Why do hollow body arch tops have necks that float so high above the body?

[VanEpsInDeChirico]

Hi

I don't own an arch top & have little experience playing them. Looking at pictures today I noticed that on a lot of arch tops, the neck is much higher above the body than on solid body electrics. As a result, the strings are much higher off of the body of the guitar and the pick ups probably need to be kept pretty high. What is the reason for building them this way? Also, what effect, if any, does it have on tone?

Thanks

[lorenkii]

Originally it was so that the fingerboard floated over the top rather than being attached to it. Floating allows the top to vibrate more freely.

[skiboyny]

I believe the original archtop was an adaptation of a violin. The main purpose of the design, was to produce volume. At the design time, no amplification existed, so an instrument that projected well was what the design was after. That particular design also contributes to the distinct sound. It evolved with pickups and remained faithful to the original design most likely for the tone it produces. I'm not sure this is the best answer to your question.

[Filmosound 621]

it is called "elevated fretboard".

I really love elevated fretboards.

[sgosnell]

It gives a greater break angle over the bridge, thus more acoustic volume. There is no need to worry about acoustic volume on a solidbody, so saving on wood is more important. A side effect of the elevated fretboard is that a pickguard isn't necessary because hitting the top is much less likely. Some people want something there, though, to rest their fingers on, so it's often called a fingerrest instead of a pickguard. I prefer nothing, but I'm not the only guitar player in the world, so they're usually included. I take them off. The elevated fretboard also allows the use of thicker floating pickups, which some like. That's somewhat less important with laminated tops and set pickups, but there are still people who care about that. That decreases, to some extent, the popularity of some older archtops which have the fretboard very low, thus not enough room for a floating pickup.

[citizenk74]

Originally it was so that the fingerboard floated over the top rather than being attached to it. Floating allows the top to vibrate more freely.

[citizenk74]

It gives a greater break angle over the bridge, thus more acoustic volume. There is no need to worry about acoustic volume on a solidbody, so saving on wood is more important. A side effect of the elevated fretboard is that a pickguard isn't necessary because hitting the top is much less likely. Some people want something there, though, to rest their fingers on, so it's often called a fingerrest instead of a pickguard. I prefer nothing, but I'm not the only guitar player in the world, so they're usually included. I take them off. The elevated fretboard also allows the use of thicker floating pickups, which some like. That's somewhat less important with laminated tops and set pickups, but there are still people who care about that. That decreases, to some extent, the popularity of some older archtops which have the fretboard very low, thus not enough room for a floating pickup.

^^^^^^^ This. An angled neck allows for more force driving the top, increasing volume, all-important before electric amplification. Check out the larger strings - cellos and upright basses - some serious angulation and tallness, bridge-wise.