Custom Archtop in the $5-10k Range?

[iim7V7IM7]

Hi,

I wanted toask the forum if you had a budget of $5-10k to have a custom 16” archtop (17" are just too uncomfortable for my back) built for low volume, home play 90% ofthe time (60% amplified/ 40% acoustic) for solo jazz chord melody which builders and models would you suggest I look intoand why? The 5 luthiers that come to mind in this price range for me are:

1. Steve Anderson – Standard Archtop Model 16’

2. Mark Campellone – 16” Deluxe

3. Bill Comins – 16” Concert Archtop

4. Bill Moll - Classic Custom 16”

5. Dale Unger – American Legend 16”

My experience over the last 11 years has been with my Heritage Sweet 16 which I really still like. I am looking for superior acoustics unplugged and a number of aesthetic/ feel preferences at this point. I amalso interested in seeing if there are any floating pick-ups that sound good (Iswapped my floater for a full-sized on my Heritage about 3 –years ago) eitherby Kent Armstrong or Jason Lollar that sound anywhere near a full size HB intone.

Between these luthiers (or please suggest others), who wouldyou choose for someone in my playing situation and why? Are there differences in their build styles bracing etc. that would make you think of one over another?

Thanks,

Bob

[Flat]

I dream about a Comins Concert in a violin burst, so I guess I'd vote for that.

Enjoy your journey!

[bmw2002]

I would also check out Tom Painter's archtops. His guitars have a very acoustic quality often characterized as "1960's ES-175-like". His prices, I believe, start at $3500. There are a number of videos on youtube of his work and several Forum members who own one (me included). Have fun on your search.

Painter Archtops

[teleman3726]

I vote for Campellone, largely because I have a Deluxe.
But much of the difference between the models is cosmetic, I would go for a Standard model that you can customize. Drop Mark and email. He's a very approachable and friendly guy.

[clem_gael]

my favorite luthiers:

1- Tom RIBBECKE
2- Bryant TRENIER
3- Wyatt WILKIE

[marcwhy]

Those are all great guitars, so you can't go wrong!

I'd also consider Brad Nickerson and Dan Koentopp.

[tonedeaf]

my favorite luthiers:

1- Tom RIBBECKE
2- Bryant TRENIER
3- Wyatt WILKIE

This is a great thread from Wyatt Wilkie about a guitar he made for a customer: https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...op-guitar.html. I strongly suggest you read it.

If I was getting a custom guitar he would surely be on my short list.

[Jazzman301]

The handmade Kent Armstrong floating PAF is AWESOME and can even be coil tapped. Wonderful pickup
Kent Armstrong Adjustable Floating PAF (Handmade)

Have you considered getting in touch with Bob Benedetto? I am sure that he can build you something in that price range to your specs.

'Mike

[aoskayak]

Wyatt made that guitar for me that is on the mentioned thread. I play it for several hours a day 4 or 5 days a week. It is a very special instrument. I also own a Sweet 16. I love that guitar as well. Wyatt's guitar is more open, giving a wide range of frequencies. The sweet 16 has a mellow sweet tone that I like but does not sound as full and open as Wyatt's guitar.

He is about to finish another custom guitar for me. He will start on a third in a few months. As you can see I am a big fan. My vote is for Wyatt without a second thought.

[Rick Kay]

I could not be happier with my new custom from James Murphy
www.jwmurphyguitars.com

I appreciate the level of dedication James devotes to his guitars. I especially appreciate James' ability to translate a players particular "wants" to a beautifully made, and wonderful sounding instrument. I think its a rare and very desirable quality in a luthier. I highly recommend Mr Murphy.

[oldane]

I would also check out Tom Painter's archtops. His guitars have a very acoustic quality often characterized as "1960's ES-175-like". His prices, I believe, start at $3500. There are a number of videos on youtube of his work and several Forum members who own one (me included). Have fun on your search.

Painter Archtops

Tom Painters guitars start and end at $3500. They are inspired by the 1950s Gibson plywood archtops (ES125, 150, 175, 350). I have a Painter P-350 too. It's a laminated guitar, not carved woods. So while it actually has a decent volume, I don't think the quality of its acoustic tone can compare to a good carved top archtop. As an electric archtop, it sounds great - IMHO better than a carved wood archtop with a floating PU and better than my old 1961 Gibson 175. I bought it as an electric archtop, though I also use it unamplified at home for quiet practicing. If playing acoustic for others, I pick another guitar. My Painter also have a nice playability and it didn't take me long to bond with it. The Painter guitarss have very little decorative appointments. You won't get him to put on white bindings. You can persuade him to put on dot position markers though, but that's it. It's a matter of personal taste if one likes that or find it too crude. He's flexible when it comes to PU choice, PU placement, neck scale, neck width, fret size, nut material etc. As he makes his own wood plies himself, he'll also make the guitar with a top ply in various kinds of wood as you wish. Check out his web site and Picasa album.

