Solid formed guitars?

[Gitfiddler]

FWIW - I have my Solid Formed listed on ebay right now at a greatly reduced price. Great guitar, but I need the cash.

Gibson Solid Formed 17" Archtop Bourbon Burst - MINT | eBay

Gibson used exquisite woods on those models. Yours is a beautiful example.

GLWYS.

[lammie200]

Guild Korean archtops have pressed solid wood tops. Not bad IMHO.

[Rickco]

Since Im about to list my Peerless Monarch here I thought Id comment on the Formed vs Carved observations. Even the finest carved archtops vary quite a bit in tone. This is a forum of seasoned archtop lovers so it goes without saying the same would be true for formed tops. I thought this was such a great idea I bought several like constructed guitars and not surprisingly found quite a range of tone and playability. To cut to the chase Gibson made what seems to be the most focused attempt to use this construction on guitars aimed to compare to carved examples. Heres my take. Without getting into brand slamming. The lower cost Asian examples were uniformly what I would expect...not that great. As mentioned Japanese guitars under D'xxxx license can be quite good (but overpriced). After sorting the pros cons of various makers and looking to find something cost saving but comparable to good carved examples I ended up with 2 Monarchs. These examples were made a few years apart but were very close in sound and construction. They dont sound like carved tops, I found them to have a brighter (more flat top like) acoustic sound. I played them with flats plugged into a "65 deluxe and found the sound full with good string definition, even volume across strings and very compelling "jazz" tone. I sold one to a fine jazz player, after he had it for a while I contacted him to see how he liked it, his comment was "best guitar Ive ever played" , factoring for new instrument joy and conveying happiness to seller Id think it was safe to say the guitar played and sounded real good even before factoring in that on the preowned market they can be bought for sub $1000. The true test was stringing it with med rounds and comparing it to my acoustic GE with med heavy rounds. In terms of volume projection it was pretty close and you could chunk rhythm behind horns without plugging in. In terms of tone (very subjective) It sounds more flat top but in a Martin sort of way, very pleasing. Plugged in with rounds (hyperbole warning) itll go toe to toe with all but the much pricier carved archtops. I wanted them for chord melody and accompanying standards to that end I honestly havent seen a better value. Full disclosure, I havent compared them directly to Gibson but based on the recordings Ive heard I think they have a similar sound. If your playing amplified the comparisons become even more irrelevant as amp strings pick ect will make the causes and differences vague at best. If Gibson had been wiser in marketing they may have been able to deliver a Gibson instrument at import prices (Im in) and in true Gibson fashion owned their closest competitor.
I would like to mention how much I enjoy this forum, I dont use social media, go online (except to buy and sell) and have a real aversion to the WWW culture in general. This place is like an oasis and a great place to chat at the watering hole, Thanks
p.s. if it sounds like I was pumping my Monarch I was. Watch for it and buy it...
Rick