Ordering An Archtop...help Me Decide Please!!!!!!

[archiegr]

Hi im from Greece and im planning to order an archtop guitar from a luthier....well in fact im beetween 2 luthiers and thats the point where i need your help.The luthiers are Ted Megas and Bill Comins.So anyone played any archtop model from those fine luthiers?I made an extended research for over 3 months to end up to these 2 craftsmen so i already know about other great luthiers and i would apreciate answers especially from people who played archtops from those 2 guys.

Thanks in advance.

[marcwhy]

Well, you can't go wrong with those two luthiers -- both make high-quality instruments. [They're both fairly expensive, too, which means you have a healthy budget; given that, I'm certainly curious about your research and how you ended up selecting them over other American or European luthiers?]

Which Megas and Comins models are you looking at?

I played a Megas archtop a few years ago, and it played wonderfully.

Good luck, and let us know who you select!

Marc

[oldane]

I second that. Those two luthiers have a very good reputation. You'll likely get another 10-15 suggestions in the next couple of hours, so maybe yuo'll end up being more confused than when you began . I could mention some myself - among them a couple who have reasonable prices and maintains a high quality. However, I won't unless you ask me to do it, because I won't add to your confusion - and the two you mentioned are great.

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by oldane

I second that. Those two luthiers have a very good reputation. You'll likely get another 10-15 suggestions in the next couple of hours, so maybe yuo'll end up being more confused than when you began . I could mention some myself - among them a couple who have reasonable prices and maintains a high quality. However, I won't unless you ask me to do it, because I won't add to your confusion - and the two you mentioned are great.

Don't know if this will help or not, because I've only played one Megas. It's difficult to judge a man's work by only one of his examples. But, the one Megas I did play was flawless, played well and sounded great. By contrast, I have played 4 or 5 different Comins. The most recent was just yesterday at Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island, NY. He has a new Comins arch top that is dead mint and beautiful. It was hanging on a wall with a Benedetto Fratello, a Collings and a 1937 Gibson L5 non cutaway. The Comins was head and shoulders above the rest.

Mandolin Brothers, Ltd. - Comins (new) Chester Avenue acoustic archtop


OOPS!! I said the Comins Chester Ave was pre-owned. I've corrected that. It's new! I had confused it with a different guitar.

[JohnW400]

Keeping it between these two builders I would go for the Comins. That new one that Patrick mentions looks just beautiful so I might consider that one.

Plus it has already been tried and approved by a forum member with some experience.

I saw Bill Comins at a guitar show in Long Island in 2005. He had some serious guitars on display. I like the portmaster but....

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by JohnW400

Keeping it between these two builders I would go for the Comins. That new one that Patrick mentions looks just beautiful so I might consider that one.

Plus it has already been tried and approved by a forum member with some experience.

I saw Bill Comins at a guitar show in Long Island in 2005. He had some serious guitars on display. I like the portmaster but....

Yeah . . . I agree JohnW400. Also, Stan Jay is a well known international player in the high end guitar trade. His credibility and integrety is impeccable. He sells high end guitars internationally every month and has done so for more than 2 decades.

[spiral]

You probably can't go wrong with either but I'm curious why those two over an Elferink or AJL Guitars?

[jorgemg1984]

Or even over something european like Moffa? No VAT, no fees, cheaper shipping costs...

[spiral]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Or even over something european like Moffa? No VAT, no fees, cheaper shipping costs...

Elefrink and AJL are European which is why i was asking. I'm not disputing the OP's research, just curious how s/he arrived there.

[archiegr]

