Sonntag allegria archtop

martins · #1 05-15-2011, 06:24 AM

For a few weeks now I own a Sonntag Allegria, a handcrafted archtop made by Stefan Sonntag. I thought about buying one already a few years ago, when I read an article in a german guitar magazine. And I immediately liked the idea of ordering a guitar at a maker near by (more or less), I can come back to, whenever I want. And he's -by the way- a friendly and likeable guy.

The Allegria is his most puristic and cheapest model. I liked the idea to have a puristic one, which has all an archtop needs, but nothing more an archtop needs. And I wanted to have a blonde, since I already have a black, a red and a brunette guitar.

I finally ordered it 9 month ago, when I became more and more unsatisfied with my former archtop.

I play the guitar for a few weeks now. I took my some days to get used to, since the right hand position differs a lot from that of my former guitar, at least, when playing with the thumb. And it took me some time to increase my playing ability, since the better instrument pointed my attention to
my playing errors. (Which obviously were muffled by my former archtop)

Now we get more and more used to each other. She inspires me to new ideas, to play cleaner and to improve my play. She sounds smooth and delicate, when I play with my thumb, bright and clear, when played with the plectrum, but can also by dark or aggressive, when I increase the gain. And last but not least, it sounds very nice when played without an amp, which I do most of the time.

In short, I think 'this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship'.

Regards, Martin

For those who want to hear some short samples, I add some quick and dirty recording samples I did to test the sound. One short jazzy clean chunk, played with the thumb http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1400520/chunk-1.mp3,
a bright sounding played with plec http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1400520/chunk-2.mp3 and for those who like a bit of dead man's gain, a short distorted and echoed sample http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1400520/chunk-3.mp3.

kamlapati · #2 05-15-2011, 01:38 PM

Your first link didn't work for me.

Sonntag's web site looks great. Beautiful guitars. Nice to see the craft getting al little more attention in Europe.

brad4d8 · #3 05-15-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Your first link didn't work for me.

You have to erase the last parenthesis.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1400520/chunk-1.mp3
Brad

martins · #4 05-15-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Your first link didn't work for me.

Thank you for the hint. I corrected that. At least the download linked file should work now.

Steve Z · #5 05-15-2011, 03:41 PM

Wow! Extremely versatile instrument with a range of tones... definitely not a one trick pony. Thanks for sharing the audio clips. Excellent playing!

Post a photo of your new guitar if you get a chance. Thanks.

Cheers,
Steve

Nuff Said · #6 05-18-2011, 08:54 AM

Trefor Owen in the UK has two of these great Sonntag Archtops for sale. His info details are below:

Stefan Sonntag guitar with a laminated top. Sold with options - the guitar, which is in mint condition, can be sold without a P/U and pick guard £1,500. The customer can then choose the P/U and get it fitted himself, or I can sort it for an extra cost. There is also the option of controls in the body or in the pick guard. Please contact me for further details - contact Trefor Owen tel. 07746 784949 or e-mail tojazzgtr@aol.com

Stefan Sonntag Augusta guitar, with the Charlie Christian P/U which has been made with original parts. The guitar has my anti feedback device installed. Mint condition £3,500 Please contact me for further details - Trefor Owen tel. 07746 784949 or e-mail tojazzgtr@aol.com