17 inch custom acoustic archtop – Jay Rosenblatt Guitars

Guitar Notes for the New Year, LaLaLa

Posted on December 30, 2019January 2, 2020 by jayrose22

Hello, it has been a while. Happy holidays to all.

As you can see in the photo I have put some of my guitars on display in my shop. Some of these are completed guitars that I use at shows and and some are under construction waiting for new owners.

The past year was somewhat busy in the shop, I completed a few new instruments and there were lots of repairs and plenty to keep me busy.

Recently I had a story writer from our statewide magazine, New Jersey Monthly, come visit me along with a professional photographer. The photographer and I set up a few working images that I have yet to see and the story will be published in the March 2020 issue of NJ Monthly.

Jay Rosenblatt and some handbuilt guitars — Jay Rosenblatt in his shop with several of his handmade instruments 2019

In the photo;

(L-R) “Kasha Classical” with a reclaimed cedar soundboard and rosewood back and sides, “Big maple”, A Lutz Spruce top with maple back and sides and hand cut inlays just completed and strung up today, “Moonwood and Maple” under construction, a Moonwood Soundboard, 4A maple back and sides, maple laminate neck, In my hands a “7 String Baroque” This is an exact replica of a romantic era guitar, “Red Rose” (behind me) Redwood and rosewood PF model with mahogany neck (new, complete, sweet), “Domino” radially braced hybrid guitar made of Myrtle and alaskan spruce, “Apollo 17” “A-framed semi-arch-top with walnut back and sides, “Arches”, a guitar inspired by the Arches in Utah with a unique intersecting arch bracing system. (some of these instruments are featured in my past posts)

What else? Currently I am in the design process of an electric guitar model. That will be down the line but working on it.

In the New Year, April, 3-5, 2020, I will be exhibiting my acoustic guitars at the Artisan Guitar Show in Harrisburg, PA.

This is a three day event with concerts, musical performances, hand-built instruments and their makers, vintage instruments, workshops and classes.

Follow this link for info on the show. http://artisanguitarshow.com/.

I am happy to announce that I will have my favorite musical duo, “Frank and Hank,” Frank Sole and Henry Nerenberg, perform for me at the show on Sunday, April 5th., featuring my instruments.

Well Thats it for now. Looking for that special acoustic guitar? Drop me a line.

Thanks and Happy New Year to all,

Jay Rosenblatt

Guitar Building Presentation at the NJWA woodworking meeting.

Posted on August 21, 2018August 21, 2018 by jayrose22

Hello it has been a while.

Last night I had the pleasure to present photographs on my guitar building processes to a group at the NJWA, North Jersey Woodworking Association. I also had Frank Sole, musician, teacher and builder of guitars who performed several pieces, classical, jazz and contemporary for the group.

The NJWA has monthly meetings with demonstrations in a variety of woodworking topics by various presenters. They also have a monthly raffle and share information on woodworking methods, tips, tools, and finishing.

There were about 40 people who attended. One or two who have built a guitar so this was fairly new information for those who have never built an instrument. My presentation was fast paced covering many aspects of the building process and passing around lots of parts and pieces so the folks can get a good sense of guitar construction.

In all the meeting lasted 2.5 hours and I showed about 330 images of the building process. From what I gathered they enjoyed my presentation very much and it was an enjoyable experience for me as well.

If you have an organization or group that would like me to present on this topic please contact me.

Thanks, and thank you for reading.

Happy building!

Jay

Guitar Buliding presentation at NJWA3

17″ Hand built Acoustic Arch-Top by Jay Rosenblatt

Posted on March 18, 2018April 4, 2018 by jayrose22

This instrument is a 17 Inch acoustic semi-archtop guitar, 25.5 inch scale length. Named Apollo, this guitar features a fine Sitka soundboard, Curly Claro Walnut body, mahogany neck with an african blackwood fingerboard and head plate with a Gabon Ebony bridge, tailpiece and pick guard. (not shown, these photos were taken during construction phases). The tailpiece uses pins to hold the string ends similar to the Doolin/ Elliot pinless bridges.

The neck has a two-way adjustable truss rod which is accessible by lifting the cover held in place magnetically. The neck is stiffened with carbon fiber bars. The back of the head plate is a curly maple burl veneer. The bracing for the soundboard is an “A frame” design with a cross bar support. The bridge is a fixed height design. The back bracing is a floating system similar to the design of the Kasha classical guitars. The binding is Rosewood with curly maple purfling. The finish is hand applied French polish. The final version will have an ebony pick guard to match the tailpiece and head plate.