For many guitar enthusiasts, the allure of the archtop is undeniable. These instruments, with their elegant curves and rich tones, occupy a special place in the guitar world, particularly within jazz music. However, navigating the nuances of Archtop Guitars can be confusing for newcomers. It took me a while to truly grasp the distinctions, and through my own journey of buying and selling various guitars, I gradually learned what to look for. This guide aims to provide clarity and help you understand the key differences in archtop guitars, ensuring you choose the right instrument for your needs.
Acoustic or Electric? Understanding Archtop Pickups
One of the primary points of confusion lies in whether an archtop guitar is inherently acoustic or electric. The truth is, archtops can be either, or even both. The presence and type of pickup significantly influence an archtop’s character and intended use.
Floating Pickups: Preserving Acoustic Integrity
Some archtop guitars are fitted with “floating” pickups. These pickups are not embedded into the guitar’s soundboard but are instead attached to the neck or pickguard, hovering just above the soundboard near the fretboard. The advantage of a floating pickup is that it minimizes interference with the guitar’s acoustic properties. Guitars with floating pickups are often conceived as primarily acoustic instruments that can be amplified when needed. However, it’s important to note that a floating pickup doesn’t automatically guarantee a purely acoustic design in every case.
Inset Pickups: Trading Acoustic Tone for Electric Power
Conversely, some archtop guitars feature pickups that are directly mounted into the soundboard. This “inset” or “set-in” pickup design requires cutting into the guitar’s top to accommodate the pickup. While inset pickups can deliver a powerful and desirable amplified tone, often favored in electric jazz guitar playing, they inevitably compromise the instrument’s acoustic sound. The soundboard’s vibration is restricted, resulting in a weaker and less nuanced acoustic voice. The Gibson ES-175, famously played by jazz legend Joe Pass, is a prime example of an archtop with inset pickups. While Joe Pass did record acoustically at times, the ES-175 and similar guitars are primarily designed to shine when plugged into an amplifier.
Carved vs. Pressed Tops: Shaping the Acoustic Voice
Beyond pickups, another critical distinction lies in the construction of the archtop’s soundboard, or top. Archtops can have either a carved top or a pressed (or laminated) top, each affecting the acoustic properties and price point of the instrument.
Carved Tops: The Pinnacle of Acoustic Archtop Design
A carved top is considered the hallmark of a high-quality acoustic archtop. Carved tops are meticulously sculpted from a solid piece of wood, typically spruce, by a skilled luthier. This labor-intensive process allows for precise control over the top’s thickness and bracing, resulting in superior resonance, projection, and tonal complexity. While carved-top archtops command a higher price due to the craftsmanship involved, they offer the purest and most vibrant acoustic archtop experience.
Pressed Tops: A More Affordable and Feedback-Resistant Alternative
Pressed or laminated tops are created by heat-pressing layers of wood veneer into an arched shape. This method is less time-consuming and therefore more cost-effective than carving. While some players and purists may view pressed tops as inferior, many excellent acoustic archtops have been built using this technique. My own D’Aquisto New Yorker, for example, featured a pressed top and possessed a beautiful acoustic sound, albeit with slightly less projection compared to a carved top. A significant advantage of pressed tops is their increased resistance to feedback when amplified, making them a practical choice for players who frequently perform with pickups. Furthermore, pressed tops still offer a richer and more acoustic tone than archtops with inset pickups, bridging the gap between pure acoustic performance and amplified versatility.
Archtop Guitar Price Spectrum: From Entry-Level to Luthier Masterpieces
The world of archtop guitars spans a wide range of price points, reflecting variations in materials, construction methods, and craftsmanship. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect at different price levels:
Low-Price Archtops: Entry Points and Vintage Finds
For those starting their archtop journey on a budget, several brands offer excellent electric archtops at affordable prices. Eastman, Epiphone, and Ibanez are well-regarded for producing quality electric archtops in the lower price range.
