John Monteleone Speciale Arch Top $85k!

**iim7V7IM7** · 01-25-2016, 10:07 PM

My personal opinion is that John Monteleone is an "artist" luthier. He has pushed creative and artistic boundaries in archtop lutherie. So with John, you are not just buying an instrument, but are buying a "piece of art". Like luthier Ervin Somogyi, most of John's work these days are unique pieces for patron guitar collectors.

I have met him a few times at luthier showcase/guitar shows. I have also auditioned a few of his guitars and to be honest while I admired his creativity craftsmanship, I only been impressed once by their tone or playability. I believe it was a straight-ahead Radio City or Radio Flyer. Some of his more unique pieces, while beautiful, left me cold as instruments acoustically.

At this point, assigning a number of hours and hourly rate to his work is missing the point. He's become an artist and part of his premium pricing reflects the market's recognition of that. As instruments go, there are other luthiers, perhaps less artistic whose work I prefer. In their own way, they have each achieved their own mastery.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-26-2016, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by abelljo

... I know in the classical world people pay crazy prices for their violins, cellos etc...

Originally Posted by targuit

...Think about the violinists carrying Strads around NY city and leaving 'em in taxis. I shudder to think of the risk.

In the violin world most virtuosos don't own their instruments; they get them on a long-term loan from investor-patron-collectors. That is why multi-million-dollar violins get left behind on taxis, busses, trains and aeroplanes; these youngsters don't have to pay to have them and they don't feel the financial pain. OPM aka Other People's Money. Virtuosos or not, callow youth or not, nothing can explain away pure simple irresponsible behaviour.

If I had the means to pay $10 000 for an archtop, I sure as hell won't forget about it. I'll have my beady eyes on it throughout the whole journey on public conveyance. Let's not even talk about a $2 000 000 to $4 000 000 violin that I had to bust my cojones for.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-26-2016, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

My personal opinion is that John Monteleone is an "artist" luthier...He's become an artist and part of his premium pricing reflects the market's recognition of that. As instruments go, there are other luthiers, perhaps less artistic whose work I prefer. In their own way, they have each achieved their own mastery.

Yeah, I agree with this.