Options for 15” archtop

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Whether you will like the guitar is always uncertain, handmade or not. And what you like today may be less so tomorrow. I have two handmade 15 inch archtops, both high-end, ordered in Asia. I trusted the two luthiers who made them and was not disappointed. There are many great luthiers in Asia.

The uncertainty of satisfaction is greatly reduced by knowing what to expect from typical examples of a specific model and by being able to try it yourself. Whether it passes the test of time is another story entirely. Buying a new guitar should obviate many of these concerns. Sadly, as evidenced by many posts on JGO, it is not a guarantee of freedom from flaws. If you'd either post your Asian sources or PM me with them, it would be greatly appreciated. I'd much rather support an unknown luthier who's provided satsifaction to other JGO members than I would buy a guitar about which I can get no useful information from a dealer (no matter how highly praised). A veiled threat that I should buy immediately with no information at all because it may not be available tomorrow is a definite turnoff!

I simply cannot pay anyone thousands of dollars for a guitar when the seller will not even send me decent pictures and sufficient information to characterize it as probably OK, maybe OK, or probably not OK. Deep divots in the frets are objective. A reset neck is objective. Repaired cracks are objective. A seller who cannot or will not identify any of these things is not worth further communication, in my opinion.

[SOLR]

I too prefer a 15 inch lower bout. This was just added to the Conti line and I'm going to order one in the next week or two, but probably the single pickup version, with the tune-o-matic bridge.

What a beutiful instrument, have never heard of Conti before.....

S

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Attachment 96097

What I've been playing for the past 20 years. 15.5" x 2&5/8", 25.5" scale.

Danny W.

Now I'm confused, Danny. Your L5s are 15.5" across the lower bout?

[sgosnell]

Dealers simply won't take the time to do all you ask if they don't need to. Time is money, and if they can sell merchandise with quickie photos and vague descriptions, they will always do that. If they're having trouble selling something, they will go to more lengths. That's just the way it works.

I've had good luck with Wu. The first one I got, via what I thought was a stupid low bid on ebay, did require some setup work and a fret level, and electronics work. But for ~$600 it was worth the effort and expense. The last two I bought required only truss rod and intonation, because the guitars were shipped with the truss rod loosened and the bridge in the case pocket, as expected. I have no hesitation in recommending him. He will try to make whatever you ask for, and I would expect that a 7-string would not be that difficult.

[Danny W.]

1228176[/URL]]Now I'm confused, Danny. Your L5s are 15.5" across the lower bout?

Yup!

Danny W.

[tbeltrans]

What a beutiful instrument, have never heard of Conti before.....

S

I have a Conti Euqity, which is the first generation of Conti guitars and was made by Peerless in Korea to Conti's specifications. You can see him playing it in some of his videos and most of his DVDs. As far s I am concerned, it is a perfectly fine guitar and I would have no qualms recommending his products. I bought that guitar probably 10 - 15 years ago and I still have it, while I have moved on other guitars.

This Conti guitar is the only instrument I have bought long distance, sight unseen. I normally don't take chances like that, preferring to buy locally and play them first. I trusted Conti after talking with him on the phone before purchasing and he didn't let me down. I would love to buy one of his new models, but I have no need since that Equity is good enough for me.

I do have two other archtops that are much more expensive, but even so, the Conti stays.

Tony

[[email protected]]

Maegen wells guitars - I think she makes high end small bodied archtops.

[Jimmy blue note]

OOops, I meant a nylon-strung archtop!

I've built a couple myself and there were issues to be worked out. THe amount of energy it takes to move an archtop is different from a flat top which is notably thinner and lighter braced. Also transients and the decay envelope is different. Jimmy D'Aquisto made one for Jim Hall, but I've never played it. I made a smaller bodied archtop for nylon and the sustain was less than pleasing and it didn't seem to show the usual signs of breaking in even after a lot of playing. None of the nuance that I could find in even a mid line flat top build. None of that sweet rich decay I find in a traditional classical.
I guess it depends on what you're thinking, but one thing's for sure, it's unexplored and certainly uncodified territory. The 15" seemed optimum and it does happen to be close to traditional classical build specs.

[charleyrich99]

Assuming a six string, what about Tim Bram guitars?
Home | timbramguitars

I recently ordered one and hope to have it early next year.
-Charley

[Jimmy blue note]

I don't want to derail this thread. In response to the mention of Chinese work shops outside of Beijing, I know some of you have worked and are aware of the master luthier who goes under the name of Mr. Wu.

