Anyone Using An Archtop For Something Other Than Jazz?

[Alan Carruth]

I've built a couple of archtop classical guitars that have succeded pretty well. They have a sort of 'lute-like' timbre, interestingly enough, but handle the standard repertoire OK. Just because most archtops are 'different' doesn't mean they all have to be.

[Misifus]

I can't believe this thread has gotten this far without someone mentioning the most atypical use of a flattop ever - Mother Maybelle Carter. She used a Gibson flattop on most of the popular Carter Family recordings.

-Raf

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Misifus

I can't believe this thread has gotten this far without someone mentioning the most atypical use of a flattop ever - Mother Maybelle Carter. She used a Gibson flattop on most of the popular Carter Family recordings.

-Raf

Raf,
Surely (I know that's not your name) you meant to say "....the most atypical use of an archtop ever", right?

HE

[Opa John]

Back in my Army days in the mid 60s (when I was still a real cute young guy ) I had an old beat up Gibson L-5 that I played EVERYTHING on. Folk, rock, country, blues......you name it. The only jazz piece I ever played on it was "Take 5".

I bought that old guitar for $17 because it was all I could afford at the time. I wish I still had it. Pretty sure it would be worth more than $17 today!

A man's got to do what a man's got to do!

[bohemian]

I have owned and fingerpicked archtops since 1965; the first being a mint L-48. I have enjoyed a cognac 5th Av for the last few years , considering another solid top.

[815C]

I play in a band that does a lot of MoTown (Let's Stay Together, Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay, What's Going On, Gimme One Reason, etc.). I play my Gibson L-5 on those tunes and the tone works great.

[Archtop Guy]

Here's my daughter and I doing Patsy Montana

I think archtops are unfairly stereotyped as jazz guitars. You can do anything on an archtop.

[zombywoof]

Been playing da' bluz on a ca. 1935 Kay round soundhole archtop for alot of years. Spruce top, birch back and sides and one of the last Kays to be built with the Zorzi adjustable neck.

[drive-south]

If you listen to early Dan Hicks recordings, you will hear the sound of carve-top guitars being used for Dan's unique stylings, which blend folk, western swing, and jazz.

[wcap]

Originally Posted by alembic1989

Hi,
I have used an archtop for many years to play my Indian music with. I started with a Framus, which I used for my first 2 albums...but now use a one off custom one with sympathetic strings.
I have many flattops too but prefer the more strident qualities of the trebles, on archtops.
My guitar can be see in action HERE

Cool! Very nice!

[drive-south]

Are we having fun yet?

This group appears to be having a blast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBGeQ0zSifc

[Misifus]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Raf,
Surely (I know that's not your name) you meant to say "....the most atypical use of an archtop ever", right?

HE

Ya got me!

-Ralph Spurgeon Seibert III (and that is my full name )

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Misifus

Ya got me!

-Ralph Spurgeon Seibert III (and that is my full name )

Hi Ralph,
I was referring to 'surely' not being your name, as in"...and don't call me Shirley".

You had to be there.

HE

[41Gretsch]

Originally Posted by disguiseglasses

Just curious to see if anyone is utilizing an acoustic archtop in a genre other than traditional jazz. If so, what genre, why the preference for an archtop, etc.?

A 41 Gretsch Synchromatic for blues. Because the sound is perfect.

[Wilko]

I like to use this 1961 L-4c for lots of stuff like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjgG2...eature=related