#1
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acoustic archtop for unplugged fingerstyle?
Just getting back into guitars and I need one for acoustic purposes for worship - strictly unplugged. Don't need to rock the room but maybe one or two singers (also unplugged). I just love the arch top - oval and f hole models. Would one be suitable for acoustic finger style playing? And if so, what would you all recommend?
I have to admit I'm looking at those Eastman AR 804's.. and something similar.. Seen a few used floating around but... I'm open. thanks! |
#2
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I see that you aren't getting any replies so, if only to keep your request "on the front page", here's a link to Reverb with what looks like a few acoustic archtops. Good luck sir.
https://reverb.com/ca/marketplace/ac...uitars/archtop
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Neil M, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
#3
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I play an Eastman 805ce fingerstyle. Since I also plug it in from time to time I use relatively light gauge nickel strings, so the volume is not as strong as it would be if the guitar were set up for straight acoustic playing. Nevertheless the tone is rich and detailed and the volume is fine by me when it's just me in the guitar room.
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#4
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Welcome to the forum...
A couple suggestions, depending on how much you're inclined to spend:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#5
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I'm not a jazz guy at all, so my opinions are more "Mother Maybelle" in nature. I love the look of the Loar archtops, and I think they may come as close to sounding like a new Gibson L5 might have sounded in 1928 than just about anything else on the market.
As Mr. DeRosa mentioned, the Godin 5th Avenue acoustic archtop is really nice. To me, it seems to ring a bit more compared to the fast decay of the classic archtops. That might not be a bad thing for your purpose. The Godin is also very reasonably priced. I'm guessing since you mentioned fingerstyle guitar playing in worship services, you might not be intent on playing the typical jazz comping, chunky rhythms that are normally associated with archtops. If you haven't had much experience with these guitars, you may initially find yourself a bit at odds with their nature. One more thought. The Epiphone Masterbilt Century archtop line might be of interest to you. These are almost an archtop hybrid, from most folks' perspective. There is a certain coolness about them. They seem "not quite archtop, but not a flat top". But they are well built. I really like the big chunky neck profile, though would have preferred the 24.75 scale length. I had the little Olympic. I liked it but could not bring out the best in mine. However, with the right touch from a skilled player, it sounded great. I never liked their plugged in sound until the day I traded mine in...in the right hands it was very, very good. I think, for finger style unplugged playing, the new Deluxe model might be a fine choice. Here's a finger style, mic'd up example. If you can find acoustic archtops to play, that would be a very good thing. My local GC now almost always has a couple of the epiphones in stock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6RhA9M0OmM |
#6
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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. |
#7
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If you go Godin consider replacing the plastic bridge with a wooden one.
Really improves the tone. |
#8
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Big +1 on this. Also gets rid of the "ping" you hear on notes with the TUSQ bridge.
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#9
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Quote:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
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Tags |
acoustic, arch top, fingerstyle, oval, soundhole |
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