Custom Archtop in the $5-10k Range?

[slinco]

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[iim7V7IM7]

Stay tuned...

[slongobardi]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

Hi,

First off, thanks very much for all of your suggestions. Some of them are a bit off target for what I am after (laminate instruments, some are international transactions and some top-tier priced luthiers which are priced above my budget).

After thinking a bit more about Mark Campellone's instruments, while beautiful; they really appear to be L-5s and his 16" instruments have 24.5" scales.I also was unable to make contact after an email a few days ago and a VM today. I finally received an e-mail this evening.

I was however able to speak with Steve Anderson, Bill Comins, Bill Moll and Dale Unger. All were a delight to speak with, knowledgeable and generous with there time. So two of these luthiers have the advantage of being within driving distance, one is in the Midwest and the other on the West coast. All four of them recommended a 16" instrument and a full 3" in depth.

Here are the instruments that I am considering:

American Archtop (Dale Unger) American Legend
Anderson Model 16
Comins Concert Archtop
Moll Classic Custom
Megas Athena (I need to speak with Ted)

The prices range between $6-$9k for what I am looking for and lead times are between 7 months to 15 months depending on the builder. Have any of you owned or auditioned any of these instruments? All are excellent I am sure, I really need to look into some details to distinguish them.

The local build advantage seems like and attactive aspect to me. Do you think that this is an important factor?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi, My name is Steve Longobardi and I have collected archtop guitars for years. I have owned D'Aquisto, Monteleone , Benedetto , D' Angelico
And many many other top builders. Currently, for the money
Trenier will build you the most responsive archtop
You can buy for 7k. I just completed a build of a 16-5/8 Trenier classic
And the guitar sound like my 1991 D'Aquisto excel. You need to play one of
His guitars , they are acoustic gems.

[sfden1]

Bob, may I suggest that before you make that kind of commitment you try a few out by a number of different builders? Given the high dollar amount your talking about for a custom made archtop, a trip to this years Healdsburg Guitar Festival might be in order. It would give you a chance to meet and talk to a number of different builders, including Benedetto, and try out a lot of different guitars. Here's a link to the current luthier line up. http://guitarfestival.lmii.com/parti...iers-2013.html

[billgennaro]

check out Gary Zimnicki's archtops.

here's a video to check out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ovBDjVCZU

[iim7V7IM7]

Comins Classic

- 16" x 3"
- 25" Scale
- 1-3/4" Nut
- Carpathian Spruce Top
- Western Bigleaf Maple Back & Sides
- Ebony Fingerboard, Finger Rest & Tailpiece
- Maple Binding Throughout
- Adjustable Pole Piece Kent Armstrong Custom Humbucker
- Finger Rest Mounted Volume & Tone Pots

[SuperB23]

Beautiful!!!!

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

Comins Classic

- 16" x 3"
- 25" Scale
- 1-3/4" Nut
- Carpathian Spruce Top
- Western Bigleaf Maple Back & Sides
- Ebony Fingerboard, Finger Rest & Tailpiece
- Maple Binding Throughout
- Adjustable Pole Piece Kent Armstrong Custom Humbucker
- Finger Rest Mounted Volume & Tone Pots

[reholli]

iim7v7im7...

That's a beautiful guitar!

If I said it at the time (last May), it's still a beautiful guitar!

I'm not often tempted by archtops, but yours just begs to be played!

[kirkham13]

The Comins looks great.

[mhs]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

I recommend checking out the guitars of Stephen Holst and Aaron Andrews.

I was on a gig a few months back and a guitarist came in with a Holst custom. One reason I recall it so well is because it was one of those rare 24" scale guitars (that I love to play), and it was also ~3+" deep. The other reason I recall it was because it was an astounding guitar to play and hear. That was the good news, the bad news was that I would barely let the guy sit in because I was too busy playing his guitar ;)

I think that's a pretty good recommendation. I'm not familiar with any of the other boutique instruments so can't comment.

[BluegrassPlayer]

Try Victor Baker. I'm on my second guitar from him and the experience is wonderful. He is a player and builds a very beautiful instrument with great communication every step of the way.

www.victorbaker.com

Brian

[oriv]

I too encourage you to check out Steve Holst.
http://www.pacinfo.com/~sholst/

He will build you anything you wish, his work is TERRIFIC. I own one and couldn't be happier.