Elferink Guitar Guidance

[paco1976]

Hi all,
I have just registered here. Finally! I've been reading through these pages a lot in the last year.
A lot of knowledge here, I am happy to finally join and say hello.

I've been playing for the last 25 years, though in the last year I have started seriously into jazz. Goodbye old Rock n Roll There is really no way back like people say, when you start into jazz you never look back. True to me.

I bough a cheap Epi Emperor one year ago. Has served me well, it was a 1989 korean. I changed all electronics and sounded quite good. I am used to high end guitars (as are my solid bodies), this was certainly not one, but it was good enough at the time. I sold it some days ago.

Now I am looking for a good opportunity to grab some high end jazz box worth keeping with the rest of my days.
There is a cool ES175, and for 300€ more I can get a Elferink Excalibur. I'm not happy with the ES175, too many mistakes in the production, this one has for example a couple of places with no finish (factory mistake), sounds ok but I always think I am paying 3x the price with Gibson.

DO you guys think Elferink is that good to get this guitar? I won't be able to play it before. I am rather inclined to get this one but I have no experience on this guitar. Is it an easy to play super soft guitar or a great sound but hard robust workhorse?

Thanks

[paco1976]

Well... I bought the Elferink. It is not a guitar, it is a "work of art" with all the pros and cons. Great tone (incredible), the materials quality are unbelievable, the craftsmanship... the man is really talented. The guitar is got 12 years old and has aged wonderfully, feels like playing a Stradivarius, it looks like it. Clearly the nitro finish he applies is great, his guitars are instant classics.
Cons: I think I would not carry this guitar if traveling a lot gigin' around, it is something you take good care of, you carry yourself.

Funny nobody made a comment...

[FourOnSix]

Well... I bought the Elferink.

Funny nobody made a comment...

Well, let me be the first, then. Congratulations. I'm sure it's an exquisite guitar. I've never seen or played one, but I've heard only great things.

[edh]

How about some pictures.

[kris]

Elferink - great instruments for jazz guitarists...

[vinlander]

A beauty indeed, is it a 18 inches ?

[paco1976]

17" it's not as big as it looks

[Archie]

Be careful. It depends what type of sound your looking for.

There is always a misconception that by going for the 'best' you'll get what you want. Sometimes better means, more acoustic, more attack, more sustain. If you like a more 50/60's sound, then it might not work out very well.

[paco1976]

I understand what you mean. Kind of the laminated vs carved top. Sound is different, you may like it better or not, regardless of the "value".
I was quite sure of wanting a carved top. And definitely like the attack and sustain vs the darker tones, short sustain of the laminated.
Both types have timeless records and artists defending one or the other.
I think this is my kind. I am really happy with it.

[jads57]

Acoustic archtop guitars 17" are very addicting indeed! I've also been a fan of Mr. Elferinks work (from afar albeit).
The big draw back w/ these instruments are when trying to play in loud live band situtions. What makes them great is what makes them also feedback when amplified. My advice is get this guitar and look for another guitar to cover louder live gigs even a Parts Tele.

[2bornot2bop]

She's wonderfully color coordinated. Posts with photos generally receive more comments. There's nothing that stirs the souls of many here like archtop pix. Congrats!

[paco1976]

She's wonderfully color coordinated. Posts with photos generally receive more comments. There's nothing that stirs the souls of many here like archtop pix. Congrats!

Same to me. I got my first archtop when the Floyd Rose guitars started to be difficult to sell, I decided to sell it before it was too late and change it for something interesting. I got Gibson, Fenders etc, just wanted something to add some flavor I decided to get an Epi Emperor. Great choice, really. And this sound has grown on me, playing more and more jazz. Learning a lot of theory and practicing a lot.
I knew from the first minute I played the Emperor I would want a good archtop in the future

[jimsnade]

Hi everyone
I have a 2014 Elferink Tonemaster and I must say the Guitar is not only a work of art it is extremely easy to play . the string height is very low without any buzzing .the sound developped a lot in the last year it is full and well balanced,simply a magnificent instrument .
Frans Elferink is a very nice guy, he sent me pictures of the wood and the progress of the guitar.
the price is similar to a factory built gibson es 175 but it's a masterbuilt instrument made of the best available wood.
the only thing is that I had to wait about 9 months for my guitar

[paco1976]

Congratulations to you too!
I am more and more impressed by the guitar. I hardly play my solid bodies now.
Elferink is a truly amazing luthier indeed.

[jads57]

Well I took the plunge and ordered a Tone Master archtop from Frans a couple of weeks back. I figured since the U.S. $ is so strong against the Euro it was the right time to order one. It will be awhile, but I'm very excited!

[paco1976]

Another one? All Elferink guitars are emerging now!!!
Congratulations for your ToneMaster! I am sure it is a great guitar, a very special one, you'll see

[jimsnade]

The size of the Tonemaster is just perfect for me. It is very elegant and comfortable to play.
Mine is a year old and the sound quality changed a lot. Somehow the bass strings are more powerful and the sound
Is more" woody". I went for the Armstrong floating PAF, lovely...
I tried lots of different strings and ended up with thomastiks George Benson 014.altouhg Frans Elferink had set up the guitar for. 011s the neck didn't need an adjustment
and is straight.
I am very glad that I discovered elferink, l first wanted to buy a Gibson es 175

[Giraku]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with Elferink guitars, paco1976 and jimsnade.
I am also thinking about ordering one. But in my case not Tonemaster but Moderne. Is anyone there who has some experience on Moderne?

BTW, paco1976 or jimsnade, could you elaborate on your choice of wood options, please?

[Rob MacKillop]

I feel like saving up for one. Might take three or four years, but I'm sure it will be worth it. They look and sound beautiful.

[kris]

Frans Elferink made also first Telecaster.

[jimsnade]

Mine is mastergrade bearclaw sitka and mastergraade bigleaf maple with a floating paf.
The sound is nice and warm, hard to explain

[Giraku]

Thank you for the info, jimsnade.
That's great to know!!

[jimsnade]

Frans Elferink was very patient with all my questions and advised me on the choice of wood

[kris]

Frans Elferink is a great jazz guitar maker!

[jads57]

For those of you who own Elferink archtops how do they compare tone wise to say a Gibson Johnny Smith, etc? Did he ask about how you wanted your instrument voiced, or is it one voice for all of his archtops? Thanks!