Making a Pallet Archtop Jazz Guitar Full Build - Part 3 FINAL

A pallet wood project.
This is the 3. and final part on how i make an archtop jazz guitar out of 1 old pallet. I'm not trying to proof anything and this is not a tonewood vs scrap wood debate. There is a lot of good reasons to use maple, mahogany, spruce, rosewood, ebony .....etc
This is just a fun challenge for me and i like to recycle materials.
The music is me playing some nice jazz standards on this finished Pallet Archtop.

[@MarshallKGrant]

Absolutely amazing. An artist on both the bench and the instrument. I've been singing jazz standards for 50 years & would sit in with you anytime!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@johnt787]

Wow, now that's impressive ! You've crossed a new frontier of possibilities for pallet wood. So much for birdhouses, gates and picnic tables. The guitar sounds great too!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you❤️

[@petersampson4635]

I've been making guitars from rubbish timber (20 or more) that I would only hang on the fence outside or give to friends, but you have inspired me to try a playable one. Time will tell. Great work 👍

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Peter. Good luck and a happy build! :)

[@louisjones971]

It goes to show that anything is possible from the point of view of what materials are used to make guitars? I think if a guitar has very good pick ups? then it will play better than one that doesn't. Sustainability of wood/trees for the environment is important and we need to look at other ways, to make guitars and furniture by recycling. The guitar company, Cole Clark is doing just that in Australia, making guitars from sustainable materials, mostly native trees that are dead or broken they are taken to the factory and made into acoustic guitars. I have two Cole Clarks and they sound and play excellently.

[@pvdguitars2951]

Wow wow wow! Absolutely stunning. Speechless. So much craftsmanship. The looks and sound are fantastic. 100% eco friendly. You just proofed that sound is not a result of wood choice, not even for a jazz guitar !

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you! I would say that wood makes a difference, but yes it is possible to use almost any kind of wood and get a decent result😊

[@keithdavies100]

Just in awe...

[@petersampson4635]

Worth watching for the layed back accompanying music. A great sound indeedy doo! 👍😁

[@michaelconway644]

Beautiful... Great soundtrack as well! Cheers.

[@alharris1508]

WOW, what an absolutely beautiful build & it sounds great...

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you!

[@Brago-modellbau]

Einfach großartig! Ich bin in den Videos versunken... Deine Werkzeuge und Vorrichtungen sind inspirierend. Ich träume schon lange davon, eine archtop zu bauen. Eines Tages...

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Matthias. Just do it……:)

[@ConstrutorMusical]

great project. nice work man!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you!

[@RoccoTeh]

Been doing some amateur Luthier work lately. Next plan it to build an archtop but, the biggest thing holding me back is lack of proper tools. Got a router, jigsaw, sanders , Dremel, hand drill, chisels and trying to make jigs for them. But damn do I really wish I had a band saw, drill press and a planer lol

[@geemac7267]

Nice work! And the playing is even better.

[@brianbarron5443]

what a delicate warm flower, a sweet summer child.your fingers bring out her sounds so warm and mellow , just what id imagine a knotty pine would emanate. a fine, fat round tone, with a muted top end that keeps the fundamentals in focus i hope this instrument is cared for as it should be.this is a guitar that cannot be entrusted to the uninitiated; my assumption is only you can care for this imperfect beauty, i hope your climate is optimal for such a rare and interesting masterpiece. id imagine that it would last longer in say... georgia, with me .. .? jk , if t was me , id keep this thing till it fell to dust and fat lighter before id let her go. nice vid, do more archtops...

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Brian! I will take good care of it😊

[@RandyColeIMCS]

Anders ma man, I was really looking forward to you building a piano out of those pallets. Maybe in the next video? LOVE the tone out of that wood. I used to gather and cut up pallet wood for the fireplace at home, so to see it reused in this fashion is mind-blowing. Very beautiful tone and as a woodworker, really, really great work. Thanks so much for bringing a spot of joy to an old guitar player who absolutely loves jazz guitar. Found your video while looking for tutorials on my new digital Schreddage 3 Archtop software.

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Randy. Thank you very much! A piano is a good idea…..maybe….:)

[@gtrjazz]

Bravo Anders ... and you play beautifully!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Bob!

[@MrAlan0151]

Really enjoyed this build, well done Anders.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks

[@jmontijano539]

Elegant job❤very nice sound

[@chrismullin1869]

Awesome video series. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Chris

[@GerasimosHandmadeGuitars]

very careful and detailed execute of the build! step by step and really joyful to watch! well done!!!!really was looking forward for all the parts!!! amazing hand skills and lovely to watch!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Gerasimos!

[@LexJones207]

Beautiful. I love all your homemade jigs.

[@granddad1954]

love the recycling aspect of the vid, and the fantastic job you accomplished.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you!

[@BadChizzle]

Have very much enjoyed your build. Thank you for making the video for anyone to enjoy! Your creation came out beautifully ! ! !

