Manzer vs. Parker in the ultra high-end archtop sphere?

**Hammertone** · 11-04-2024, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by RJVB

Yes, there's that, but I'd think (hope) that the neck attachment/adjustment mechanism has a minor or even neglible effect on the sound (personally if I were to order this kind of instrument I'd ask for a "normal" neck and traditional height-adjustable bridge, for various reasons).

Like one of these:

**RJVB** · 11-04-2024, 03:24 PM

Or one of these (with a somewhat different sound ideal to be discussed with the builder)

In fact, if I'd been more couragious and less in a hurry to buy a "sure value" I might now own the 1st nylon-string Cranmer Guitar(s).

**CharlesC** · 03-01-2025, 12:03 PM

Manzer vs. Parker in the ultra high-end archtop sphere?-img_6726-jpg

Manzer vs. Parker in the ultra high-end archtop sphere?-img_6728-jpg

Manzer vs. Parker in the ultra high-end archtop sphere?-img_6724-jpg

**CharlesC** · 03-01-2025, 06:08 PM

So I decided to throw a set of PB strings on the Manzer (.13-.56). These are heavier than I usually play. I usually keep nickel strings .12-.52 on this guitar. Kinda of fun to take them for a test drive! It's a workout though!

lol

**Cunamara** · 03-02-2025, 03:31 AM

Manzer? Wowser! What a beautiful instrument and congratulations, Charles. I hope it inspires you for the rest of your days.

**CharlesC** · 03-02-2025, 10:31 AM

Thank you!

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 03-02-2025, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesC

So I decided to throw a set of PB strings on the Manzer (.13-.56). These are heavier than I usually play. I usually keep nickel strings .12-.52 on this guitar. Kinda of fun to take them for a test drive! It's a workout though!

lol

Sounds great, Charles. As does your playing, of course!

**CharlesC** · 03-02-2025, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by D'Aquisto Fan

Sounds great, Charles. As does your playing, of course!

Thanks Michael!

**Rustic** · 03-02-2025, 02:47 PM

Hello Charles,

Wonderful playing, wonderful tone, gorgeous instrument!

Is that a Kent Armstrong 12 pole pickup or something else? I'm curious because so many high end archtops have Johnny Smiths. How do you feel it compares to a J.S. in terms of warmth, balance, overall tone? Did you decide on that pickup or did Linda?

I'm guessing you have volume and tone 'wheels' under the pickguard?

Thanks,
R.

**CharlesC** · 03-02-2025, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rustic

Hello Charles,

Wonderful playing, wonderful tone, gorgeous instrument!

Is that a Kent Armstrong 12 pole pickup or something else? I'm curious because so many high end archtops have Johnny Smiths. How do you feel it compares to a J.S. in terms of warmth, balance, overall tone? Did you decide on that pickup or did Linda?

I'm guessing you have volume and tone 'wheels' under the pickguard?

Thanks,
R.

Hi Russ!

Thank you so much!

It's a KA 12 pole pickup. In the videos it's just the guitar mic'd (no pickup). This is Linda's pickup original to the guitar. It has the model engraved on the pickup, JazzCat. It took a bit of tweaking to get it dialed in. I ended up getting some longer pole pieces from Kent and that did the trick. It did the trick. The amplified tone sounds just like it does acoustically but warmer. Most importantly, the guitar is so balanced, I wanted that same sound amplified and finally got it. It's different than a JS in my opinion, more transparent if that makes sense? I'll make a few videos plugged in to give you an idea of the sound. It's fantastic! (gotta wait for the string change though, lol) Yes, volume and tone under the guard. I don't use the tone much and back off the volume just a little. I use the amp to control overall volume.

**Rustic** · 03-03-2025, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the clarification.

Do the longer pole pieces give you more needed adjustability or do they change the tone somehow?

That's a gorgeous instrument...

R.

**CharlesC** · 03-03-2025, 12:04 PM

No problem! Love talking gear.

It was for more adjustability. The high E and G string were a little weak when amplified. I realized once I raised the pole pieces it didn't help much. I pulled the pole piece and there was barely any into the magnet of the pickup itself. I thought maybe if the pole piece went further down into the pickup it might help. It did! The balance it perfect amplified. Not one string jumps out more than the others.

**CharlesC** · 03-03-2025, 12:11 PM

Manzer vs. Parker in the ultra high-end archtop sphere?-img_0289-jpg

**bluejaybill** · 03-03-2025, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesC

I wonder if that's Ken's regular PAF style 12 pole?

Regarding the questions about that pickup, I too was having trouble balancing the strings on my Campellone. I had a Lollar JS on it originally. After trying another brand JS, I decided to bite the bullet and have an additional pick guard made by Mark with the Armstrong 12 pole PAF

The switch turned out to be highly successful for both sound and balance. For the first time the G and D strings were brought into alignment with the other strings. The tone is warm and full with just enough string attack. It helps to have two screws to adjust on each string. I don't know if the screws are long or not. But I'm very happy with the switch.

I think a lot of people prefer the look of the JS as a floater, it's a very traditional look. That was one reason I held back from the change, I'm not crazy about the big black pickup. But the sound won out in the end. I still have the JS with a phono plug so I could try it out again, haven't felt the need to do that yet.

**Stringswinger** · 03-03-2025, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by bluejaybill

I wonder if that's Ken's regular PAF style 12 pole?

Regarding the questions about that pickup, I too was having trouble balancing the strings on my Campellone. I had a Lollar JS on it originally. After trying another brand JS, I decided to bite the bullet and have an additional pick guard made by Mark with the Armstrong 12 pole PAF

The switch turned out to be highly successful for both sound and balance. For the first time the G and D strings were brought into alignment with the other strings. The tone is warm and full with just enough string attack. It helps to have two screws to adjust on each string. I don't know if the screws are long or not. But I'm very happy with the switch.

