Hello! I want to buy a second acoustic guitar, and I like archtops a lot. I'm going to save moneym and I don't want to spend more than about 500 euros (if it costs 550 I'll buy it xD). Can you give me any advice? I dont want to buy a Gibson or a vintage model you know XD Nice guitar :D
@theFLIGHT84 - I think the best model for you would be a "save more money" model. Sorry. I don't mean to be flippant, but it's true. This is a vintage archtop made of all solid, hand carved woods. You will need at least $1,000 USD to approach this league (with a used Loar or Eastman).
good foundational lesson for folks at that level. Valid statements and good demonstration. Nice Archtop, too!! If you were in my neck of the woods, we'd have some fun Jamming...........Cheers!
Gibsons are amazing - period and you're spot on about the approach having a profound effect on the sound - that looks to be in amazing condition for the age -
@jagermeister5 - Oh, they're all over the place, and people try to get exorbitant prices too - usually not successfully. Let's say between $3K-$5K for an L-7 or L-12 in really nice condition, with "issues" causing the price to be less. That's just a range. And L-5's are always more expensive, rarely under $5K.
Hey i collect and play old guitars usually stella's and concertones and parlor guitars and I have been looking for an archtop guitar and found one for 100 bucks its not cracked and the neck isn't warped its just dirty and sitting in the back of a junk store but it has no brand and idk if its a good idea to buy it its just what I want but i was concerned about the brand the headstock doesn't look very fancy and i would love your opinion on this thanks!
@edisonphonographfan - Well, let's be honest - you're asking someone who plays $5K vintage Gibsons and orders custom made archtops. I wouldn't touch a $100 no-name junk store guitar. But if that's your thing, go for it. It will either be a piece of junk, or it will have some character after a good polish and setup. Not a big risk at least.
@CubeableGame - Loud enough for what? Short answer: Yes. They were originally designed to be loud enough to be heard acoustically in the rhythm section of a swing jazz big band.
@rpguitar That's all I wanted to know! I was just curious because I thought that the f-holes were too small to produce a soundhole like sound. I'm now starting to discover the archtop world and your answer helped me a lot! Many thanks.
I will do you a big favour ...I`ll give you 50 bucks for that old worn out guitar...then you will be able to put the money toward getting yourself a nice bright green flying vee with a glitter scratch plate with a whammy bar..!!!
@ondaocho - Thank you. I know; after making that spontaneous comment late in the video, I realized that it's actually a key concept. The "push" attack is a big part of getting a nice sound out of an acoustic archtop.
that sounded like the doobie brothers trying to play pinball wizard with Esteban on lead. You either need to quit your day job at goldman sachs and practice more or buy some guitars more appropriate to your skill level. Seriously, I'd rather see you sell this to a chinese collector to be put into a glass case.
I'm glad you're publishing this. Something important to bear in mind is that if this is a 1935 L12 it has an X-braced top as opposed to post 1939 Gibson archtop designed with parallel bracing. A different than later Gibson acoustic archtops.
I'd love to hear how this thing sounds without a plectrum! Just with finger picking.
@cyberprimate - Yes, good point. I will have a parallel braced 1940 L-5 to compare with in a few days! Should be fun to post a video showing both. Also, my Eastman vs. Gibson video features some finger-picking (although the action was a little low on the L-12 and there was some buzzing; I can do better).
Awesome stuff, Roger. Archtops rule. I'm not really a guitar collector, but I do have a "player's" 1950 ES-175 that is a phenomenal...like a shredder's acoustic haha. My uncle gave it to me in '94 from out of his garage! It's on the mellower end of the spectrum, but still dynamic. Off topic, but after looking at your gear page on your site, is there a sentimental fave of yours?
@zodiacloveteam - Sentimental faves have to be the old Gibsons: '35 L-12, '67 335, '57 175. Plus 3 guitars made for me (2 Forshages, 1 Anders Elliason flamenco). There's enough love for all of 'em though!
