Like many guitar enthusiasts, I once found myself puzzled by the nuances of archtop guitars. They all possessed a certain vintage charm and, in skilled hands, produced captivating sounds. My journey of buying and occasionally parting with various guitars was a slow but rewarding process of understanding what truly makes an archtop resonate with a player. This guide is designed to offer clarity to those navigating the often-confusing world of acoustic archtop guitars.
Acoustic Archtop Guitars: More Than Just Looks
It’s a common misconception that all archtop guitars are purely acoustic instruments. The reality is more nuanced. While the archtop design inherently suggests acoustic properties, many are equipped with pickups, blurring the lines between acoustic and electric. Understanding this distinction is crucial when seeking a true acoustic archtop guitar experience.
Pickups on archtops can be categorized broadly into two types, each significantly impacting the instrument’s acoustic nature: inset and floating. Inset pickups, as the name suggests, are embedded directly into the soundboard. This often requires carving out a section of the top to accommodate the pickup. While this configuration can produce exceptional amplified tones, it typically compromises the guitar’s natural acoustic resonance, often resulting in a diminished and less vibrant unplugged sound. A prime example of this design philosophy is the iconic Gibson ES-175, favored by jazz legends like Joe Pass. While Pass did venture into acoustic recordings, the ES-175 and similar guitars are primarily celebrated for their amplified capabilities, often at the expense of their acoustic voice.
Image alt-text: Jazz guitarist Joe Pass playing a Gibson ES-175 archtop guitar with inset pickups, showcasing a popular electric archtop model.
Floating pickups, conversely, are mounted above the soundboard, either attached to the neck or pickguard, without direct contact with the guitar’s top. The presence of a floating pickup often suggests that the guitar was initially intended to function as an acoustic instrument, albeit one that could be amplified when needed. However, it’s important to remember that a floating pickup doesn’t automatically guarantee superior acoustic properties.
Carved vs. Pressed: Shaping the Acoustic Tone of Your Archtop
Within the realm of acoustic archtop guitars, the construction of the soundboard is paramount in defining its tonal character. Two primary methods are employed: carving and pressing. Carved tops are meticulously sculpted from solid pieces of wood, a labor-intensive process often associated with higher-end instruments. Pressed tops, on the other hand, are formed into an arched shape using heat and pressure, a more economical approach.
While some guitar aficionados might consider pressed tops as inferior, numerous exceptional acoustic archtops have been crafted using this method. My own D’Aquisto New Yorker, for instance, features a pressed top and delivers a remarkably beautiful acoustic sound. Pressed tops often produce a warm, rounded tone, perhaps with slightly less projection compared to carved tops. However, this characteristic can be advantageous when amplifying an acoustic archtop with a floating pickup. Pressed tops are generally less susceptible to feedback, a crucial consideration for live performances. Crucially, even pressed-top archtops offer a significantly richer and more dynamic acoustic sound than those equipped with inset pickups.
Image alt-text: Close-up of a D’Aquisto New Yorker acoustic archtop guitar, highlighting its pressed top construction and elegant design.
For purists seeking the ultimate acoustic archtop experience, a carved-top instrument, with or without a floating pickup, is generally the preferred choice. The enhanced resonance and projection of a carved top contribute to a more vibrant and nuanced acoustic voice. The increased craftsmanship involved in carving tops naturally translates to a higher price point, but for discerning players, the investment can be well worthwhile. While I enjoyed my D’Aquisto, the allure of a meticulously carved archtop from a top-tier luthier eventually led me to acquire a magnificent all-acoustic archtop by Frans Elferink, a testament to the captivating appeal of carved-top instruments.
Navigating the Price Spectrum of Acoustic Archtops
The market for acoustic archtop guitars encompasses a wide range of price points, reflecting variations in materials, craftsmanship, and brand prestige. While electric archtops dominate the lower price ranges, finding quality acoustic options requires a more discerning approach.
