First Lichty Archtop in the Making
Jay’s dreams of archtops began in earnest after spending some time in the shop and at the luthier bench with world-renowned luthier Tom Ribbecke.
Post update: See the first Lichty Archtop Ukulele.
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From Jay …
For the record, I have been designing an archtop guitar in my head for a long time. I love the sensual curves of the body and carved top. I can’t get them out of my head. I will admit that the sound I am chasing with this guitar is not the typical plugged-in jazz guitar sound most of us associate with an archtop guitar. I am not a jazz player, though I love that style. I am more of an acoustic player, fingerpicking, flatpicking and such. What I really like about an acoustic archtop is the clarity and power of the notes – sharp trebles and strong mid-range. What I don’t like is the lack of bass. What I am going for with this build is to capture those powerful trebles and mids but with the bass of an acoustic guitar. I am not the first to try this. No, I am in good company when it comes to chasing this sound. More on that later. Gotta get back to the shop …
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Features / Dimensions
Features: Cocobolo back and sides, Englemann spruce top, zircote soundhole trim, cocobolo binding, ebony fretboard, tail piece, finger rest and bridge.
Of special note: the neck is a beautiful piece of Cuban mahogany from Homestead Florida that fell to the Earth during Hurricane Andrew
Dimensions: Body length – 19″, lower bout – 15″, upper bout – 11 3/8″, body depth – 4 3/8″ tapering to 3 1/2″ at the neck, scale – 25″
Click here to follow this build and to see this guitar when strings go on …
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