Playing an acoustic archtop made me a better overall player. There's definitely a different technique to playing a flat top :)
EpiphoneArchtopLover 2 weeks ago
Hello! I want to buy a second acoustic guitar, and I like archtops a lot. I'm going to save moneym and I don't want to spend more than about 500 euros (if it costs 550 I'll buy it xD). Can you give me any advice? I dont want to buy a Gibson or a vintage model you know XD Nice guitar :D
Lalairu 1 month ago
hi! I want to buy an acoustic archtop guitar, like yours, with a good sound, very 60's!
my budget is round 300 euros.
which model do you think is good for me?
thank you!
bye :)
theFLIGHT84 2 months ago
@theFLIGHT84 - I think the best model for you would be a "save more money" model. Sorry. I don't mean to be flippant, but it's true. This is a vintage archtop made of all solid, hand carved woods. You will need at least $1,000 USD to approach this league (with a used Loar or Eastman).
rpguitar 2 months ago
nice microphone!
trv16gel 2 months ago
I just looked at this vid for a bit of research, but damn those were sweet sounds.
TheBloodswordsman 2 months ago
good foundational lesson for folks at that level. Valid statements and good demonstration. Nice Archtop, too!! If you were in my neck of the woods, we'd have some fun Jamming...........Cheers!
nutmegger1957 4 months ago
Luv the video on archtop approach. Your voice sounds just like the actor Richard Dreyfuss. Just sayin'...
fretcom 5 months ago
Gibsons are amazing - period and you're spot on about the approach having a profound effect on the sound - that looks to be in amazing condition for the age -
nice..
Giaco54 5 months ago
amzing sound. how much they go for?
jagermeister5 6 months ago
@jagermeister5 - Oh, they're all over the place, and people try to get exorbitant prices too - usually not successfully. Let's say between $3K-$5K for an L-7 or L-12 in really nice condition, with "issues" causing the price to be less. That's just a range. And L-5's are always more expensive, rarely under $5K.
rpguitar 6 months ago
@rpguitar thank you!
jagermeister5 6 months ago
Wow, thank you for this.
jjjazii 6 months ago
Hey i collect and play old guitars usually stella's and concertones and parlor guitars and I have been looking for an archtop guitar and found one for 100 bucks its not cracked and the neck isn't warped its just dirty and sitting in the back of a junk store but it has no brand and idk if its a good idea to buy it its just what I want but i was concerned about the brand the headstock doesn't look very fancy and i would love your opinion on this thanks!
jonathan
edisonphonographfan 7 months ago
@edisonphonographfan - Well, let's be honest - you're asking someone who plays $5K vintage Gibsons and orders custom made archtops. I wouldn't touch a $100 no-name junk store guitar. But if that's your thing, go for it. It will either be a piece of junk, or it will have some character after a good polish and setup. Not a big risk at least.
rpguitar 7 months ago
Do archtop acoustic guitar sound loud enough, compared to a flat acoustic with soundhole?
CubeableGame 9 months ago
@CubeableGame - Loud enough for what? Short answer: Yes. They were originally designed to be loud enough to be heard acoustically in the rhythm section of a swing jazz big band.
rpguitar 9 months ago
@rpguitar That's all I wanted to know! I was just curious because I thought that the f-holes were too small to produce a soundhole like sound. I'm now starting to discover the archtop world and your answer helped me a lot! Many thanks.
CubeableGame 9 months ago
Very nice playing, very nice guitar! I just bought an old Framus archtop. May I ask what kind of strings you have on your guitar?
goreri 9 months ago
@goreri - I use 12-54 gauge phosphor bronze strings on this L-12, either D'Addario EXP or Martin SP usually.
rpguitar 9 months ago
I love chords!
rammunyte 10 months ago
God I love this guitar! Its sound goes to my heart!!!!!!
rammunyte 10 months ago
What kind of sound would you get out of you used a blue pick instead of a yellow one?
arg13415 1 year ago
Nice, direct presentation of an intriguing topic. Thanks.
mrtwang32 1 year ago
Is that the same exact body size of a ES300?
