Making an Archtop Guitar from Scratch (Full Build)

Welcome to Newill Guitars! 🎸 This guitar was huge step for me in the world of small sized archtop building. I'll take you behind the scenes and show you, from start to finish, how this guitar came to be. This was the original Grasshopper prototype and it was an absolute pleasure building it, hope you enjoy!
I selected some beautiful Khaya for the back, sides, and neck. 5A Master grade flamed maple top. And to tie it all together, African blackwood fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece and accessories.
I use Stewmac Tools! Here are some links to the tools I most often use. ( I get a little kickback if you purchase from these links and it doesn't cost you any more money! Please consider doing so if you'd like any of these products!)
Guitar Building Tools:
Z Crowinging File - stewmac.sjv.io...
Stewmac Ultimate Scraper - stewmac.sjv.io...
Fret Saw - stewmac.sjv.io...
Dead Blow Fretting Hammer - stewmac.sjv.io...
Jaws Fret Press - stewmac.sjv.io...
Fret End Dressing File - stewmac.sjv.io...
Safe-T Planer - stewmac.sjv.io...
Bosch Colt Router - stewmac.sjv.io...
Bending Iron - stewmac.sjv.io...
Precision Router Base for Dremel - stewmac.sjv.io...
Japanese Fret Cleaning Saw - stewmac.sjv.io...
Fret Leveling Beam - stewmac.sjv.io...
Binding Router Bit - stewmac.sjv.io...
🌐 Website: newillguitars....
📘 Facebook: / newillguitars
📸 Instagram: / newill_guitars
Remember to Like and Subscribe to stay updated on all our exciting projects and releases at Newill Guitars! Your support means the world! 🤘🔥

[@feman43]

Wonderfully done. As a luthier myself, I'm in total admiration for your work here. 10 out of 5 stars....

[@pluke63]

Masterpiece. I would not even dream of making such a complicated and wonderful build, I am really speechless

[@GinoGenero]

I don't think I've ever seen a headstock that I liked more. It's perfect.

[@newillguitars]

Thank you so much :) I'm real proud of that design!

[@stephenhodgens6194]

A masterpiece. Looks phenomenal. It sounds like no other guitar. Thank you.

[@newillguitars]

Thx so much! I had a great time making this thing.... One of my favorites!

[@robertofernandes4375]

AWESOME, MATE! CONGRATULATIONS.

[@newillguitars]

Thanks !

[@copperhead573]

A plan completed. A journey of the imagined realized. An inspiration to the eyes and ears. What more could the mind expect except a connection to the soul. Well done.

[@EmmanuelMIGNOT]

Quelle leçon de patience et de recherche de la perfection. bravo.

[@johnschultz7642]

Man, I don't comment often but wow that is just absolutely beautiful looking and sounding. Awesome job!

[@newillguitars]

Thank you, brother!

[@mikebossner6404]

I am speechless. Unbelievable craftsmanship. Wow. You should be so pleased with this guitar.

[@newillguitars]

Thanks so much man! This thing sold almost immediately after I finished it. It's one I'd love to have back some day!

[@ОлегКурносов-ю3г]

Excellent work. It feels like the master put his whole soul into this beautiful instrument. I have never seen a more beautiful guitar in my life. And the sound is amazing.

[@newillguitars]

Thank you so much :) this one was an obsession!!!

[@SmokeFlame1]

My friend, you are an artist and the sound is superb.

[@newillguitars]

Thank you man!

[@kenthall6584]

Very very well done, beautiful

[@jocblues]

What a brilliant and rich sound, a hug from Buenos Aires Argentina 🇦🇷

[@newillguitars]

Thanks brother!

[@blkwheeler32]

This guitar looks beautiful!

[@tymanngruter1808]

See this for the eight time now, have learned a lot, thanx for posting! 💥🎸💥

[@newillguitars]

This is so cool, man! I love hearing that! Hope your builds are going wonderfully!

[@steveroberts]

Everything about this guitar is fabulous. Great design and weight relief. Nice

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!

