Archtops have always been my favorite style but since I actually started playing, I now am still in love with the F-holes but prefer a more shallow body, even a semi-hollow possibly. Right now I only have a couple acoustics but Ive got high ambitions to build my own archtop and Ive already begun experimenting with the tools and capabilities I have on hand right now. My problem is that whenever I get a project started, I tend to get two or three tertiary projects going and try doing them all at the same time!
Ken, thanks for sharing these great insights... Hopefully others will be forewarned about the money pit of acquiring economy archtops that need so much work.
God that 335 style is right up my alley man, its a long hard road trying to get to that point with damn pallet wood. So many ins and outs and details that arent really apparent going into it. Kerfing is a huge task. getting those f-holes matched and cut out without splintering the goddamn wood is a task too. Ive thought about a kit but then I see the already made guitars from big rock candy mtn over the ocean and they arent much more, plus theyre still a bit out of my budget I got a damn teenage daughter but maybe I will go for a cheapo tele kit just to scratch my electrification itch until I get going so Im not tryin to rush so much, because its an issue! lol Thanks for the vid.