b'Two ArchtopsThis is a long story - Ive beena bit stressful, but the extra care paidand moreeven. In the polishing I posting pictures in my newsletteroff, both sets of sides worked outwas guided by the reflection of a about the progress of these twowell. fluorescent light tube, if the reflection guitars for a while now, and tellingshowed awobbleOver the next two years or so I did, more work was everyone that the project was in itsasmuch as I could, spending anneeded. That is a trick I learnt from fourth year. I was way out, Ive justhouror two at a time then leavingpeople who make snooker balls.realised that I took the orders init alone for a while to make sure IThe necks were hard work, Ive been 2008. didnt do myself any more harm.spoilt by using almost nothing but It wasnt because of forgetfulnessTowards the end of 2014 most ofmahogany for so long. Im pleased or laziness though. I didnt have anythe heavy carving was done, andthough, and the headstock shapes suitable timber in stock, and I like tothe work became far more gentle,worked out well, with influence from have it in my workshop for at leastbut at the same time, needed moremy own designs and from more two years before I start work, and inconcentration.I have made archtoptraditional sources. The joints are this case the thick sections made meguitars before, and I knew what I wasmortice and tenon, which are not extra careful. aiming for, but I had other urgentaffected by changes in neck angle, I made a reasonable start in aboutprojects which slowed me downso I was able to experiment.2010, but I was struggling withagain. Its a good job the customersI had one more significant problem arthritis and tendonitis in my hands,were understanding. that cost me about two months then I had trouble with my shouldersOne of these guitars was to havedelay and two weeks away from , and I decided it would be - honestly - Im not a hypochondriacF holes work. I decided to use Siricote for am I?I had one steroid injection inbest with parallel bracing. it seemedthe tailpieces, and I have now added my left hand, which helped, thena shame to make two the same, sothat timber to the list of hardwoods went back for another. The doc is athe other one has an oval hole withthat I am strongly allergic to. I made lovely lady, very gentle and caring,X bracing. All with the customersthe tailpieces again, this time using but the second jab was approval of course. Ebony. Lesson learnt.different. Quote:I wanted to get as muchThe final graduation of the front andDespite the delays and difficulties, steroid in as I could, so I didnt putback plates was a delight.It is atowards the end of the project I any anaesthetic in this time.special feeling to work with a razorbegan to enjoy myself, and Imthrough Really? You think I hadnt noticed! sharp planewhich willhiss thinking that maybe, just maybe, I made a reasonable start on thealmost any grain direction, and onI might agree to make another heavy carving, took some of thean arched top, it is always possibleone day. Ill need to find a patient to find a way of workingwith customer though, and I will be weight out of the bigger sections, the and turned my attention to the sides.grain. charging more next time! I did all the bending after usualFinishing such heavily shaped working hours, I actually did lock thesurfaces is a special skill. My doors and turn the phone off.Theapproach was to use a series of wood is highly figured and I wantedwitness coats of lacquer, each to keep it reasonably thick, so it wasone helping get the curves more 243'