My Murphy Archtop

Rick Kay · #1 01-29-2012, 06:00 AM

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...ype=1&theater9*

I will be bringing her home on Tuesday. I can hardly wait, this is a dream guitar for me.

17" body
25" scale
German Spruce top
Flamed European Maple sides and back
Flamed Birdseye Maple neck
Ebony fingerboard and finger rest

Jazz_175 · #2 01-29-2012, 06:44 AM

nice!!

oldane · #3 01-29-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Kay

I can hardly wait, this is a dream guitar for me.

It looks like a dream guitar. But be prepared that fulfilled dreams just fuels new dreams. That is the dreadful and incurable ailment called GAS, which many of us sadly suffer from.

Retroman1969 · #4 01-29-2012, 07:41 AM

Huh, I can't see the picture. Every time I click on the link it just takes me to my home Facebook page.

Any way to post it on here?
Anyway, congrats.

Pierrot · #5 01-29-2012, 08:59 AM

Nice classic shape. I visited the makers website and was surprised by his (rather contained) prices. Is yours an all solid carved instrument, as the ones shown in his site?

Anyway, congratulations, very nice instrument.

ruiner54 · #6 01-29-2012, 09:25 AM

gas? guitar addiction syndrome?

tonedeaf · #7 01-29-2012, 10:48 AM

Usually Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, but I like Addiction Syndrome. I am currently in the hunt and I sometimes wonder if it hasn't gotten to the level of addiction. (Especially when I find myself spending more time hunting than playing.)

The current state of custom guitars is extraordinary. These guys seem to be feverishly feeding off of each other to produce amazingly functional instruments that are also insanely gorgeous.

Rick Kay · #8 01-29-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierrot

Nice classic shape. I visited the makers website and was surprised by his (rather contained) prices. Is yours an all solid carved instrument, as the ones shown in his site?

Anyway, congratulations, very nice instrument.

Yes, solid woods, hand carved. I am fortunate to be near Mr Murphy's shop, and have been able to visit a couple of times through the construction. James is a master carver, a former architectural woodworker, clasically trained by a couple of Italian brothers. His business grew to the point that he felt he did not have complete quality control of his product, gave up carving and began building archtop guitars. Given his background, and my test drives of his insruments, I can say, without doubt, that Murphy guitars a underpriced. I am really glad to have found James Murphy.

Rick Kay · #9 01-29-2012, 12:35 PM

I appreciate the compliments. I went with a "black on blonde" look with black binding and ebony appointments, and a little toner to bring up the figure in the wood.

I've been afflicted with GAS for over 40 years, but this guitar has been a long time coming, and has me the most excited. I've wanted an archtop like this since I was 13. Just a few more days...

Rick Kay · #10 01-29-2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Huh, I can't see the picture. Every time I click on the link it just takes me to my home Facebook page.

Any way to post it on here?
Anyway, congrats.

I can't seem to lift his picture from Facebook to put on here. I'll put up some more pictures on Tuesday, when I bring the guitar home. The Facebook page is J W Murphy Guitars and www.jwmurphyguitars.com

Jazz_175 · #11 01-29-2012, 02:27 PM

So it is a pure acoustic archtop, no pickup, right?

Rick Kay · #12 01-29-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

So it is a pure acoustic archtop, no pickup, right?

Correct! No pickup, 100% pure acoustic guitar.

James said he carved a little larger interior chamber, based on the voice I was looking for in the instrument.

Retroman1969 · #13 01-29-2012, 08:01 PM

Thanks Rick,
Those are gorgeous! Look forward to seeing yours.

Rick Kay · #14 01-31-2012, 06:31 PM

Rick Kay · #15 01-31-2012, 06:40 PM

The flash I used made the maple look too yellow on these photos.

I love the way this guitar plays. It has exceeded all of my expectations, especially in terms of tone and sustain. I expected the guitar to be tight and nasal sounding, even more so because of the european maple and spruce. I have been happily surprised, and I can hear the tone becoming deeper and not so "dry" sounding. I ordered it with medium/jumbo frets, which are a first for me. I really like them, and enjoy the new character my slurs and trills have. I don't know that I've enjoyed a new guitar this much!

I'm pretty inept at all things digital, so I wont be able to put up any sound clips...sorry...

voxwerx · #16 01-31-2012, 08:07 PM

Congratulations- With a guitar so nice and hand-crafted you're sure to enjoy it as it opens up over the years.

Retroman1969 · #17 01-31-2012, 09:05 PM

Wow, is that thing ever gorgeous!
I'm sure it sounds as beautiful as it looks.

Pierrot · #18 02-01-2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Kay

....

I'm pretty inept at all things digital, so I wont be able to put up any sound clips...sorry...

Oooooooh!

Splendid instrument, BTW. Again, congrats.

Rick Kay · #19 02-01-2012, 06:12 PM

Thanks, Voxwerks, Retroman,and Pierrot. I am smitten with this beauty!

I am really liking this guitar, spending lots of time with her. I can hear her settling in and opening up, and she plays really nicely and comfortably. I've gotten used to the extra tall arch in the back and hardly notice it, now, and I really enjoy the fast, "C" neck.

Today I fitted a "chopstick" bridge that I asked to be made in addition to the ironwood bridge with thumbwheel adjustment. I really like the look, its got nice character vs a conventional style bridge. I don't notice any difference in tone or volume that I can attribute to the different bridge.