Building an Archtop Jazz Guitar 2012

Homemade jazz guitar.
In 2012 I build an archtop jazz guitar for my daugther Miriam. Mostly using handtools and guided by the book "making an archtop guitar" by Robert Benedetto.If you like this video, checkout my latest archtop project at • Building an Archtop Ja... or my classical guitar project at • Buiding a classical gu...
Bert van der Meij, Tolbert, The Netherlands

[@wearytraveler3524]

"Stunning", is the only word I can think of to describe the beauty of what you have created here! Bravo!

[@МаринаПименова-з7у]

This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection kzbin.infoUgkxkNYRBJuiJ6EwD-tQSAlxg0eFKsnR2cgz I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.

[@erro7653]

True craftsmanship at its best. You sir are not only a gifted luthier but an artist as well. Well done!

[@zander1323]

It is touching to see the love you have for your daughter to take the time and effort to make such a lovely instrument.

[@mitcharney1]

What a great way to spend 24 minutes. Brilliant work!

[@MemoriesRR]

Patience and craftsmanship and more patience. Outstanding to watch.

[@johnsuggs6536]

Dad being dad. Outstanding craftsmanship. If you have time I'd like to be adopted. I don't require much. Just one of those fine instruments.

[@jtssibarani8127]

My Archtop Guitar kzbin.info/www/bejne/roCUdWVtpayBors

[@MiniShowProductions]

I think now time had passed you must have room for another adoption please send address

[@mikelunz]

This is the best version of autumn leaves I've ever heard, and it couldn't be more appropriate than to use it for this video.

[@zibbezabba]

I have this fantasy about having a workshop so I can build guitars. This video is bliss to watch.

[@edadpops1709]

I too started buildin for my son and family.ive made 20 guitars over the last 20 years, all except 4 will stay in the family. it is so rewarding.I still love it.

[@fusion-music]

Made with love. Very nice job. Inspires me to sort out my archtop. A talented family.

[@ChrisEllul87]

True craftsmanship! An inspiration to guitar builders.

[@VEHICROS]

I could watch this video over and over...

[@Prabhath_the_Dawn]

WoW! Never knew there's so much dedicated effort in creating such beautiful guitar 😃👌👌👌 🎸 👍

[@heathdaniels8979]

I've had the privilege of handling one of the $25k arch tops. They truly are amazing and inspiring pieces of work!

[@JgHaverty]

That carbon paper trick was pure gold.

[@StonyRC]

WOW - what a labour of love. Your daughter is a very lucky girl to have such a beautifully made guitar. I hope it's playing better and better.

[@rhykko77]

Beautiful gift you have made there !

[@skyhawk53]

This was fascinating to watch. I learned a lot about the hidden steps behind building a high quality instrument. Lots of gluing and clamping and shaving and sanding! It was nice touch to show your daughter at the end enjoying her new guitar. You must be so proud of her, and the guitar, as well! Both are beautiful.

[@hippiebrother3171]

The way you drilled the holes on the back of the top was pretty genius. I never thought to do it that way, but it would give you an even, parallel guide to the top. So simple too. The whole build was amazing and very informative. Thanks for uploading this.

[@joelgrosch7272]

you sir, are a pure artist! beautiful craftsmanship

[@sethtrey6208]

All those jigs and tricks are brilliant. I loved the caliper height gauge and the "constant thickness" drilling on the pinhead!

[@wiljon23]

Really beautiful work! ...and to see your daughter playing it at the end is perfect!

[@frost-80]

This is art and engineering. What a great job!! very nice to see it! congratulations.

[@robertcaffrey6097]

Beautiful instrument crafted with the most incredible attention to every detail imaginable, if I ever win the lotto I will treat myself to one of these gems. The instrument looks like it is full of music. Thanks.

[@cameronjackson1934]

beautiful just simply beautiful!!! You make me want to learn how to make a guitar and I may just learn how to because of you.

[@The12xke]

Bravo Bert, So beautiful. A treasure for all time.................

[@guiterman6263]

Nice work dude i build guitars theres a lot of going to one people just dont what it takes . It takes a special kind of person to build them and have the patience it takes to do it i been building for 20 years now and when i go in my work shop am in my own little world love your work.

