I can relate to this topic, coming up in NJ in the 70's, learning from Italian-American teachers when the Mel Bay books had a D'Angelico New Yorker on the cover. But playing a semi-hollow or a flattop, I never learned any special archtop tricks. The jazz greats I was so lucky to hear all played amplified with the tone we heard from the 50's on.
Absolutely the electric calls for a lighter touch, the amp does half the work! I play with fingers rather than a pick, so my approach is different. But playing amplified archtop vs. acoustic, flattop even, I've learned that what matters with both is playing cleanly and smoothly, and managing sustain & ringing notes. That is, it's both your attack and muting notes.
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