Elferink or Wu?

**jads57** · 04-05-2017, 10:40 AM

The good news is either way you choose to go you will be very happy with a beautifully built archtop!

**Marty Grass** · 04-05-2017, 12:59 PM

An 18" archtop is not so difficult to hold comfortably. I had been concerned about the size years ago but found it to be no issue. After a few minutes it feels perfectly normal.

There are people with shoulder problems who may not be able to adapt so well. And I suppose if you are less than 5'6" it could be a challenge.

I do find that it is very easy to hold an 18" archtop that is no wider the 3". Others have said the same thing. Nonetheless, my Super 400 feels right at home.

The question is, do you really want an 18"? It will be a demanding princess to look after, and I don't know that the extra size makes much difference if you are playing amplified.

**Archtop Guy** · 04-05-2017, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

I have an 18 inch Elferink Excalibur for pics in the for sale section. It is a beautiful near mint 12 years old.

Rob, deacon mark has a video on U tube showing his Elferink.Just type in Elferink. Check it out. It's a beauty.

**bananafist** · 04-05-2017, 02:48 PM

Good luck with the search for the 'right' archtop Rob.

It may be worth ringing Frans E. to talk about what you are looking for in a guitar. He does quite a variety of custom builds.
Brian Trenier is now based en France, so he's a possible, though quite expensive. Also Stefan Sonntag builds nice guitars, for very realistic prices. Rob Aylward, as someone else said, builds archtops and other guitars in Scotland, so worth checking out. Daniel Slaman still has one of his used acoustic archtops on his website - with a vid of him playing it, for not a lot of money, but it is only 16".

I think for us in the UK, vintage Gibsons are a bit hens teethish, but I was lucky enough to get hold of a 1937/8 Recording King M4 in VGC recently, and the brighter sound of the laminated sides and back with the carved top suits the kind of trio playing I do, but may not be mellow enough for you. Many of the older archtops have fatter or very Vee'd necks, like the Loar 700, which we both had one of briefly, and as I recall, you didn't care for it.

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-05-2017, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

The question is, do you really want an 18"? It will be a demanding princess to look after, and I don't know that the extra size makes much difference if you are playing amplified.

This will be purely acoustic, Marty, with no pickup. I will use my Aria D'Aquisto if I need to plug in. Thanks for you comments, though. I have a hunch 18" will be just right for me.

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-05-2017, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

Rob, deacon mark has a video on U tube showing his Elferink.Just type in Elferink. Check it out. It's a beauty.

I cant buy from the US, I'm afraid, without having to add 20% UK taxes plus shipping and insurance. And need to buy from Europe before Brexit kicks in...I've no idea of things will be after that.

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-05-2017, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

Good luck with the search for the 'right' archtop Rob.

It may be worth ringing Frans E. to talk about what you are looking for in a guitar. He does quite a variety of custom builds.
Brian Trenier is now based en France, so he's a possible, though quite expensive. Also Stefan Sonntag builds nice guitars, for very realistic prices. Rob Aylward, as someone else said, builds archtops and other guitars in Scotland, so worth checking out. Daniel Slaman still has one of his used acoustic archtops on his website - with a vid of him playing it, for not a lot of money, but it is only 16".

Thanks for that. I'd forgotten about Sonntag. Rob Aylward's website has been that way for years - it's a useless site, and therefore difficult to judge anything about his archtops. I believe he's more a gypsy jazz luthier these days.

**rob taft** · 04-05-2017, 05:31 PM

Rob, I guess it is a bit of a drive by Scottish standards but a very short trip by US mileage but have you considered Mike Vanden in Argyll?

**neatomic** · 04-05-2017, 06:06 PM

honestly don't know if the 18" is required (or best) for sound you are after...18" archtop was in response to big band comping volume...coming out of banjo era into freddie green style orchestra playing

for fingerpicking & solo work, that changes..some of the greatest and best toned fingerpicking came out of parlor guitars

a well designed smaller 16-17 body can sing acoustically

now if you say you just plain love the look of an 18..that's different..i'm right with you..used to see the old stromberg 18's on 48th st nyc years ago...they were really something!

i'd like to see what design elferink comes up with as per your tonal requirements

cheers

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-05-2017, 06:07 PM

I'd need to sell my house and everything in it to be able to afford a Vanden, Rob. No, I think it's now between Elferink and Jaen.