[@PepitoKawazaki]

that is one of the most beautiful guitars i've ever seen

[@flangeres1752]

Incredible! Now I cherish every moment I pick up my archtop! Love for jazz guitar begins at conception and continues well after birth..............in many cases, jazz guitar outlives its creator....

[@Skizze37]

Fantastic video and an amazing build, I wish my dad was this cool. I was so mesmerized that I didn't even notice that I sat through the entire thing! This was very inspiring.

[@gensonaris3316]

Outstanding - a true master builder at the top of his craft. Kudos

[@Stevepat1]

Making my guitar was one of the most enjoyable times of my life (2001). I still have wood for another one and this video is making me want to find my Benedetto book, It's somewhere in my messy shop. Beautiful guitar by the way.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

heartwarming video, glad i found it and sat through all of it. truly a labor of Love; that's fully realized in watching her play. obviously you're no stranger to instrument building, but i commend you on the hardwork and the height of detail you put into this project for your daughter. God Bless.

[@johnpirie3800]

Very nice Bert. Lets folks see and appreciate how much work goes into it from scratch. Lovely guitar.

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Impressive . That was a joy to watch. Bert, You are a star. Thank you, Yuma, Arizona

[@G3CK0S]

I'm at a loss of words. Such beauty thank you.

[@MrUltracoin]

The archtop is another craft within luthery, very nice build!

[@deepdiver51]

Absolutely beautiful...and your attention to detail is mesmerising. (You've got to have the sharpest plane blades in the world!)

[@deanjohnson2034]

I am a budding luthier and I aspire to your skill. Your video has truly inspired me, thank you.

[@pesderato]

A joy to watch. Congratulations.

[@MeladoCabriocarico]

It's a f...ing awesome & beautiful guitar. It is good to see that the result of the work is as good as the care that man took with the construction of the instrument.

[@js31w23]

pure beauty..... just awesome!!!!!

[@pano960]

Congratulations! Nice project, clever crafting techniques, perfect hand control, clear video shooting and on top of all… a lot of love!

[@TheJofrica]

This is awesome, just plain awesome. You are such a good father! That's a wonderful gift to give to your child :)

[@elams1894]

Beautiful stunning craftsmanship, from the curved top (all by hand) to the shielding of the amazing tailpiece to the inlay work, the dovetail joint.. the works. Love the NZ paua shell eye! Really enjoyed watching this vid and such a lovely thing to do for your daughter. Great to see art like this on YT. Thank you for taking the time film, edit and share..

[@DirtiestDeeds]

"A uniform thickness" looks and sounds great fun! Thanks.

[@PecosHank]

Incredible watch. Thanks!

[@jaroslawlukaszewicz]

Very relaxing both to watch and listen. Thank you.

[@bveracka]

As an aspiring luthier myself, I've been watching a lot of videos like these, and this one of yours is wonderful. I love that you do so much of your work by hand, only using power-tools when necessary. I really enjoyed this video and I definitely learned some interesting little tips just by watching you. Although I aspire to build classical guitars, I've always loved archtops; nothing beats 'em for jazz! Thanks for sharing your build! -Regards from Cape Cod Massachusetts

[@stevelong9227]

Awesome. Beautiful instrument. Dank u meneer van der Meij, acht je bent een kunstenaar

[@kevinhughes4908]

What a lucky kid. And what a great dad. Great job!

[@chipolinoartista7503]

"El último beso". Excelente video y excelente pieza de fondo!

[@1111stunna1111]

beautiful, I would buy a guitar builded by you anytime, unfortunately for me, there is no way, i can't afford one, that kind of craftsmanship is not cheap, thanks for sharing, shows how much passion you have for what you do, I was amazing see you create such beauty

[@PeterDad60]

What a great Dad! I enjoyed this video and appreciate your skills and dedication. Provo!

[@mrslideboy6]

This was a masterclass, thank you

[@adelloid]

Thank you very much for that beautiful video, building guitars is definitely a wonderful art... I guess your daughter is very happy for that present.

[@Adamek1926]

Wonderful work and a great gift for your daughter.

[@RD-zj6vc]

Apart from the minor tryptophobia freak-out I had when he cut all the holes, this is awesome.

[@aaronbarber8581]

I remember this arrangement of Autumn Leaves. My guitar teacher gave it to me a long time a go to learn. If it is the EXACT one. So beautiful.