Entry-Level Acoustic Archtops: Modern acoustic archtops in the lower price brackets often compromise on soundboard construction, sometimes utilizing plywood or non-carved, non-pressed tops. If you are seeking a genuinely acoustic instrument with a respectable soundboard on a budget, exploring the vintage market can be a fruitful avenue. Brands like Hofner frequently appear on online marketplaces, offering vintage archtops at accessible prices. While some may require restoration work, particularly concerning the fingerboard or frets, body cracks, unless extensive, generally have minimal impact on the instrument’s sound. With careful searching, a rewarding acoustic archtop experience can be found at a lower cost.
One notable exception in the modern market is The Loar, a brand that pays homage to Lloyd Loar, a pivotal figure in archtop guitar development at Gibson. Their LH-700-VS model stands out, featuring a fully carved soundboard at an exceptional price. While I personally found the V-shaped neck profile less comfortable for my playing style, many players find it appealing, particularly those who favor thumb-over-neck techniques. The Loar LH-700-VS offers a compelling combination of carved-top construction, aesthetic appeal, and affordability, making it a worthwhile option to consider.
Image alt-text: A The Loar LH-700-VS acoustic archtop guitar, showcasing its vintage-inspired aesthetics and carved top construction at an affordable price point.
Mid-Range Acoustic Archtops: Moving into the mid-price range, brands like Eastman and Peerless emerge as prominent players, offering a selection of commendable to exceptional acoustic archtops. The Eastman AR810, available with or without a cutaway, and the Eastman AR605 are both fully carved archtop guitars worthy of serious consideration, often equipped with floating pickups for added versatility. The Eastman AR804-CE, with its oval soundhole, presents a unique sonic character, blending archtop and flattop tonal qualities.
Peerless guitars are also well-represented in this segment, renowned for their Martin Taylor signature models and notable carved archtops like The Imperial and Contessa. Aria guitars, produced in Japan under license from the esteemed D’Aquisto company, offer exceptional value and quality. My own Aria D’Aquisto New Yorker, while slightly heavier than ideal, delivers a captivating acoustic sound and comes equipped with a floating pickup. Other brands in this price bracket (approximately $1,000 to $2,500 USD) include D’Angelico, Guild, and Godin, providing a diverse array of options.
High-End Acoustic Archtops: For those with discerning tastes and budgets to match, the high-end realm of acoustic archtop guitars represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and sonic artistry. While often aspirational for many, these instruments embody the dreams of serious players. European luthiers such as Slaman and Elferink in the Netherlands, Sonntag in Germany, Mike Vanden in Scotland, and NK Forster in England are among the leading creators in this domain. Numerous other talented European archtop luthiers contribute to this exclusive market.
American luthiers also boast a rich tradition of archtop excellence. Comins, Koentopp, and Dale Unger are just a few of the many celebrated names, with a comprehensive list readily available online for further exploration.
Internal Bracing: Shaping the Soundboard’s Response
An often-overlooked aspect of acoustic archtop guitar construction is the internal bracing pattern beneath the soundboard. Early archtops frequently employed parallel bracing, characterized by bars running parallel to each other. Modern archtops predominantly utilize x-bracing, where two bars intersect in an “X” shape. This difference in bracing significantly influences the tonal response. Parallel bracing tends to emphasize the mid and high frequencies, resulting in a brighter, more focused sound. X-bracing, conversely, provides a more balanced response across the tonal spectrum, from bass to treble. Understanding this distinction can be crucial if you are seeking to replicate the sonic characteristics of vintage archtops or prefer a specific tonal profile.
In Conclusion: Defining Your Acoustic Archtop Ideal
This website is dedicated to championing the acoustic archtop guitar. If your goal is to embrace the pure acoustic voice of an archtop, prioritize instruments without pickups or those equipped with floating pickups. Consider both carved and pressed tops, each offering unique sonic qualities and price points. Remember that vintage acoustic archtops were sometimes designed for rhythm playing, accommodating heavier strings and higher action. Modern acoustic archtops may be optimized for lighter strings and medium action. Before making a purchase, carefully consider your playing style and desired tonal characteristics to ensure you choose the acoustic archtop guitar that perfectly aligns with your musical aspirations.
