Flat tops with the playability of an archtop

**Bosko** · 08-07-2016, 05:43 PM

Any ideas?

Looking for a new steel string acoustic flat top (no pickup) that has the playability of my archtop. Short scale, slim c profile, 12 frets at the body, non cutaway, 4 1/2" max body depth, OO/OOO or similar body style, and sounds good enough to comp a singer.

Not looking for an archtop.

**55bar** · 08-07-2016, 06:23 PM

Collings OM-1

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**rabbit** · 08-07-2016, 06:43 PM

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars...7-black-smoke/

**rabbit** · 08-07-2016, 06:46 PM

Ooops, sorry, wrong scale length. Try this one:

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars...e-black-smoke/

**lindydanny** · 08-07-2016, 07:05 PM

Loar LH-200. I've played mine in many jazz and swing groups. It's a 14 fret, but amazingly playable.

**Jabberwocky** · 08-07-2016, 08:06 PM

Santa Cruz GC Eric Skye OO. SCGC M13. John Greven OO. Ribbecke GC Halfling (ok, half archie, surprisingly loud with phosphor bronze).

**Bosko** · 08-07-2016, 10:55 PM

Yeah, I am considering the Martin OOL.

**Bosko** · 08-07-2016, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Santa Cruz GC Eric Skye OO. SCGC M13. John Greven OO. Ribbecke GC Halfling (ok, half archie, surprisingly loud with phosphor bronze).

Some nice guitars if I can find them to play, all on my radar except the Greven & Ribbecke.

**Bluedawg** · 08-07-2016, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Santa Cruz GC Eric Skye OO. SCGC M13. John Greven OO. Ribbecke GC Halfling (ok, half archie, surprisingly loud with phosphor bronze).

I worked in a music store in my younger days and we carried Greven guitars ...

That guy does some of the most beautiful inlay work I've ever seen

Guitars sounded great, too

**Longways to Go** · 08-07-2016, 11:31 PM

I always end up liking Gibson for a flattop for some reason. the beautiful tone I guess?

The closest one I have to your spec is an American Eagle LG-2.
It is my sweetest voiced guitar for sure. Super sweet, but not super loud like a dreadnought.

I spend much more time on my flattops than any other guitars.
I haven't gotten to play a Santa Cruz yet, & I haven't bought a Collings yet either $$$$$$!, though I think about both.
but so far Gibson is my game.

**sgosnell** · 08-08-2016, 09:34 AM

Setting up a flat-top for playability is much, much more difficult than an archtop. It can be hit or miss. You can't just raise or lower the bridge a whisker by turning the wheels, you have to file the saddle, and if you file just a little too much, you have to start over with a new saddle. Getting one set up just the way you like it can take days, and if someone does it for you it's therefore expensive. Mostly you have to just live with what you get.

**TheGrandWazoo** · 08-08-2016, 09:35 AM

I just posted a question about this guitar but take a look at the Cordoba Leona. 12 fret, 25.3 scale, classical body (OO-ish)

L10-E - Cordoba Guitars - Nylon String Guitars for the Modern Guitarist.

**Bosko** · 08-08-2016, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned, I'm looking for a comfortable, play anywhere, take it anywhere guitar, $2K budget.

I'm not interested in nylon, I've owned a couple, not my thing. And for acoustic guitars, I prefer the lower tension of a short scale. I mostly play with a pick and a very light touch and like light, resonant, responsive acoustic guitars.

I did play a Loar LO216 that was OK, especially for the money. I'm trying to find a Loar LO-14 to check out, which has a short scale, and slightly reduced body depth.

It's a shame that a couple of my favorite acoustic guitar stores went out of business. Driving to LA sucks, even from OC.

**Greentone** · 08-08-2016, 11:03 AM

I've played the fabled spit-ton of flattop guitars through the years. Love 'em. For sound, you cannot beat an old Martin or Guild...or a newer Santa Cruz or _some_ Taylors.

However, most flattop guitars do not have the feel--especially the neck feel--of the typical archtop guitar. The exception is Gibson. A vintage Gibson J-45, a Hummingbird, or especially the SJ-200 (later just the J-200) really have necks that give you the feel of an archtop guitar.

I think the old Gibsons deliver a sound that is pretty stunning and is midway between the more "fussy" flattop sound and the "outta my way, I'm coming through" sound of some archtops.

**Bluedawg** · 08-08-2016, 11:34 AM

I love a good Martin style guitar ....

But I like the sound of a good Gibson flattop even more

I have an early 90s J-100 xtra that really sounds great

My J-100 is essentially a J-200, but with mahogany back and sides and a lot less bling

**Bosko** · 08-08-2016, 11:41 AM

Yep, an older Gibson could work as well. A little more work to find one, might be worth the effort.

**Thumpalumpacus** · 08-08-2016, 12:06 PM

Taylor. Necks are usually a bit slim for my liking, but action and playability are amazing, sounds are good, and build-quality is happening. You should be able to find a 414 in your price range, though you don't see as many noncutaways.

**Greentone** · 08-08-2016, 01:54 PM

J-100 is a good guitar!

**mr. beaumont** · 08-08-2016, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Taylor. Necks are usually a bit slim for my liking, but action and playability are amazing, sounds are good, and build-quality is happening. You should be able to find a 414 in your price range, though you don't see as many noncutaways.

Yeah, an x12 series Taylor would be perfect, and you can get a 12 fretter.

**Bosko** · 08-08-2016, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Gotta play quite a few no doubt to zero in on what I want.

**2bornot2bop** · 08-08-2016, 05:05 PM

That would have to be an Eastman AJ817 Arched back Jumbo...great guitars, I've owned several!

**Max405** · 08-08-2016, 06:42 PM

How about an ovation like Mr B just got?

**rabbit** · 08-08-2016, 07:48 PM

Offered for your consideration:

My opinion is that arch tops are better players because of the neck back-angle
and the 'free string length' between the bridge & the trapeze. I believe that string gauge
for string gauge and scale length for scale length this make the strings more pliant under
the fingers, especially the fretting hand. Just my opinion.

Age, weakness & pain have made me very sensitive to how difficult or comfortable
a guitar is to operate.

I've a lovely small bodied flat top that I'd like to experiment with using a temporary
trapeze tailpiece but I've spent all my money buying periods for my text messages and
just can't manage it.

Additionally, Taylor guitars can, I understand, be substantially adjusted for neck angle.

In the end I got lucky and found an ancient small-bodied arch top that I had
professionally rehabilitated for less than the budget you mentioned.
I've never seen a trapeze-style flat-top that was a good guitar. They must be out there.

Best of luck on your adventure!

**Bosko** · 08-11-2016, 09:59 AM

I played quite a few Martins, Collings, Gibsons, Takamines', Taylors', custom builds, and Loars. Not that I was seriously considering purchasing some of them - mostly just an update of what is currently available.

I did purchase a fun inexpensive guitar that I am comfortable playing all styles and can take anywhere. Loar LO - 216.

Not what I expected I would buy: smaller neck, O body, long scale, cheap construction, but very responsive, easy to play, and sounds pretty good. Plus I can let anyone play it, perfect to pass around at a get together.

Aloha