Members Verne Andru Posted December 23, 2005 Members Share Posted December 23, 2005 I've recently done a probe into archtops and there are 2 kinds - the real ones and the wannabes. A "true" archtop is just that - an acoustic archtop instrument designed to be played acoustically. Their design allows them to be played loud without amplification. They are built similar to a violin in that the top of the guitar transfers the sound via the bridge and uses the resonating of the cavity for it's tone and volume. For amplification "floating" pickups are used and mounted on either the neck or fingerrest so no holes are made in the top. To do so would be like punching holes in the skin of a drum or drilling into the top of a stratavarious. The "wannabes", such as the ES335's, etc. look like archtops but have pups and pots and switches mounted in the top of the guitar. These are electric guitars and not really archtops. Do a google on Benedetto to see what I'm talking about. You don't have to spend a fortune for a true archtop - there are a bunch of vintage ones going for 300-500 on eBay simply because most people don't know the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted December 23, 2005 Members Share Posted December 23, 2005 The best Artcore model in my opinion is the AK-85. They have a spruce top (two ply pressed laminate but nice sounding played acoustically) Buy one for around 400.00 and swap out the pickups and you are set up very nicely. I would think the next step up might be an archtop with a true solid spruce top but electronics built in. I got a used mint Epiphone Elite Broadway for 1,400.00 that sounds better than some Gibson L-5 guitars I've plugged in. All solid wood archtops seem to be overkill if you are planning on plugging into an amp. All that resonance really isn't necessary and might even cause more feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 23miles Posted December 23, 2005 Members Share Posted December 23, 2005 You might want to check out the Gretsch Electromatics, I think they sound really good, but I have a thing for DeArmond pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheStoveMan Posted December 23, 2005 Author Members Share Posted December 23, 2005 I tried one of those Electromatics next to the Ibanez but I really didn't like it. It played ok and sounded decent clean but I don't want a bigsby (I guess you can just replace that with another tailpiece though) and I couldn't stand the control layout at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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