Can you tell me a little about archtop acousitc guitars?

[capemjs]

Played a cheap Godin today and loved it's sound and vibe to replace a flattop acoustic. Seemed to handle all styles well (fingerstyle and light strumming), why do most people play jazz exclusively on these? Or am I mistaken??

Currently I'm hunting for one on Kijiji, I have a limit around 1K but see some vintage ones around 500-700... problem is I know squat about them.

Are they all solid wood instruments? Laminate? Do most people just stick to Jazz on them?

Curious... very curious!!

[brian a.]

There are others that know a lot more about archtop guitars than me, but I will venture some answers to your questions.

Like flat top guitars, archtop guitars can be made out of solid woods, laminated woods or a combination of the two.

Many Jazz guitarist over the decades have used archtop guitars because the notes decay quickly. Or conversely, the notes have limited sustain.

This varies from model to model and over the decades the woods used have change in some models, too.

I have seen most genres of music played on archtops; jazz, blues, folk, country, cowboy, etc. But mostly Jazz.

If you can, get out and play as many as possible.

There have been some other Threads recently discussing vintage archtops. Check them out, too.

[J Patrick]

...archtops are making a re-entry into the acoustic guitar world...lots of folks are using them for styles other than jazz...even some singer/songwriter types are using them now....good values can be had on new imported archtops from Eastman and The Loar...solid wood models can be had used at or just below 1000 dollars...i like them for playing with other players using flat tops as they have a contrasting voice but i do play some solo stuff on them as well...i personally have handpicked some old vintage Kays that can be had for not much money but almost always need a neck reset and setup to be playable...they have solid wood tops that were pressed not carved into shape...they can sound really good or not so good and if i was looking around these days i'd look at the import lines unless i had the scratch for a good vintage Gibson or Epiphone...

[DesertTwang]

I'm new to archtops, too. Fell in love with Dave Rawlings' sound and playing, and was fortunate enough to score the same kind of guitar he has, a vintage Epiphone Olympic. It's in good shape and just a joy to play. My Martin dreadnought has not left the case in a month. I feel really bad about that, but this little archtop is just too much fun. I'm discovering a whole new way of playing, sort of in between a mandolin and a guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxPTQDP2bRQ

[JCave]

I've a Godin Kingpin that I really enjoy. However, that plastic bridge had to go so I upgraded to rosewood. I'm finally seeing a few on C/L for decent prices.

[capemjs]

Thanks guys... that's a good point about the notes decaying quickly, although these all solid wood archtops from Eastman seem to have a real nice resonance to them!

From what I'm hearing the all mahogany model is pretty good sounding.

[Athana]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

I'm new to archtops, too. Fell in love with Dave Rawlings' sound and playing, and was fortunate enough to score the same kind of guitar he has, a vintage Epiphone Olympic. It's in good shape and just a joy to play. My Martin dreadnought has not left the case in a month. I feel really bad about that, but this little archtop is just too much fun. I'm discovering a whole new way of playing, sort of in between a mandolin and a guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxPTQDP2bRQ

The combination of these two guitars sounds nice.

[bohemian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwm9cP9a5mk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNYg4eJCnQo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZdvScADMqk

[Steve DeRosa]

This might help:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=300168

[capemjs]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

This might help:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=300168

Beautiful!! Thanks!