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I woke up today and decided to make a change. So, I promptly turned over onto my stomach and went back to sleep that way. The change was a wise choice.
When I re-woke I decided to make yet another change; I’m getting an acoustic archtop. I’m bored with my flatwound, L5 copy through a Polytone and want go in crazy new direction.
So my question to you, the lovely and talented forum: What is the best way to amplify the glory that is the acoustic archtop? A Fishman? Baggs? What about amplifiers?
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01-15-2010 02:08 PM
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A lot of people recommend Benedetto pickups, a collaboration between Bob Benedetto and Seymour Duncan. Some of the old DeArmond pickups are popular but can be expensive if you find them.
Brad
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Whoa! That "S" series looks promising! Thanks brad4d8.
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I haven't heard of anyone using a piezo like a Fishman on an archtop -- I find those transducers too jangly myself. And you certainly don't want to start routing a nice carved top, so that leaves floating pickups or just miking it (which would be a pain). In addition to the Benedetto, archtop.com has a single coil made by Kent Armstrong which will get you close to the Dearmond sound:
ac accessories
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Here's another that may give more of an acoustic sound
Pure Western - K&K Sound
This manufacturer get's a lot of good reviews on the classical forums.
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As for amplifying a (formerly) acoustic archtop, I think your
Polytone is still going to sound good. Another option is to use
more of an "acoustic" guitar amp like AER, Acoustic Image or
Phil Jones. I have the little Phil Jones CUB AG-100 and I love it:
CUB AG-100 Guitar Amplifier | Phil Jones Pure Sound
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Looks interesting, but I don't know if I'd want to drill a hole in a classic axe, one advantage of the floating pickups. If you're not playing a valuable and collectible axe (like a vintage D'Angelico or Stromberg) it might be a way to go.
Originally Posted by JohnW400
Brad
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I have seen an archtop bridge somewhere that has a piezo unit inside. You know, as non-convenient as it sounds, in a perfect world, the ideal way to really amplify an acoustic archtop really would be a good microphone, as piezo's always leave me cold with their harsh, plinky, rubber band-y attack.
So, with the multitude of choices and price points what kind of archtop were you thinking? (were talking stuff as affordable as anything, like a godin fifth avenue to more expensive than my car type stuff--toys for big boys, so to speak) clearly, there seems to be as many philosophies on amplifiaction as there are various manufacturers, really.
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I have a Strawberry Blonde acoustic amp, but find that my acoustic archtop (Artist Award with a DeArmond 1100 Rhythm Chief) sounds better through my Ampeg Reverberocket (all tube) amp. Probably any amp with a good clean channel will sound okay. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
Brad
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As far as amplification of acoustic archtops, the AER seems to be pretty popular, though the Acoustic Image stuff is probably the top of the heap. The Clarus joined with a Reazor's Edge or Redstone cab is powerful, transparent, quiet, and easy to schlep around. Happy hunting.
Acoustic Image Amplifiers from J. Hale Music
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Many sincere thanks to you all. Believe me when I say, this is exactly the kind of advice I was seeking.
Right now, I'm leaning towards getting a cheaper guitar (Gretsch g100, Godin) until the right Archtop presents itself. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of Acoustic Archtops here in Omaha and I insist on playing a guitar b4 purchasing which rules out buying online.
You've definitely given me plenty of options to consider. The reviews of the CUB look very promising. I'll have to add that to the AER, Acoustic Image equation.
Any impressions people have on the mid-low priced guitars out there would be welcome as well. Despite it being just a temporary instrument
I'd like to know the thoughts of those who are used to playing proper vintage instruments.
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I've not played either, but have read good things about both of them. I do have a Godin nylon electric and I like it better than the Gibson Chet Atkins nylon electric I have. Originally Posted by Old Feller
Brad
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If you find yourself getting near the KC area, Mass St. Music in Lawrence (great shop) carries Eastman archtops. In St. Louis, Fazio's Frets and Friends carries arcthops. Last time I was there, they had Hofners and gorgeous ones (read pricey) from a local builder, Tom Bills. Eddie's Guitars in St. Louis carries Heritage archtops. Originally Posted by Old Feller
Many sincere thanks to you all. Believe me when I say, this is exactly the kind of advice I was seeking.
Right now, I'm leaning towards getting a cheaper guitar (Gretsch g100, Godin) until the right Archtop presents itself. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of Acoustic Archtops here in Omaha and I insist on playing a guitar b4 purchasing which rules out buying online.
You've definitely given me plenty of options to consider. The reviews of the CUB look very promising. I'll have to add that to the AER, Acoustic Image equation.
Any impressions people have on the mid-low priced guitars out there would be welcome as well. Despite it being just a temporary instrument I'd like to know the thoughts of those who are used to playing proper vintage instruments.
Beyond KC and St. Louis, there is a Heritage dealer in Wichita, KS. Might be worth a trip to Nashville to visit Gruhn's as he always has a bunch of different archtops. Rest of it is poking around on the net. Good luck with it.
