Parts of another old "F-Hole archtop" reside down in the "laboratory" (shop)here awaiting restoration along with several other decrepid relics, from muskets to sewing machines and all manner of gizmos and thingamajigs that were just way too neat to leave at the local Recycling Center (formerly known as "The Dump").

This archtop was purchaced from a Co-worker while employed at the State School for the Simple-Minded (actually, that's what they called it in the old days; it had a much more dignified moniker at the time) for the princly sum of $5. Some research among associates who know about such things as well as Luthiers indicate that it was probably an old Harmony. Harmonys were seldom ornate or prestigious, but they made some fine utilitarian instruments in their day, and some Musicians opine that they never got the respect that some of them deserved.

It seems that this particular type of guitar was popular between the 1930's and the late '40's for use in the big "Swing Bands" of the era; they were braced up like a battleship and strung with heavy steel in order to produce a loud (before the introduction of electricly amplified guitars)rythmic chorded "beat" which essentially functioned as a "metranome" for the band . This would explain the "floating" steel, heavily designed tailpiece and heavy pick guard which oddly partially occluded the lower "F"-hole. The neck was rather narrow for such a large body, which makes sense if it was intended for strumming chords, and "crowned" like a country road - slightly arched accross the fretboard. The fingerboard was surfaced only with alternating tiles of black vulcanite and "mother-of-toilet-seat" (Feaux pearl).

After replacing a few small parts and removing the pick guard, I strung the the old archtop up with nylon. Unexpectedly, it produced a wonderfully full, mellow, sweet and beautiful tone. The neck was sufficiently wide to use for fingerpicking, which was facilitated by the crowned fretboard. We used it for several years developing our style, learning songs, and occasionally performing in Church or for anyone who whould hold still long enough to listen. It seemed particularly well suited to gospel music.

After obtaining a couple of other guitars, the archtop went into drydock for much-needed neck re-allignment, refinishing, and replacement of that hidious pearlite fretboard. I got as far as pulling the neck and sanding everything down, pulling the german-silver frets and ripping up the fretboard tiles (would have done it differently had I known then what I know now)... and so it sits.

If you want my tuppence worth, I'd vote with the "Go for it" crowd; most of what I have learned about luthery has come from tinkering with "clunkers".