Is anyone interested in laminated archtop panels?

[2groggy]

Hello all,

I'm a hobbiest that is set up to make my own laminated archtop panels out of maple veneer. I have molds to make panels for Starcasters and generic archtops. Here's an example in birdseye maple. There is a half inch arch to these panels in a generic tear drop shape. The width of the lower bout is 18". The arch returns to flat around the perimeter.


What shapes would interest you?

PM me if you would like a set made for you.

Greg

 

[drmilktruck]

Those look nice! Have to think on it.

 

[thunder58]

Would you have any photos of your work to peak the interest of the members here ?

 

[2groggy]

Good idea @thunder58

A bass made with the Starcaster molds:


Two basses made with a large (23" x 19") mold:

 

[thunder58]

Good idea @thunder58

A bass made with the Starcaster molds:
View attachment 179362

Two basses made with a large (23" x 19") mold:
View attachment 179363

View attachment 179364

Sharp looking !

 

[swivel]

Very cool.

 

[SAguitar]

Those are beautiful!

 

[2groggy]

I've been experimenting with marquetry...

 

[mister rain]

I'm a hobbiest that is set up to make my own laminated archtop panels out of maple veneer. I have molds to make panels for Starcasters and generic archtops. Here's an example in birdseye maple. There is a half inch arch to these panels in a generic tear drop shape. The width of the lower bout is 18". The arch returns to flat around the perimeter.
View attachment 179361

What shapes would interest you?

PM me if you would like a set made for you.

Greg

oh, gosh darn it. any chance for a falcon shape? 6120? tenny rose?

asking for a friend with, you know, spare income…

 

[Ricochet]

Looks terrific, and I wish I could, but I have too much on my plate for this lifetime already.

 

[hcsterg]

Very fine and unseen craftmanship, @2groggy !
Congratulations...

A+!

 

[cielski]

Really nice work!
I'd bet there would be lots of interest in a Billy Bo shape.

 

[drmilktruck]

I like the harlequin tops. Can you do custom shapes, or a square or rectangle to cut to shape?

 

[2groggy]

oh, gosh darn it. any chance for a falcon shape? 6120? tenny rose?

asking for a friend with, you know, spare income…

My generic teardrop mold should work for the front and back. The builder would need to trim the panels to the outline of the body.

I'd leave the staining and finishing to the builder too. The colours that you see are from pre-stained maple veneer. The factory stain is soaked all the way through, so it doesn't get sanded off. There are only a handful of primary and secondary colours available and the widths would require a seam lengthwise along the panels.

I send extra strips of veneer for the sides, headstock, and stain/finish testing.

 

[2groggy]

I like the harlequin tops. Can you do custom shapes, or a square or rectangle to cut to shape?

I just realized that I missed your question. So far, I've made 3 molds - a generic teardrop shape and a front/back pair for a Starcaster. There's nothing stopping me from making more molds to match a specific arch shape.

If you are asking about the outline, I've been assuming that a builder would have an outline mold already, and just adhere the oversized archtop panels and them trim them back to their sides, and then dress the edges of the panels with binding.

Do you have a different idea in mind?

 

[2groggy]

Really nice work!
I'd bet there would be lots of interest in a Billy Bo shape.

I've never held a Billy Bo in my hands. Are they hollow or solid? Flat or arched top and back?

 

[cielski]

Chambered, I think, and flat.

 

[2groggy]

Nice work.
Can you handle all kinds and shapes ?

So far, I've made molds for three shapes - the large 18" bass, the Starcaster, and a generic teardrop arch for 16" lower bouts. Because of the teardrop shape, it would work for double cuts, single cuts and no-cut bodies.

If someone wanted a new shape, I'd have to charge to make the mold(s).

 

[drmilktruck]

PM sent

 

[wildeman]

Hmm, I have a basket case Synchromatic with a delaminated top that might could use a new top.