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I've actually played both. They were both adequate. The Gretsch seemed a little warmer but the Godin was a bit more "live". It would come down to taste.
But I realized, I've never played a truly quality Archtop Acoustic. I've played plenty old Kays and Silvertones that would come through the music store, but my younger and stupider self never had enough interest to seek out the L7's, Strombergs, etc that might have passed through.
So I'm interested to hear the impressions of those that have.
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I was thinking J Hale, which is between Madison and Milwaukee , right?
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Originally Posted by derek
Yes!! I've been considering a trip down to KC for just this. Thanks for the tip on where to visit.
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I was in Omaha last week--will be moving there for good in July--and visited Russo's. Great place, with a LOT of nice guitars. I tried out the Gretsch G100, which in my opinion beats out the Godin 5th Avenue for appearance and playability, but they are both nice looking and relatively cheap.
Both of them have electric versions with a floating pickup for the Gretsch and a P90 on the Godin, for the best of both worlds.
I have an old Silvertone that I have been playing with, and got a cheap surface transducer pickup--hooked it into my Troubadour amp, turned the treble and midlevel WAY down, and got a pretty good, woody, acoustic sound. I also looked at getting a piezo pickup for the bridge (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ELAID=41459421), or an undersaddle ribbon pickup (http://www.archtop.com/ac_access.html#anchor46180653), but decided to go with a simple solution for the time being.
If I had a nice acoustic archtop, I'd probably get a floating Kent Armstring pickup (~$65-70 at Stew Mac). If you want a woodier acoustic sound go the piezo or surface transducer route.
BTW piezo technology has improved substantially and there are a ton of products out there--LR Baggs and Fishman are well regarded, also Dean Markley. With a good acoustic amp or preamp you can control the sound so it doesn't sound thin and squeaky. My classical A/E with a piezo sounds GREAT through an amp. However, I don't think they sound so hot with a tube amp.
Re' amps your Polytone should do OK, but the Ibanez Troubadour series is a nice amp for the money.
Good luck!Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 01-15-2010 at 11:38 PM.
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Well, welcome to Omaha. There will, literally, be a 100 degree difference in the weather by the time you arrive.
Yeah, Russos is also where I A/B'd the Gretsch and Godin.
I'm familiar with using a Baggs with a classical so that was my initial thought for this situation. Good suggestions.
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I travel to Omaha on biz a few times per year. My favorite place is the little mom and pop off Main in Council Bluffs. They carry Collings, Martin and McPherson acoustics, a ton of CS Fenders, and typically a cool amp from a small builder. Originally Posted by Old Feller
Not sure if I have been to Russos. On the west side of 680?
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I can definitely understand wanting to play a guitar before buying, but there are some guitars that are nice and can be trusted bought online. If you buy used you can definitely get more bang for your buck. I have bought two Eastman's, one of them online without playing it first.
Although I ended up selling the one online (TM146), it played and sounded as nice as the one I hand picked from the Eastman (810ce) warehouse when it was in Maryland. I'd still have the TM146 if I didn't need to sell it to fund a used Benedetto Bravo, although in an entirely different league it was also bought online before I could play it. If I ever sell my Eastman 810ce it will be to fund another higher end archtop as the 810ce is an outstanding carved archtop with a floating pickup.
Eastman archtops will run a little more than the two you mentioned in a earlier post, but if you buy used someone else will have already taken a hit on the resale so if/when you decide to move on to an different guitar later you will get more of you money back on resale.
Regarding amps... I would just stick with your Polytone and see how that works for you. I use an Acoustic Image Clarus with Raezer Edge Stealth 12 or Twin 8 cabinet and the Eastman 810 sounds great with that rig.
Good luck!
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Jeff Hale is just outside Milwaukee. When I was in WI last summer I stopped by for a visit of his store and a tour of the Raezer's edge factor that is next door. Jeff is a great guy and extremely knowledgeable in archtops and amps. If you end up buying online from a store and Jeff has what you want, I definitely recommend buying from his store. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
J. Hale Music Supply - Premium Jazz Guitar, Jazz Bass, Amplification Equipment And Accessories
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Yes, Russos is west of 680. You should also check out Garage Guitar, a smaller store in midtown. Originally Posted by derek
Lidgetts is the store in Council Bluffs to which you referred, it's my favorite as well.
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Thanks for the testimonial. I've been scouting the used Eastman's and Loars on ebay for some time but have never pulled the trigger because of my hangup. Really that has been the internal debate; whether to spend the extra $600-700 now. But your experience gives me confidence to go that route. Originally Posted by Steve Z
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I bought both of my Eastman guitars online. No issues and great guitars.
If you are after a true solid wood acoustic archtop, I don't think another brand can touch them for features and quality at their price point.
I've had other archtops but most were not much more than hollow electric guitars. My Eastmans have some real acoustic volume and tone.
Pretty hard to beat. If you are patient you might find one at a good price.
I've seen 805's in the $900 area, not often but they are out there.
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Originally Posted by jazzrat
What model(s) Eastman do you have?
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