Guillaume Rancourt archtops

[Map0Spread]

Anyone know them? Tried them?

I have a nice offer on an Elferink, but Rancourt is an hour drive from me. My old teacher had a guitar made by him (in the 20k$, which is way over my budget), and told me he had a used one (17 inches) which is far closer to my price range.

Your opinions are always valuable and helpful!

Here is a clip of the guitar i question:

[Gilpy]

I have a 15” Concerto model with cedar top and Peruvian walnut sides and back. Acoustically, it is the best sounding archtop I’ve ever heard. The neck is comfortable and easy to play. And I play it every day. A supurb instrument. I have had mine for a few years and every time i play it I love it more.
You can see and hear it on the Rancourt website.
Rancourt prices have gone way up since I got mine!

[Map0Spread]

Wow, yours is absolutely stunning! If I buy the one he's offering me, I will have him install a Kent Armstrong floating.

Would you say the tone of your guitar is comparable to the one in the video I posted?

I find the tone to bit a bit bright for my taste, almost harsh, but it might be the player, or the recording.

[Gilpy]

That video clip did indeed sound bright played through my phone. So I played it through my desktop computer with my studio monitors and it sounded very nice, and somewhat similar to mine. You are fortunate that you will be able to play the guitar before making a decision to buy. YouTube clips give only a partial impression of the sound.
My Rancourt has a K&K pickup, but I never plug it in. It excels in sustain, dynamic range and harmonic complexity as an acoustic instrument. I don't know how it would behave with a magnetic pickup.
I hope it works out for you!

[Chazmo]

I have been admiring Rancourt guitars on Facebook for some time and watching videos. I have not had the pleasure to play one yet, but they seem like superb acoustic guitars. If the guitar in the video--which sounds great to me--sounds too bright and harsh to you, you may not really want an acoustic archtop. Maybe something like an ES-175 with a set in pickup is really more what you would like.

[Map0Spread]

Yeah I know what you mean, but that's not really what I'm looking for. I like a clear and bright tone, and I already have a laminate top with built-in pups (Guild X-500). I'm looking for a kind of Peter Bernstein tone, like, woody, clear, electric with a floating pickup.

Guillaume Rancourt will be coming to my home with the guitar and have me try it, he'll also install a Kent Armstrong hand wound pickup on it. Can't wait to try it!

If you guys are interested, Jon Gearey, my ex-college teacher, plays a Rancourt guitar on youtube... his playing combined with the acoustic properties of the guitar is just incredible.

[Map0Spread]

I would really love to be able to try a Rancourt and an Elferink... I really loved the Elferink I heard on Youtube, specially the Excalibur played by Ron Mckillop.

[Rob MacKillop]

Rob

[RJVB]

If you guys are interested, Jon Gearey, my ex-college teacher, plays a Rancourt guitar on youtube... his playing combined with the acoustic properties of the guitar is just incredible.

That does sound lovely, certainly not too bright (and definitely not harsh) to me!

[Map0Spread]

Yeah I love it too! I was talking about the video in my original post, which is the guitar I'm actually going to buy (probably, nothing sure).

[RancourtGuitars]

Thank you so much for the kinds words and sharing your guitar with us
I will cherish that archtop forever ahah. I'm really happy to hear she makes you happy!
Best regards,
Guillaume,

I have a 15” Concerto model with cedar top and Peruvian walnut sides and back. Acoustically, it is the best sounding archtop I’ve ever heard. The neck is comfortable and easy to play. And I play it every day. A supurb instrument. I have had mine for a few years and every time i play it I love it more.
You can see and hear it on the Rancourt website.
Rancourt prices have gone way up since I got mine!