Customer Reviews
Built a beautiful Archtop Guitar with this Book! 
2008-09-30
I bought this book and the companion DVD's and studied them prior to going to Nazareth, PA in late July of this year (2008). In Nazareth I constructed an archtop guitar with a protege' of Bob Benedetto's. We used the same methods outlined in this book and DVDs. One week later I had in my hands a beautifully constructed, playable and superb sounding archtop guitar in European Spruce (Top) and European Flame Maple (Back and Sides) (sans finish).
If you have any doubts whether or not this book will give you the necessary tools to construct a quality instrument, quell those doubts. I have the proof in my hands. Buy the accompaning DVDs. You will need
these as well. Good Luck!
All the information you need to make an archtop guitar 2008-06-21
I have now read this bock twice through since receiving it and feel confident that it provides the building blocks to start my (your) own journey into building archtop guitars. The chapters are concise focusing on the fundamentals of each element of the building process from wood selection to top and back shaping, side bending neck construction and finishing. I am about to embark on my first archtop guitar and after reading Robert's book I feel confident to do so.
Making an Archtop Guitar 2008-01-20
This is an excellent book for someone who has the experience or motivation to build this difficult instrument. It isn't for somebody who has no woodworking experience or who doesn't have the desire to search out additional information and techniques. There is no book which covers every method and every step in building something as difficult as a carved musical instrument.
The pictures are exceptional and can give much more information than pages of text. There are skimpy areas, but the book would be 1000 pages if everything Benedetto knew where written down.
I've read books on building guitars, violins and carved mandolins...this is the best of the bunch, in my opinion. Many mandolin builders read it to help them with that instrument.
You can do no better, but will have to find additional information on the web, in other books and from experienced woodworkers.
very useful book 2008-01-03
I have built an archtop guitar based on this book, the book is full of useful tips and information. Without it my guitar project would probably not have been possible.
Great, Informative Book 2007-08-10
If you have an interest in building an archtop, you will want this book. Though it does not contain complete full-scale plans (you will either have to enlarge the included plans or order a separate full-sized set), there is nonetheless a wealth of information to satisfy both experienced and novice builders alike. The text is accompanied by numerous photos of Benedetto's shop, tools (many which are home-made), various guitar-construction operations in progress, and color photos of many of his own guitars. Yes, I suppose there is a subtle bit of self-promotion, as one Amazon reviewer complains. However, one can hardly begrudge Benedetto for this, considering that he has chosen so generously to share of himself. How many of Benedetto's competitors would be as willing to step up to the same plate? If you are serious about building an archtop, I would recommend purchasing the DVDs with the book. While Benedetto is very clear with his explanations, tap-tuning is probably something that requires the kind of hands-on demonstration gained from student-teacher interaction or, in the absence of that, video demonstration.
Good book bad plans 
2007-05-13
The definitive work on the design and construction of an acoustic archtop guitar by one of the most talented luthiers of the twentieth century. Benedetto walks the reader through all aspects of construction through to marketing your finished work. Includes a list of suppliers to acquire all the tools and materials listed; a list of serial numbers for Benedetto guitars; full-color plates featuring the author's models; photos from the author's personal scrapbook of players who endorse his guitars; and fold-out templates for construction. 8-1/2 inch. x 11 inch..
Craftmanship out in the open 2007-01-05
Bob Benedetto has written the manual for all of us who would love to make our own guitar but lacked the information. Most of the details necessary have been kept by those who already build or their apprentices. In this book, he gives us enough specific, detailed info to build a very fine instrument on the first try, provided that we have some basic woodworking skills. The price in soft cover is very reasonable, and it makes fascinating reading even if you don't try your hand at making your own Jazz guitar.
dissapointing 2006-10-14
I read this book cover to cover and was peaved that I'd blown my dollars on it. Benedetto may make some nice guitars. In fact, the feel of this book was more like marketing material for his guitars than of an honest technical work. There is page after page of cr@p. Benedetto endorsers, Benedetto serial #s and who owns them, pictures of the Benedetto crew at a trade show, pictures of his family. Gimme a break. This has zero to do with building a guitar and inflates the price of the book needlessly. As for the part of the book that actually does deal with building...there are bits in here that are informative about aspects that are unique to making an archtop. They are not presented as well or as thoroughly as they could be. I especially don't like how he dismisses techniques or ideas other than his own methods without any explanation as to why he's right and others are wrong. I'm also a little curious about suggestions he makes for building that he obviously doesn't follow himself. Example: he suggests making/using a non-adjustable bridge out of maple. Check the website for his guitars...how many have maple bridges? how many of his guitars come with adjustable bridges? of the non-adjustable bridges he does employ, none of them look anything like what he presents in the book. Get rid of all the clap-trap and the really good, essential, unique stuff could have been presented in a short booklet. As for the rest, meaning those aspects of building that aren't unique to archtops, there are much better resources out there.
Required Reading, Period. 2005-10-14
This book is well written, well illustrated and encourging to those of us who might want to try to build an archtop (or any type of stringed instrument). As a beginner, I find that Mr. Benedetto's explanations on the building processes are refreshing and full of encouragement. While he explains the reasons for selecting top-quality (and expensive) tonewoods, he also demonstrates that a top-quality instrument can be built out of inferior (readily available) woods. The message I got was: "don't wait until all of the conditions are exactly right - work with what you have and overcome your limitations" His writing sparks the reader's imagination as to construction methods, jigs and fixtures. While a moderate amount of woodworking knowledge is assumed, his explanations are clear and concise. The illustrations are inspiring and make the reader want to run, not walk to the shop to begin work on an instrument. So, Run, don't walk to get this book. You will be miserable without it!!!
a nice overview with good pictures 
2004-07-16
Warning, this book may cause you to run out and buy a Benedetto as it did me.
This is a very nice overview of archtop guitar making, addressing almost every facet of the art, even including "marketing yourself and product". Some very enjoyable points are made by Bob drawn from his wealth of experience, but if you had hoped to build your own guitar as a result of reading this book, you would be in trouble. I would have loved to see more detail and instruction in the various elements of construction; not so that I might make my own archtop, but to gain a greater appreciation for the true experience of the undertaking.
I may purchase Bob's set of videos just to see more about how it is done.
By the way, I can now say that Mr Benedetto is an amazing artist and craftsman, and his instruments are every bit as good as reputed.
