Jazz Archtop Photos

[2bornot2bop]

2B~ Is this what you mean by making the black background completely disappear, making the guitar appear to suspend into space?
(Another pro photographer took this shot of my Heritage H-575 Custom)

Absolutely that! Was the guitar hung with fishing wire? That’s the goods right there! Just look at that guitar! Thanks for sharing that one Tim!

[2bornot2bop]

Hmmm…..this was an old setup of mine. Maybe I could have done something else to help with the background. I just looked at the EXIF data and these were generally at f/3.6. I can darken the background enough in post to remove any hint of a background, but I don’t always want to do that. Any other tips would be welcome. Could it be that the background used was velvet?

You’ve got to lower your aperture to at least 7 and then raise your iso ever so slightly. It depends to if you’re developing in RAW. I never shoot in RAW but I hear that’s the best way to get very solid results in developing. But what do I know. I’m only a rookie.

[2bornot2bop]

A lot of really wonderful photo in this thread, but 2B, you set the bar awfully high. Your photos are always fabulous.

Mighty kind of you Jim. I’m learning.

[2bornot2bop]

Hmmm…..this was an old setup of mine. Maybe I could have done something else to help with the background. I just looked at the EXIF data and these were generally at f/3.6. I can darken the background enough in post to remove any hint of a background, but I don’t always want to do that. Any other tips would be welcome. Could it be that the background used was velvet?

TR, as I look at your dark shots again it appears that your guitars are simply too close to your backdrops. Try increasing the distance between your guitar and your backdrops. I guarantee that will do the trick!

[2bornot2bop]

My next project. A Breedlove all Hog. I’ve not had a flattop in years. It’s got a great tone. These can be had as low as $500.

[ThatRhythmMan]

TR, as I look at your dark shots again it appears that your guitars are simply too close to your backdrops. Try increasing the distance between your guitar and your backdrops. I guarantee that will do the trick!

I think that’s exactly it. I was working in a very tight space and that was the best I could do for spacing there. Thanks for the tip!

[2bornot2bop]

I think that’s exactly it. I was working in a very tight space and that was the best I could do for spacing there. Thanks for the tip!

I feel your pain! Any chance of you setting up in another space? You’ve got to cover any windows.

[Gitfiddler]

Absolutely that! Was the guitar hung with fishing wire? That’s the goods right there! Just look at that guitar! Thanks for sharing that one Tim!

The photographer had the guitar supported from the rear. She was a real pro. No strings or wires to perform that magic trick.

This photo of the same H-575 was taken by Jay Wolfe. I think the guitar was laying on a table that had a black cloth over it.

[2bornot2bop]

The photographer had the guitar supported from the rear. She was a real pro. No strings or wires to perform that magic trick.

This photo of the same H-575 was taken by Jay Wolfe. I think the guitar was laying on a table that had a black cloth over it.

Ha,ha. JW said I’m going to cause someone to reach for their wallet with this one!

[Donplaysguitar]

A Heritage non cutaway Golden Eagle...oh those were the days!



And my trusty old Infiniti G37X sedan, it's first day lowered on KW performance coilovers.

I drove a G-35 coupe from 2006-2009. Dollar for dollar it was the best car I ever had, albeit a little snug inside.

[2bornot2bop]

I drove a G-35 coupe from 2006-2009. Dollar for dollar it was the best car I ever had, albeit a little snug inside.

I always loved the coupe. There’s an Infiniti forum where you won’t believe your eyes what they do with them. They have greater wheel access so they run 22x10’s on them. Same for the Nissan 350. Every man’s gotta have a hobby. Why not cars!

[steve burchfield]

My 370Z was my favorite car big time.

[Greentone]

I'm really enjoying the photos of everyone's archtops. Keep 'em coming.

[xavierbarcelo]

Here are a couple from me:






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[2bornot2bop]

Here are a couple from me:






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Very nice Xavier! Love’em!

[xavierbarcelo]

Thank you! The first two are German. Number one is a Rodebald Hoyer from 1962. Number two is from East Germany, unknown builder (maybe Max Zimmer). The third one is a lowly Chinese 7 string guitar that I bought to check if I liked it. I installed a John Anthony Charlie Christian and it sounds pretty good for what it is.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[ThatRhythmMan]

A few more from the archives.

[iim7V7IM7]

2020 - 16” Monarch Archtop by John Buscarino
25” scale, 1-3/4” nut, 3”-3-1/2” deep, Carpathian Spruce | European Sycamore, Custom KA Floating Humbucker



2013 - 16” Classic Archtop by Bill Comins
25” scale, 1-3/4” nut, 3” deep, Carpathian Spruce | Bigleaf Maple, KA Floating 12-Pole Piece HB + Barbera Soloist



2016 - 16” Zelig Oval Hole Hybrid Archtop by Bill Comins
25-1/4” scale, 1-3/4” nut, 3-1/4”- 4” deep, Carpathian Spruce | Fiddleback Honduran Mahogany



2019 - 17” Artifex Archtop by Bryant Trenier
25-1/4” scale, 1-3/4” nut, 3-1/8” deep, Italian Spruce | European Sycamore, KA Floating 6-Pole Piece Single Coil

[jads57]

Not commenting on photos but the above poster with the Buscarino, Trenier,etc is definitely the winner in my book!

[Crm114]

zaaaaappppp

Not commenting on photos but the above poster with the Buscarino, Trenier,etc is definitely the winner in my book!

[Crm114]

3B

i know you’d really bring out the best in this NOS ‘81 GB10 I just scored

[2bornot2bop]

3B

i know you’d really bring out the best in this NOS ‘81 GB10 I just scored

That’s a beauty! Looks absolutely new! Congratulations BM!

[alteklampfe]

Hi folks,

When making photos of an archtop the most important thing should be - needless to explain, but anyway - to show the ARCHTOP! Respective the arched back. Right?

What you need to do this successfully is a guitar with a really good arch, even better with a recurve. - no special lighting equipment needed.
Random sample from my hard drive:



This is what archtop photography should be all about.

Thank me later.

P.S.: flamed maple isnt necessary either...

[alteklampfe]

some more samples of ARCHTOP (arch-back) photography:

[losaltosjoe]

Taking a risk by posting on this thread! Here is my 1996 Gibson L5 CES.