Acoustic Archtop video/sound clips

**Klatu** · 07-22-2014, 12:02 PM

I noticed an overall dearth of recordings featuring acoustic archtops, so I thought that it might be a good idea to collect some of our favorite examples in one place.

Here are a few I found of an outstanding player playing arrangements of Night and Day, Georgia on my Mind, Chinatown, and April Kisses.

**Klatu** · 07-22-2014, 12:08 PM

Here's a lovely rendition of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You", "Belleville", "Troubland Bolero", and "There Will Never be Another You" performed by a talented father and son team.

**GoergeBenson** · 07-22-2014, 05:51 PM

I don't need asking twice to show off the tone and looks of my Ibanez FA-800.

Heres a video of me playing the guitar, through various tunes.

'Moonlight In Vermont'
'Sugar'
'My Funny valentine'

String gauge is 10 round wounds, with a Jim Dunlop III pick, recorded into a Rhodes through an Apogee One. A touch of Reverb was added in Garage band.

The tone is what i can only describe as, sweet and highly articulate. There is no pickup on this guitar. It is a fully acoustic number with a single brace found inside along the bass string.

This video was made in 1080p so I encourage you to watch it in full screen :-)

**Greentone** · 07-22-2014, 06:22 PM

Klatu...nice playing. That Epi isn't your Triumph. Blackstone? Walnut? Nice sound. Guy from my old band tours with one. It really projects.

**Klatu** · 07-22-2014, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Kati...nice playing. That Epi isn't your Triumph. Blackstone? Walnut? Nice sound. Guy from my old band tours with one. It really projects.

The playing is great, but it isn't mine. The father and son team lands outside my age range; the gentleman is 20 years older than me, and the young man is 20 years younger. As for the guitars used in the videos, I believe that the older man's guitar is a 1930's Epiphone Broadway while the young man's is a 1950's Epiphone Triumph Regent. In the video where they are playing on their front porch, they look to be playing a Gretsch G400 and a custom Lehman archtop.

I don't have any videos of myself playing that I'd feel comfortable posting on this forum. The only example I have on the web is one that my wife filmed of me playing on a cruise ship to Mexico, and both the sound quality and the playing are shite. If I ever get my act together and learn how to properly record something using microphones and software (yikes), I'll happily post all sorts of material on this site. However, my aversion to technology has limited my internet presence so far.

**Klatu** · 07-22-2014, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by GoergeBenson

I don't need asking twice to show off the tone and looks of my Ibanez FA-800.

Heres a video of me playing the guitar, through various tunes.

'Moonlight In Vermont'
'Sugar'
'My Funny valentine'

String gauge is 10 round wounds, with a Jim Dunlop III pick, recorded into a Rhodes through an Apogee One. A touch of Reverb was added in Garage band.

The tone is what i can only describe as, sweet and highly articulate. There is no pickup on this guitar. It is a fully acoustic number with a single brace found inside along the bass string.

This video was made in 1080p so I encourage you to watch it in full screen :-)

Congratulations on both the recording and the playing. I like the relaxed tempo and tone you chose in your interpretations.

**2bornot2bop** · 07-22-2014, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I don't have any videos of myself playing that I'd feel comfortable posting on this forum. The only example I have on the web is one that my wife filmed of me playing on a cruise ship to Mexico, and both the sound quality and the playing are shite. If I ever get my act together and learn how to properly record something using microphones and software (yikes), I'll happily post all sorts of material on this site. However, my aversion to technology has limited my internet presence so far.

I recall that recording. You play well, and should never hesitate posting videos. That Triumph of yours is smokin!

**Greentone** · 07-22-2014, 08:52 PM

Ohhhhh...I see now that I was referring to Jo Pendley's guitar. Old Epi Blackstone, no? Not a Zenith. Got that walnut sound though.

**rpguitar** · 07-22-2014, 08:57 PM

Ugh! This thread is gonna finally force me to record "April Kisses" on video with my 1928 L-5. Now I have to torture that poor old guitar until it plays a take I'm not ashamed to post!

**mr. beaumont** · 07-22-2014, 09:28 PM

I love that tune!

here, roger, I'll do you a favor. Now just picture that on the best sounding, best looking archtop ever made.

**DRS** · 07-22-2014, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I love that tune!

here, roger, I'll do you a favor. Now just picture that on the best sounding, best looking archtop ever made.