Ok first of all i'd like to say how i end up to these 2 luthiers.Here are my criteria regarding the best luthier 1)Luthier with a great experience and well known for his craft 2)Top quality woods,materials etc (well you want the best because you dont order guitars from top luthiers every day) 3)Right priced instruments (i dont want to pay 20000 $ because it says ***** on the headstock) 4)A professional who will be there for you every time you need to ask him something (answering the phone answering your mails ASAP etc) 5)A man who knows how to build a guitar which is superior both acoustically and ampliffied 6)A one man guitar (i want my guitar to be build by the luthier himself and only and not by him and his staff) 7)A bulding time beetween 12 to 15 months maximum 8)A resonable deposit (1000-1500 $ not 50% for something which still exists only as idea).First ofcourse i searched in europe and i found out that AJL and Elferink are the best but.....AJL has no great experience with archtop guitars (as he has with acoustic gypsy jazz guitars which is why he is famous).His archtop guitars are partial famous because the great Andreas Oberg plays one (now plays a Benedetto).Also his standard price for maple archtops are 6000 euros which is 8500 $ (thats expensive regarding my standards and his experiece with electric archtops).Elferink uses top materials to make great instruments and i played some of his archtops but they sounded somewhat stiff and too acoustic for my taste.And then i turned my attention to USA where i send about 15 emails to the best known for their work luthiers.1-2 of them never send me an answer about building time and options 4-5 of them wanted 50% deposit and a 18-20 months to complete my guitar.And thats how i ended up to Megas and Comins.They just fullfill all of my criterias.Sure there are many great craftsmen out there but my research end up here.As i see Megas top-of-the-line archtop Athena is currently priced 8600 $ (17'' and with some options it goes up to 10000$) and the flagship Comins model Chester Av. 12500 $ so both are WELL priced.Im not a wealthy man im just saving up for this special guitar and my budget is about 10000 $ and in about a year and when the guitar is ready im planning to sell my Heritage Super Eagle 18'' guitar.....im going to regret it for selling it i know but i never had more than one guitar.I have gigs almost every week im teaching im recording but i dont want to have more than one (everytime i buy a new guitar i sell the previous).
Sorry for the long text

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by archiegr

Hi im from Greece and im planning to order an archtop guitar from a luthier....well in fact im beetween 2 luthiers and thats the point where i need your help.The luthiers are Ted Megas and Bill Comins.So anyone played any archtop model from those fine luthiers?I made an extended research for over 3 months to end up to these 2 craftsmen so i already know about other great luthiers and i would apreciate answers especially from people who played archtops from those 2 guys.

Thanks in advance.

I think I know who you are. Did you just recently buy your Heritage Super Eagle from Dr. Mark Goetting?

[oldane]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Or even over something european like Moffa? No VAT, no fees, cheaper shipping costs...

Now that the ghost is out of the lamp, I'd suggest also looking at Stefan Sonntag's guitars (Germany). I haven't played one, but I like their styling.

The two American luthiers with reasonabe prices I was thinking about was Jim Triggs and Mark Campellone. It's worth a thought that George Gruhn, who usually has a few Triggs guitars in his inventory, charges more for a used Triggs guitar than Triggs himself charges for a new custom built one.

BTW, one doesn't save VAT when ordering within the European Union. One indeed has to pay the VAT, but it is done directly to the luthier/shop who then clears it with the tax authorities. The German VAT is 19% at present. The Danish VAT is 25%.

[jorgemg1984]

Originally Posted by spiral

Elefrink and AJL are European which is why i was asking. I'm not disputing the OP's research, just curious how s/he arrived there.

Sorry missed your post!

[jorgemg1984]

Originally Posted by oldane

Now that the ghost is out of the lamp, I'd suggest also looking at Stefan Sonntag's guitars (Germany). I haven't played one, but I like their styling.

The two American luthiers with reasonabe prices I was thinking about was Jim Triggs and Mark Campellone. It's worth a thought that George Gruhn, who usually has a few Triggs guitars in his inventory, charges more for a used Triggs guitar than Triggs himself charges for a new custom built one.

BTW, one doesn't save VAT when ordering within the European Union. One indeed has to pay the VAT, but it is done directly to the luthier/shop who then clears it with the tax authorities. The German VAT is 19% at present. The Danish VAT is 25%.

True, forgot about that. But its important when you compare prices, most European sellers will have VAT already included in their prices while when you import from the US you must add that to your price.

[jorgemg1984]