Acoustic archtops, particularly modern carved-top models, are less common in this price bracket. If you’re seeking an affordable acoustic archtop, exploring the vintage market can be a rewarding avenue. Hofner guitars, often found on platforms like eBay, can be excellent vintage options. While vintage guitars may require some restoration work, such as fretwork or neck adjustments, they can offer exceptional value. Don’t be overly concerned about body cracks in vintage instruments, as they often have minimal impact on sound. However, be sure to inspect the neck for warping and fret condition.
Notably, The Loar, a brand named after pioneering Gibson designer Lloyd Loar, offers standout models like the LH-700-VS in the affordable range. This guitar features a fully carved top, which is remarkable for its price point. The LH-700-VS is a visually stunning instrument with a respectable acoustic sound. One unique feature is its V-shaped neck profile, which may appeal to players who primarily play with their thumb wrapped over the neck. While the V-neck wasn’t ideal for my playing style, many players find it comfortable. It’s definitely worth trying if you have the opportunity.
Medium-Price Archtops: Balancing Quality and Value
Moving into the mid-price range, brands like Eastman and Peerless continue to excel, offering both electric and acoustic archtops with enhanced features and materials. The Eastman AR810, available with or without a cutaway, and the Eastman AR605 are both fully carved-top archtops highly recommended for their quality and value. Both models are often equipped with floating pickups for amplified versatility. The Eastman AR804-CE, with its oval soundhole, presents a unique tonal variation, blending archtop and flat-top characteristics.
Peerless guitars are also prominent in this category, particularly known for their Martin Taylor signature models and carved-top archtops like the Imperial and Contessa. Aria guitars, a Japanese brand, produces exceptional archtops under license from the esteemed D’Aquisto company, representing another excellent option in this price range. My own Aria D’Aquisto New Yorker, while a bit heavier than some might prefer, delivers a very pleasing acoustic tone and comes equipped with a floating pickup.
Other brands to consider in the mid-price range (roughly $1,000 to $2,500 USD) include D’Angelico, Guild, and Godin, among others, offering a diverse selection of styles and features.
High-End Archtops: Luthier-Built Dream Instruments
For those with discerning tastes and budgets to match, the high-end archtop market is populated by master luthiers crafting instruments of exceptional artistry and sonic excellence. In Europe, renowned luthiers include Slaman and Elferink in the Netherlands, Sonntag in Germany, Mike Vanden in Scotland, and NK Forster in England, among many others.
America boasts its own constellation of brilliant archtop luthiers. Comins, Koentopp, and Dale Unger are just a few names that come to mind. The list of outstanding American archtop builders is extensive, reflecting a rich tradition of archtop craftsmanship.
Internal Bracing: Parallel vs. X-Bracing and Tonal Color
An often-overlooked aspect of archtop construction is the internal bracing pattern beneath the soundboard. Early archtops commonly employed parallel bracing, where braces run parallel to each other along the length of the guitar top. Modern archtops predominantly utilize x-bracing, featuring two braces intersecting in an “X” shape beneath the soundboard.
Parallel bracing tends to emphasize the mid and high frequencies, resulting in a brighter, more focused tone characteristic of early archtops. X-bracing, on the other hand, delivers a more balanced tonal response across the frequency spectrum, from bass to treble. Understanding the bracing type can be crucial if you’re aiming for a specific vintage archtop sound or a more contemporary, balanced tone.
Choosing Your Ideal Archtop: Key Considerations
Ultimately, selecting the right archtop guitar depends on your individual needs and preferences. If your primary focus is on pure acoustic tone, prioritize a carved-top instrument, ideally with a floating pickup or no pickup at all. Decide whether a carved or pressed top aligns better with your sonic goals and budget.
Consider the historical context; some vintage acoustic archtops were designed for rhythm playing with heavier strings and higher action. Modern acoustic archtops may be optimized for lighter strings and more versatile playing styles. Ensure you understand the intended purpose and characteristics of the archtop you’re considering before making a purchase.
This website, guitarplayers.net, is dedicated to celebrating the acoustic archtop guitar. By understanding the nuances of construction, pickups, and bracing, you can confidently navigate the world of archtops and find the instrument that perfectly resonates with your musical aspirations.
