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  #31  
Old 05-02-2014, 06:33 PM
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iim7V7IM7 iim7V7IM7 is offline
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You mean Mark Lacey...builds very nice guitars

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Originally Posted by Archtop Guy View Post
I played this Mark Lacy archtop today at Gryphon Stringed Instruments:

Lacy Orpheus

Feather weight, responsive to soft or hard touch, beautiful. Even reasonably priced. Top of the mark quality.

I'm surprised Mark hasn't been on anyone's list yet.
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  #32  
Old 05-02-2014, 08:07 PM
backdrifter backdrifter is offline
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Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7 View Post
You mean Mark Lacey...builds very nice guitars
Well worth correcting him on. I had no idea who he meant.

Years ago I played the black Lacey at Gruhn. My memory has since faded, but I remember being impressed.
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  #33  
Old 05-03-2014, 05:08 AM
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While I previously listed my 5-favorites, as a handy resource, here are some links to 28 well established USA based archtop luthiers (there are many more of course).

USA East (14)

Bob Benedetto
Benedetto Guitars
http://benedettoguitars.com/
Georgia

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

Mark Lacey
Lacey Guitars
http://www.laceyguitars.com/
Tennessee

Bernie Lehmann
Lehmann Stringed Instruments
http://www.lehmannstrings.com/
New York

Christian Mirabella
Mirabella Guitars
http://www.mirabellaguitars.com/
New York

John Monteleone
John Monteleone Luthier
http://www.monteleone.net/
New York

Gary Mortoro
Mortoro Guitars
http://www.mortoroguitars.com/pages/main.html
Florida

Brad Nickerson
Nickerson Guitars
http://www.nickersonguitars.com/
North Carolina

Ken Parker
Ken Parker Archtops
http://kenparkerarchtops.com/
Massachusetts

Erich Solomon
Solomon Guitars
http://www.solomonguitars.com/
New Hampshire

Bryant Trenier
Trenier Guitars
http://trenierguitars.com/
New York

Dale Unger
American Archtop
http://www.americanarchtop.com/
Pennsylvania

USA Midwest (6)

Denny Kopp
Kopp Archtops
http://kopparchtops.com/
Ohio

Steve Marchione
Marchione Guitars
http://www.marchione.com/
Texas

Ed Schaefer
Schaefer Guitars
http://www.schaeferguitars.com/wordpress/
Texas

Ryan Thorell
Thorell Guitars
http://thorellguitars.com/
Utah

Jim Triggs
Triggs Guitars
http://www.triggsguitars.com/
Kansas

Gary Zimnicki
Zimnicki Guitars
http://www.zimnicki.com/
Michigan

USA West (6)

Steve Anderson
Anderson Stringed Instruments
http://www.andersenguitars.com/
Washington

Steve Grimes
Grimes Guitars
http://www.grimesguitars.com/
Hawaii

Saul Koll
Koll Guitar Company
http://www.kollguitars.com/
Oregon

Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis Instruments
http://www.michaellewisinstruments.com/
California

Ted Megas
Megas Guitars
http://www.megasguitars.com/
Oregon

Tom Ribbecke
Ribbecke Guitars
http://www.ribbecke.com/
California
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  #34  
Old 12-01-2014, 01:01 AM
kkfan kkfan is offline
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Originally Posted by backdrifter View Post
Just to contribute the thoughts of another....

A few years ago, I purchased a Benedetto Frank Vignola Standard signature guitar from an optometrist in Ohio. He was a very interesting gentleman, and I wish we had had more time to converse. He seemed to have quite the collection. He had also owned a Benedetto Frank Vignola Deluxe (similar to the one that I bought, but with maple/German combo). He also owned the Benedetto Satin Doll (do a search if interested, it is currently for sale), a gorgeous parlor sized Golden Period instrument built by Bob himself. He also owned a Monteleone, among many others that I can't remember. He said unequivocally, his favorite archtop that he had ever played was his Steve Grimes guitar. I've never played a Grimes or even seen one in person, but after hearing that I will go out of my way to try one if I ever have the chance.

Very interesting indeed!
That's very interesting. Did the optometrist say which Grimes model he owned?

Looking at the Grimes website, it seems that his most expensive guitar is still less than half the price of the most expensive Benedetto archtop. Any ideas why the Benedetto is so expensive?

