Acoustic Archtop guitars - what to look out for, what to avoid?

TimmyO · March 2020

I have a generalised hankering for an acoustic archtop (no need for electric leanings)

Any pointers for things to look out for (used is good, but not essential) ? Any things to avoid?

Where should I start, beyond typing “acoustic archtop” into eBay?

Andy79 · March 2020

Big old Jazz box? Smaller body?
I’m no expert but I like the old smaller body carved top Gibsons, L-30 L-37 etc. Gibsons other brand stuff generally had pressed tops which differ in tone a surprising amount

I also like the modern Epiphone Masterbilt series. Especially the round-hole, it reminds me of the old Kay Deluxe which almost sounds banjo-like. I have a particular bent towards county blues which these guitars are more suited to These guitars differ greatly from big and/or higher end jazz guitars which I know little about.

Theres bracing to consider. Parallel vs X.

I know nothing about high end stuff

Lewy · March 2020

Is there a sound in your head that's appealing, Tim? My personal experience is of owning a couple (a Godin 5th Ave and a '30s Kalamazoo) and just thinking "I ought to like this but....I just don't get it". But that's because I was starting from the point of view of just fancying an archtop as opposed to chasing a clear sound.

TimmyO · March 2020

Lewy said:

Is there a sound in your head that's appealing, Tim? My personal experience is of owning a couple (a Godin 5th Ave and a '30s Kalamazoo) and just thinking "I ought to like this but....I just don't get it". But that's because I was starting from the point of view of just fancying an archtop as opposed to chasing a clear sound.

In terms of a specific sound I’d like it to look cool :-)

Truthfully, I don’t know how I’d take to a gritty-middly sound versus a fuller response - content to try reasonable examples of either - in situations like this I’m always drawn to used so that I can afford to experiment and chop it if it’s not enjoyable

Jalapeno · March 2020

Are you after the tones, or a beater ? (hint: non-laminate tones costs a fortune)

Teyeplayer · March 2020

The Loar are a good starting point. Their all solid wood versions can be had for a steal secondhand (I sold one for about £250 if I recall).

danowens · March 2020

I quite fancy putting a CC pickup in an acoustic Godin. Not that I need any other guitars, or that I can't get a similar sound with what I've got. But I like the look of that bar PU

TimmyO · March 2020

Not looking for high-end no

Yet again I rue being in a town with no meaningful trying-interesting-guitars options

Jalapeno · March 2020

Loar, Gretsch, Godin then or a beaten up old ES125

jazzlemming · March 2020

Godin 5th Avenue are great. Light and resonant which is surprisingly rare. Most affordable archtops don’t sound particularly great without an amp because they’re built with thick laminates.

Jalapeno · March 2020

jazzlemming said:

Godin 5th Avenue are great. Light and resonant which is surprisingly rare. Most affordable archtops don’t sound particularly great without an amp because they’re built with thick laminates.

This, and not always as thick as you think. Think Loar are carved (in China) rather than laminate.

Tadragh1 · March 2020

I would definitely look into older Epiphones and Vegas. Own an Epiphone myself, fantastic instrument - extremely even timbre across the registers. I'd avoid most of the older German-made ones.

TimmyO · March 2020

Cheers

jakeolly · March 2020

Forgive me if im teaching my grandmother etc. at this stage but heres my take. As one who has had quite a few and loves my Banner headstock L50
(1) the cheaper ones can sound good but not if you try and string and strum them like just another guitar
(2) Their tops need to be driven, so heavier strings, if its just for acoustic some bronze content works well ( altho not so goodthrough a pickup )
(3) if you use a pick, try a thicker one with a rounded edge. Thin picks make all archtops sound tinny.
(4) Parallel bracing tends to produce a middly , bluesier tone. In my experience x bracing is ‘sweeter’

The good acoustic ones really are things of visual and aural beauty, but the market is v. small so resale is hard work

Only opinions though

TimmyO · March 2020

jakeolly said:

Forgive me if im teaching my grandmother etc. at this stage but heres my take. As one who has had quite a few and loves my Banner headstock L50
(1) the cheaper ones can sound good but not if you try and string and strum them like just another guitar
(2) Their tops need to be driven, so heavier strings, if its just for acoustic some bronze content works well ( altho not so goodthrough a pickup )
(3) if you use a pick, try a thicker one with a rounded edge. Thin picks make all archtops sound tinny.
(4) Parallel bracing tends to produce a middly , bluesier tone. In my experience x bracing is ‘sweeter’

The good acoustic ones really are things of visual and aural beauty, but the market is v. small so resale is hard work

Only opinions though

Thank you

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Acoustic Archtop guitars - what to look out for, what to avoid?

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