Beachcrib 1 year ago
I will do you a big favour ...I`ll give you 50 bucks for that old worn out guitar...then you will be able to put the money toward getting yourself a nice bright green flying vee with a glitter scratch plate with a whammy bar..!!!
guitarpicka1 1 year ago
Great lesson Roger. So approach makes all the difference in the world. Got it, thanks!
gregoryusa1 1 year ago
Great video. I love your "hitting and pushing" concept.
ondaocho 1 year ago
@ondaocho - Thank you. I know; after making that spontaneous comment late in the video, I realized that it's actually a key concept. The "push" attack is a big part of getting a nice sound out of an acoustic archtop.
rpguitar 1 year ago
how does it sound when playing without a pick?
vileguile4 1 year ago
Thank you for posting... now I know why I couldn't get the right sound out of my last archtop guitar.
warh0rn 1 year ago
great movie and playing! keep it up :)
best wishes
MariusPetersGitarre 1 year ago
hello!
Nice guitar you've got there!
Like the way you play and your laid back way of giving info:)
It's all good to me mate!
Thanks.
TheAzerty4321 1 year ago
Hey man, what strings are you using on your guitar?? Sounds great by the way.
bendotjackson 1 year ago
@bendotjackson - Thanks. Please refer to 4:57 in the video for that info.
rpguitar 1 year ago
nice video! i like your playing and your ideas and i gotta mention: that is one beautiful guitar you've got =)
jukka84 1 year ago
@jukka84 - Thanks. I have a 40's L-5N that will be the subject of the next archtop oriented vid if I can get my act together one of these days!
rpguitar 1 year ago
that sounded like the doobie brothers trying to play pinball wizard with Esteban on lead. You either need to quit your day job at goldman sachs and practice more or buy some guitars more appropriate to your skill level. Seriously, I'd rather see you sell this to a chinese collector to be put into a glass case.
unabonger777 1 year ago
@unabonger777 - I see you enjoy making cowardly and gratuitously insulting posts on people's videos. WTF is your problem? You are officially BLOCKED.
rpguitar 1 year ago
Awesome video. Thanks for the insight! This reminds me of how in tennis, you're supposed to push the ball with your racket, not hit it.
25i 1 year ago
@25i - That's a good analogy. And probably the most salient point to be gleaned from this video (push the strings, don't hit them).
rpguitar 1 year ago
Great Demo man Nicely done
steveisler 1 year ago
man, you are a hell of a player!!
wish i could play acoustic like that..
awesome vid bro, congrats!
mrsexsymbol 1 year ago
@mrsexsymbol - Thanks for the nice compliment. Glad you checked it out.
rpguitar 1 year ago
Thanks for this video. I appreciate you for taking the time to let me hear this wonderful playing on a nice guitar. -Al
AlBrentner 1 year ago
I'm glad you're publishing this. Something important to bear in mind is that if this is a 1935 L12 it has an X-braced top as opposed to post 1939 Gibson archtop designed with parallel bracing. A different than later Gibson acoustic archtops.
I'd love to hear how this thing sounds without a plectrum! Just with finger picking.
cyberprimate 1 year ago
@cyberprimate - Yes, good point. I will have a parallel braced 1940 L-5 to compare with in a few days! Should be fun to post a video showing both. Also, my Eastman vs. Gibson video features some finger-picking (although the action was a little low on the L-12 and there was some buzzing; I can do better).
rpguitar 1 year ago
Awesome stuff, Roger. Archtops rule. I'm not really a guitar collector, but I do have a "player's" 1950 ES-175 that is a phenomenal...like a shredder's acoustic haha. My uncle gave it to me in '94 from out of his garage! It's on the mellower end of the spectrum, but still dynamic. Off topic, but after looking at your gear page on your site, is there a sentimental fave of yours?
zodiacloveteam 1 year ago
@zodiacloveteam - Sentimental faves have to be the old Gibsons: '35 L-12, '67 335, '57 175. Plus 3 guitars made for me (2 Forshages, 1 Anders Elliason flamenco). There's enough love for all of 'em though!
rpguitar 1 year ago
Don't know if you've seen 'The Outing' episode of Seinfeld but I cracked up when you said 'not that there's anything wrong with that'.
MatthewBearne 1 year ago
@MatthewBearne - Haven't seen it, guess I'll have to Google it now!
rpguitar 1 year ago