Last edited by kkfan; 12-01-2014 at 01:15 AM.
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  #35  
Old 12-01-2014, 01:14 AM
kkfan kkfan is offline
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Originally Posted by Archtop Guy View Post
Lucky me that I can comment on these!



I am a huge admirer of D'Aquisto, even though I have only played a half dozen or so. Starting with his work with D'Angelico, he not only updated the design and style aspects of the guitar considerably, he revoiced the instrument to cover many different kinds of music. He pretty much invented the modern archtop IMO. His influence is pervasive. If you've ever played a Andersen, Manzer, Walker, Trenier, or Collings or any of the modern makers, you've heard the influence of his sound. By all means keep your eye out for any opportunity to play one. For me it was a religious experience.



I owned a Grimes Montreux for about 10 years. It was a fantastic guitar. It was x-braced, very light weight, very much in the style of an 80's D'Aquisto, with Steve's personal aesthetic and musical touch. I sold it around 2009. I don't have all the money or all the space in the world so although it was a tough decision, I don't regret it. I would rate Steve and his guitars quite high in the world ranking too.

As a side note, I really respect Benedetto for all the archtop evangelizing he has done, he has had a very positive influence. But I have never played one of his guitars that really moved me. But I acknowledge that what we all like is pretty personal and subjective. No doubt that he is greatest marketing guy in the history of archtops.
Archtop Guy,

From the contents of many of your posts in this forum, you come across as a highly experienced archtop player. Therefore, your opinion may be very valuable to those, like myself, just beginning in this field. So, if you don't mind, how about listing for us your 5 favorite modern archtop makers?

Many thanks!
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  #36  
Old 12-01-2014, 12:21 PM
Archtop Guy Archtop Guy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kkfan View Post
Archtop Guy,

From the contents of many of your posts in this forum, you come across as a highly experienced archtop player. Therefore, your opinion may be very valuable to those, like myself, just beginning in this field. So, if you don't mind, how about listing for us your 5 favorite modern archtop makers?

Many thanks!
Wow, kkfan, love the compliment, but I think I'll decline your request.

We live in the new golden age of archtops. There are more makers, producing a wider variety of high quality instruments than ever before. And the great vintage instruments are still available! There are so many great makers, and so few that I've spent enough time with that any list I make would be leaving out many who deserve more attention.

And what any of us like is subjective. Our lists say more about ourselves than about the names on the list. You all on the forum already know enough about me from my posts, my website, and my YouTube channel.

So just get out there at every opportunity and play any archtop you can find! I think no matter where you live you can find great instruments.

BTW, always available for PM. Welcome to the world of archtops!
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  #37  
Old 12-12-2014, 10:41 AM
teleboli teleboli is offline
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All the 'top' builders have been mentioned already. What I can say is that I have a 17'' Andersen . IMO you will find different than an Andersen obviously. You will not find better.

Almost all of these chaps have wait lists of at least a year, just FYI.

I got my Andersen used and jumped at it. It's $8000. plus shipping plus etc new.
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  #38  
Old 12-12-2014, 11:39 AM
kayakman kayakman is offline
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Which Anderson do you have??
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  #39  
Old 12-12-2014, 03:18 PM
Bluemonk Bluemonk is offline
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Originally Posted by kayakman View Post
Which Anderson do you have??
I shouldn't presume to speak for teleboli, but he spelled it "Andersen," which suggests that it's Steve Andersen out of Seattle. The fact that he said "you will not find better" suggests likewise.
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  #40  
Old 12-12-2014, 04:01 PM
teleboli teleboli is offline
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Default Andersen

That's correct Bluemonk, Steve Andersen. It's a Model 17/blonde ,with a set bucker and 25'' scale. I didn't want a floater or 25 1/2 scale as I wanted a slightly warmer tone if called upon.

I toy with selling it now and again but then I play it and, well..........
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  #41  
Old 12-13-2014, 11:08 AM
backdrifter backdrifter is offline
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Andersen makes beautiful guitars! I've always really admired the "Streamline" model - one of the biggest bangs for the buck in the archtop world, in my opinion. I've only played one Andersen - an Emerald City that was at Dream Guitars when I dropped off a guitar for consignment - but it was an absolutely spectacular guitar.

Enjoy yours in good health!
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Last edited by backdrifter; 12-14-2014 at 07:52 AM.
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  #42  
Old 12-13-2014, 09:22 PM
teleboli teleboli is offline
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Thank you backdrifter.
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