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How to Make a Wooden Archtop Tailpiece

The ̶0;Archtop̶1; component of the name of an Archtop guitar refers to the structure of the body. Whereas standard acoustics use a flat body with a large, single, central hole, Archtops have a ridge running across the top edge of the body, from top to bottom, with curved F-shaped amplification holes on either side. This curvature on the upper side of the body makes it difficult to fit a standard bridge onto the guitar, so a tailpiece is used instead. A tailpiece connects to the strap pin at the bottom of the guitar and uses the tension of the strings to hold it securely in place. Personalized tailpieces can be made inexpensively out of wood.

Things You'll Need

Wooden board
Measuring tape
Ruler
Pencil
Jigsaw
Spirit level
Tailpiece bracket
Drill
Nut and bolt

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance from the bottom end of the strings to the bottom of the body of the instrument. Add about 2 inches to that measurement and draw a corresponding line on the wooden sheet. Measure the width of the six strings and draw a horizontal line on the wood identical to this measurement, which crosses the vertical line about 2 inches down from the top.
- 2
  Using this cross shape as a guide, draw the outline of tennis racket-esque shape with the horizontal line as its widest point. The lower edge of the shape should be a neat curve. Beginning on the left of the horizontal line, about 1 inch above it, draw a straight, slanted line that runs to the right hand side of the racket shape, 2 inches above the horizontal line.
- 3
  Cut the shape out with a jigsaw and line it up against the guitar̵7;s body. With the neat curve at the bottom of the shape flush against the bottom of the instrument, draw a small cross in pencil for where you want each of the strings to go. Use a spirit level to check each mark is vertically below its respective tuning peg and remove the shape from the instrument.
- 4
  Drill a hole into each of the pencil marks. These holes should be big enough for the eyelet at the end of the guitar string to fit through. Use a small file to make a slit ̵1; slightly wider than the width of each guitar string ̵1; in the top edge of the hole, extending for about 1/4 inch above the hole.
- 5
  Attach the bottom part of the tailpiece bracket to the strap pin at the bottom of the guitar. Drill a hole through the bracket plate and then drill a corresponding hole through the bottom of the wooden shape, about 1/2 inch from the bottom end of the wooden racket shape. Place the metal bracket plate on top of the shape so both the holes match up.
- 6
  Ensure the bracket is tight and secure the two pieces together with a nut and bolt. Cover the bottom of the bolt with foam rubber to prevent the bolt from scratching the guitar, thread the string through the holes in the tailpiece and tighten them into the tuners at the head of the guitar to secure the tailpiece in place.

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