What’s the best action archtop you’ve ever played??

[Tal_175]

Can you really get a true all-else-equal comparison that isolates just scale length differences between two archtops? There are an awful lot of variables in play that affect how much a guitar will be perceived as buzzing. I would think you'd have to test this on many guitars that are built and set-up as similarly as possible, and actually measure buzz (as well as subjectively note it) to really say one scale length buzzes more than the other. Otherwise, you're really just saying "this guitar buzzes more than that one," which may be true, but not all that informative.

Anyway, I set up my guitars with different scale lengths differently in order to get them feeling subjectively best for how I use them (trading off buzz to a degree), which is definitely not ceteris parabus (25.5" strat, 25.5" GJ, 24.75"semi-hollow, 24.84" archtop, and 24.55" archtop). The two 25.5"'s buzz more, but I doubt that's because of the scale length.

John

I was gonna add but I forgot, it's only my experience that (and apparently yours as well) longer scale guitars buzz more. It's certainly not a scientifically rigorous conclusion that longer scale guitars seem to be over represented in the buzzing category because they are longer scale. It could be a coincidence or due to other factors. But to be fair I don't think your doubting this conclusion (ie assuming that it's unlikely because of the scale length) is not scientifically rigorous either.

[Tal_175]

It somehow seems intuitive to me that if you use the same gauge strings between two very different scale length guitars (just to come close to isolating the parameter) and adjust them to the same action, longer scale would buzz more easily. But yes, this is just an intuition, I never very thoroughly interrogated this assumption. I wasn't even aware that it was a controversial point.

[Tal_175]

Wait a correction, actually the intuition I said above is not with the same gauge strings on different scale length guitars, but the same tension.

If you keep the tension and action constant on two different scale length guitars, in other words use a bit higher gauge string on the shorter scale one, I think the long scale one would buzz more easily.

I don't think the radius is a factor if the radius of the nut and saddles are consistent with the fretboard radius.

[sgcim]

I can't site one guitar. I do agree that if a guitar is built properly you can get the action you want.

I have one guitar that I got from a true virtuoso player that was set up for him someone in the Detroit area who is crazy good at low actions. Their are tiny solder drop on a couple of the TOM slots.

Certainly one of the absolutely best built guitars I've ever had is one that may not be what others like in decorative design but is a masterpiece.

Attachment 77502

What model Heritage is that?
I think I'm in love...

[339 in june]

What model Heritage is that?
I think I'm in love...

Heritage American Eagle NOS 1993 Natural, reg. #15 | Reverb

[Peter C]

I don't think of super low action as a good thing. I want to be able to hit the motherfucker a bit if I want.

I kind of go along with this delicately phrased criterion. LOL.

Fact is, after a stint on my old Suzuki dreadnought, any other guitar's action feels super low; toy-like, in fact. I never bothered to measure action and just go by feel.

[sasquatch]

Fret profile is another factor to consider
After playing a tele for eight years I'm enjoying the lower profile frets on the Greco 175 I scored recently
I even prefer the Greco to the '61 blond ES-350 I had years ago (and stupidly sold)