[@morfoll]

Amazing work Bert. This is truly, priceless craftsmanship! Well done.

[@porousorificePilot]

Nice work of art you produced, not just a nice sounding guitar. A portion of your heart and soul resides within that instrument, .... Something that can not be purchased off the shelf. . Thanks for sharing your endeavor. peace

[@matthewrichardson828]

I had to make an archtop once. It was a repair on an old Guild. The bindings, the top, and all was a very difficult to remove, replace and refinish. Keeping the neck on the old body and making the top the right height so that the bridge/saddle were correct was the hardest part. Great job.

[@Poloniothx]

...pretty well done,beautiful work,your daughter should be very proud by such feat.... congrats!!!!

[@simonsegundoluz2012]

Beautiful archtop guitar. I loved

[@thecoolcarrot5377]

So much love was put into this... it nearly made me cry. truly emotional experience, thank you. also very nice background music :D

[@basp404]

Gaaf om het proces te zien, en het resultaat is supertof!

[@Jackofallthetrades]

That was satisfying beyond belief! Well done, sir!

[@elverdugo9061]

truly amazing and beautiful

[@jandeeg152]

Gitaar én dochter, twee meesterwerken! Goed gedaan, man.

What a beautiful gift - well done, dad!

[@Agentscottsims]

Wow. Looks like a lot of hard work. I have enough trouble just palying the darn things. Keep it up. And thank you on behalf of all us guitar players.

[@lloydpittonet]

The trick with the caliper in an overhead clamp is reason alone to watch this video!

[@markwesdijk9841]

Bert,Dit is echt geniaal.Ik heb de video nu 5 keer gezien en elke keer denk ik...wow!!!

[@jobatimus]

A master piece of precision and beauty

[@rufinosanchez2703]

La construcción de esta guitarra es un trabajo maravilloso. Congratulaciones

[@johnkerley4152]

Amazing how much work is involved!

[@lokevng]

That's a very nice guitar you made. So carefully crafted. Your daughter is quite fortunate.

[@jdw174]

Your woodworking talent is amazing!

[@reinaldoiturrino1853]

If I may say that was a beautiful piece of art you made

[@janedoe3570]

Fantastic craftsmanship

[@michel333100]

Hi, how lucky is your daughter. I wish someone would build me an arch top. I would like one but they are just so bloody expensive . Love this playing in the background. Thanks from Michael Newell from Niagara Falls, Ontario

[@billybobjoebob6002]

Tis a thing of beauty you have wrought.

[@Seminho2012]

Wow! Congratulations. Beautiful job and a lovely gift. Gamaliel Seme Scaff - South Brazil.

[@gbsal79]

True craftmanship. Great job!

[@errtrainer]

Just beautiful. Congrats.

[@Gustavo18008]

La verdad es que es toda una pieza de arte, esta sumamente hermosa. Felicidades

[@bigdawgsd]

Very informative video...You do really beautiful work...Hope your daughter treasures the guitar.

[@razterizer]

Such a good craftmanship. Very inspiring!

[@gaborraczjr.5764]

I mean imagine your teacher or your mates asking what kind is your guitar. Well, it's one built by my father... Gosh that should be amazing!

[@robertfletcher3092]

a most beautiful gift!

[@walterjulianorsini]

Es el trabajo más bello que voy en mi vida. Ojalá algún día pueda hacerlo yo también. Lo felicito!!! Bendiciones!

[@gyula0408]

Great job and nice workshop.I built mine on a portable workbench in a garage.

[@staffansvahn]

Lovely video. My compliments

[@meij008]

I used an iron pipe with a rim found in a hardware store. Mounted it on a piece of hardwood, put a 150 Watt halogen bulb in it using a porcelain fitting, To control the temperature a used a light dimmer. Be sure to isolate and ground it very well! if you want i can send you some detailled foto's.

[@vitorinobarros6475]

Esse é realmente um artista, como luthier, obra de arte muito bom. parabéns. Vitor Brasil.

[@random1za]

You sir, are an awesome Father.

[@ghostindamachine]

Echt prachtig! Guitaar perfectie. Ik ben erg onder de indruk van het vakmanschap!

[@alinealows]

what an amazing guitar! I'd love to play it. great work. very inspiring.

[@lostpony4885]

Beautiful guitar.