Archtops, archtops, how I love 'em. My passion for archtop guitars is similar to my interests in other guitars...tone and playability. Besides the ultra-cool factor of the way they look (love those f-holes), archtops have their places in a wide spectrum of musical styles. Western swing, jazz, blues, traditional country (Maybelle Carter played a Gibson L5 on a lot of those Carter Family recordings), cowboy tunes (Ranger Doug is a heckuva player...and plays archtops), and many more. I have seen photos of Cajun bands from the 1930's & 40's and the guitarists are playing archtops. I have an old Harmony archtop that is my camping guitar and it chunks out rhythm very nicely. I admore what Godin has been doing with the 5th Avenue guitars...they have made owning an archtop very affordable.
In the end though, you have to be happy with the tone and how it plays.
RobK
|