The OP may also want to check out Jim Triggs who has reasonable prices an thus can offer a lot for the given budget. Jim is an excellent and very experienced luthier who has been overshadowed somewhat by others who have been better at marketing and flowery hype speech/writing without necessarily being better luthiers. He is very accomodating in regard to customer wishes. If, say, you insist on having an L5 like guitar finished in Barbie Pink, he might even do it - although I suspect he'll also be much obliged if you keep it as a secret that it was him who made it. Jim is an earthy person who concentrates on building guitars and mandolins. He was one of the heads at the Gibson custom shop back in the 1980s. He opened his own shop in 1992. These days he works with his son Ryan.

Triggs Guitars

[NSJ]

If I miraculously get some money this year, I will put a good chunk of it down to get a 7 string, non-cutaway "Imperial" from Eric Solomon of Solomon guitars. With a floating KA pup.

Solomon Guitars


A user here got one (a 6 string cutaway version), demoed it here with some incredible samples, and it was truly magnificent. The side sound hole gave it a different quality, sort of like a arch top and a flat top.

Or, in the alternative, I'd like to check out that oval hole created by Bryant Trenier.

[iim7V7IM7]

Hi,I have narrowed my archtop search to five luthiers based on their reputations, experience, price point and my aesthetic preferences to; Steve Anderson, Mark Campellone, Bill Comins, Bill Moll and Dale Unger. I am considering 16", 3" deep versions of:- Anderson Model #16 ($8,000)- Campellone Deluxe or Special ($5,985 or $7,560)- Comins Concert Archtop ($8,500)- Moll Classic Custom ($8,500)- Unger American Legend ($5,950)As we discussed, I am looking for an archtop that is small and comfortable to play. I am a home-hobbyist player who plays solo jazz chord melody arrangements. I play both acoustically (40% of the time) and plugged into my AI Clarus amp (60% of the time). I want an instrument that is responsive to touch, has good string-to-string separation, tight bass response and capable of lush chordal tones. It does not need to be designed for high plugged-in volume, because as a hobbyist player it is the rare occasion where I play out or at any volume. I obviously will see based on phone and e-mail communication who seems to be "getting" what I am looking for, their style of communication and lead times. I am curious to know among these choices, who would you recommend and WHY? Thanks Again,Bob

[coolvinny]

All the builders you listed are great.

However, have you thought about buying a used instrument? You can save a ton of money and you can also "try before you buy" which does not apply on an instrument that you commission from scratch.

Especially these days, there are some pretty good deals out there.

A used Anderson would be nice, however I notice that most people ask way too much for them upon resale (e.g. they paid $8K new and want $6,800). But occasionally they come up at more reasonable prices.

[JohnW400]

If you opt for the Campellone you may want to consider the Standard model and add some upgrades.

For example upgrade the woods to AAAA, rosewood pick guard and volume knob, Inlay work on the tail piece

There are two examples of upgraded guitars here to give you some ideas:

Inventory | Golden Age Fretted Instruments

[fws6]

max budget 10k ? you could buy anything ?

but if you say 16"acoustic, built in pickup, not overly loud, I would think Benedetto 16B ?

I could think of quite a few others that fit your description

[riovine]

I got a 17" Campellone Special a couple of years ago. I couldn't be happier with the guitar or the experience of working with Mark. If you go to youtube and look for RonIovine, I've got a few videos posted of me playing it with no amplification.

[Bluedawg]

I've been very happy with my Sweet 16's acoustic sound ... it has a floating pickup


But I understand .... that hasn't stopped me keeping my eyes out for other nice stuff ... I've had my eyes on Campellone for years

[iim7V7IM7]

What year is your Sweet 16 and what was installed. I think I had an HRW II.

I've been very happy with my Sweet 16's acoustic sound ... it has a floating pickup


But I understand .... that hasn't stopped me keeping my eyes out for other nice stuff ... I've had my eyes on Campellone for years

[Jabberwocky]

I'd go for Steve Andersen. He has a laminated 16" archtop called the Vanguard Laminate right now with a Lollar humbucker with a Nomex core top for $5800.00.

I like Steve's guitars for their understated looks, high quality of craftmanship, playability and tone. I don't own one but plan to when my pocket-book recovers.

P.S. Resale on any archtop bought new is never good. If resale is your concern, buy used. Price what you pay; value is what you get.

[Bluedawg]

What year is your Sweet 16 and what was installed. I think I had an HRW II.

I bought it new in 1992 ... so I assume it is either a '92 or a '91

I've never run a check on the serial number so I'm not sure. I just checked the Heritage site and mine is a '92.

It is still factory stock and I think that predates the HRW pickups ... I have no idea what the pickup is, but it sounds good to me. Does anyone have an idea what floating pickups they were using in '92?



Over the years I've managed to add to my collection a Gibson Le Grand, an L5CES and recently an L5 Wes Montgomery .. all great guitars

But the Sweet 16 has been my workhorse and I've actually gigged it enough that it is the only guitar I have that's paid for itself with gig money. I play it in two big bands ... mostly 30s and 40s swing music.

[coolvinny]

I'd go for Steve Andersen. He has a laminated 16" archtop called the Vanguard Laminate right now with a Lollar humbucker with a Nomex core top for $5800.00.

I like Steve's guitars for their understated looks, high quality of craftmanship, playability and tone. I don't own one but plan to when my pocket-book recovers.

I think he's looking for an acoustic archtop, which I normally associate with solid woods.

[iim7V7IM7]

I think that I am near to making a decision...stay tuned