Hey, everybody.  Finally got around to joining this group, though
Kevin and I have corresponded in the past.  I bought my Olympic
several years ago from a hole-in-the-wall Chicago shop, just as I was
getting back into playing guitar after an absence of many years.  I
didn't realize until later that an Olympic was what David Rawlings,
who I had just discovered, plays.

Mine is a 1936 according to the numbers at provide.net.   It had been
worked on, not very well, prior to my getting it, so I had to have the
neck reset (or re-reset).  It turned into a great little player, but
my guitar interests have gone on and I mostly play a Martin now.

I noticed for a while that Olympics regularly turned up on eBay, but
not for a while now, except one recently with a suspiciously perfect
finish and bound f-holes.  Anyone else following the 'market' if there
is such a thing for these cool little guitars?

And who else is a David Rawlings fan? I have seen him with Gillian
twice, here in Chicago and also in Nashville, but it's been a while...

Regards to all,

'Chicago Al'

--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, "bradlnich"
<bradlnich@...> wrote:
>
> I started a table in the Database section for posting specs.  I've
> posted the items that I can obviously tell from pictures.  I've also
> created records for all of the important specs for building a repro.
> I'm not sure at this point that I'll be going that direction.  I do
> plan on going with the same body size, shape, and materials, but I
may
> diverge slightly on some of the cosmetic details.  If you have any
> first hand knowledge, I'd be grateful for the information.  Thanks.
>
> --Brad
>
I have two olympics, a 1934 and a 1933.  Joe Glaser is David Rawlings
uthier in Nashville, maybe he knows the exact measurments.  He's
refretted and reset the neck on my 1934 and refretted my 1933. I dont
reaaly know the dimensions of a 1935, Mr. //Rawlings guitar is said to
a 1935 but that's never been verifiec with a serial number.  It doesnt
have a celluliod headstock but it does have a masterbilt decal on the
headstock.  It also has the three peice f-hole.  My 1934 has the
celluloid headstock and the Masterbilt decal.  Check out the picture of
David with my guitar next to his guitar. without taking one apart the
grauations of the archs  would be difficult to measure.  I;m located in
Indiana you can come and measure them of you want.

I started a table in the Database section for posting specs.  I've
posted the items that I can obviously tell from pictures.  I've also
created records for all of the important specs for building a repro.
I'm not sure at this point that I'll be going that direction.  I do
plan on going with the same body size, shape, and materials, but I may
diverge slightly on some of the cosmetic details.  If you have any
first hand knowledge, I'd be grateful for the information.  Thanks.

--Brad

> Welcome, thanks for posting the pictures!  Do you still have the
> guitar?  Any other photos of it that you can post?

All of the pictures that I have posted are from classified ads, ebay,
music store sites, flickr, etc.  The only one I've ever seen in person
was Rawlings' in concert a few times.  I've casually collected images
for a few years now.  I have a few more instruments worth, but they are
later models with larger bodies.

> With regard to bracing I dont really know, I'll look inside mine when
> I get home and repost.

Thanks.  I won't bug folks with tons more questions now, but eventually
I hope some owners can help me with a few measurements.  I also hope to
find someone (or contact info for someone) who has some repair
experience with them for some of the internal specs.  I have a fairly
slow pace in my buiding so it will be quite some time before I get
started on my project.

--Brad

--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, "bradlnich"
<bradlnich@...> wrote:
>
> I'm new here, so hi everyone.  I joined up because I'm interested
in
> the construction aspects of the olympic.  I'm a hobby musician and
> instrument builder and thought I would turn my attention to a small
> archtop.  I have a thing for smaller-bodied guitars.  My last
completed
> project was fixing up an old Harmony 165 with a smashed side and
I'm
> currently about half way though scratch building my own version of
the
> Norman Blake 000 (slot head, 12 fret neck, 14 fret body).  I'm also
a
> fan of mahogany guitars in general.  I much prefer them to rosewood
and
> maple.  Anyway, I have a few questions in case anyone knows the
answers:
>
> I'm aware of David Rawlings, but do you know of any other
professionals
> who use small archtops?  What genre(s) of music do folks generally
play
> on these?
>
> Is there anyone out there currently building similar guitars (small
> bodied archtop with mahogany back and sides)?
>
> I'm going to end up doing a carve top (w/ tone bars)and carved
back,
> but I'm curious about the olympic.  Were the top or back pressed or
> carved?  Was the top braced?
>
> I see no truss rod.  Was the neck reinforced in any way?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -Brad
>
Brad :

Welcome, thanks for posting the pictures!  Do you still have the
guitar?  Any other photos of it that you can post?

I only know of David Rawlings playing the guitar.

In the photo section of this group is a section of advertising
materials, one of the cataloges was a 1934 reprint by John Gimma and
I posted the Olympic model picture and advertising- it says that the
tops were carved and the necks were reinforced to prevent warpage.

With regard to bracing I dont really know, I'll look inside mine when
I get home and repost.

Epiolyman

I'm new here, so hi everyone.  I joined up because I'm interested in
the construction aspects of the olympic.  I'm a hobby musician and
instrument builder and thought I would turn my attention to a small
archtop.  I have a thing for smaller-bodied guitars.  My last completed
project was fixing up an old Harmony 165 with a smashed side and I'm
currently about half way though scratch building my own version of the
Norman Blake 000 (slot head, 12 fret neck, 14 fret body).  I'm also a
fan of mahogany guitars in general.  I much prefer them to rosewood and
maple.  Anyway, I have a few questions in case anyone knows the answers:

I'm aware of David Rawlings, but do you know of any other professionals
who use small archtops?  What genre(s) of music do folks generally play
on these?

Is there anyone out there currently building similar guitars (small
bodied archtop with mahogany back and sides)?

