Cutaway or Not?

[Nash_ferral]

Hey Everyonen,

Really looking for a jazz archtop that I can play acoustically. I need something that I can chunk along with do a little la pompe, but still be able to play single note solos. I'm not opposed to having a pickup but really want to capture the acoustic sound. Another stipulation I am working with is I would like something that is at least 25 inch scale if not a little longer.

The Eastman AR models are certainly a standout to me as well as the Heritage Eagles. Question for the group:

I know it really depends on the guitar but if I get, for example a Eastman 910 CE verse the non cutaway, will the volume be significantly less?

Are there any heritage eagle owners out there that play theirs acoustically? I have also thought about bracing and I think any guitar that I would buy would likely be x-braced- feel free to tell me differently.

I have a acoustic Godin fifth avenue that I am looking to upgrade from. I use nickel bronze 13s and would likely use something similar on this new guitar.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions!!

[FourOnSix]

I know it really depends on the guitar but if I get, for example a Eastman 910 CE verse the non cutaway, will the volume be significantly less?

No. If there is a volume difference at all based on the presence or absence of a cutaway, you won't hear it.

[58flame]

Heritage Eagles are fine instruments and I played one for about a year. It had set in pickups. You could hear it when you played it unamplified, but it wasn’t as loud as any of my archtops with floating pickups. As far as cutaways go - deal breaker without one.

[Stringswinger]

I do not think a cutaway makes a big volume difference nor do I think x bracing vs parallel bracing makes much of a difference. Each guitar is different. I owned two Guild-Benedetto Artist Awards. They were both made in the Westerly factory. One was quiet, the other was loud. If an acoustically loud archtop is the goal, play before you buy. Some will be louder than others. Guitars with built in pickups are meant to be electric guitars and are rarely loud.

Bottom line, play before you buy or make sure you have a return possibility. Get what you want.

[Rickco]

I have an "acoustic" Golden eagle, its as loud as my '42 L7 (mabey louder) with equal but different tone and a great floater that I almost never use, that said many owners report their Heritages dont have great volume so youd have to play them. The Eastmans seem to have good acoustic volume based on the small samples Ive heard. Cutaway or not wont make much sound difference, If you like to shred above the 16th you might prefer cutaway. A really good acoustic archtop is not easy to find and unless you get real lucky wont be cheap. Its rare to find a cut in pickup model with great acoustic sound. The best are the prewars and early post wars but youll pay and need a really good luthier just in case. Good luck the hunts as much fun as the buying

[Cunamara]

La pompe? Have you considered a Selmer-Maccaferri style guitar? I had one a number of years ago, not quite my cup of tea but a very nice guitar. Able to be quite loud, louder than any of my archtops.

[SierraTango]

Also, bear in mind that cutaway or not, these guitars are built to project forward to the audience, and will sound different to the player. However you probably are aware of this.

Much depends on setup and string as has been noted. I owned a Heritage Golden Eagle with a floater I bought from Jay Wolfe. It was pretty quiet.

I play my 1953 Epiphone Triumph Regent w 80/20 Bronze strings out with no pickup in smaller, quiet venues. I've been told the volume is absolutely perfect-but it's a duo with no bass or drums..

[omphalopsychos]

I have had mixed experiences. I used to have an eastman AR910 and an AR810CE. The 910 was way louder. I have an L7 and L7C from roughly the same period and the L7 is way louder. However I have also played some cutaway Epiphone triumphs from the early 50s and they sound MASSIVE. Depend on OP budget if you want a no compromise loud cutaway archtop with good tone that can fit in in a swing environment, I'd look for a used triumph regent like the one posted above.

[deacon Mark]

i personally think a non-cutaway all other things equal has an edge in terms of pure output and power. On the individual level things are up for grabs depending on the guitar. The loudest guitar I own in terms of pure power is my 37 New Yorker which happens to sing also in all registers. That said my Heritage Johnny Smith from 1993 has a huge output in terms power. Given it is a modern 17-inch archtop it strikes an anomaly.

The ultimate way to acquire and find an acoustic archtop is to play it in person and spend some time with the guitar. Realize that set up, action, strings, can change things quite fast and turn around what is initially perceived by the ear.

If you are looking for the rhythm king with sound and power, my suggestion is Buzz at Lark Street music who has a 19 inch Stromberg that will shatter I think a window in striking distance. It may not be the best guitar for intricate chord melody ala Johnny Smith.

[daverepair]

A cutaway is nice, for playing up by the octave/neck body joint, but not essential. The late 40's/early '50's Epi Triumph cutaways have truly excellent volume(I've worked on/played three examples). But my current favorite is a '45 Triumph non-cut, which has plenty. Most any 30's/40's 17" Epiphone will have plenty of volume, IME. Gibsons can too, but I have limited experience with them(unfortunately).

[FredH]

I have two Eagles. Both Spruce/mahogany tonewoods and mahogany necks. One has a set HRW single pickup. The other, a Heritage floater, #3 I suspect.

Both have a good acoustic volume. But the one with the floater is much louder, as one would suspect.

Both are cutaways. It’s been my experience that noncuts may be a bit louder, but my ear doesn't hear a great difference.