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I wanted a 12, made a 6 first & well, the archtop bug got me. The first instrunent I made was an F Mandolin. I figured--- how hard could it be. Around 600 hours later (much of it building jigs) I discovered that since the guitar body was made before the neck. As a result of not looking closely enough at the Benedetto book, I should have had roughly 1 1/8" of body to the cutaway (from the guitar center)at the body/neck joint. ( the neck is roughly 2 1/4" at the 14th fret) I was 1/8" off on the cutaway side. Sooo- I had to modify the neck heel slightly so it would blend with the cutaway. It doesn't look TOO terrible, but the neck extension and fretboard extend out over the cutaway (may not be a totally bad thing) On my next (already have the wood) I'll increase the size of the body mold at that point by 1/4" by gluing a spacer into the neck end of the mold. (My mold is a 2 part mold so I can get things out easily by removing a few screws) Will it work?
Phil
Here is a pic of the mando that got it all started -- BTW- Plays & sounds great

Well, It's not really finished-- Just some piddly things like finishing the recrown on the last 7 frets, spraying & buffing-- But, since you insist:
and

Forgot-- For those interested:
FS maple back & sides
Alaskan Stika Top
Walnut binding
Maple inlaid peghead
Rosewood accents (not shown) Will post when everything is assembeled
pearl dots (my first)
Rosewood fingerboard & heel cap

Thanks,
phil

Like Hesh said - carved tops for the first two instruments?    Just too impressive.

What did you think of Benedetto's book? I've always felt it was my favorite, even though I haven't gone that route yet.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Welcome to the OLF Phil. Nice too see another Archtop builder – it’s lookin very nice!

Phil, I build most of my Archtops so that my neck extension over hangs the cutaway by just under 1/8” at the 14th fret neck/body joint. Personally I like the look. In your first picture shown has the neck already been glued to the body? From the picture it looks like you still have to remove some of the excess wood from the neck extension. If such is the case you’ll be able to blend it just fine.

Here's a picture of one in progress that illustrates how much mine over hang at the neck/body joint.



Here's a later picture that hopefully shows how the neck extension blends nicely with the body at the neck/body joint.

Anthony Z39002.9823958333

Welcome to the OLF Phil, i recently started building my first mandolin and Man, am i impressed by your talent and courage to start this way! Very beautiful work there!

Glad to have you aboard, i'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about!

Serge

Welcome Phil!

I'll echo everyones comment here about two carved top instruments! Way to go!

Looking great too... Looking forward to seeing more of your great work.

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

by the way is that an old B&D Craftsman power drill I see in the background of the first pic?

Anthony-- The neck is glued on & I don't yet have a pic of the blending I did. Will post soon
Serge-- Many thanks. I wanted a mando, but couldn't justify the price-- but when I added the pickup in the bridge & all the time, I could have easily bought a really nice one. BUT I'm really happy with it & get a lot of compliments on it's sound & playability (except for one who has really small hands-- the neck is a bit thick & suits my hands quite nicely)
Michael-- That's an old Walker Turner DP in the BG
JTKirby
I think Benedetto's book is inspirational. Also its really sketchy on many points. There should be a forum somewhere for 'Benedetto NOTES-- The things he left out'

Hesh-- Thanks for the comments-- I'll post more ASAP-- Working takes up much time for this retired teacher & I try to give my Sundays to the guitar.
To all:
I never thought I'd make more than one instrument. I guess archtops are addictive. I may, at some point, branch out into flattops ( a whole nother world). Hell, I've got a buddy who plays banjos - I may make an archtop banjo (can you do that?) Anyway, I don't think of anything I do a courageous (sp?) just something to fill the time & satisfy my obsession for making things-- esp musical.   I want to thank everyone for their kind words & suggestions
Phil

Hey Phil.. welcome to olf... Remember I told you that we want pics... Its a must, so since i've already seen the mando i can SUGGEST really guietly,,, where are those pics too... its not just guitars here.. Your gonna like it here..
Mike

[QUOTE=robinphil] I think Benedetto's book is inspirational. Also its really sketchy on many points. There should be a forum somewhere for 'Benedetto NOTES-- The things he left out'
[/QUOTE]

A lot of what is left out of the book can be supplemented by purchasing a copy of the plans and the DVDs. Another great resource is GAL issues 56, 57 and 58 which is a great 3 part series on Tom Ribbecke. The articles provide some great ideas on plate carving which is much easier than Benedetto's method of using a scrub and palm plane. Just some thoughts if you are interested. Lastly, the OLF -- I've learned a lot here.

Fabulous, what a great first guitar.
Welcome to the OLF Phil.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Phil, an Archtop banjo? You'd probably be a pioneer if you were to build one but hey, i'll watch if you decide to jump in a project like this, it would really be interesting!

Finally found some pics of the mandolin I thought I'd lost



Please ignore the lousy photography-- The peghead is veneered 1/16" with Wenge-- The stripe down the neck & back is Wenge-- The inlay is Maple into Paduak-- Note, I did not bind this instrument -- Was way too scary at the time-- 'Tis still scary, but I did bind the guitar- somewhat

Nice looking Mandolin Phil. Building one of those looks tougher than an archtop and looks like pretty good execution to me! (You'll have ol'Serge salivating )

Droolin' aweright! Looks really good Phil, you can be proud!