Starter Acoustic Archtop - Page 2

Taylorplayer · #16 10-23-2011, 12:06 PM

I would hold out until your budget can handle a used Eastman. Solid woods. Hand carved. Hard to beat....

grampa · #17 10-23-2011, 03:03 PM

I have a Harmony Archtone, 1964 vintage. Nice guitar and very cheap. I found mine in a pawnshop but they seem to be fairly common on eBay and other online sites.

David Eastwood · #18 10-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Well, they're styled after old Harmonys and the Gibson 125 and such, which were also laminate.

I have to disagree, there's nothing cheap feeling about them if you actually play them. They stay in tine, have excellent fretwork, and intonate well. They're just not encased in a 1/4" of poly like some companies do. Gloss does not equal quality.

Laminate isn't a dirty word in the archtop community.

+1, Mr. Beaumont, on all points.

Another advantage to the Godin and its all-laminate construction - I can leave mine out on a stand through the dryness of a Minnesota winter, and it's not affected in the slightest.

mr. beaumont · #19 10-23-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grampa

I have a Harmony Archtone, 1964 vintage. Nice guitar and very cheap. I found mine in a pawnshop but they seem to be fairly common on eBay and other online sites.

I thinkk the old harmonys and kays can be great values...just have to try before you buy...when they're in good condition they can be great sounding guitars with plenty of mojo...in bad condition they're an unplayable mess!

My main archtop is a 1959 or 60 Kay Master cutaway. It's an incredible guitar...looks great, sounds even better.

grampa · #20 10-23-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I thinkk the old harmonys and kays can be great values...just have to try before you buy...when they're in good condition they can be great sounding guitars with plenty of mojo...in bad condition they're an unplayable mess!

My main archtop is a 1959 or 60 Kay Master cutaway. It's an incredible guitar...looks great, sounds even better.

I agree. I was surprised how good of shape this one is in. Mostly at this age they are coming apart at the seams and sorely in need of a neck reset.

jimmy bookout · #21 10-24-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylorplayer

I would hold out until your budget can handle a used Eastman. Solid woods. Hand carved. Hard to beat....

+1.
I think this thought will save you money in the long run. Settling for something that will not satisfy you so you then will sell it, lose money, and end up buying somthing better later. Eastmans are great guitars (yes, I own one), very well made, really nice woods, and you can usually find a used one for not much more than a new laminate guitar. BTW, there's a used Eastman 605CE on ebay right now for $895.

Jimmy

redstrat · #22 10-24-2011, 03:03 PM

I guess I'm begging the next question ... why would you want it? I dont know if they have a place in my acoustic spectrum...when I think archtop I think Jazz boxes and then I think about plugging into a tube amp and wondering if I can get a similar tone out of my Strat or Tele or chambered Dearmond with bigsby...Acoustically Id wonder what it would have on a good parlour, OO or even an OM...they look cool for sure...sound? Ive tried them but cant think of why I would want one solely for its acoustic properties... by your tag your a Newfoundlander so the Godin has some logic but you've been given great advice on the Chinese Eastman's.

Archtop Guy · #23 10-24-2011, 03:39 PM

redstrat, judging form your name I'm not surprised that you don't know much about acoustic archtops... no sin in that of course.

I live for archtops. They are my thing. I consider myself a sort of evangelist for acoustic archtops... check my name and open your mind.

There are a bunch of old sound clips of acoustic archtops on my site.

mr. beaumont · #24 10-24-2011, 03:48 PM

I think you'd want one because only archtops sound like archtops.

BusterBFan · #25 10-24-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstrat

sound? Ive tried them but cant think of why I would want one solely for its acoustic properties...

Everyone's entitled to their opinion as far as personal preference- to my own ears, the archtop sound is one of the best. Right now, they're out of favor (this will eventually change) and I don't think a lot of players have any breadth of experience with them. I'd suggest trying a few before forming a hard opinion on them. Even better, if you're ever jamming and tasked with playing a strummy, rhythm'y, punchy accompaniment role, try it with an old Archtop. Bet you don't go back.

jimmy bookout · #26 10-25-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstrat

I guess I'm begging the next question ... why would you want it? I dont know if they have a place in my acoustic spectrum...when I think archtop I think Jazz boxes and then I think about plugging into a tube amp and wondering if I can get a similar tone out of my Strat or Tele or chambered Dearmond with bigsby...Acoustically Id wonder what it would have on a good parlour, OO or even an OM...they look cool for sure...sound? Ive tried them but cant think of why I would want one solely for its acoustic properties... by your tag your a Newfoundlander so the Godin has some logic but you've been given great advice on the Chinese Eastman's.

Here's why everyone should want an acoustic archtop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYIa9ZTCLQ

Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's being played by one of the greatest rhythm players of all time.

And then there's this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo9vX7kZeb4

Jimmy

redstrat · #27 10-25-2011, 10:33 AM

Yes... I was pleading ignorance on the issue as I have never in fact owned one, having tried several and Ive always dismissed them as being retro and irrelevant...thanks for opening my eyes on the issue...

Dr. Jazz · #28 10-25-2011, 09:02 PM

Most guitarists have never played a carved acoustic Archie. They have always been the Kings of the guitar world. Certainly the most expensive in a makers line.

JoeCharter · #29 10-25-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy bookout

Here's why everyone should want an acoustic archtop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYIa9ZTCLQ

Jimmy

Yes, this is exactly what an acoustic archtop was meant to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy bookout

And then there's this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo9vX7kZeb4

Jimmy

I'm afraid there's a pickup on Frank's carved top... The kind of fluidity and soft tone that we hear is all amplified. There's no chance you could sound that way on a purely acoustic archtop.

Acoustic archtops are great for those jazz pumps. They were meant to be played hard.

I own an L5. It's a fantastic instrument. I can even strum ballads it if I like and play bluegrass on it -- but when a Martin (or any similar guitar) joins the party, we all remember why dreadnoughts took over the world and archtops became art pieces.

jimmy bookout · #30 10-25-2011, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeNewbie

Yes, this is exactly what an acoustic archtop was meant to do.

I'm afraid there's a pickup on Frank's carved top... The kind of fluidity and soft tone that we hear is all amplified. There's no chance you could sound that way on a purely acoustic archtop.

Acoustic archtops are great for those jazz pumps. They were meant to be played hard.

I own an L5. It's a fantastic instrument. I can even strum ballads it if I like and play bluegrass on it -- but when a Martin (or any similar guitar) joins the party, we all remember why dreadnoughts took over the world and archtops became art pieces.

There is a pickup on Frank's guitar but he is not plugged in on this video.

Jimmy