The Archtop Project: A digital archive exploring historical Archtop guitars

Launched in 2022, the Archtop Project is a free, online resource for guitar makers, players, researchers, and aficionados alike. Each historical instrument featured in the archive was analyzed using CT scanning, modal analysis, and near-field acoustic radiation measurements combined with high-quality photography, instrument specifications, and audio recordings to experience these instruments as never before, from the inside out. This work was inspired by that of violin maker, Sam Zygmuntowicz, who created the Strad 3D project (Strad3D) with support from the Oberlin Acoustics Workshop, now called the Violin Acoustics Foundation. The Archtop Project is supported by The Archtop Foundation and D'Addario and Company. In addition to an overview of the Archtop Project, updates on guitar acoustics work will be presented including The Dreadnought Project, an analysis of over 150 pre-war CF Martin dreadnought guitars.