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks!

[@rzentz9690]

Excellent! Several things to try from your methods. Thanks for creating the videos!

[@ThePopeDr]

Thanks for posting. As with others, lots of great ideas from your videos.

[@alexandermikoyan9171]

Few years ago I found a thick old ugly pine board lying in a back yard of a house I´ bought. I built a Rickenbacker 330 copy out of it. But for the neck I used maple. Sounds nice!

[@AndersWestfall]

Sounds great 👍. Something happens to old wood (ex pine) that makes it great tonewood.

[@MrErik038]

Looks very good, good sound without pickupp too! Thank you for filming the proces❤ maybe in the future ill make one too!?

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you, I hope you will give it a go😊

[@guicolla8407]

wonderful job! I enjoyed the whole process ... cool that you recycle woods , make your own guitar carefully and plays it beautifully ! cheers for that . You just encourage me to make my own too , thats why I just fall in those videos ! thanks !

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks Gui, now it is your turn. :)

[@daalfemc]

amazing work my friend, thanks for sharing

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you

[@russellfoster2400]

Looks great sounds great

[@muttandjeff5213]

Wonderful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you

[@kpag3030]

Really beautiful work

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks Kelly!

[@BangBangChicken]

What an amazing and authentic piece! Loved the video, the guitar, the display of craftsmanship and above all your playing and the tone. Very addictive video to watch and listen to, hats off to you!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you very much!

[@martinlouden9005]

It looks as beautiful as it sounds.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks Martin

[@austntexan]

Beautiful work Anders. Loved the background music too.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you

[@junglist1]

Great work. Shows it's not all about crazy exotic woods (apart from the beatifull ebony), more about craftsmanship. Beautiful instrument. Looks like it could be a 'vintage' item. Well done 😀

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you! :)

[@sandervandervoor9238]

Thank you for the inspiring video's. Compliment for the home made tools. I will start making an archtop soon and learned a lot from your video's. Good idea to start with not to expensive wood, you showed that even pallet wood will do the job. Keep on filming your projects. Regards Sander van der Voort from the Netherlands

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Sander. Thank you and have a happy build!😊

[@michaelreed4158]

Great job

[@jesusortega339]

FELICIDADES!! Y GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR.

[@jocelandeandrade134]

Meu Deus... nem acredito que esta beleza foi feito com pallets. Que Obra prima! Parabéns!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Jocelan!

[@stforgione]

wow it sounds great!!! loved your video also enjoyed watching you work , great hands , now i'm looking at the pallet in my yard!!! also wonderful music whats next?

[@juliomorel5516]

Amazing!

[@kkwingtmusicwkkwing2010]

That's Crazy Cool 😊😊

[@Amanet13]

So relaxing,im thinking of building my first jazz box.Trying to purchase necessary tools for it.

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Ned. Have a happy build.🤠

[@romoananta9193]

Good work technique....

[@arcajazz]

Man, super cool.

[@AndersWestfall]

👍

[@geluleno]

Incredible, adorable, I want to buy this guitar or another pallet guitar

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks❤️ Come by my shop i Denmark😀

[@Hnnix]

Awesome video serie, very inspiring, I am making stringed instruments myself, out of old boxes fruit basket wood etc. But definitely not the same quality as yours, hopefully one day, it’ll be half as good as yours. ❤

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you!

[@warner631]

It looks cold in your workspace!

[@AndersWestfall]

It is only the rough preparation (planer, router etc) that is in my cold shed😜

[@Quimerateck]

i´m inspired by this creation, i'll try to make one

[@carlwilson6631]

Hey Anders. An awesome finished build my friend. Whoever said you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear, obviously never met you. Seriously well done, truly inspiring! You have said that you normally use Shellac for a finish to your guitar builds. I suggested you try tung oil, you used tru oil. What are your thoughts on having now tried oil? I personally find oils, (tung oil for me) gives wood a much warmer, almost earthy feel. What do you think? I'm looking forward to your next masterpiece and I'm hoping to employ some of your techniques in my future builds. Take good care, Carl

[@tonevertonguitars]

Amazing job! About this music playing at video, from Brazil ❤️ Garota de Ipanema - Tom Jobim❤️

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you 👍❤️

[@Giaour]

Forget great sound - is beauty!

[@kyuinnnn]

THIS IS ARTE !!!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks

[@junulock]

Ander’s; thank you for sharing this. It’s a great example that you don’t need every fancy tool. Also that it doesn’t require stellar material for every piece of a build. More being careful and precise. I give you credit, you’re a brave man putting pallet wood through a planer. I would have been fearful of knocking out a blade. I also have a question concerning that piece you used that had a twist in it. Although you were able to plane that flat (I do some woodworking) I would be concerned that twist is a result of how the tree grew and even re-flattening like this I would be afraid after all your work into this it may continue to want to twist. Don’t take any of this as a criticism because you understand what’s necessary to get a guitar with a wonderful voice like this.

