I think an archtop sounds lovely fingerpicked.
I owned a Loar 600 for a while, sold it because the V neck was uncomfortable to me. That guitar was a force when played though...loud, clear...you could fingerpick it for sure, but that guitar really wanted to be bashed with a good heavy pick. I assume that as it got older it would mellow out a bit and become more versatile, but as a young guitar it was brash and loud.
Eastman makes guitars by the "Benedetto" model, which are a little more polite sounding--I think they'd be great for fingerpicking.
And yes, do't rule out the Godin. They're surprisingly loud and nice sounding for being so small, and laminate. Definitely worth a look.
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