#1
|
|||
|
|||
Your favourite archtops
Hi fellows, I was curious about getting an archtop later.
I was wondering what your favourite archtops are or any recommendations. Doesn't matter if you once owned, it gassing after it or own it ! And...this thread is worthless without pics. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I like Ken Parker's work alot, and alot of the early Gretsch archtops
Ken's website http://www.kenparkerarchtops.com/ |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
This is my favorite archtop, and my favorite guitar. I built it for myself a few years ago.
__________________
"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." --Paul Simon |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Always, I have to ask, "Favorite for what music?" <g>
For plugged-in, 1950 Honky Tonk, I dearly love my Kay Catalina with floating DeArmond p.u. slid up to the end of the fretboard. Round nickel wound T-I Jazz Bebop strings. For general thump and attack, the DeArmond X-155 is nice with the two p.u.s. Round nickel wound T-I Jazz Bebop strings. (Friend Bill Zombeck playing it.) For general barre and choppy chords, I like my Harmony arch top...bronze strings/ no p.u. (Friend Stan Milam playing it.) For 1920-1939 songs, I prefer my G-40 Maccaferri. Pearse silk and steel mediums. (Friend Al Sato playing it.) For accompanying other people, I like my Harmony tenor arch top. With its CGDA and four strings, that is a wide range with lots of room in the middle for other instruments. Ken C.
__________________
Martin 000-15S E-Guitar "Ken-Trapsion" Dean Playmate Gibson J-45 Rosewood Gibson J-50 Mahogany G-40 Maccaferri arch top (3 ea.) Kay Catalina arch top w/DeArmond floating p.u. Harmony arch top Silvertone (Kay) flat top Framus 12-string Harmony tenor arch top Gakki Yamaha FG-140 DeArmond arch top And 14 misc.ukes. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I ain't never played one but I am guessing if I did a 1940s Stromberg Master 400 would be my favorite.
Until then my 1930s Kay Kraft "Venetian" will have to do. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I love archtops. I really don't have a favorite. Currently I have one, a Hofner Jazzica Custom with hand rubbed violin finish that I'm quite happy with. I'd also like to try a new Godin 5th Avenue. And, I've been gassing for an Epiphone Emperor Regent as well. I like the floating, single pickup arrangement on archtops the best.
Here's my Hofner...
__________________
Kevin |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
An archtop that does bottleneck/fingerstyle.......
..........can be seen by fast-forwarding to the 3:40 mark of this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Gho...eature=related A description and demonstration will answer the the question! Enjoy. HE |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Well, I've played a few of these at Michael Lewis' shop while he did some repair work for me. Pretty amazing...flawless workmanship. I don't know enough about archtops to make camparisons, but every one I played was a fine guitar.
Michael Lewis Archtops |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Here is my current (electric) archtop:
It is a custom guitar made by Steve Holst. It has laminated top and back plates (pressed by Steve), mahogany neck, ebony fret board, and koa binding. The body has a 16" lower bout with a 2.75" depth. It has a hand wound Kent Armstrong PAF style pickup. I'm extremely happy with my Holst but if I were to buy another guitar down the road, I have had my eye on this one (Ribbecke Halfling):
__________________
“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself” — Miles Davis. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I picked up this Gibson Wes Montgomery Custom Shop L-5 three years ago and plan on keeping it. Very very nice.
|
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Another GORGEOUS guitar, Howard! I would like to play it someday!!
If I had the money, I'd probably commission one by Ken Parker - I like his philosophy. Just not his prices!
__________________
too many guitars and horses, too little time... |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
I've fallen in love with acoustic archtops. Here's a low-quality picture of my Verri:
Would love to have one of these, by Bill Comins: I like the simple geometry of Bryant Trenier's Magnolia Classic series: For something more modern, I like Josep Melo's designs: Here's one by Linda Manzer that almost looks too nice to play: |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Theres just something about the nostalgic old world finery and bling of archtops thats just so **** attractive.
I can't wait to start looking for custom archies in the next few months! |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Here is my Comins Classic, built in 1997. 18 inch European Maple back and sides (size and wood were both options), X braced sitka top, 25" scale, bound "Chuck Wayne" pickguard (also an option). The tailpiece is not stock, the Baggs Hex pickup needed grounding and I didn't want to modify the Comins tailpiece. I think this was the first lefty that Bill built (the guitar is #55). Bill Comins is a good guy and a great builder. His guitars are beautifully made and the sound is very fine. Bill is also still fairly reasonable price wise (I do smile when I look at my bill of sale from 1997, however!). I strongly recommend considering him when you want to pull the archtop trigger. I don't play this guitar out a great deal but had always dreamed of owning a handbuilt archtop as they are visually so compelling. This is the ONE guitar I own that my wife recognizes when I play it around the house (it is nicknamed "Big Blonde", not a very original name, but a correct moniker). BTW, the "other" guitar is a 1993 Collings 000-2H, which is a pretty snappy guitar itself! I don't have a picture of the Comins by itself. Jimmy
__________________
Avian Skylark Pono 0000-30 Gardiner Parlor Kremona Kiano Ramsay Hauser Cordoba C10 Chris Walsh Archtop Gardiner Concert Taylor Leo Kottke Gretsch 6120 Pavan TP30 Aria A19c Hsienmo MJ Ukuleles: Cocobolo 5 string Tenor Kanilea K3 Koa Kanilea K1 Walnut Tenor Kala Super Tenor Rebel Super Concert Nehemiah Covey Tenor Mainland Mahogany Tenor Mainland Cedar/Rosewood Tenor Last edited by jimmy bookout; 08-04-2008 at 08:54 PM. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I like my Samick JZ-4. If price is an issue consider one of these. If not, Gibson, Eastman, Herritage, etc.
http://www.jhalemusic.com/pages/samick.html
__________________
2005 Taylor 914CE 2003 Pavan TP-20 2004 Samick JZ4 Archtop 2005 Squire Fat Srat 2010 Laguna LD1 Little Brat |