Jimmy Foster – Making an Archtop Guitar – Part 1
Friday, March 12th, 2010 at
8:22 pm
Master Luthier Jimmy Foster introduces you to his shop in New Orleans, and he starts building a new 7-string archtop jazz guitar. This focus of this video is the beginning stages of making the guitar neck. In this video, Jimmy performs “Stompin’ at the Savoy” on a 7-string archtop guitar. See more at www.fosterguitars.com
Related posts:
- Jimmy Foster – I Could Write a Book (7-String Jazz Guitar)
- Jimmy Foster – Stompin’ at the Savoy (7-String Jazz Guitar)
- HD artistworks Guitar Project Episode 2: Jimmy Bruno and Andreas Oberg
Tagged with: Archtop • Foster • Guitar • Jimmy • Making • part
Filed under: Jazz Guitar
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you can buy it, but im not sure. google stew-mac
A question, wich material do you use for the bindings?
These videos are worthless. Don’t waste your time watching them. Its just a sales video.
Hey, Jimmy. What round-over bit are you using here? I want to start making my own necks and your method of shaping the back looks fantastic.
In a way you are right… but if they didn’t use machinery then how much would a simple archtop guitar cost.. or any guitar? Besides, what is the difference in quality afterwards? I reckon a powerful machine will hurt the wood’s structure less then when it would be completely hand sawn and rasped etc…
Better more tools than less, and what are you saying? that these aren’t realy handmade guitars?
Agreed… but I wasn’t talking about Luthier-built vs. Factory built. I was talking about Luthiers who use modern (much more accurate) methods of making guitar (e.g. ultrasound scanning to aid the acoustic tuning of carved tops, computer controlled laser cutters etc.) vs. Luthiers who use tools that look like they were pilfered from the workshop of Antonio Stradivari.
The latter, IMO, has more to do with putting on a pageant for would-be buyers than anything else.
You’re right that “it’s all part of the show.” That’s the point and precisely why people pay lots of money for a luthier-made instrument: because they want the attention to detail that a factory-built instrument can’t provide.
I know… Yeah but you wouldn’t want to be mislead or ripped off about it lol.
That’s basically what I said. The chisels and ancient-timey hand held block planers are (for some people) part of the show.
Personally, I couldn’t care less. If a luthier has access to a CNC laser cutter that can route out inlay shapes and hold tolerances (1/1000th of an inch) NO HUMAN COULD EVER CUT, why not use it? A tool is a tool.
Yeah, he makes them like they do in a factory, but if I was buying a guitar made by a master luthier, I’d expect it to be 100% unique and perfectly hand crafted with minimal electrical tools.
He’s using the right tools for each individual job. A lot of those luthiers you mentioned like to use archaic tools (that look like the came out of Geppetto’s workshop) because they look quaint… and customers dropping $15,000.00 on a handmade guitar like to see that ancient-timey craftsman crap. It’s all part of the show.
That’s not what I was saying, I was just pointing out that he uses a lot more tools and machinery than luthiers who make real handmade guitars.
Ok hero, why don’t you make a guitar without tools.
All tools small craftsmanship.
could use some danish oil or just a real mild type of stain
Fantastic background music, it calms the soul, hell if that’s what Jimmy Foster’s guitars sound like, I wouldn’t mind looking for one.
I’ve been working in a custom woodworking shop now for over 25 years and can say that you make it look simple …but it’s many years of hand on that it takes. CHEERS!!!!!!
Incredible thing! A question: What did you use to stain the neck of the guitar? That’s what has been fascinating me for some time now, since I like the look of the slightly stained flamed maple necks.
hahaa. I never though of that haha.
i watched the other videos and this is one of the most gorgeous guitars ever. i am young and you have sparked my intrest in becoming a luthier and for that i thank you.
I am following a course of Lutherie-Guitare here in Quebec, more precisely at CEGEP Edouard Montpetit, at Longueuil, 10 minutes from Montreal. It is a three-year program, the course is cheap, very fascinating and offers possibilities. Look for one in your area!
Man if I ever got that excellent on solo guitar I’d never get anywhere near a bandsaw! Fantastic stuff!
I am currently attending Roberto-Venn school of luthiery in Phoenix and it is awesome. Just sprayed the first coats of lacquer on my acoustic today…
You have to go to Gualdalajara Mexico with shitloads of Alcohol xD hahahahahahahaha…kidding…