Will the archtop die?

[Guest mgoetting]

I am a skeptic by nature. Once again I played my guitars through the same amp with the same settings trying to make them all sound the same.

 

The H-157 sounds somewhat different than the H-555. But the Eagle Classic has much more richness, particularly on the bottom end.

 

It may be that when modeling and other effects are added, the differences will fade. I don't know. But in raw form there is a very notable distinction.

 

I wish I could say I can duplicate the archtop sound with a solid body. Solid bodies have so many advantages. But I can't.

 

Archtops are here to stay.

[Steiner]

Archtops are here to stay.

 

 

Long live the Arches!!!

[barrymclark]

Absolutely they are here to stay. No danger of them going away.

[BlindDogWillie]

The acoustic qualities and tone of an archtop, after amplification, can't be replicated by modeling in any way.

 

In fact, one archtop with a different body size sounds different from another.

 

Thus, the G.A.S....

 

At least that's how I try to explain it to my wife

[111518]

Interesting that so many of the new generation of luthiers have tended towards archtops ... I think it is about the craftsmanship and beauty of the instrument as a work of art, at least as much as about the sound archtops produce or their practicality as working tools.

 

There is one proviso ... not that I have a daily finger on the pulse of the vintage market, but it is my impression that archtop prices have never fully recovered from the steep fall that occurred with the onset of recession/no growth in Japan in the late 80s, early 90s when a LOT of archtops came back on the US market --archtop prices certainly weren't rising with LP and Strat prices pre 2007. (With the exception of D'Aquisto's, which are like strads --lots of people fighting over the very few top-of-the-mountain instruments.) When I sold my '68 Super 400 in the early 90s, I got cash and trade totaling approx. 7.5g's. I think that's pretty close to what what you'd end up with in pocket for one of similar vintage and condition today. Though I understand the market, it still kills me that an early 60s strat is worth several times as much as a late 50's solid carved Super 400 or L-5.

[Dick Seacup]

Like I have always told my sons, "Anything is possible, what you really want to focus on is what is probable." Will archtops die? Probably not.

[Steiner]

Like I have always told my sons, "Anything is possible, what you really want to focus on is what is probable." Will archtops die? Probably not.

 

Thanks for the sage advice Dad!

 

It's probably my day to play the hollowbody - Life is good; probably..

[jaywolfe]

" kills me that an early 60s strat is worth several times as much as a late 50's solid carved Super 400 or L-5."

"

 

This is prolly due to the fact that archtops are less than 1/10 of 1% of the guitar market. many fine guitar shops don't even stock them. They're a personal passion alright, but only for a very few of us. They're costly to build also. Archtop vintage resale values have fallen pretty much on par with solid body guitars, and a pristine 1 will still fetch a premium. Resale values for vintage Fenders & Gibson solid bodies are really down (back to reality?) at present, except for those extremely rare & pristine example- and even then its gonna require a determined buyer with a strong desire for that piece & willingness to perhaps overpay some & wait to see if the market ever goes nuts again.

 

Jay Wolfe

[peteraltongreen]

Hi Jaywolfe,

Here in the U.K.,there's quite an interest in jazz style guitar playing,brought on by people like Trefor Owen and Adrian Ingram,and the subject is featured in many U.K. Guitar based magazines,rather like Guitar Player was in the 70's & 80's in the U.S.I don't know what it's like in the U.S.now,as I've not visited you guys for a while,but many T.V. adverts feature screaming guitars,and they adjust the broadcast volume upwards so you notice the message.Even the kids are getting sick of this,and want to do other styles of music,including jazz.There are now many U.K. & European jazz festivals,and generally,they are well attended.We have one in our local city next month ( Kingston upon Hull ),with performance seminars,too.So,yes,the archtop is here to stay.Just look how many luthiers are making them,and ,at the end of the day,if you advance as a player,you can't avoid the jazz side of music.Long may it live & progress.By the way,Jay,next time I'm over in the U.S.,I'll make a bee line for your store !

Just a footnote.When I play at home,I always pick up a 50 year old Hofner I've had forever.These retailed in England,in 1960,it's year of manufacture at 28 guineas. ( a guinea was a way of making things look cheaper to buy than they were,In American,it's a dollar & 5 cents. 100 dollar guineas + $105 !! ) Hofner now do a German made version of this guitar for about 2000 pounds.How things have changed.

[yoslate]

Once again I played my guitars through the same amp with the same settings trying to make them all sound the same.

 

...why?

[Guest mgoetting]

...why?

 

To see how much difference there is in the sound due to instrument structure after amplification.

[Kuz]

Hell, no son, Archtops aren't going anywhere!!!!

 

No "guitar players" that don't appreciate jazz and the need for archtops, well............

[pressure]

Archtops are the cats pajamas.

I saw a Roy Rogers movie (made in 1946) last Saturday, he was playing a natural finished Archtop and the logo on the headstock was blanked out.

I think it was a Gretch, as it had a long narrow pickguard.