Local archtop maker (Pt. 2)... Trying one out.

Retroman1969 · #1 12-02-2011, 10:08 PM

Okay, I had a chance to go in to Norman Music Center where a couple of examples of Jason Combs' custom archtops were displayed.
I took one into the amp room and really checked it out.
Well, beautiful workmanship for starters. Carving and fitting work as well as finish were like a classic sculpture.
Light and well balanced.
The amber flame maple set off the ebony wood beautifully, helped by a lack of excess ornamentation.
Yes, yes, so how did it play?
It had a nice mellow, yet dynamic acoustic sound, but with the set in bucker, it wasn't terribly loud.
Plugged in, it was a different world from what I'm used to (cheaper mass-produced instruments). The three things that jumped out immediately were perfect balance from low to high, and incredible bass response! Not kidding, it was ridiculously sensitive. The third thing that impressed me was incredible clarity. I didn't have to work near as hard to get clean clear tones out of it. They just popped out effortlessly.
This guy's work is definitely worth a serious look.

Steve Z · #2 12-02-2011, 10:48 PM

My favorite style guitar... blonde archtop with build in humbucker. The design seems to favor the Benedetto styling.

Did you happen to get a look at the price?

Retroman1969 · #3 12-03-2011, 10:21 AM

Yes, it's $2,600.

Steve Z · #4 12-03-2011, 06:29 PM

I wish I lived close to the store to stop by and play it. It is definitely a looker. Like mentioned above, very Benedetto in design. I would guess that the builder has studied Benedetto's "Making an Archtop Guitar".

Retroman1969 · #5 12-04-2011, 06:22 AM

I agree, and if he studied that book, he certainly got it right. If you look at the step-by-step photos on his Facebook, the amount of work is really involved.
It is nice for a change to sit and play it rather than search through reviews on the net to try to get an accurate idea of the instrument.