Making an Adjustable Neck Archtop Guitar (Full Build)



Before this guitar was started, I made a trip to the Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum in Dalfsen, Netherlands to make plans of a 1934 Gibson L5. This guitar in particular was important, as in ~1985 Ken Parker x-braced the soundboard, as well as reshaped the back and neck. In 2003, Ken Parker revolutionized the archtop guitar with his adjustable neck system. I was introduced to this neck system by one of my tutors from Newark College — Jamie Swannell of Swannell guitars. With some guidance from him over the past few years, I have developed a cosmetically similar but technically different version of his system. My goal with this guitar was to blend traditional aesthetic and modern innovations. This video is the result of four months of work; I hope you enjoy it!
If you are interested in purchasing this guitar, get in touch via my website here:
www.cranmerguitars.co.uk/shop
Thanks to:
Radian Tools for sending their incredible 3 flute rebate router bit. They are definitely worth checking out if you've had enough with cheap bits and poor finishes!
radiantools.com/
Ruurd at the Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum for allowing me to make plans of his 1934 Gibson L5. I spent a wonderful afternoon looking through his vast collection of archtop guitars. There was even an unfinished Benedetto!
dutcharchtopguitarmuseum.nl/
Jamie Swannell for keeping me sane and pointing me in the right direction with the adjustable mechanism. Jamie makes some of the most elegant and nuanced (something I know nothing about) guitars I've ever seen and I highly recommend checking out his work!
www.swannellguitars.co.uk/
Timmy Allan for putting the archtop through its paces.
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