Stephen Holst Archtops

[Gabor]

I really like the violin like bindings and the sides (pic #3)

[silverfoxx]

Congratulations on your new Holst, the violin finish
is very classy, i hope that you enjoy it for many years
For the first time I placed an order for a Custom build
with another highly esteemed guitar builder, a long wait
but I know it will be worth it.

[BigMikeinNJ]

]I’ve known Steve since 2001, I had him make me a couple tailpieces. Always jonesed for an Archtop if his. This is supposed to be mt last guitar. I wanted some amazing wood for it, we found a vendor that had some gorgeous billets. So, since May Steve and I’ve been in touch. He truly makes what you want, these custom pieces take time. So if you’re patient you get what you ask for. He’s a real artist, not afraid to tackle the tough special orders.

In the immortal words of Rod Stewart, every picture tells a story.
enjoy

[BigMikeinNJ]

[BigMikeinNJ]

?Shaping up fast now

[BigMikeinNJ]

As of tonight it’s got two coats of clear nitro, no stain by choice. The body, neck and bindings are from that one amazin billet. The top is some real old growth spruce from Alaska. Thefingerboard, headstock overlays, tailpiece and pickguard are from one piece of macassar ebony. Using a Bartolinni 5J and Schattens, black Grover bean tuners. It’s worth waiting for.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Sam Sherry, that's right, go to the head of the class. Looking through the photos on his Facebook page I saw where he did that. Some ninny said “real archtops don’t have that”. My response is

How many fingers am I holding up...

[vinnyv1k]

[vinnyv1k]

holst daqv1k model

[vinnyv1k]

[vinnyv1k]

This is by far the best sounding laminate I have heard. It has a SD 59 pu and gold evo frets. On a bathroom scale it is a tad less than 6lbs.
A whole lot of guitar for $3300 new. Plays like butter and sounds better than my Tal’s. Super nice neck profile. Highly recommend Steve Holst.

[jads57]

I remember seeing that Stephan Holst prefers to use mahogany for his neck wood choice due to less time carving. Do you find it any different feel or tone wise to maple on an this instrument? Also can you post specifications, Thanks!

[Max405]

Jimmy’s spirit stayed out on the west coast it seems.
Wow! It is flawless Vin. Saying it sounds better than the Tal is saying a lot! Super high praise.
I see what mean about the tuners. Top quality stuff bro.
Gorgeous guitar bro. I am big time happy for you. Worth taking a frying pan for..
L,J

[vinnyv1k]

16x3.25 / 1-11/16 / 24.75 / 20 frets Jescar Evo gold 10347.
Basically like a 175.

Yes Steve Holst was very adamant about a mahogany neck. I have learned not to argue with builders. They know what works with there guitars.

[JSanta]

Vinny, the guitar is an absolute joy to look at. What a beautiful instrument. Enjoy it in good health!

[QAman]

Congrats Vinny - a great choice from a builder who truly accommodates the wishes of his clients. If more people would patronize these private builders they would quickly realize the difference from a factory build.

$3300 for that quality of instrument is ridiculously inexpensive when compared to other private luthier offerings.

Enjoy Vinny

[Stringswinger]

Congrats Vinny. May she inspire your playing for many years to come. BTW, I think very highly of the Duncan 59 PUP.

[vinnyv1k]

I agree Marco. The SD 59 is thick & thunky, but at the same time airey and defined. It is a great pu. I also very much like the KA humbucker. I am not a floater guy.

[wintermoon]

looks nice vinny, did you request that finish?
I guess a lot of luthiers are catching up on their backlog these days...

[vinnyv1k]

Yes honey burst

[neatomic]

vinny, hows the balance of the guitar?

i'd imagine the rather bold tailpiece is to offset any kind of neck dive..being as you said it's a relatively light guitar

and agree with Joe D..keepin the d'aquisto spirit alive!! a great thing...



cheers

[helios]

Congratulations! Your Holst looks similar to mine, but my dimensions are slightly different (16" X 2.75", 1.75" Nut, 25" scale, 22 frets, same Gold Evo frets: .047/.104, Lindy Fralin Humbucker)
I'm even going to say I helped build mine because I fashioned my own control knobs! Ha Ha!

[BigMikeinNJ]

Strves got s plethora of previous build photos on his Holst guitar Facebook page
most buyers ask for the very look Vinnys and my guitar have

vinny, hows the balance of the guitar?

i'd imagine the rather bold tailpiece is to offset any kind of neck dive..being as you said it's a relatively light guitar

and agree with Joe D..keepin the d'aquisto spirit alive!! a great thing...



cheers

[citizenk74]

Vinny, I think you'll be very happy with a mahogany neck on a 175-class instrument. And that finish looks like melted caramel - sweet enough to eat! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

[vinnyv1k]

No neck dive. Maybe another reason Holst was adamant about a mahogany neck like a 175.