Gloss finish archtops with round/oval hole

[RJVB]

The other thing to look out for even with more recent The Loars is a hump in the neck extension. Mine has that, but only really at the bass side where it isn't that much of an issue - and I'll have it shaved out when I have her refretted.
Then again I understand that this is something that you can also encounter in Eastmans.

And just about every MiC guitar will have to be checked for high spots because seating frets properly is too difficult for the Chinese, even for the Eastman workers in charge of that (apparent) afterthought aspect.

[Major Seventh]

Nice old Dick Knight archtop. 18"+.
Belongs to one of our European members, IIRC.

Nice. I once had a circa 1948 Straten Club 40 project, also built by Dick Knight, but for Selmer. I sold it "as is". I hope it got restored, as they are quite rare.

Don

[sansa]

The MasterBilt archtop / roundhole guitars are archtops. They have a pressed top -- not a carved top -- if that's what you mean.If you hit it with auto-body compound and glaze it would get pretty shiny. I've never played one. They don't seem to be beloved on JG.be.On the other hand, I once owned the reissue Epi Howard Roberts and as an electric archtop I liked it more than I planned to.It's not as nice as my 1968 solid-top Epi Howard Roberts but that's no surprise.Another alternative is to take a chance on one of those mutant L-75 knockoffs from the 30s.Here's one for $500 with a solid birch top.All the best with your quest.

thanks a lot for the detailed answer. you solved pretty every problem.first of all I didn't imagine that a polish could make a difference on a matte finish. that's a great info because many guitars I like have satin finish.the link you shared is for a guitar in the US. I searched 30s, 40s and 50s guitar but most of the archtops are very far from Europe. not easy for me. it's a big risk. but I'll definitely consider that. thanks again.