Up North Strings

Service and Sales of Stringed Instruments

silloette of child violinist www.upnorthstrings.com

About us
Virtual String Shop
Custom Instruments
Laminated Guitar Plates
Traverse City Area Music
Links

kenmckay@hotmail.com


Laminated guitar plates for luthiers, engineered to make electric instruments have that ping.

  Zimnicki archtop
"it don't mean a thing if it aint got that ping"

These are Boutique quality plates. Designed by luthiers for luthiers.  Each plate is formed by laminating and vacuum pressing 5 layers of high quality veneer into the shape of an arched guitar. We use glue that dries hard and won't creep. The layers are thin so wood movement won't create problems years down the road. The face veneers are fancy and usually one piece curly maple but other woods can be used.   
Please email me kenmckay@hotmail.com.


Prices
Double Cutaway plates for ES 335 style guitars $95.00 each or $235.00 for two plates with laminated sides *
*made to the exact plan of www.guitarplansunlimited.com ES 335 style guitar.
Single Cutaway Plates for archtop guitars - will fit 16 or 17 inch patterns 95.00 top or back.
Email me kenmckay@hotmail.com and I will send you an invoice. Paypal accepted.

Custom made, please email to order a set, and allow a couple weeks to receive them hot off the press.


A New product in development! Holowbody Archtop Tele-Style Guitar Bodies!!! Just add a neck, electronics, your expert set-up, finish, and you've got hollow twang!

Update March 2010
Making of the plate molds is proceding well. I am carving them with real sharp tools and they should be done soon. I am also jigging up for the body manufacture process. I have gotten several interested makers but I am always interested to hear from you.
see more graphic mock ups
Featuring:A body made like an archtop guitar with bent-laminated sides, applied kerfing, and my custom laminated arched plates, assembled into a telecaster body.  An ES 335 block-through-center design will be an option to the full hollow-body with a parellel braced on the top.These bodies will be fully bound top and back with your choice white or black binding. The side will match the top and back wood.  A neck pocket will be routed to allow the proper angle for a tun-o-matic or floating archtop bridge with tailpiece.  f-holes and two humbucker cavities can be routed.  Please inquire if you would like to make one. I am seeking an experienced maker or assembler for beta testing. kenmckay@hotmail.com

Some of the finest makers use our custom laminated guitar plates.



This one is on FIRE!!!!!

zimnicki archtop

Fine custom guitarmaker Gary Zimnicki uses Up North Strings laminated plates. He can make your dream guitar.
 www.zimnicki.com