[@jodygreen1518]

Tjats a beautiful and great sounding guiyar and a beautiful build i know and see how mich it takes to build a guitar that great soinding and looking to last as a piece of guitar atr buildb

[@ViktorStorniHauer]

Man, that's a masterpiece! Beautiful guitar and design. Great details and it sounds amazing. You are a very skillful creator! Thank you for sharing!🙏👍

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!!

[@jez6345789]

Lovely work thanks for sharing

[@RicardoRivera-rv2me]

Great work, amazing design and finishing. Also... what a beatiful piece of music while testing!!!!.... Is it yours? really nice. Congrats!!

[@newillguitars]

Yeah it's a little piece I made up just for the demo :) thanks for your kind words!

[@jamesmoon8947]

Splendid 👌💯

[@icsnsia9105]

Beautiful work, beautiful guitar... Well done!♥️

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!!

[@victumguitars5821]

Guitar is stunning and what a build! Great job sir!

[@newillguitars]

Glad you like it!

[@daniellowry660]

Really love the double Maple binding on both the top and back of the guitar

[@newillguitars]

Thank you, man!

[@marcusm.8374]

wonderful guitar. Excellent craftsmanship. Congratulations.

[@charlesdaspit5510]

That’s a very beautiful guitar

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!

[@indioboysdosteclados]

I'm following you here from Brazil, you did a great job, congratulations 😊🔥

[@ChadwickRider]

Man, what a beautiful guitar. Very nice! ... and great demo as well.

[@kiblerjim]

beautiful work!

[@MrJackrockerman]

Beautiful work,details ..

[@itswasLyric]

Finally the full build!!

[@srogers500]

A lot of love in that instrument. Beautiful video. Subscribed!

[@newillguitars]

Thanks a lot!

[@philipthomas8440]

Gorgeous build and stellar sounds!👍👍👍🎸

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!!

[@vesean4141]

Great job,beautiful guitar,and she sounds great

[@pwguitars]

Gorgeous instrument. I love the idea for the tailpiece and the ebony cover with the neodymium magnets

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! All the wood accessories are actually african blackwood!

[@Marcel-dit-Nono]

Bonjour franchement superbe guitare .un son d’une netteté incroyable elle est magnifique sublime bravo vous êtes un artiste merci beaucoup pour votre beau métier vous avez vraiment des mains en or .merci jolie vidéo avec des prises de vue magnifique 👍👍👍🙋🏻‍♂️🎸

[@mixentrik]

Beautiful guitar! Amazing build! Loves this! ❤❤❤

[@newillguitars]

Thanks so much!

[@ytsertd333]

Beautiful!!!

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@tOxIc_TrEaSuRe]

totally amazing ---- very tasteful choices eveywhere --- I totally want it ---

[@newillguitars]

Always available to build more! Drop me a message!

[@oshindi]

Great job man... 👌

[@newillguitars]

Thank you friend!

[@Dicarvalho.2233]

Perfeito... Parabéns amigo.. Curitiba Paraná Brasil 👏👍

[@melvyntan1273]

I love the f holes, the tail piece, the burst just fits and bro, the love and effort you put into this! Truly inspiring! Your video made my day, bro!!! Thannyou

[@newillguitars]

Thanks a ton! Loads of effort for sure, and well worth every hour!

[@alexandrunagy75]

Beautifull guitar! Love the concept, the design. Well done!

[@newillguitars]

Thank you!

[@jankayoo366]

Elle est belle et originale, en plus elle sonne trop bien avec un sustain incroyable. Bravo !

[@newillguitars]

Thank you so much :) much appreciated!!

[@joeschmoe1301]

Drop dead gorgeous. 😮😮

[@newillguitars]

Thank you so much man!

[@HouseOfMcLoughlin]

very nice resonant sound 🎸🎶🧡

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! It's a joy to play!

[@jwv6985]

I am amazed by the level of detail and craftmanship you put into your work. The video was a novel, but it was interesting. I would have preferred audible comments, or subtitles to the music, but all in all it was a good watch.

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! Trust me... the last thing you want to hear is my voice ;) but ill consider subtitles in the future!

