Holy Grail of Archtops?

[Steve DeRosa]

Classic early'60's 1-5/8" flat-C profile - the one everyone and his Uncle Louie claims is "unplayable"; didn't hurt Wes none...

[L50EF15]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Classic early'60's 1-5/8" flat-C profile - the one everyone and his Uncle Louie claims is "unplayable"; didn't hurt Wes none...

Yup. My L50 has that profile. Fast, similar to an LP or SG of that period.

[L50EF15]

My Grail Quest list? Tough choices, but the list would be Gibson-centric and would include:

Loar-era L4;
Loar-era L5;
Super 400

And the realistically obtainable one (once I've saved up for it, and completing the "roundhole/f-hole pairs" theme), a roundhole L50.

I also have ideas for some oddball custom stuff, namely a dread with a laminated roundhole archtop - maybe an f-hole at that. Anyway, I want a quick experiment in sonic oddity by having a luthier take a StewMac or Martin kit and cut an Acme top to fit.

Crazier still, a ground up custom instrument with oak back and sides with a pine top.

[uburoibob]

Ken Parker's making the most incredible archtops today. Lightyears, as usual for Ken, ahead of anything else.

http://kenparkerarchtops.com

[uburoibob]

For a builder that is pushing the traditional to new levels of tone, playability and impeccable build quality, only Steve Andersen fits the bill... I have two of his archtops (down from four) and each has been spectacular.

Bob

[uburoibob]

As far as vintage instruments, I've owned a 39 Super 400 (one of the seven non-cutaways) that I sold a couple of years ago to David Grisman (through Bernunzio Vintage Instruments). I've had a few L-5s, L-7s, a Guild Artist Award, an Epiphone Triumph and an old 175.

I've played numerous others including several D'Angelicos and a few D'Aquistos.

I have found that with vintage rigs, it REALLY comes down to the actual guitar. More so than with modern builders who have a different sensibility about their approaches. SO, in the vintage world, it's hard to suggest THE ARCHTOP. They are all cool in their own way and there are some real standouts and some real not so good ones.

Here's two shots of my old Super 400 as restored by Mike Lennon:

[mc1]

since no one else has, i'll mention bob benedetto.

[L50EF15]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

As far as vintage instruments, I've owned a 39 Super 400 (one of the seven non-cutaways) that I sold a couple of years ago to David Grisman (through Bernunzio Vintage Instruments). I've had a few L-5s, L-7s, a Guild Artist Award, an Epiphone Triumph and an old 175.

I've played numerous others including several D'Angelicos and a few D'Aquistos.

I have found that with vintage rigs, it REALLY comes down to the actual guitar. More so than with modern builders who have a different sensibility about their approaches. SO, in the vintage world, it's hard to suggest THE ARCHTOP. They are all cool in their own way and there are some real standouts and some real not so good ones.

Here's two shots of my old Super 400 as restored by Mike Lennon:

Grail, no doubt. Is this the one from "Tone Poems II"? If so, I salute you for being able to let go of an instrument that sounds THAT good!

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by L50EF15

Grail, no doubt. Is this the one from "Tone Poems II"? If so, I salute you for being able to let go of an instrument that sounds THAT good!

No - that one was Jerry Garcia's, which was another of the original magnificent seven. Mine looked like it was cut from the same piece of wood for the back and sides - they were sisters. Mine actually was X-braced and sounded better than Jerry's (subjective, I know, but all who heard both agreed) which is parallel braced. It was a lovely guitar and I am glad that I had my 15 years with it. Then it was time to move it along.

Bob

[RobertForman]

I thought that Super 400 that Garcia played belonged to Grisman?

[RobertForman]

also, the Collings archtops are the real deal. there is only one archtop that I might rather have, and notice I said might, and that's the Parker archtop. http://www.collingsguitars.com/Instruments/?ID=56

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by RobertForman

I thought that Super 400 that Garcia played belonged to Grisman?

I don't know if it did when Jerry played it, but I believe it does now. So does my old one, pictured above. I sold it in 2008, well after Tone Poems II.

Bob

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by RobertForman

also, the Collings archtops are the real deal. there is only one archtop that I might rather have, and notice I said might, and that's the Parker archtop. http://www.collingsguitars.com/Instruments/?ID=56

By Parker Archtop, you mean the Ken Parker archtop, and not the one that Parker guitars is having made in Asia, right?

I agree that every Collings archtop I've played has been spectacular, as well. In particular, I recall a 16" non-cut L-5 style that was INCREDIBLE...

Bob

[RobertForman]

Originally Posted by uburoibob

By Parker Archtop, you mean the Ken Parker archtop, and not the one that Parker guitars is having made in Asia, right?

Bob

um, do you really need to ask?

[uburoibob]

Originally Posted by RobertForman

um, do you really need to ask?

Just clarifying for the viewing audience...

Bob