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I usualy like to make guitars from scratch ( that's when I can get it, but Scratch is getting rarer and more expensive ), I've only done solid bodies so far.
I may have to do an archtop semi, but haven't really got the time just now, so can anyone recommend a decent and cheap-ish supplier of kits, if such a creature exists?
UK based would be best, mainly 'cos of postage costs
Cheers.

I have done some looking around for the same thing and as far as I know, it does not exist. There are places where you can buy plates, either laminated or carved. But nobody has a body parts and neck combo that would be the start of a kit. On the other hand, there are folks here that would make some of these parts for you, I am thinking of John Watkins that has made necks for archtops to the builder's specification and you don't have to look far to buy top and back plates.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Check out Acme Archtops. They don't make complete kits but they do make very nice laminated archtop back, sides, and tops. They have cutaway, non-cutaway, and now they even have double cutaway plates.

http://acme-archtops.com/

Thanks guys. Sorry for the delay in replying, didn't get e mail notification. It's possible I didn't click in the box, I suppose

Chack here: http://www.guitarrasjaen.com/DisennoFeder.htm
This is a spanish luthier that is planning to sell archtop kits since next december
Hope this helps anyone

I can make a 335ish kit for you. I have necks and can get the body as far as you want, including up to completely finished and ready to join the neck. Or if you want all the parts I can supply that also.

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Ken

Thanks Ken. I've had to cut back on making them at the mo, mainly 'cos of that old cash-flow problem . Hopefully when I get 1 or 2 sold I'll be able to do some more, so I'll bear you in mind.
Cheers.

Yes I understand that problem well.

I will be around and making stuff to make music.

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Ken

you can buy your kits from a Chinese supplier, lol even though its wrong. i think there is a company called gill guitars that makes hollow body kits (gretch style) for around 200-250USD

http://126-music.en.made-in-china.com/p ... uitar.html

My sister found an ancient Framus archtop at a thrift shop. Someone had tried to refinish it but did a lousy job and it looked really bad. It was dirty and had missing strings ect and you could see where the varnish had run down the sides and pooled up. Point is, all the parts were there. A 20 dollar kit and all I had to do was take it apart. Any thrift stores, pawn shops ect in your area?