I'm going to end up doing a carve top (w/ tone bars)and carved back,
but I'm curious about the olympic.  Were the top or back pressed or
carved?  Was the top braced?

I see no truss rod.  Was the neck reinforced in any way?

Thanks in advance.

-Brad

Kevin,

I appreciate the feedback.  You've been very helpful.  Any Idea who
the Nashville Luthier is in this website picture and how to contact?

Jim

--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, Kevin DeVille
<kevdev01@...> wrote:
>
> Thats way too much money, check out the alternatives like a Gibson
or Kalamazoo 30's archtop  http://ngvi.ebay.com/vi?
ngvi&backtoid=3&ppsp=0&li=1&pdp=0&sspagename=WDVW&dsr=0&item=280204301
023&backto=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%2Fgibson-
archtop_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenum
Z1QQdfspZ1QQfromZR10QQguestZ1QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZQ2d1&pass=1F0gNXsuBjLQ
s0P1xkXIaB5UnqI%3D  a lot less money, but it may get the sound
>
>   Kevin
>

Good questions.  Probably not worth it.  The 1935 is my preference.
Seems like it could be a long wait though.  Just checking the
alternatives.  There's also a 1943 on the Intermountain guitar & banjo
site.  Any thoughts on quality/value if I decide to settle for what's
out there?  Seems expensive but looks in pretty good shape.

Hey you all....give me your sense on this one.  I just play and am not
very technically inclined with guitar repair/setup.  Check out the 1944
Olympic on the Gruhn guitar web site
(www.gruhn.com/catalog/flat.htm#ar).  It indicates the need for a neck
set and fret work.  I called the guy and he emphasized that this was
an "as is" purchase and suggested that the guitar was not very
playable.  Sure looks cool (neat coloration).  Seems like a neck set
and fret work is not too big a deal.  Your thoughts?

Im sure there are other differences but for me, it's the smaller body
size......I think about 13".  Correct?

Mine is a 1942 Olympic archtop.... Not that I'm selling, but what are
the differences between that and a 1935?
Roger
--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, Kevin DeVille
<kevdev01@...> wrote:
>
> Good luck, I havent seen a 1935 on ebay with the rawlings specs since
I've been looking for about 3 years.
>
>   Kevin
>

I would like to purchase a 1935 Olympic.  Anyone know of one available?

Hi.. Just found this group.  I have a Epi Olympic s/n 17940, so I
guess that makes it around a 1942.  Was my dads, and I presume he was
the original owner.  He passed on 21 years ago, and the guitar is my
fondest memory of him.
I play very little but am getting more interested now that I have some
time.
It does need some new strings... he had steel strings on it... what
should I string it with?  Beginner question, I know...
Also, I will get and post some pics if you are interested.
Roger

Olympic on ebay alert!

Its listed as "Vintage Epiphone Guitar"  The Olympic appears only in
the description, looks like it could be a 1935-1936.  Large fholes,
White binding, larger body.  Only $700.00.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190172267085

Kevin

hi

hi

Hi everyone,

A few months ago my dad found an Olympic in a consignment shop.  No
strings and no bridge, but the name caught his eye.  Apparently he
knows the store owner very well and they actually gave it to him.
Nice score huh?  And then he gave it to me in hopes that I'd make the
most of it.

Anyway, it seems to be a 1935 model, #8695.  I'm glad to have found
this group.  I will post some photos tonight.  Overall the guitar's in
good shape.  It's a beautiful burst, and the cracking in the finish is
awesome.  The binding is a little separated in spots, but nothing too
bad.  All of the parts look original; even the pickguard!

I'm looking forward to restoring it very much, and I thought this
would be a good resource and place to share the results of my efforts.
  I know that most of the work will need to be done on the neck.  The
heel is separated from the body and the frets have pulled off of the
edges of the fretboard a bit.  In addition, it appears as though
someone thought it would be a good idea to sandpaper the fretboard,
against the grain. Oh yes, and I need to fashion a bridge somehow.  I
purchased one on Ebay, but it's definitely too high and will need to
be ground down.  Unless it's the neck that's the problem(?)

And let me add that it is not for sale, just to make it clear that I'm
not on here looking for buyers!  It's too serendipitous that it came
into my hands free of charge.  I've been playing for a long time, but
only in the past year have I been getting into the DIY side of being a
guitarist.  And what's great about the Olympic as far as a project is
that it's not a 1935 Martin; that is, I'm not frightened to touch the
thing!

If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to email me!

Thank you,
-Tim
Clifton, NJ

Kevin,
I missed the end of the auction yesterday, but am intereted. Are you
going to relist? Can I ask what the reserve was?
Wabba



--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, Kevin DeVille
<kevdev01@...> wrote:
>
> thanks
>
>   kevin
>

Very sorry to hear that.


--- In epiphoneolympicarchtop@yahoogroups.com, Kevin DeVille
<kevdev01@...> wrote:
>
> yeah, I need to pay for funeral.
>
>   kevin
>

Hi Kev,
Have you listed that last olympic you bought on ebay? See the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1932-Epiphone-Olympic-Archtop-
Guitar_W0QQitemZ280148831255QQihZ018QQcategoryZ33023QQssPageNameZWDVWQQ
rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If so you midd me asking whay you are letting it go?
Wabba

HI:

I just posted some new photos of a 1932 olympic in the photo section.
Its in very good condition.  Check it out.

Kevin

Check it out gang:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1935-epiphone-olympic-in-
case_W0QQitemZ290144599271QQihZ019QQcategoryZ33023QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2
VQQcmdZViewItem.

Looks like large fholes, not the smaller ones Mr. Rawlings has, Looks
like its refinished,  Looks like the wrong tailpeice,  looks like white
binding, I asked about dimensions but no reponse yet.

Kevin