Rating: 
Summary: A good idea that wasn't fully developed
Review:
To me, this represents an important work. It is an artist's attempt to save and record the heritage of crafting finely-made archtop guitars. If you've ever seen a Benedetto guitar, you know the level of craftsmanship that Bob's family has always had in their guitars. Here, in a detailed "how-to," he imparts what no doubt in his mind represents the bread-and-butter of what goes into a Benedetto.
This is the equivalent of a guitarist publishing a video and giving away all his "licks!"
In my experience, the only kind of person who would do what Bob Benedetto does here is someone who truly believes that the secret lies not in the "how to" but in the "how many." Most people will never build as many guitars as Bob Benedetto has built, and those who don't can only come close to his level of expertise. But with this book and Bob's expert and detailed advice, a talented woodworker can get darned close.
6 Stars! Oh... oh well, 5 then!
Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: "Hands Over the Secrets" -- Amazing...
Review:
To me, this represents an important work. It is an artist's attempt to save and record the heritage of crafting finely-made archtop guitars. If you've ever seen a Benedetto guitar, you know the level of craftsmanship that Bob's family has always had in their guitars. Here, in a detailed "how-to," he imparts what no doubt in his mind represents the bread-and-butter of what goes into a Benedetto.
This is the equivalent of a guitarist publishing a video and giving away all his "licks!"
In my experience, the only kind of person who would do what Bob Benedetto does here is someone who truly believes that the secret lies not in the "how to" but in the "how many." Most people will never build as many guitars as Bob Benedetto has built, and those who don't can only come close to his level of expertise. But with this book and Bob's expert and detailed advice, a talented woodworker can get darned close.
6 Stars! Oh... oh well, 5 then!
Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: This is a critical book for an archtop buyer, too!
Review: As an archtop owner and player for nearly thirty years, I would call this book a must read for anyone who is interested in purchasing a vintage archtop or buying a new one. Benedetto leads the reader into a deep appreciation of the painstaking detail that goes into The Making of an Archtop. He describes the level of attention that should be evident on each component of the guitar, and how it effects the player (and the price) in the end. The significance of learning the process of material selection, construction sequencing and design considerations might well lead the reader towards a custom made instrument. This book is a credit to all the independent luthiers out there whose trade is no longer a secret.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential, but not definitive
Review: By writing the only real guide to building the carved-top guitar, Benedetto has established himself as the preeminent maker of these instruments. Since the early death of Jimmy D'Aquisto, Bob just may be our best-known archtop maker and is probably as good as anybody. He certainly has produced an impressive body of work, and has given us at least one important innovation (namely, the 'cello gut tailpiece attachment) in a field that is dominated by tradition. His product line is illustrated by several fine color illustrations in the final several pages and will be an inspiration and guide for the novice builder. One problem he has is the lingering shadow of D'Aquisto, who stood head-and-shoulders above the crowd, and defined the art for many luthiers with (besides his wonderful instruments themselves) his lectures and articles in American Lutherie. Benedetto takes exception to some of D'Aquisto's methods, such as his theories on bridge and tailpiece design. To me, at least, the archtop guitar is still a relatively new type and there are ample opportunities for experimentation and discovery. Therefore, the reader is advised to take Benedetto's pronouncements with a gram of salt and use his guide to begin this pursuit, keeping in mind that the only "right way" is the one that works for you. It is probably not the best manual for one who has never built any type of stringed instrument- the basics are not covered fully and a few of his processes are not the established traditions- but I have yet to find ANY published construction method that explains, for example, a proper neck-dovetail joint. While this work can not be considered the "Bible" of the art, it would be foolish for any guitar maker to try an archtop without this book in his or her library. Another essential item is his beautiful set of plans, which are available from most lutherie supply houses.