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Junulock. Thank you for your comments. First of all, - I'm not the concerning type:). I'm doing this for fun and for learning. I'm pretty sure the twisted board is done twisting after all those years. But with that being said i wouldn't use that board if i where building for a customer. The challenge was to only use wood from one pallet to make the neck and body..... The guitar is almost a year old now and i have used it for a couple of concerts (even a outside concert) and it keeps in tune and is still as good as new:)

[@travisavery8339]

I love this ,just reinforces the fallacies of “tonewoods” !!! Yes they are aesthetically pleasing but does your guitar HAVE to be assembled with the most eye catching and endangered woods in the world to sound good….obviously not !

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks😜

[@juanphoa]

Thanks for sharing! Inspiring to see your build. BTW did you make the tailgut yourself too? It's the perfect length

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Juan. Thank you. No, i bought the tailgut….🤠

[@ikihioidydhdzddsdzdd]

Cool build, how do you like that type of binding cutter? is it hard to keep it even?

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Kevin. I like the binding cutter. It is fleksible and pretty easy to setup. But of course you need some practice and don’t go too fast🤠

[@prevostnicolas9794]

Merci énormément i really liked yours vidéos. Thank you very much for your sharing. Question what painting technique et what color is applied ? Thanks a lot

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi. I used a Brown colortone liquid stain. Just brushed it on and removed the excess with a clothe.

[@pigjubby1]

What was your final opinion on the binding channel cutting attachment? I've been thinking about getting one of those. Great video. Thank you.

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi there. I like the binding channel cutting attachment. Especially for tight and complex shapes. You need to go slow and Be sure to go perpendicular to the sides….

[@timhallas4275]

I've been looking for those ebony and curly maple pallets for years. Where did you find them.

[@AndersWestfall]

:)

[@chillpillology]

amazing. by the way, what is that pickup that sounds so amazing? (and the guitar sounds fantastic acoustically!!) thanks,

[@AndersWestfall]

Thanks The pickup is a Tonerider Alnico II classic AC2

[@chillpillology]

@@AndersWestfall thanks, that makes me super pumped, i have a brand new one of those sitting in my drawer!

[@nicks.8003]

Great video, thanks for making it! What was your total build time for this project. It looks like you put as much care into it as if you were working with premium woods.

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Nicks. Thank you! Yes, i put the same time and care into it no matter what kind of wood i use. Maybe i use a little bit more time with prepping the scrabwood…….😊

[@eliannamizrachi3415]

Love this so much! Quick question: when did you make the hardware cutouts on the front? Was it before or after assembling the body? 💪💪💪🎼🎼🎼👍👍👍

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi there. I did the cutouts after assembling the body to make sure the pickup is at the correct place.

[@eliannamizrachi3415]

@@AndersWestfall Thanks so much ~ I'm doing a build like this very soon and your videos are a HUGE help (and inspiration), hi from the US! 😃😃

[@ludper7030]

Shown in art design guitar shop, there is somebody in the world who put 10 000 $ on the table. Very sensitive job, Thanks.

[@robinfawcett7973]

Great Anders - and lovely playing. Do you think "Wish I'd used better wood for all that effort"? Have you seen any of Ken Parker's 'Archtoppery'?

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Robin. When i was doing the sanding and finish, i was a little tired of the scrap wood. :) It was hard work to make it smooth. But i love the guitar and wouldn't have it any different. Besides "all that effort" is my hobby and why i do it. :) Yes, i have seen some of Ken Parker's Archtoppery. That is next level:)

[@Jackofallthetrades]

What were the values of the pots you used, and the cap? Thanks, and it sounds GORGEOUS!!!

[@AndersWestfall]

Thank you Jack. The pots are 500k and the cap is a 0,22UF.

[@Jackofallthetrades]

@@AndersWestfall Wow, I was pretty close at guessing correctly :) Do you remember if you used A or B 500K pots, and which one was which? Sorry to bug you, but I wanted to learn. Thanks

[@AndersWestfall]

@@Jackofallthetrades No, sorry. Can't remember. :)

[@Jackofallthetrades]

@@AndersWestfall Thanks, couldn't help asking :)

[@salvadortenorio9789]

Hi, I would like to buy your guitar, where I can buy it?

[@AndersWestfall]

Hi Salvador. Thank you, but it is not for sale😊

[@salvadortenorio9789]

@@AndersWestfall 😭

[@andresleon6818]

Hello teacher, could you help, I am in the process of making one and I have several questions

[@AndersWestfall]

Hello. You are welcome to write your questions here so we can share knowledge. And maybe others will join. 😜

[@pedrodacunhazanato4784]

Garota de Ipanema heheheje

[@mgcnashville6615]

You must not be a big advocate for tonewood.

[@AndersWestfall]

Well, i am:) Traditional tonewood is pretty, easier to work with and a lot more predictable, especially for acoustic instruments.