

Troy, pretty much any of our sponsors can set you up with wood. I buy my plate material from Ed Dicks at AC tonewood. Great Stuff! But there are many many fine suppliers out there.
Benedetto's book as well as his video series are the LAW in archtop building. You should check them out.
My archtops are a bit different than most in that they are totally electric (dual hums) but they are build exactly the same as other archtops with the only exception that I leave my tops a bit thicker because I'm punching two big holes in them.

Yeah, Paul, I've already worn out my original Benedetto book and I bought the tape series a while back also - invaluable stuff. I tried to post a picture of one of my guitars, but it was too big and I have no way to edit it down now. I saw your black archtop on a previous post - very tastefully done. What type of wood did you use? I've got three on my workbench right now and one of them will have dual humbuckers also.

Thanks for the wood tip. I'd tried all the suppliers listed in the back of Benedetto's book and most of them couldn't help me for one reason or another (some only sold violin-sized plates). I was pretty unhappy with the plates I bought from StewMac - the grain was pretty corse and the boards were twisted (I was fortunate enough to find a local cabinet shop with a 12" joiner that flattened them out for me). I had to return a couple sets before I got some I thought were acceptable, although I still wasn't very happy with the quality. Unless I find another supplier, I guess I'll be using LMI (and taking out a second mortgage). Our local hardwood supplier doesn't carry much quartersawn wood (their spruce is only spar grade, not instrument grade, although I've bought some nice redwood from them) and they aren't climate-controlled, so it would be pretty wet considering our relative humidity averages around 75-95% this time of year...

Welcome here Troy!

Troy,

Shane, at High Mountain Tonewood (see sponsors, above) has some of his Lutz spruce in archtop sizes.

Troy, I'd be happy to share what I know about Archtops from sourcing wood to any aspects of construction that you might find of value.

There are a few other more "seasoned" archtop builders on the OLF that include Brad Goodman (also a sponsor), Nelson Palen, Howard Klepper, Paul Woolson (who you've met).

I built up quite an inventory of spruce billets and maple prior to joining the OLF. The only sponsor I am aware of that sells the type of wood you are looking for is Highmountain Tonewood (Shane Neifer) and AC Woods. If my inventory wasn't what it is I would definitely source some of Shane's Lutz spruce. I've purchased some Lutz for flattops that is really nice wood. Others here have had experience with Lutz and really like it. All of us have nothing but positive things to say about Shane -- great guy, product and service. For that matter that comment is universal amongst all of the supplier sponsors.

I'd encourage you to check with the sponsors first to source what you are looking for. If you can't find what you want or it isn't available then I would be happy to refer you to other sources.

Welcome to the OLF. It really is the best forum on the net. From a selfish perspective its great to have another archtop builder as most here are flattop builders. Notwithstanding, you'll find a lot of their craft and knowledge so freely shared is applicable to Archtops.

Hi Troy,
Nice to see another archtop builder aboard.
I don't sell maple and spruce for archtops,but I do have some "alternative" woods such as eastern walnut,Claro walnut,Cuban mahogany,quartered sycamore etc.
If you email or call me I can give you some suppliers of quilted and curly maple and spruce for archtops.
Brad