Rating:
Summary: Essential, but not definitive
Review: By writing the only real guide to building the carved-top guitar, Benedetto has established himself as the preeminent maker of these instruments. Since the early death of Jimmy D'Aquisto, Bob just may be our best-known archtop maker and is probably as good as anybody. He certainly has produced an impressive body of work, and has given us at least one important innovation (namely, the 'cello gut tailpiece attachment) in a field that is dominated by tradition. His product line is illustrated by several fine color illustrations in the final several pages and will be an inspiration and guide for the novice builder. One problem he has is the lingering shadow of D'Aquisto, who stood head-and-shoulders above the crowd, and defined the art for many luthiers with (besides his wonderful instruments themselves) his lectures and articles in American Lutherie. Benedetto takes exception to some of D'Aquisto's methods, such as his theories on bridge and tailpiece design. To me, at least, the archtop guitar is still a relatively new type and there are ample opportunities for experimentation and discovery. Therefore, the reader is advised to take Benedetto's pronouncements with a gram of salt and use his guide to begin this pursuit, keeping in mind that the only "right way" is the one that works for you. It is probably not the best manual for one who has never built any type of stringed instrument- the basics are not covered fully and a few of his processes are not the established traditions- but I have yet to find ANY published construction method that explains, for example, a proper neck-dovetail joint. While this work can not be considered the "Bible" of the art, it would be foolish for any guitar maker to try an archtop without this book in his or her library. Another essential item is his beautiful set of plans, which are available from most lutherie supply houses.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for a novice builder
Review: I agree that this book is not for someone who is interested in seriously studying archtop design and construction. But It's a GREAT book for someone with a little experience under their belt, who wants to try something different. If you want to become the next "Greatest American Luthier", find a good mentor and apprentice yourself to him/her. If you want to build an archtop, this book is a comprehensive guide that will get you there.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I almost didn't get the book because of the last review by the man who felt the book should have taught him how to tap tune a top. I am affraid in this generation we expect to get it all from books where once we could only learn by sitting at the masters feet. So far I have found alot of help in this book and I recommend it to anyone interested in learning to make a guitar
Rating:
Summary: THE Archtop book
Review: I don't know who charliem thinks he is, but on the subject of making archtop guitars (amongst others), Benedetto's book is the most informative of it's kind. As far as not giving enough info. goes, there is everything one needs to know from go to whoa. If he doesn't spell it out then it can either be worked out with a little basic math. or it doesn't effect the overall outcome. It is the best book on archtop guitars and should be in every collection.
Rating:
Summary: A construction overview by a master Luthier
Review: I was and continue to be enthralled by this book. I have found no other book on this topic that is superior to or even equal to this book.
Being written by a master luthier there are any number of things that the writer does not explore in much depth; presumably because those things are so second nature to the author that he does not realize that readers might want to read about them. So the book is not enough to be only-source that a would-be builder would need. Many of these omisions are in the books favor; the book remains a managable size and does not need to broken out in to several volumes. However I would have liked a bit more commentary about why one should do things in the sequence that he outlines. Some of the questions I was left with are listed here.
*. Why are the recurves carved after the body is assembled?
*. When and how does one determine the angle of the neck set?
*. How much plate tuning will typically be done before and after assembling the body?
*. How does one build curve into a truss rod so that neck relief can be influenced by truss rod tension?
Much of this information is available from other sources but is not detailed in this book. The balance between brevity and detailing is subjective; for myself he got the balance pretty close. I particularly like the books formatting and font selection. The font types and sizes are easy on the eyes and lend them selves to being reviewed without having to get too close. I greatly appreciate that I can look over sections of the book while the book is resting on the work bench. Too many of the books on instrument making are published in a format that is simply too small. With this book I can see details in the photographs and understand what is being illustrated. I particularly appreciated the authors making a point of explaining that (and why) fancier looking woods can be accoustically inferior to the less exotic looking woods and stating that some wood choices are driven by visual asthetics instead of by accoustical superiority. He illustrates this point with a guitar that he built out of slab-cut pine and maple. With this instrument the author makes it clear that a makers intimate familiarity with any and every piece of wood makes far more difference than what it looks like.
Rating:
Summary: In producing this book Bob Benedetto has...
Review: In producing this book Bob Benedetto has shared a lifetime of experience and produced a legacy for future archtop guitar builders. A reasonably competent woodworker can learn how to make an archtop with the assistance of this book. Yes, as one reviewer comments, it does have many high quality photographs of Benedetto's guitars and I don't find this a nuisance as they are very inspiring. Of course, you cannot learn tap/tuning from a book but there is a series of videos if you require more guidance on this subject. There are some minor 'gaps' in explanation but that is exceptable (I am still trying to figure out how to make a fretboard tapering jig). The book is worth reading even if you do not intend to make an archtop, it is simply a joy to see how a craftsman produces these wonderful guitars. My impression
is that no secrets are kept back and that Bob Benedetto has left us a great 'craft' inheritance. If you intend to make archtops, be prepared to invest in many unusual tools or to make them yourself. Also look on the Web and you will find several people who have recorded their attempts to follow the methods in this book. If you are interested in archtop guitar making do also read, Acquired of the Angels, the biography of John D'Angelico and James D'Aquisto (author Paul William Schmidt). It contains very little on making guitars but is an interesting historical account.
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