This communique just came in from Lora:

Now we have to ask yunzhi to make guitars for you. cause now Mr Wu didn't make guitars. He said it is hard to live for making guitars now. so he decide stop to make guitars.


Yours
Lora

Sad news but they were in trouble in the post pandemic slack. He couldn't support the drop off of orders.
Yunzhei is still active.
Lora can give you further details.
No further derailing on this topic.
I reach her through. " [email protected] " (that's an email address not a link)

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Now I'm confused, Danny. Your L5s are 15.5" across the lower bout?

Yup!

Danny W.

What did you do - put them in the dryer after a hot wash?

[Danny W.]

What did you do - put them in the dryer after a hot wash?

That only works on 100% cotton guitars. Mine came that way from the factory.

Danny W.

[guavajelly]

FWIW I'm selling my GB10: Ibanez GB10 NT made in Japan 2019 – like new condition

[Woody Sound]

Currently waiting on a Wu arrival. I asked for heavier build (6mm top minimum) with 15inch width and 2.25 depth. I plan to replace the pickup with a KA that will be custom for neck attachment.

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I like that Moll style headstock.

[Woody Sound]

That only works on 100% cotton guitars. Mine came that way from the factory.

Danny W.

Must be Banlon.

[Jimmy blue note]

Currently waiting on a Wu arrival. I asked for heavier build (6mm top minimum) with 15inch width and 2.25 depth. I plan to replace the pickup with a KA that will be custom for neck attachment.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Get in touch with Lora. She told me Mr Wu has stopped building as he's found it unsustainable in this economy. Keep us posted. Thanks.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Must be Banlon…

…’cause rayon don’t shrink like that!

But seriously folks, I never heard of a 15.5 / 16” L5 made after 1934. Is this a November Fools Day joke or is it real?

[Hammertone]

… But seriously folks, I never heard of a 15.5 / 16” L5 made after 1934. Is this a November Fools Day joke or is it real?

L-5 Signature / Lee Ritenour is 15 1/2" wide, as noted by our diminutive friend.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

L-5 Signature / Lee Ritenour is 15 1/2" wide, as noted by our diminutive friend.

I never heard of that before! I just looked it up and it’s described on some websites as having a 24 3/4” scale. Others say it’s a 25.5” scale. Is it one, the other, or both?

I wonder how it compares soundwise to an L4CES.

[Hammertone]

I never heard of that before! I just looked it up and it’s described on some websites as having a 24 3/4” scale. Others say it’s a 25.5” scale. Is it one, the other, or both? I wonder how it compares soundwise to an L4CES.

25 1/2" scale. Whoever posts otherwise is wrong. "Some websites" - ha!
The L-5 Sig does not sound like the L-4CES.

Some key differences:
-25 1/2" vs. 24 3/4" scale;
-maple vs. mahogany neck;
-2 5/8" or 2 11/16" vs. 3 3/8" rim depth [ed: corrected as per Danny's comments below]
-15 1/2" vs. 16" bottom bout width

Some similarities:
-parallel braced carved spruce top;
-ebony board;
-L-5 tailpiece;
-L-5 bridge base/tune-o-matic bridge.

The L-5 Rit is the same size but with some different construction details. [ed: corrected as per Danny's comments below]

[Map0Spread]

Guillaume Rancourt makes an incredible 15" cedar top.

[Woody Sound]

L-5 Signature / Lee Ritenour is 15 1/2" wide, as noted by our diminutive friend.

Ohh, even though I’m a burst guy, I like that 15” blond wesmo.

[jzguy]

Spoke with Lora yesterday:

Normally it takes 20days around for delivery time, but unlucky that it is serious convirus in China now. Just I checked the guitar, it returned, and I asked my courier to ship it again. Hope it can be shipped this time.


and just got news from Mr Wu, he said from 2023, he will raise up the price for the guitars. So if your friends want to order the guitar, I think it is good time before 2023.



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[Woody Sound]

25 1/2" scale. Whoever posts otherwise is wrong. "Some websites" - ha!

And notice that in order to keep the long scale on the smaller body, the bridge sits back closer to the tail.

[Woody Sound]

One nice thing about the Conti is the 16 fret neck. (That is, if you like that.)