**neatomic** · 04-05-2017, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

I'd need to sell my house and everything in it to be able to afford a Vanden, Rob.

i hear there's a nice travel lodge nearby!!! hahaha

cheers

**rob taft** · 04-05-2017, 06:14 PM

Sorry, Just a suggestion. Hope you find what you are looking for. rob

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-05-2017, 06:19 PM

Neatomic, it would be an 18" set up not for big band stuff, but for my usual plectrum guitar, Bill Bay type repertoire. I want more air in the notes, more dynamic and tonal range. It could be 17". I have a small-bodied Taylor acoustic for DADGAD fingerpicking, so I know well the sound of smaller guitars, but I'm seeking something bigger. And, yes, they look uber cool

**neatomic** · 04-05-2017, 06:23 PM

yes i understand what you are going after, but a violin can be louder than a contrabass!

cheers

**stanislaw1** · 04-05-2017, 07:21 PM

Hi Rob,
I have an acoustic 17" Wu guitar you might be interested in. I also have another 15" archtop made by him with a set in humbucker, but that`s another story ... That was made to my spec with a 24" scale in case I get doddery in my old age. I`m delighted with both of them and wouldn`t hesitate in going back to Mr Wu and Mrs Lora for another guitar.

I was going to go to Yunzhi as I had a guitar by them in the past but came across Big Mike`s posts and switched to Mr Wu and Mrs Lora. I also took his advice on re-carving the neck on one of his posts. I blame Big Mike for everything ! just kiddin` Mike. :-) Your advice and posts have been an informative joy to me....as has this wonderful and very civilised forum. pleased to meet you guys, I guess that`s the end of my lurking days.

The Acoustic guitar was already built when I bought it. It had a pretty chunky neck but I had it re-carved by luthier/guitar builder John Le Voi in Lincolnshire. He didn`t take much off the neck as I like them pretty full ....just enough to make it more comfortable for my short fingers. It`s now a full `C` shape rather than a full `D` shape. I was going to put a pick-up on it but havn`t got past buying the schatten controls, as yet.
John also did a full set up which included perfecting the fretwork.

As i`m in the UK, in Lincolnshire, you are most welcome to try it out if that helps you to make your mind up.
I would probably let it go for a very reasonable price if you were interested as I fancy going the full electric big body route for the next guitar. It`s got flatwounds on it as I was going to electrify it but I can say that it`s pretty darn loud ! Any questions would be answered to the best of my ability. I have no recording gear so i`m afraid I can`t post what it sounds like.

I`ll try and upload a few fotos here and would like to post again to show my other Wu guitar. It`s a little beauty. In the meantime, best regards to one and all.

**Spook410** · 04-05-2017, 09:27 PM

I have 2 Wu guitars and 5 Yunzhi's. Each has a bit different spec. I've had them quite awhile now and they are all good guitars. The price has allowed me to enjoy a variety of configurations and materials which to me is one of the best reasons to buy one (want a good sounding acoustic 18" oval sound hole in mahogany with a purple burst for under $2K? No problem). Questions about their relative quality was settled long ago with pretty broad agreement that they are good guitars. If you already know a Benedetto style archtop does what you want, they would likely be a safe choice.

Still, if I were looking for something you don't get in production guitars I would certainly go with a custom builder. They have more time for detailed work and more skill in meeting specific requirements beyond what you get from specifications. I'm in the camp that says custom guitars are always better than factory in terms of the instrument and the prices you mentioned seems more than reasonable if it's a good builder. Vintage? Would be nice if you lived in a place with a selection. Feeling a move to LA, Chicago, or the US east coast sometime soon?

Also.. just a question.. have those that have Heritage 'tuned tops' versus 'not tuned tops' seen that much difference? I always considered what custom builders do to achieve their results to be much more holistic than their skill in forming the top.

**Rob MacKillop** · 04-06-2017, 02:53 AM

Thanks, guys. If I went down the Wu route, I would start afresh, order a guitar entirely to my preferred spec.

I wrote to Elferink and Jaen, and got a very good response from the latter. He would even bring it to Edinburgh for me to view, no shipping costs. He also spent quite a bit of time looking at my videos, and has detailed ideas about the best set up for me. He charges about the same as Elferink, and his work looks first rate.

Much to think about. Thanks for all the replies.