Custom "Travis" archtop

harvl · #1 02-20-2011, 04:10 PM

This is a copy (not exact) of a Super 400 that was made for Merle Travis. What is unique is the top is maple rather than spruce. Merle did this to create a solidbody sustain with the big archtop look and feel. The center of the top isn't carved on the inside of the top so there is a lot of mass under the pickups and bridge. What is different from Merle's guitar is the front master volume (above the pickguard) Merle had a "kill" switch, he felt a master volume changed the tone.

Marley · #2 02-20-2011, 04:56 PM

Incredible guitar right here

ghudson · #3 02-20-2011, 06:09 PM

Now THAT is a beauty!

Duncan121 · #4 02-20-2011, 06:42 PM

That's a dream come true..Terrific!

harvl · #5 02-21-2011, 12:34 PM

Thanks guys! I always like doing an occasional archtop because there is an added degree of old world craftsmanship involved... I get to feel a bit more like a sculptor

Harv