Andrew Mowry archtops?
 

Hi. I know Andrew's work as a mandolin builder, and I profiled him for Mandolin Magazine. But I've never seen or heard one of his archtop guitars. Anyone out there own one, or have played one enough to form an opinion?

TIA,

David McCarty

Hi, I’ve always wanted to try out Andrew’s work—the aesthetic fidelity to vintage Gibsons is striking and the craftsmanship is incredibly clean. I think the fellow who runs Carmel Music has had one or two of Andrew’s 16” archtops and would be a good contact. He’s also carried Steve Gilchrist’s similar instruments. Good luck and let us know what you find! —Richard

I was hoping there would be some response. I've been a little surprised there hasn't been much mention of archtops by mandolin makers since I started looking at this forum. Seems like a natural since the first archtops were built by a mandolin maker (right?) Besides Mowry' Bill Bussman of Old Wave comes to mind & I have an archtop from Bruce Weber, a recent acquisition that I'm loving playing but the only other archtop I've played was a 30's L50 at a music store so it's hard for me to draw much of a comparison there. Those Mowry's do look fine!

You should post a pic and tell us a little more about the Weber archtop. I wrote a very longwinded piece on an archtop by mandolin-maker Steve Gilchrist. I agree the overlaps are considerable.

I posted a thread a little while back https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=508832

* Found your Gilchrist thread, she's a beaut! I've never played a Gilchrist guitar or mando but I know the name is one of the most respected in the business. Way out of my league but then so is the Weber. Inspiring to attempt to play though. I'm at the point in life where I appreciate having nice instruments to play on and anyway, when the time comes they'll still be worth a bit so why not? I'd love to try one of those Mowry's too. I saw one of the GBOM's in the classifieds once & was sorely tempted. I bet the guitars would be wonderful.

Just another builder who knocks off pre war L5`s..

Wow, that's pretty dismissive of a well respected builder. You've played both the L-5 & a Mowry? I don't see anything wrong with a good builder borrowing from the classics, that's how instruments progress. I imagine Andrew Mowry adds his own ideas & on building but like the OP, it would be nice to hear from someone who's played one. It seems like there's no one on this forum who has though. Probably not many of them around.

I have played 2 non cut,there ok by like my pre war L5 much better..PS they are wonderful guitars, just not for me..

I agree. Nothing shameful or untoward about having an exterior shape modeled after a classic. In flattops, Collings became an established "A" brand by doing just that with guitars that look like Martins, although they have their own sound. Guitars, even electric solid bodies, tend to gravitate toward classic design paradigms.

While I do admire more the builders who introduce originality in their designs - exemplified in the extreme by Ken Parker - it's perfectly understandable why many, perhaps most, small builders choose to mimic the L-5 shape, since the classic look is what most archtop players are looking for when they purchase.

I'm more of a mandolin player than a guitar player. The Wintergrass Festival in Bellevue, WA is always a highlight of my year, and meeting up with Andrew Mowry and Austin Clark in the builder's room is always highlight of Wintergrass. Both those guys build exquisite mandolins and archtop guitar bodied octave mandolins. I've never played a guitar built by either but I know it would be great.

Mowry L-5
 

Andrew is shipping an L-5 style guitar to me today. If anyone would like photos, shoot me an email at: [email protected]

How's the Mowry?