Show Your Archtop Some Love!

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

I get a more than passable "early British Invasion" tone from flatwounds, as well -- would be better on a Gretsch or Rickenbacker, of course!

Definitely!

I think the Beatles used flatwounds on their acoustics on those early records too.

[Willie Voltaire]

Originally Posted by stormin1155

That's amazing!!

[Woolbury]

Here's my entry to arch tops. A ES125T(thin line), 1959, with a single P90. Listening to Kenny Burrell constantly, hoping to gain some licks by osmosis!

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Definitely!

I think the Beatles used flatwounds on their acoustics on those early records too.

Definitely flats on the P90-equipped Gibson J-160E's that John and George used.

I'm not sure what Paul used on the 1964 Epiphone Texan that he used on "Yesterday."

[DanR]

Here is my Kay Mercury. I can only pinpoint it's birth year as between '62 and '65.

[mr. beaumont]

Cool to see lots of "Kay love" in this thread.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

I get a more than passable "early British Invasion" tone from flatwounds, as well -- would be better on a Gretsch or Rickenbacker, of course!

The Beatles definitely used flatwounds on their electric instruments in the early days (most likely the Pyramid brand fitted as OEM on German-made Hofner instruments to this day), as did all the other first-wave British Invasion acts - the sound is unmistakable, and if you've been looking to cop that vibe with roundwounds it's not going to happen, period. Speaking as both a Gretsch and Rick owner (the former since 1964) who has been using flats since back in the day, don't sell them short on P-90 electrics - the boys used Epi Casinos from mid-1965, and not only can I get those Help/Rubber Soul era tones from my Godin CW II, but a very convincing approximation of George Harrison's Cavern Club single-cut Duo-Jet from my P-90 LP Studio; needless to say, if you own one of the Beatle guitars and an EL84 amp you owe it to yourself to try a set of flats - one of the iconic tones of rock, and greatly underappreciated in an era when tube amps are too often thought of in terms of massive amounts of gain and distortion...

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

The Beatles definitely used flatwounds on their electric instruments in the early days (most likely the Pyramid brand fitted as OEM on German-made Hofner instruments to this day), as did all the other first-wave British Invasion acts - the sound is unmistakable, and if you've been looking to cop that vibe with roundwounds it's not going to happen, period. Speaking as both a Gretsch and Rick owner (the former since 1964) who has been using flats since back in the day, don't sell them short on P-90 electrics - the boys used Epi Casinos from mid-1965, and not only can I get those Help/Rubber Soul era tones from my Godin CW II, but a very convincing approximation of George Harrison's Cavern Club single-cut Duo-Jet from my P-90 LP Studio; needless to say, if you own one of the Beatle guitars and an EL84 amp you owe it to yourself to try a set of flats - one of the iconic tones of rock, and greatly underappreciated in an era when tube amps are too often thought of in terms of massive amounts of gain and distortion...

Wow. Now that's passion.

[drgroovinmind]

Here's my 1924 Gibson L4. Check out some old Eddie Lang Tunes and that's the sound it has.

[Willie Voltaire]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

if you own one of the Beatle guitars and an EL84 amp you owe it to yourself to try a set of flats - one of the iconic tones of rock, and greatly underappreciated in an era when tube amps are too often thought of in terms of massive amounts of gain and distortion...

I share your reverence for flatwounds and single-ended tube amps, but don't paint current trends with too broad a brush. The mega-distortion guys are all using bi- and tri-amped SS modeling rigs these days. But bands like the Black Keys, Temples, Jack White, Shakey Graves, etc. are using vintage and classic gear, because they share our appreciation for those vintage and classic tones. (Some of) the kids are alright!

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by drgroovinmind

Here's my 1924 Gibson L4. Check out some old Eddie Lang Tunes and that's the sound it has.

Maybe the only 12 fret archtop?

Love the headstock & tuner buttons!

HE

[Spyvito]

1928 Gibson L4. Using SC Low Tension strings (these or Mids on all my guitars) although it came with flatwounds that sounded horrible. Probably because it takes a weightier set to move that thick carved top.

I am very surprised with how great it plays, use it mostly for strumming old standards. It is a 90 year old babe.

[Willie Voltaire]

WOW -- these vintage pieces are amazing! Thanks for posting!

[Livingston]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Heritage 575



Godin Kingpin



1950's Kay

Loves me some archtop!

Wonderful guitars and beautiful, masterful playing! Thanks for posting your videos!

[mr. beaumont]

Thank you!