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I got a really bad case of GAS yesterday when I visited the website of Dan Koentopp (Koentopp Guitars - Hand Made Guitars by Luthier Dan Koentopp). I just love that cello-violin vibe he has going with his Amati model:
Then I looked on Google Images for more cello-like guitars and found this incredible one by the Oscar Schmidt Company:
But then I remembered the painting of the infamous Borgia family at play in the 15th century, one of them holding a very similar instrument. We keep going round in circles. It's a viola da mano:
Does anyone else make archtop guitars with a pronounced cello or violin-like vibe? I find it very attractive.
I can't remember where I got this image from, but it is gorgeous.Last edited by Rob MacKillop; 06-09-2014 at 04:58 PM.
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06-09-2014 04:34 PM
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Rob,
Not that it's going to compete with the Koentopp (what a beautiful finish!), but I think this would fit the bill from an aesthetic point of view:
Handcarft violin style guitar jazz guitar, View jazz guitar, yunzhi Product Details from Beijing Yunzhi Hengwei Music Instruments Co., Ltd. on Alibaba.com
(Scroll down for close ups)
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There's one that pops up on this forum every once in a while, complete with the flared binding edges (whatever those are called). But I can't seem to find it now.
Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Personally, I think anything with those cutaways on the sides for bowing would be quite uncomfortable on one's lap.
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Thanks, Nils. Never seen that one before. It's a bit odd-looking, but certainly cheaper...not quite got the same lust factor. But I'll keep it in mind.
Trustworthy company?
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I hold the guitar down the outside of my right leg, usually, so these cutaways wouldn't be a problem. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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2005 Landscape AR-1
Not as "pronounced" as some examples on this thread but maybe worth looking at? Pretty reasonable, too!
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Hi Rob
Please correct me if i'm wrong...I think possibly Woody Sound is referring to the same brand as SierraTango above,
would this be the thread ?
Landscape Guitars
Also found this...
Landscape Guitars and Basses
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These Benedetto Bravo's have the look you and I like.
Cincy
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David, that's one of the most stunning guitars I've ever seen. You're a lucky man.
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No, the one I'm thinking of that has been pictured here before almost looks like a blond colored cello but with a guitar "waist" instead of the bowing cutouts. And it has the large ridges on the front and back bindings. Originally Posted by pubylakeg
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David Morse used to but he makes mostly bowed instruments nowadays.
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WARNING: Stay OFF the Koentopp website -- it will only make you want to purchase one of his guitars! Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
I got a really bad case of GAS yesterday when I visited the website of Dan Koentopp (Koentopp Guitars - Hand Made Guitars by Luthier Dan Koentopp). I just love that cello-violin vibe he has going with his Amati model:
[And Dan's a nice guy, so don't talk to him!]
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Well, thanks to everyone! What a lot of things to look at. I'm afraid the Koentopp stills looks the best, but apparently the price is in the region of 14,000 USD. Gulp. Double Gulp. But that's about the price of a good violin bow...Beyond me, though.
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Czech luthier Jan Fiser does violin style archtops too
Violin archtop V - wintage | Jan Fi?er
Moffa has already been mentioned-here's one of the best examples for my taste:
Moffa Guitars (5th photo from the bottom, Maestro in antique red).
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Thanks for those. For some reason I can't see the Moffa images on my iPad2, just the text. I'll look later on my computer.
The Fiser instruments look very interesting. Thanks again.
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I can see the Moffa now - very nice!
Overall, some have just put edging on their usual archtops to give a hint of the violin/cello (the Moffa is a fine example). Some build from the ground up as a violin/cello-based chamber. The Yunzi looks odd, but is certainly the cheapest. The Landscape and Fiser attract me. I've written to Fiser, enquiring about the price.
We shall see...
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Just found out about the guitars made in the late 1930s and early 1940s by William Wilkanowski
Some crazy instruments under his name on Google Images: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Wi...w=1633&bih=948
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There's even one of his guitars for sale...a mere 18,000 USD: https://www.musurgia.com/products.as...=5010666102014
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Totally agree that it doesn't have the same lust factor. I haven't dealt with Yunzhi myself, although I have ordered a 16" archtop through Lora Yu/Yolanda team, which seem to be using the same (ex)Yunzhi builder(s). They're sending pictures on a regular basis of the work-in-progress, and I feel I can trust them. But there are several Yunzhi threads here on this site. If you´re interested, BigMike and Spooks are some of the guys to ask. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Anyway, I was just wondering that since these people also build violins and cellos, they may be able to do a Borgia knock-off for you...?
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They will. I had enquired about a guitar with violin edge. I Sent them pics and they said they would do it. Originally Posted by Nils
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These guitars are gorgeous! Now I have something to save up for. . .DAMN YOU! Originally Posted by David B
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Touch of "the lamp?" or am i the only adolescent here?
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Rob,
Since you're a mult-instrumentalist, how about a Lyon and Healy style A mandolin? This one is a reasonable $4,382 at mandoweb. It's here: Lyon & Healy (used early 20s) Style A Professional mandolin - Mandolin Brothers, Ltd.
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Ha! Well, I did play the mandolin for six months, but just couldn't connect with it. Too small. Too tight. Too high pitched. I'll pass ;-)
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