I like the "Cry Baby" effect at :27

**floatingpickup** · 07-22-2014, 11:02 PM

Here are a couple of videos of me playing acoustic L5's. I just used the built in mic in my computer, so the sound is not perfect.
Keith

**rpguitar** · 07-22-2014, 11:51 PM

Well, I recorded April Kisses but I'm having a hell of a time uploading it to YouTube. Seems to be configured as 10 channels of audio rather than stereo, and when I upload it, there's no sound. Soooo frustrating... It's hard enough to play the bloody tune!

So in the meantime, here are a couple of my existing acoustic archtop videos:

**Klatu** · 07-23-2014, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I love that tune!

here, roger, I'll do you a favor. Now just picture that on the best sounding, best looking archtop ever made.

That sounds remarkably good acoustically for a guitar that was meant to be plugged in. I would have thought your Loar acoustic would have been an ideal candidate for "April Kisses".

**Klatu** · 07-23-2014, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by rpguitar

Well, I recorded April Kisses but I'm having a hell of a time uploading it to YouTube. Seems to be configured as 10 channels of audio rather than stereo, and when I upload it, there's no sound. Soooo frustrating... It's hard enough to play the bloody tune!

Your videos are indispensable resources on Youtube since there aren't many others who've taken the time to demonstrate the virtues of acoustic archtops.

**rpguitar** · 07-23-2014, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Your videos are indispensable resources on Youtube since there aren't many others who've taken the time to demonstrate the virtues of acoustic archtops.

That's really nice of you to say, Klatu, and why I put 'em up there. A few years back there was literally nothing! Now there's quite a lot more, actually.

And voila! I finally got the video to work! Clams and all... a late night take:

**GoergeBenson** · 07-23-2014, 04:02 AM

Hmmm, after Mr B's posting I'm not sure what counts as acoustic anymore, in regards to the thread.

That Godin has been recorded acoustically but it is not an acoustic guitar.

I thought we we're recording acoustic guitars?

**uburoibob** · 07-23-2014, 07:13 AM

I thought I'd posted this link yesterday, but apparently not. These are some of my favorite acoustic Archtop recordings. I will confess that I am the producer / engineer on these three CDs. We didn't shoot any videos, but there are some samples for each of the CDs:

Steve Greene Home

On the trio CDs, all guitars are Archtops. On the Bertoncini/Greene CD, Gene plays nylon string.

Let me know what you think.

Bob

PS There is a great interview that Eric Elias does with Steve about tone and how to find it on Steve's Bio page that is highly recommended!

**uburoibob** · 07-23-2014, 07:32 AM

Another great resource is Ken Parker's site.

Here is a link. Some GREAT stuff here...

Ken Parker Archtops Listen

Hope you enjoy!

Bob

**mr. beaumont** · 07-23-2014, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by GoergeBenson

Hmmm, after Mr B's posting I'm not sure what counts as acoustic anymore, in regards to the thread.

That Godin has been recorded acoustically but it is not an acoustic guitar.

I thought we we're recording acoustic guitars?

I was just messing around, since I had a version of April Kisses hanging around on a guitar that pales (acoustically) to those in this thread...

But now that I listen back, it doesn't sound terrible...

**GoergeBenson** · 07-23-2014, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I was just messing around, since I had a version of April Kisses hanging around on a guitar that pales (acoustically) to those in this thread...

But now that I listen back, it doesn't sound terrible...

Fair enough and I forgot to say, I liked your rendition :-)

It is a beautiful tune. I have written 3 gypsy jazz tunes, I should record them but sold my JJ Gitane some years ago and wish I hadn't.

**uburoibob** · 07-23-2014, 11:32 AM

Here's a couple of guys playing a couple of acoustic archtops...

**kamlapati** · 07-23-2014, 11:39 AM

OK, I'll expose myself, can't resist on a thread so close to my heart.

**uburoibob** · 07-23-2014, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by kamlapati

OK, I'll expose myself, can't resist on a thread so close to my heart.

Very nice! And that guitar has such a lovely voice too!

Bob

**GoergeBenson** · 07-23-2014, 12:30 PM

[QUOTE=kamlapati;445163]OK, I'll expose myself, can't resist on a thread so close to my heart.

Well done for exposing yourself (modestly ;-)

Very nice.

Those days of Guns & Roses :-)