Full Size Archtops

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-07-2012, 12:04 PM

Hello everyone,Im looking to purchase a full size archtop,3" body depth max. 17" body max. Any suggestions in the $3000 $3500 range? Im looking for one of the small independent builders pieces. I have access to a nice Campalone standard and may pull the trigger on that but I would like to see what else may be available. Thanks. T.O.T.A!

**mr. beaumont** · 10-07-2012, 12:08 PM

Electric? Acoustic? Solid wood? Lam? floater? Humbucker? X braced?

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-07-2012, 01:38 PM

YUP! Im open for suggestions. Fire away!

**Jonathan0996** · 10-07-2012, 02:05 PM

Steve Holst will build you a full-size laminate archtop to your specs. I believe his price for a laminate guitar is now $3,300.

archtop guitar luthier Stephen Holst

He just built me a 16" laminate archtop. He does great work and is fabulous to work with. Here's the one he just shipped to me.

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-07-2012, 03:51 PM

Thank you,Ill check them out.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 10-07-2012, 03:55 PM

Stephen Holst

I only have the nicest things to say about that man. I met him via eBay back in 2002 and bought a number of custom ordered wooden tailpieces from him. In our back and forth I shared some cds from my concert collections for him to listen to and got to really appreciate his work. There is currently a really nice older (1998) Holst archtop for sale on eBay right now (not mine) and it reminds me so much of what classy work he does.

You can't go wrong dealing with Stephen Holst

**marcwhy** · 10-07-2012, 09:24 PM

+1 on Holst or Victor Baker for that price range.

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-09-2012, 08:41 AM

Im going to try a welker,Ive got a 72 hour try out period so its not like Im stuck with it if its not right. Slight compromise as its got a 17 1/2 " body,but the 3" depth I need. It should be here tomorrow. Thanks for your input. T.O.T.A.

**Klatu** · 10-09-2012, 09:39 AM

I checked out Fred Welker's site and was impressed by how beautiful and reasonably priced his instruments are. $3500 is still a big chunk of change for me, but it sure beats paying well over $5000 for a similar instrument. Have you played or heard any examples of his work?

Make sure to post reviews because it is always good to trumpet luthiers who are able to produce quality product for the working professional or serious student. IMO, craftsmen who fall into this category are Stephen Holst, Victor Baker, and Tom Painter.

Are there any other builders you can think of to add to the list?

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-09-2012, 12:04 PM

Ive never played any of his guitars but Ive owned a bunch of nice archtops. Ive owned a Gibson L5,a Heritage Gold Eagle,and about 20 others from Gibson 175s to Eastmans ,Hofners Daquistos etc. My biggest thing is I need a large neck,fatter the better. My tone I find is something for the most part I can get from almost any well made instrument,so Im hoping the neck is sufficent ,size wise. Ill update when Ive had a chance to check it out. Thanks. T.O.T.A.

**Jonathan0996** · 10-09-2012, 07:34 PM

The nice thing about Holst is that he'll make the guitar to your specs.

If you want a beefy neck (I did too), you can send him the measurements you want and he'll send you a mock-up to try. I suggested some minor changes to the mock-up and he nailed it in the finished guitar. And there's no upcharge for any of this! I can't say enough about how cool he is to work with.

**Klatu** · 10-10-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jonathan0996

The nice thing about Holst is that he'll make the guitar to your specs.

If you want a beefy neck (I did too), you can send him the measurements you want and he'll send you a mock-up to try. I suggested some minor changes to the mock-up and he nailed it in the finished guitar. And there's no upcharge for any of this! I can't say enough about how cool he is to work with.

I hadn't realized that the guitar in your avatar was the Holst that you had recently acquired. I figured that it was a Sadowsky Jim Hall because of the "S" holes, figured maple top, no neck binding or dots, and almond finish. It's a stunning guitar, and I think you got a great deal since you basically got a custom Sadowsky built in the USA with nitro finish. Awesome.

**gasvictim** · 10-10-2012, 11:50 AM

I would highly recommend an Andersen streamline which is about us5k. Sweet tone with great resonance. Sounds even better than some archtops I have almost twice the price. A bang for your buck. Carved, x braced and with Jason lollar floating pickups.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-10-2012, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I hadn't realized that the guitar in your avatar was the Holst that you had recently acquired. I figured that it was a Sadowsky Jim Hall because of the "S" holes, figured maple top, no neck binding or dots, and almond finish. It's a stunning guitar, and I think you got a great deal since you basically got a custom Sadowsky built in the USA with nitro finish. Awesome.

Yeah, Jonathan's Holst is seriously GAS-sing me...

**balthazar** · 10-10-2012, 05:37 PM

Hi Top of the Arch!

Furch A17-23-SF.

Furch Guitars - Musical instruments with a spirit

**Jonathan0996** · 10-10-2012, 08:41 PM

Thanks, guys. I'm enjoying the guitar a lot. I've never played a Sadowsky, but I'd like to get my hands on one for the sake of comparison. I'd be bummed if I like it better, but then mine was only 3/4 the cost of a Sadowsky.

I'm trying not to sound like a shameless promoter for Holst, but it's an enthusiasm thing.

**coolvinny** · 10-10-2012, 08:49 PM

Well let me offer my totally unbiased opinion on Holst guitars...

...kidding of course. I love mine. He also nailed my ideal neck shape - about .780 at the first fret (quite slim), and with only a slightly assymetrical shape (less so than his standard assymetrical). Very comfy. Highly recommended, but you have to be willing to wait for the guitar.

**Jonathan0996** · 10-10-2012, 08:52 PM

When I grow up, I wanna have Coolvinny's dignified sense of restraint...

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-10-2012, 08:56 PM

The Welker arrived today. Im really impressed with it so far,Ill get a few pics. and a general run down asap. I think I may just keep this one. T.O.T.A.

**Jonathan0996** · 10-10-2012, 09:10 PM

Wow, that was fast! Congratulations!

His guitars look terrific. Hope it turns out to be the love of your life.

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-11-2012, 08:48 AM

It really is a wonderfull guitar. Ill have more time to play it today,the neck is really quite comfortable,really fits my hand well. Ill get to try it thru an amp or two today. Ill give the rundown later today. T.O.T.A.