The Archtop: My last hand tool build

Over the last few years, I've proven to myself that I can build professional quality guitars using only hand tools. I've also come to the realisation that hand tool building, while great for my enjoyment and my ego, brings little benefit to the guitar I'm building.
As I'm taking on my first commissions, my focus is shifting away from hand tool building, and towards building guitars at the highest possible quality, regardless of the tools involved.
The Archtop features a German spruce top, Swiss service tree back and sides, a mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, ebony bridge and black limba and aluminium accents.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Preparing the top plate
1:36 - Carving the outer top plate
3:40 - Carving the inner top plate
6:00 - Preparing the back plate
8:19 - Carving the outer back plate
9:17 - Carving the inner back plate
11:00 - Bracing the top
12:25 - Preparing and bending the sides
15:45 - Making the neck blank
17:14 - Truss rod cavity
19:00 - Fretboard
22:20 - Making a wooden pickup
25:40 - Neck pocket
27:30 - Sound hole and end graft
29:30 - Glue the plates to the sides
32:25 - Finish neck and headstock
33:38 - Neck carve
37:55 - The pickguard
41:00 - Side dots and fretboard inlay
42:13 - Fretwork
44:32 - Tuner mount
48:00 - The bridge
50:02 - Sanding, finish, assembly
52:50 - Reveal and demo
If you have any question about the process, the press itself or the materials used, please leave a comment.
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[@dalloguitars]

Enjoying your videos! I totally understand that relying solely on hand tools can be physically demanding. Using more tools allows you to conserve your energy for focusing on the more detail parts, which is a significant advantage. Looking forward to seeing your next build!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you!

[@cannaguitars4593]

Great build mate! Can't wait what you will accomplish using some power tools in the future!

[@rauschguitars]

After this one I think a simple solid body electric would be a nice change 😂

[@cannaguitars4593]

​@@rauschguitars Seems to be a lot easier. Just pour some epoxy into it, and it will get a million views ^^

[@reubenaugustine5448]

How beautiful...💜

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@jemikloumigs]

Wow! Exactly what i have in mind! A headless archtop! Nice!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@codelicious6590]

Holyo f^&*k this turned out way different than I had imagined when I clicked on the vid! Great aesthetic blend of traditional and modern, really fantastic!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was aiming for.

[@redfurydubstep]

So I’ve been pondering the style of guitar I wanted to build next…I wanted it to be different but still traditional in a lot of ways…and I started landing on something similar to this…you have no idea how cool it was to randomly see this thumbnail show up in my feed!! Yours looks incredible!! I may have to adopt a few details of your design into mine 👀

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks! The combination of headless, the chunky neck block, and the heavy tailpiece, gives the guitar reverse neck dive - which is more annoying that regular neck dive. Pay attention to the balance if you're going headless.

[@MiniShowProductions]

Wowzers 😮 exceptional build

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@basiliskbro4078]

I Have massive respect for the only using hand tools, I don't think people relies how hard it is. The only downside is that its hard to make guitars in volume.

[@rauschguitars]

True. Luckily my goal is quality, not quantity.

[@coyinkPLUR]

why last tool building ?? i really happy saw you do it .... thank a lot of , couse I can take the knowledge that is shown

[@rauschguitars]

My goals are changing, and so is my tooling. I'm adding some power tools for better end results.

[@coyinkPLUR]

@@rauschguitars What goal are you looking for, aren't hand tools of better value than the results from power tools?

[@rauschguitars]

@@coyinkPLUR Since I'm moving into commissioned builds, my focus is on creating incredible instruments regardless of tooling. Hand tools are great for my ego, but don't make a better (or worse) guitar than power tools.

[@RonNewsham]

I like the sounds of hand tools being used to make a musical instrument.
It is refreshing in contrast with most maker videos that are just the sound of power tools, with a heavy guitar soundtrack.
It's being in a traditional craftsman's workshop.

[@nickFullerton-tb7dz]

No edge banding ?

[@rauschguitars]

Nope. I wanted a clean look.

[@nickFullerton-tb7dz]

Why use an egg beater after doing all those drill press holes? I wonder....

[@rauschguitars]

The manual drill press is really designed for metal, so it tends to advance the bit too aggressively, causing tear-out. The hand drill is also easier use.