Originally Posted by archiegr

Ok first of all i'd like to say how i end up to these 2 luthiers.Here are my criteria regarding the best luthier 1)Luthier with a great experience and well known for his craft 2)Top quality woods,materials etc (well you want the best because you dont order guitars from top luthiers every day) 3)Right priced instruments (i dont want to pay 20000 $ because it says ***** on the headstock) 4)A professional who will be there for you every time you need to ask him something (answering the phone answering your mails ASAP etc) 5)A man who knows how to build a guitar which is superior both acoustically and ampliffied 6)A one man guitar (i want my guitar to be build by the luthier himself and only and not by him and his staff) 7)A bulding time beetween 12 to 15 months maximum 8)A resonable deposit (1000-1500 $ not 50% for something which still exists only as idea).First ofcourse i searched in europe and i found out that AJL and Elferink are the best but.....AJL has no great experience with archtop guitars (as he has with acoustic gypsy jazz guitars which is why he is famous).His archtop guitars are partial famous because the great Andreas Oberg plays one (now plays a Benedetto).Also his standard price for maple archtops are 6000 euros which is 8500 $ (thats expensive regarding my standards and his experiece with electric archtops).Elferink uses top materials to make great instruments and i played some of his archtops but they sounded somewhat stiff and too acoustic for my taste.And then i turned my attention to USA where i send about 15 emails to the best known for their work luthiers.1-2 of them never send me an answer about building time and options 4-5 of them wanted 50% deposit and a 18-20 months to complete my guitar.And thats how i ended up to Megas and Comins.They just fullfill all of my criterias.Sure there are many great craftsmen out there but my research end up here.As i see Megas top-of-the-line archtop Athena is currently priced 8600 $ (17'' and with some options it goes up to 10000$) and the flagship Comins model Chester Av. 12500 $ so both are WELL priced.Im not a wealthy man im just saving up for this special guitar and my budget is about 10000 $ and in about a year and when the guitar is ready im planning to sell my Heritage Super Eagle 18'' guitar.....im going to regret it for selling it i know but i never had more than one guitar.I have gigs almost every week im teaching im recording but i dont want to have more than one (everytime i buy a new guitar i sell the previous).
Sorry for the long text

Very interesting. You must know you already have a great guitar, think twide before spending that kind of money... And what about Sonntag or Moffa, what was wrong about them?

[Bill C]

Daniel Slaman is another well regarded EU builder.

[archiegr]

Yeah friend i know i have a great guitar but you know we are alway looking for something that we would never sell the ONE....

[archiegr]

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Very interesting. You must know you already have a great guitar, think twide before spending that kind of money... And what about Sonntag or Moffa, what was wrong about them?

Oh BTW nothing wrong with Moffa and Sonntag i just want to spend the money to something that really has that something and from my point of view the 2 luthiers you reffered to dont have it.

[tonyknight]

I've been considering going to see Maurice Dupont in the Cognac area of France for a tasting so to speak. He's incredibly cheap compared to the guitars you mention, but I can't find too much out about his archtops. However, his manouche guitars are world class and his new range of amps seem really impressive too.

Did you consider Dupont?

[JohnW400]

@archiegr.

You seem to have it thought out. I always swear by Campellone guitars. He could indeed make you a guitar every bit as good as either of your choices but honestly, your choices make very fine guitars.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by Comins

[spiral]

Originally Posted by JohnW400

@archiegr.

You seem to have it thought out. I always swear by Campellone guitars. He could indeed make you a guitar every bit as good as either of your choices but honestly, your choices make very fine guitars.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by Comins

+1 on both points.

1. You have done the research and you arrived at a good place.
2. I've played a bunch of the big name archtops and the Campellone and Unger were above the pack for far less $$.

To the OP, thanks for all of the detail on your process. You have a tough choice ahead.

[whatswisdom]

Originally Posted by archiegr

And then i turned my attention to USA where i send about 15 emails to the best known for their work luthiers.1-2 of them never send me an answer about building time and options 4-5 of them wanted 50% deposit and a 18-20 months to complete my guitar.

Have you tried Gary Flowers? Check his website out at the link below if you haven't already. He builds beautiful guitars for an affordable $. Nice bloke, too.

archtops

[spiral]

The OP wants opinions on the two builders mentioned and has spent considerable time narrowing it down to those guys.

[whatswisdom]

Originally Posted by spiral

The OP wants opinions on the two builders mentioned and has spent considerable time narrowing it down to those guys.

Just trying to be helpful. He mentions that he contacted many luthiers without naming them; I was just wondering if he knew about Flowers. I don't have any affiliation with the guy--just think that his stuff is really nice. Besides, other members might appreciate knowing about another archtop specialist.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by whatswisdom

Just trying to be helpful. He mentions that he contacted many luthiers without naming them; I was just wondering if he knew about Flowers. I don't have any affiliation with the guy--just think that his stuff is really nice. Besides, other members might appreciate knowing about another archtop specialist.

Me too. It wasn't directed at you specifically. I just know how it is to ask one question and it spirals out into 20 others. It is the internet after all.

[whatswisdom]

Originally Posted by spiral

Me too. It wasn't directed at you specifically. I just know how it is to ask one question and it spirals out into 20 others. It is the internet after all.

No prob. Peace and good vibes...