Marchione Guitars

**Stringswinger** · 02-19-2026, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

And there’s the odd boutique builds,whether D’Aquisto,Dumble,Klon Centaur, that become incredibly collectible. And of course it’s contingent on mostly famous players.

Im just interested in trying one out to see.Ive been lucky enough to try Buscarino,Campellone,Comins,Megan’s,Benedetto, D’Aquisto,Gibson,Guild,Heritage,and so many others as well.
Ive found they fall into basically two categories as far as overall tonality. Either more pronounced mids or less mids ala flat top response. And probably due to mainly thickness of carved plates and bracing X or Parallel.
Of course,there a thousand other variations as well such as body size,depth,woods,etc!

In general, I break archops into three types:

Laminate electric archtops
Carved electric archtops
Acoustic archtops

Bracing, bout size, wood choices carving style all play a part in giving each guitar a particular acoustic voice. Then there is a wide range of sounds available from different pickups, strings and amps. And they all sound different in different rooms. And some acoustic archtops are made to be primarily acoustic guitars while others are made with amplification in mind.

I do think that D'Aquisto and Benedetto strove to get a more modern/flat top sound than the traditional Gibson/Epiphone/Guild/D'Angelico/Stromberg sound and with Campellone being a notable exception, most modern archtop builders go for the more modern sound.

There are lots of choices out there. The best choice is the one that will inspire YOUR playing. And for some, that choice will be a Marchione.

**Gustavo Eiriz** · 02-19-2026, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

So was it bright sounding say like the Benedetto or even Eastman Archtop. They have thinner carved plates than say a Gibson L-5 or a Johnny Smith.

If i remember well it was an either the fat side or bright side like an Eastman. Was a delicate balanced instrument. But lows werent very strong. I guess that 25k is not enough. Shall 50k bring up the lows harmonics?

Anyway, take my words with a grain of salt since i dont enjoy the acoustic arcthop sound mostly, it is not meant for subtle stuff: it doesnt have sustain and the attack is too pronounced because of its construction, nevertheless some of the Trenier guitars that i have seen in videos sounds very well though.

**jads57** · 02-19-2026, 02:33 PM

Thank you for the description! I probably would pass,especially since I have a Benedetto Bambino I already enjoy more or less in that size!

**joman50** · 02-19-2026, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gustavo Eiriz

I tried one of this Marchione guitars in an store in japan. It was around 25k at the time (6 years ago i think).
Didnt like it (considering the price). Acoustically was very nice, and the amplifed tone wasnt my type at all. I like L-5 Wes, and i dont move up from there, nothing beats it in amplified tone, obviously this is my taste.
Now acoustically was a very nice instrument, but so it is a good Campellone or a Citation.
I dont like it aesthetically either.

Justifying the asking price is non-sense for a non 1st necessary good (like lets say food or medicine or education). If the luthiers wants to charge that and someone is willing to pay for that is ok. Crafting an Stradivari didnt implied far more labour than a good luthiers today violin, and it cost more than 50 times more. Even musicians and listen cant pick them in a blind shootout.. So, a lot of hype is everywhere, also in guitars.

Ed Schaefer’s guitars sound so great and he charges less than a comparable Mark Camp. build. Luthiers based in South Texas all go to Clark’s Hardwoods near downtown Houston (where Marchione’s shop happens to be nearby.)

As indicated by his prices and hardly any reputation with guitar players, he’s primary a builder for oil executive collectors who live in River Oaks section ($$$$$$$). With those people, life is merely a game and wanting things because another has one-and of course it has to be better.

**jads57** · 02-19-2026, 04:18 PM

I played a couple of Ed Schaefer Archtops some years back. A small acoustic Archtop and slightly larger electric Archtop with 2 built in Humbuckers?
Remembered liking the concept,but not the feel or tone enough to buy one.

Again this is just my take and others will feel differently.
I also did not like Benedetto carved tops very much either.But love my laminate Bambino Std.
But have not liked some other Bambino’s I’ve played either.go figure I guess I’m just Nuts,Lol!

**Hammertone** · 02-19-2026, 04:48 PM

I spent some quality time with a couple of Steve’s guitars a couple of years or so back. One was his thinline semi, the other was a 16”? hollow body acoustic archtop with a floating pickup. I’m not a fan of the aesthetics of his modified Hoyer Meisterklasse sound holes, but the guitars were great - excellent feeling and sounding instruments. Steve seems like a really nice guy. It’s nice to see independent builders who have been able to establish their niche and make a go of it. What they happen to charge for their wares is their choice.

**jads57** · 02-19-2026, 05:04 PM

While I concur what they charge is their choice, markets always correct the price eventually!
Not saying it’s fair or proper but I tend to fall on the side of fair pricing as a player. I’m not investing in collectors items or show off pieces.

In fact I have continually made bad choices in selling 2 Dumbles,several 1958 Gold Tops,1958 ES-355, and way too many other items at a loss,Lol!
And to be honest,sure it would be great to have the $$$ But I never became a musician for that reason, especially drawn to Jazz,Lol!