Archtop Flattop Gypsy hybrid?

[Hep To The Jive]

Hi all,

I got this weird guitar, that I unexpectedly like very much. I just bought it for funny looks, but it does sound good and very comfortable to play. Obviously made in China, for the inner market I guess, I never seen the one like that while living in US. I used it a few times for trad jazz gigs or just acoustic jazz, and with built in electronics it did the job more than well.

Question, does this type of guitar has any history in guitar making, I mean outside of China lol? I thought if someone knows, this is the place to ask

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

Looks rather like a flattop than an archtop. Might be a copy of the Yamaha AEX 500 (steel string version) but w/o the hybrid pickup system (bridge piezo and floating neck humbucker).

[Hep To The Jive]

Actually you're right, it's essentially flattop with f-holes. It kinda got archtop vibe, but that's about it.

Also, I looked up the Yamaha you mentioned, and it seems more for plug in playing, not much of acoustic voice. Mine, otoh, has a distinctive acoustic voice and mean to be played acoustically first.

Compare to a regular flattop it lacks the bass, but the mids are much more present. It's not the loudest maybe, but because of the mids it cut thru better than some louder acoustics.

Ok, so then... is flattop with f-holes even a thing, was a thing, any other examples?

[mr. beaumont]

How deep is the body?

[Sam Sherry]

With an arched top (and a flat back) that would be in the ballpark of the Northfield Rival:

[Christian Miller]

Oooh I want one

[Sam Sherry]

Or (again arched top / flat back) 30s CF Martin R-18:



A lot of the Martin archtops got re-topped as OMs, particular the Brazilian rosewood models.

[SierraTango]

1950's Di Mauro. I've played a few GJG with F-holes, They do have a different tone than the oval and D-hole. The Altamira is for all intents a flatop.



Recent Altamira M01F (crafted in China of course)

[Hep To The Jive]

How deep is the body?

About 10 cm, feels like the old Gitane guitar I had

[Hep To The Jive]

Recent Altamira M01F (crafted in China of course)

Yea, similar. Only all Chinese made Gypsy guitars I played had very wide necks, felt like a classical guitar almost. I hate wide necks lol.

Mine is almost like a tele, 42 mm width.

[AllanAllen]

Gibson HG-22

Gibson HG-22 Natural 1931 – Chicago Music Exchange