Art of the Archtop

A Unique opportunity to work one-on-one with a world-class luthier, Wyatt Wilkie

Art of the Archtop

A Unique opportunity to work one-on-one with a world-class luthier, Wyatt Wilkie

About The Course

If you have dreamed of building an archtop guitar but were afraid you lacked the tools or skill, now is your chance to learn from a master. With Wyatt’s Art of the Archtop course, you will have the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with a world-class luthier.

Wyatt will guide you as you plane, chisel, rout and feel your way through the process of building your very own archtop.

View one student's journey below

View Testimonials

About the Comox Valley

Wyatt’s shop is set in the heart of the Comox Valley, close to the sea and mountains of mid-Vancouver Island. In nearby Courtenay, Cumberland, and Comox, you will find a variety of shops and restaurants catering to every taste.

The Valley is home to many wineries and plays host to musical and cultural festivals throughout the year. Students are responsible for finding their own transportation and accommodation.

Please contact us for more information on how to get to the Comox Valley and how to locate accommodation.

Contact Us

The cost of the course is USD $6,500 and includes all of your wood and basic hardware. Students are responsible for procuring their own case.

We look forward to working with you, contact us today to arrange a time to get started.

(250) 871-4329

wyatt@wilkiestringedinstruments.com

Jakes Booth Journey through the Master Class

View this detailed journey from start to finish via his blog.

Day 1

Cut sides to size and sand to thickness
Make end blocks
Bend sides and clamp in form
Make kerfed lining strips

Day 2

Glue linings to rim
Make neck blank
Rout groove for truss rod

Day 3

Continue work on neck blank
Rout dovetail in neck
Rout ledge for fingerboard extension
Glue ears to headstock
Install truss rod and cover with wood gusset

Day 4

Initial carving of outside shape of top and back plates

Day 5

Carve inside surfaces of top and back plates
Drill depth reference holes
Carve, plane and scrape to shape
Cut soundhole in top plate

Day 6

Carving/scraping to refine contours of both plates

Day 7

Prepare material for bindings and X-brace
Bend binding for guitar rim and sound hole
Mark and cut braces to conform to top plate contour
Sand braces to final fit then cut X-joint and glue in place

Day 8

Glue back plate to rim
Shape braces on top plate
Coat inside surfaces with shellac
Glue top to rim
Slot fretboard
Rout plate edges flush with rim
Sand and scrape sides
Rout grove for binding
Install, tape and glue binding
This was a long day but with good progress as the component parts are assembled. The back plate is glued to the rim and while the glue is drying on that the X-brace is shaped

Day 9

Remove binding tape
Wipe top and back with damp paper towel to relieve compression dimples
Scrape bindings and blend into recurves on plates
Cut taper dovetail mortise in body
Plane fretboard to 12 in. radius

Day 10

Thickness and taper back of headstock
Make tailpiece
Shape neck dovetail
First fit neck to body
Carve neck
Scrape sand body and binding
Refine neck/body fit
Install frets
Drill holes for tuners
Glue neck to body

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If I were young and wanted to learn how to make archtops, I would sign up for this course. Wyatt is a no-nonsense maker. He’s creative, knowledgeable and never runs out of steam. He is the consummate role model for anyone who wants to learn how to make archtops.

– Bob Benedetto

If you really want to learn how to make archtops, Wyatt is your guy. Everything about this class is great: the teacher, the shop, Vancouver Island…man, what an experience.

– Pablo Valle

I got so much out of that build. You’re a great teacher, Wyatt, and I hope you continue to give others what you gave me.

– Matt Joyce

I’ve learnt so much from Wyatt. I had an amazing time and will cherish it always.

– Tim Starr

The work was challenging at times. Wyatt was always available when needed and always forthcoming with advice and help. I had the rare opportunity to work one-on-one with a master archtop builder!

– Jake Booth

Wyatt Wilkie hand-builds around a dozen archtop guitars and mandolins per year in his small workshop on the coast of Vancouver Island where he has lived for several years with his wife, Emily and two children Jasper and Linnea. He considers himself lucky to have finally arrived at such a beautiful place to live and work after a lengthy and unpredictable journey.

Call Us

(250) 871-4329

Art of the Archtop

Art of the Archtop

About The Course

About the Comox Valley

Contact Us

Jakes Booth Journey through the Master Class

View this detailed journey from start to finish via his blog.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

– Bob Benedetto

– Pablo Valle

– Matt Joyce

– Tim Starr

– Jake Booth

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Call Us

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