[@johnathanclark2612]

Maaaaaan, freakin amazing brutha 🙏🏼🤘🏼

[@newillguitars]

Thank you so much man!!!!!

[@TJ-Dives]

I like watching people build things.

[@ronboff3461]

fantastic!!!!!!

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@diegopadovani4942]

Nice idea using the drill press to carve the top, that may help me doing mine. It's a pensa/shur like.

[@newillguitars]

It's the best way I know to get the depth just right along a contoured surface :)

[@ted9876]

Beautiful. I bet it costs a fortune and worth every penny. Congratulations, and well done.

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! Depends on what your idea of fortune is ;) much more affordable than some custom guitars!

[@donbratton]

Matt, You’ve done some very admiral things in the design, structure and the construction of your guitar. The “easements” you carved into the front and back edges associated to the playability are gorgeous. Your headstock… is gorgeous. Your logo is wonderful & well done. It makes your company look “big”. Everything about everything is very “mature”. Your multi-layer finishing of the guitar body came out spectacular. All of the “lines” of your design are easy, graceful lines except for one thing. Your “f” holes. It’s the only part of the design that doesn’t fit. These too should have been graceful, eased lines that flowed with the body lines used throughout. Nothing on the guitar associates with the very “zig-zag” of these lines. That’s my critique. It’s meant to be valuable, not put you down. You did a wonderful job. I hope you play it often. Thanks for the video. ~ Sven

[@newillguitars]

Thanks man! That sound hole curve appears in so many places on the design! headstock, top of body, tailpiece, it's everywhere brother! everyone's got their own tastes tho, and i rarely do the same soundholes twice ;)

[@stuonsecurity]

Seems like a very languedoc inspired build. Beautiful build!

[@timesurfingalien]

Beautiful!!!! P.S. Those colors are amazing

[@newillguitars]

Thanks so much, really appreciate that!!!

[@edsmusic7723]

that's one pretty guitar for sure

[@mongur]

Question for you: at 1:14:45 or so, I recognize the contraption holding the guitar as something similar to the stewmac freehand holder with an attachment I don’t recognize (one part being the acoustic adapter). Did you add on your own part to this, and if so, what is it and how does it attach to the guitar?

[@newillguitars]

Yeah its a homeade system. Its just a threaded rod attached to a few L brackets to make spraying much easier.

[@mongur]

Dude that’s really cool - how does the L bracket attach to the guitar?

[@newillguitars]

Attaches to the block where the pickup cavity is routed out with 2 screws@@mongur

[@mongur]

Real sweet work. Very ingenious as well.

[@mustuddd]

wow!

[@divinoferreira4958]

Uma obra de arte

[@newillguitars]

appreciate that! Thank you!

[@smarquardt10]

I would love to build this but as a acoustic. I have basic tools and basic lumber. I would also like to know bout hardware too. Can u help my select the right stuff plz???? Thank u.

[@newillguitars]

Use whatever you got! If you message me I can point you in the right direction

[@mosmos6275]

かっくいい！🤩

[@MKBplayreverend]

Gorgeous guitar sounds great too fender amp?

[@newillguitars]

It's actually just a little peavey lunchbox head into a 1x12. Great little amp tho!

[@ositoCastro]

Very nice, you did not show us your technique tips for the tiger flame effect on the wood

[@newillguitars]

The tree does that, not me ;)

[@ositoCastro]

@@newillguitarsok, maple for the top! Sorry, I'm acoustic

[@bullwinklemoose8291]

@@newillguitars LOL If you ever figure how the tree does it, let us know! Absolutely stunning instrument.

[@user-gp95]

Дерево придает гитаре красоту, а датчики звук. Какой лак использовали?

[@newillguitars]

Thanks! I use a 2 part polyurethane

[@romanwoeginger2833]

Genious

[@jeffmoe2660]

Nice work! What finish are you spraying, if you don’t mind sharing? Thanks

[@newillguitars]

Automotive Polyurethane, It's a 2 part system

[@Templar7832]

Cool guitar mate! Where did you get the dimensions from for the fretting and width of everything? Some explanations of what stuff you used would have been good like the finishes and wood you used, but great vid! Subscribed!