I think a lot of people prefer the look of the JS as a floater, it's a very traditional look. That was one reason I held back from the change, I'm not crazy about the big black pickup. But the sound won out in the end. I still have the JS with a phono plug so I could try it out again, haven't felt the need to do that yet.

My L-5CESN came to me (from a fellow forum member) with a pair of handmade Kent Armstrong 12 pole pickups in Black. The original gold 57 Classics ended up being included in the deal. It was my intention when I got the guitar to have the pickups swapped at the first string change. That guitar has been through several string changes and the black 12 pole pickups are still there. I do not love the non traditional look, but the sound is as good as the late PAF pups that I once had on a 63 175, so those gold 57 Classics remain in the case pocket.

The sound should win out in the end I suppose....

**floatingpickup** · 03-04-2025, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by bluejaybill

I wonder if that's Ken's regular PAF style 12 pole?

Regarding the questions about that pickup, I too was having trouble balancing the strings on my Campellone. I had a Lollar JS on it originally. After trying another brand JS, I decided to bite the bullet and have an additional pick guard made by Mark with the Armstrong 12 pole PAF

The switch turned out to be highly successful for both sound and balance. For the first time the G and D strings were brought into alignment with the other strings. The tone is warm and full with just enough string attack. It helps to have two screws to adjust on each string. I don't know if the screws are long or not. But I'm very happy with the switch.

I think a lot of people prefer the look of the JS as a floater, it's a very traditional look. That was one reason I held back from the change, I'm not crazy about the big black pickup. But the sound won out in the end. I still have the JS with a phono plug so I could try it out again, haven't felt the need to do that yet.

I bought a “JazzCat” floating pickup from Linda several years ago (which I installed on a Heritage Golden Eagle). I pretty sure it was just a Kent Armstrong standard 12 pole paf, which had her brand engraved on it. It was a terrific sounding pickup.
Keith

**bluejaybill** · 03-04-2025, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

My L-5CESN came to me (from a fellow forum member) with a pair of handmade Kent Armstrong 12 pole pickups in Black. The original gold 57 Classics ended up being included in the deal. It was my intention when I got the guitar to have the pickups swapped at the first string change. That guitar has been through several string changes and the black 12 pole pickups are still there. I do not love the non traditional look, but the sound is as good as the late PAF pups that I once had on a 63 175, so those gold 57 Classics remain in the case pocket.

The sound should win out in the end I suppose....

Well mine doesn't sound quite as good as the real PAF's I have in met Les Paul! But I haven't found anything that matches those.

The Armstrong though has a bit more air in the sound in addition to the warmth, so I'm very happy. Who knows, if I took one of those PAF's and made it into a floater, maybe it would sound the same!

**wintermoon** · 04-23-2025, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesC

I have a question guys...

Let's say I was toying with the idea of selling my Manzer. Do you think it's possible to do so here on the forum without the ad turning into a discussion about the cost of the guitar?

Or is it better to use another platform?

Just curious what your thoughts were. I have had a few For Sale ads get a little off topic. LOL

Thanks!

You can try here. I would hope people would be respectful and not comment on the price.
Ultimately though w a high end guitar like that consigning it w a longtime dealer like Larry Wexer would get the most visibility as this site only reaches a small percentage of the market.

**Sam Sherry** · 04-23-2025, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesC

I have had a few For Sale ads get a little off topic. LOL

FWIW I find the JG.be phenomenon of using for-sale posts as another launching pad for general discussion to be charming.
As the 20th -century philosopher Yogi Berra once said, "You can observe a lot just by watching."

Originally Posted by CharlesC

Do you think it's possible to do so here on the forum without the ad turning into a discussion about the cost of the guitar?

Y'know, that may have happened but I don't see it as a pattern or practice. Which is as it should be!

All good luck with your decision-making process.

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 04-23-2025, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesC

I have a question guys...

Let's say I was toying with the idea of selling my Manzer. Do you think it's possible to do so here on the forum without the ad turning into a discussion about the cost of the guitar?

Or is it better to use another platform?

Just curious what your thoughts were. I have had a few For Sale ads get a little off topic. LOL

Thanks!

I don't think it would hurt to post it here... unless you're working with a dealer like Larry Wexer. Obviously for the most visibility Reverb is the way to go, albeit with its pros and cons.

**deacon Mark** · 04-23-2025, 01:25 PM

If you know what it is worth, then sure post it here. Naturally you probably can get more money from a dealer, but will you actually clear more after the sale. A good dealer like Larry or Chuck (thatrythmman) gives a buyer more security than an individual. Sometimes that is not true if you are a known individual or have some other good reputation that can be trusted.

A person with a good rep and trust I believe could post a guitar here and do better than a dealer, but not always and there is risk. Posting it a price that is attractive can be a win but the problem I see is Manzer has class act recognition. She makes great guitars and one of the few boutique builders that can command a very high price. It is like selling house in most real estate markets. Getting a dealer than then seeking a pie-in-the-sky price is not the way to go. A good dealer will put a guitar at a price the usually is within range of selling.

So, for instance, putting your Gibson L5 from 2005 on Reverb for $12000. is ok but I am sure not going to be talking with you at all. A Manzer is a special case guitar deserves thought.

**CharlesC** · 04-24-2025, 11:15 PM

Well, never mind...I have been playing it for the past few hours.

I am not sure what I was thinking. I'm still just as obsessed with it and it doesn't get better than this IMO. I feel so fortunate to have it.

Moment of weakness I guess and a tax bill. lol

Thanks for the input!

I'll post some new videos I made with it this evening.