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#2
04-23-2014, 10:34 AM
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Living or dead? I'll start the bidding with...
D'Angelico D'Acquisto Monteleone Zeidler Benedetto ...but ya know, I haven't played any of their guitars. Just going on reputation alone. Let the discussion commence... 
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#4
04-23-2014, 10:51 AM
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I made such a list a few years back when I started my search for my first archtop. Here it is (a subjective opinion of course and not the last word on the subject I'm sure)
Benedetto - On my second instrument from him. Buscarino (yes, I'm Italian and have a built in bias) Campellone Moll Holst Many more of equal ability but I had to pick five. Cincy
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#6
04-23-2014, 11:47 AM
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Based on what? Quantity? Quality? Tone? All of these but quantity are subjective.
I vote Gibson for spot # 1 because they invented, refined, and perfected the archtop guitar over the years. Not to mention they've made some of the most beautiful - I defy anyone to find a guitar that surpasses the beauty of a 1920's Loar L-5! And they've probably produced more than anyone as well. I don't currently own one, but I have owned a few and would gladly add another Gibson to my small stable, especially a vintage one. Whether or not you like where the company has gone since the Golden Age, no archtop discussion is complete without mentioning Gibson. Spots 2 through 5 are just personal preference, which I'll keep to myself since everyone has their own preferences anyway.
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Life is good! Last edited by backdrifter; 04-23-2014 at 11:59 AM.
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#7
04-23-2014, 06:38 PM
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Quote:
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An old Gibson and a couple of old Martins; a couple of homebrew Tele's
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#9
04-23-2014, 09:17 PM
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Don't think I'm qualified to identify THE top 5 but here are my top 5 favorites:
1. Bob Benedetto - not sure if he is building much himself these days, but a pioneer in many respects and a darn nice human being 2. Linda Manzer - Innovative and highly sought after 3. Steve Holst - Does it all from carving his own tops and backs to pressing his own laminated plates...and still a wonderful bargain 4. Dale Unger - disciple of Bob Benedetto and Dick Boak, his guitars are beautiful, affordable and legendary 5. Erich Solomon - Innovative, beautiful and unique...definitely on my "someday it will be mine...oh yes...it will be mine" list
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“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself” — Miles Davis.
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#10
04-24-2014, 03:03 AM
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If we're talking individual currently working luthiers and not factory made guitars (like Gibson and Heritage) my thoughts turn in a few different directions when discussing "top". My nods to the past of course go to John D'Angelico, Lloyd Loar (Gibson) and Charles Stromberg.
Of those archtop luthiers currently working: The most artistic in his projects.... John Monteleone John Monteleone Luthier http://www.monteleone.net/ New York The most influential (and really a small factory builder for many years) Bob Benedetto Benedetto Guitars http://benedettoguitars.com/ Georgia The most innovative in his construction.... Ken Parker Ken Parker Archtops http://kenparkerarchtops.com/ Massachusetts The 5-luthiers listed below all produce instruments that I believe are made: 1) with top-notch craftsmanship 2) with an aesthetic sensibility that appeals to me 3) based upon their evolutionary take on luthiers who came before them Steve Anderson Anderson Stringed Instruments http://www.andersenguitars.com/ Washington John Buscarino Buscurino Guitars http://www.buscarino.com/ North Carolina Mark Campellone M. Campellone Guitars http://www.mcampellone.com/ Rhode Island Bill Comins Comins Guitars http://www.cominsguitars.com/comins-handcrafted/home Pennsylvania Bryant Trenier Trenier Guitars http://trenierguitars.com/ New York
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings…
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#11
04-24-2014, 04:20 AM
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Quote:
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#13
04-25-2014, 08:45 AM
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This thread embodies everything that I love and hate about internet forums.
Love: direct connection with folks who have knowledge and personal experience different from mine. I love that I get to talk archtops with real musicians who actually own and play great instruments from the likes of Collings, Campellone, etc. Thank you. Hate: repeating of opinions from folks who heard something from some guy on the internet, who himself heard something from some guy on the internet, who himself heard something... you get the idea. Although I can fall into hypocrisy like all good humans, I really try to only comment on topics where I have personal experience or a little knowledge outside the ordinary. This thread would be better with a slightly different title, like FIVE FAVORITE BUILDERS. Then we could all comment intelligently, give the reasons for our preferences, and not force us to pretend to have knowledge greater than actual.
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