[@newillguitars]

Thank you! I have a bunch of templates from my other guitars that I've used for years. I took strat dimensions on my first guitars, and tweaked them over time to get to what I have now. A ton of trial and error

[@crusherj3535]

Like to watch makers build beautiful things and is a master at it. Never seen your videos. Dont know anything about guitars. Was not sure why what and how that presses of when you put all those holes in flat peace was for.

[@newillguitars]

Thanks! I'm not sure which holes you're talking about, though.

[@crusherj3535]

@@newillguitars you laid down a flat guitar shape piece on the drill press and drilled around 30 holes then you sanded then out. If that makes sense

[@crusherj3535]

It is at minute 0936

[@newillguitars]

@@crusherj3535 Ahhh, thats because the inside of the guitar body has a carve too to keep the curved body consistently .25" thick. I set the depth of the drill press, and drill the underside of the face of the front and back of the guitar to achieve that

[@crusherj3535]

@@newillguitars ok i was thinking somewhere on those lines but was not sure. Thanks for the reply

[@snowysimon]

Needs commentry so we understand wwhat you are doing at each stage

[@newillguitars]

I'll keep that in mind for the future!

[@fudsta4193]

damn im so far away from being this cool lol

[@newillguitars]

Lmao, thank you man!

[@hdeno4009]

exeptional but why the black at the end it killl the line

[@newillguitars]

I'm not sure what you mean

[@volceirbonatto3796]

Quero uma dessas pra mim

[@newillguitars]

Id be happy to build you one! Check my website in the link and use the contact us form on my website!

[@Ajtech369]

Great guitar but audio on video needs to be filled with something instead of nothing.

[@newillguitars]

Copyright changes made me silence it :(

[@Ajtech369]

@@newillguitars ahhh okay that makes sense. Sorry you had your do it.

[@newillguitars]

@@Ajtech369 life goes on!

[@kontemplatemusic2189]

Fantastic build, design, guitar.... but please tell me that the colours were chosen by the customer and you haven't ruined her by your own accord..... guitar is just perfect! Or would ishe be with some vibrant paint. Respect to you as a builder.

[@newillguitars]

Paint??????

[@docsmoovbrain1524]

Yeah, F paint. 😂

[@ericktirado8272]

sonido ?

[@newillguitars]

Had to mute much of it for copyright :(

[@jusolo3541]

I want your guitar

[@newillguitars]

You can always order one ;)

[@marlowepi7788]

rich kid does guitars. man, your equipment is nuts.

[@newillguitars]

Thx for the assumption, it's not my equipment :P it's Artinger Guitars shop if you read the description :P

[@paolob8288]

Maybe you couldn't reach the same quality even with a better equipment.

[@newillguitars]

@@paolob8288 I'd also throw in there that I'm 32 years old. Not quite a kid lmao

[@curupirauirapuru3368]

I dont understand, metrical system is much better than imperial system, imperial system sucks. Its not preccission.

[@newillguitars]

its just as precision as metric, albeit more complicated for sure!

[@rexradar9297]

​@onemintjulep actually imp. would be superior if it was base 12. But it is not. Inches for rough work are measured typically in 16ths. Occasionally 32nds or 64ths. Precision work is measured in 1,000ths or even 10,000ths of an inch. Feet are commonly measured in 12ths, but maybe measured in other units. Neither metric nor imperial is better for singular measurements, as the both deliver very simular precision, accuracy and repeatability. However metric is superior when it comes to complex multi unit calculations as all units for temps, pressure, mass, distance etc are in the same base 10 regardless of the measurement scale. It's why the vast majority of the world uses it, including the USA for scientific and most mass production purposes. That said had metric could have been even better if it had been base 12 or even base 20 as originally intended.

[@adhyrabunsahsebayang250]

Vidio membosankan

[@newillguitars]

Then don't watch it!

[@adhyrabunsahsebayang250]

@@newillguitars

[@adhyrabunsahsebayang250]

@@newillguitars actually I didn't want to watch it, because your video passed on my homepage understand!!!

[@vovagreen7414]

очень красиво!