Oh Boy! 16” Archtop Guitar
This guitar is inspired by early Gibson® archtop guitars with radiussed backs, arched tops and Charlie Christian pickups. Modern appointments include a comfortable narrow body and a continuous neck set into a pocket similar to solidbody guitars. This allows the neck to extend fully under the fingerboard rather than ending at the body. All parts of this guitar are hand-built with the exception of the headstock veneer which features inlay by Pearlworks®. This guitar has been designed from the start to utilize light gauge strings (by comparison to most archtop guitars) and low action. The strings gauges are 11, 13, 21w, 28, 38, 49
At this time I focus on making a single model guitar while combining 50 years of playing experience and passion and decades of working with wood. Each guitar I build will vary slightly as I continue to refine my design ideas and choices. Please visit my Blog for more in depth discussion of the specific choices I’ve made in this design.
Model: Oh Boy! 16” Archtop Guitar
Finish: French Polish Shellac
Back/Sides: Birdseye Maple
Top: German Spruce
Body Depth: 2-3/8”
Scale Length: 24-3/4”
Frets: 22
Nut Width: 1-3/4”
Nut Material: Tusq
Strings: D’Addario EXL115W
Back: Radiussed 15’
Neck: Honduran Mahogany
Headstock: Ebony and Mahogany Back Strap
Fingerboard: Ebony w/Maple purfling, 10“ radius
Tailpiece: Custom Brass
Bridge/Saddle: Ebony Compensated
Pickup: Vintage Vibes Custom CC with adjustable pole pieces and Alnico III magnets
Knobs: Vintage Bakelite
Output Jack: Pure Tone
Truss Rod: Direct Access - Two-way 9/64” Hex Wrench
Case: TKL Limited
Straplocks: Dunlop Recessed with straplocks included