Thinking about an Archtop

I have been toying the last few days with the idea of getting an acoustic archtop. Anyone experienced with one of these? What are the pro and cons?

Definitely play before you buy.

I am only conversant with tone bar braced archtops and not modern X braced models.

Most have a dry tone with rapid decay as opposed to the sustain you may be familiar with from flattop acoustics.

Some 1940s Gibson archtops I have played were more akin to tunable washboards than sweet and mellow guitars. Remember that the primary use for most was as part of the Rhythm section in bands dominated by horns.

You should play some if at all possible and decide if you want:

- Spruce or maple top
- Cutaway or non
- 16" or 17" (or even 18") body
- 24.75" or 25.5" scale length
- Floating pickup for amplified use

All these factors will impact playability and/or sound to some degree. There's no right or wrong, but playing a bunch of different ones can help you figure out what's best for YOU. Best of luck in your search, CS

I have a Godin 5th Avenue, and it is SO SWEET. Pure archtop acoustic bliss. Try one at a store near you!

I had the opportunity to pick this Gibson Custom Shop L-7 a few months ago. I wasn't sure how I'd like it. It took me a couple of days to get use to it but man, what tone. It doesn't ring out like a flat top. It has a warmer, more organic kind of tone. This particular guitar is big so it really blows out the lower end notes. Like others have said, go play some before you buy, because if you don't have any experience with archtop acoustics, (like me) it definitely is a different animal than what you're used to playing.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/IMGP1157.JPG

I had the opportunity to pick this Gibson Custom Shop L-7 a few months ago. I wasn't sure how I'd like it. It took me a couple of days to get use to it but man, what tone. It doesn't ring out like a flat top. It has a warmer, more organic kind of tone. This particular guitar is big so it really blows out the lower end notes. Like others have said, go play some before you buy, because if you don't have any experience with archtop acoustics, (like me) it definitely is a different animal than what you're used to playing.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/IMGP1157.JPG

Beautiful guitar there. I may take a trip over the the Chicago Music Exchange and try out a few this weekend.

In the 80's I had an Ibanez jazz box similar to the L-7 (above). Mine was electric with 2 hummbuckers. I loved that guitar.

Just recently I have been trying out some new archtops. I like the Godin 5th Avenue & the Washburn HB-15. I plan on trading in my flatop on one of them. I'm on a budget so these are in the $400-$600 range.

Endzone> You have a beautiful guitar.

Although I tried and tried, I had alot of trouble making peace with an archtop. The best I played were punchy with real strong mids.
On the down side, with the exception of some real high dollar instruments, they lacked warmth and had the quickest note decay I have ever heard.

For me the answer was a round soundhole archtop. I own two but my favorite is a little el cheapo mid-1930s Kay. Tonally, it does not fit into any mold. It is not at all like f-hole arhctops and not really like a flat top either. It has the punch, quickness and mids of an archtop and the woodiness and fatness of a flat top. Very cool looking Oahu headstock which, in my opinion, lines the strings up better than any Martin or Gibson. This model also has the Zorzi adjustable neck which works like a dream.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/kay_K-2_Front-1.jpg

i like to have an example (or two) of each type of guitar ...http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YeJzt63xtWM/S7Qzj1mRUuI/AAAAAAAABvo/n0xlnLyc7Mc/emp.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YeJzt63xtWM/S7Qzj1mRUuI/AAAAAAAABvo/n0xlnLyc7Mc/emp.jpg
I have the same Emperor Regent, but in a (nicely aged) blond finish. It's been my back-up jazz guitar for about a decade now. Excellent value IMO, especially used. -- CS

Look into the Eastman Uptowns. I am partial to the oval sound hole models. They sound pretty amazing.
There are also for about half the amount the Gretsch archtops, and the Godin 5th Ave series.
I love acoustic archtops. A totally different sound.
+10 on the Play before you buy. They are not all made equal. Might be tough unless your local dealers have a decent stock of these. Not many in my neck of the woods.

Edgar,

you say "acoustic" archtop. I'm assuming that means you'll be looking or a guitar that is sans-pickup?

here's the deal. If you want an archtop with a pickup for jazz playing, there's literally 100's of good choices ranging from the "passable" that will get the job done to the "amazing" that will cost more thanyour car. that's okay though, it means that at every budget level, there's something that works and can get you that "sound."

all acoustic archtops are a different beast. few folks make 'em, they ain't cheap for the most part, and well...the sound of even a good one is an acquired taste!

The Gibson shown above is a lovely guitar--it really is. you'll play one and feel all the vibe and mojo you can stand. It's also horrendously overpriced, IMHO, when you look at some of the things small archtop builders like campellone are putting out. I had the privledge to play one of his guitars last year, and it's an experience I won't soon forget. This particular model would have saved me 2k over that L-7.

Even if you're not playing jazz on it, I highly highly suggest you join over at http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum and get more opinions on small builders from the many knowledgable folks there. I'm not saying you're getting bad advice here, but I think a second opinion is important. Many cats are making guitars in the 3-5k range that are just about as nice as it gets--if you're going to spend the money, look at what these guys have to offer-please!

But let's say you're a regular guy who doesn't have two mortgage payments to blow on a guitar--are there choices still? yeah, there are. Lots of Chinese made stuff, the Godin Fifth Avenue (which, while I love my single pickup Kingpin model, isn't exactly an acoustic tone machine)

the big thing is going to be, if you want this as an ACOUSTIC instrument--first thing (before solid wood tops) is you want to see no routed pickups. Then solid woods come into play. A floating pickup will not affect the sound of an archtop, BUT, a solid top and a floating pickup can be a recipe for feedback if you're at all intersted in plugging in.

Even if you're not playing jazz on it, I highly highly suggest you join over at http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum

Thanks for that link. As I have talked over with before I have no desire to become a jazz guitarist, but I am leaning more and more toward studying jazz guitar to become a better all around player. Actually, it is hard to avoid it. Funny thing is I am enjoying listening to jazz guitar lately more than usual.

The new Loar archtops are just amazing. They got the tone, playability, feel and look just right for a very nice price.