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2016 American Archtop Elite Custom, Tiger Maple/Alpine Spruce
2016 American Archtop Elite Custom, decked out in ridiculously beautiful Tiger Striped Maple with Alpine Spruce on top. This guitar is cavernous, expansive, and enveloping, all while being direct too. Custom-made floating humbucker pickup, ebony floating pickguard—these are the classic elements you expect from a top-of-the-line archtop guitar, while still thriving in modernity, from the f-hole profile to the use of spalted maple in the three-piece maple neck. If you want a modern jazz box that doesn’t sacrifice any tradition, look no further.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, 239-2017
$10,400 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Alpine, Maple - Flamed 
2012 Tom Bills Natura Deluxe 17″ Archtop, Maple/Spruce
A 17″ archtop masterpiece, this 2012 Natura from Tom Bills is a beast of a guitar. Maple back, sides, and neck paired with a Spruce top, a 25″ scale, and smooth playability deliver the kind of big, full sound you’d expect—especially when plugged in. The leaf inlays add a refined touch and a sense of uniqueness, and in a world of maple-bodied archtops, this one stands out in both sight and sound. With a custom-made humbucking pickup and strong acoustic presence, this Tom Bills beauty is equally suited for the collector or the professional, and deserves a place in any serious collection.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, jazz, arch, hoffee, 1762
$18,720 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.065 in Woods Spruce, Maple 
2010 Buscarino Virtuoso, Honduran Mahogany/Sitka Spruce
John Buscarino builds some of the finest guitars around, bar none. Having studied with two master luthiers—Augustine LoPrinzi and Bob Benedetto—John’s credentials speak for themselves. Every guitar he makes is rare, often customized, and each one highly distinct from the last. This 2010 Virtuoso is a truly rare bird, crafted from Plum Pudding–figured Mahogany with a Sitka Spruce top.
Over more than a decade, this guitar has had time to open up beautifully while being exceptionally well cared for. The result is an instrument that looks every bit the masterpiece and sounds even better. Tonally, this Virtuoso delivers the clarity and power we’ve come to expect from John, with a warmth that envelops the player. Whether swing, gypsy, or straight-ahead jazz, this guitar rises to the occasion with ease and inspiration.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, jazz,
$19,240 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.813 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Mahogany - Honduran 
2017 Comins Salutation Archtop, Flamed Maple/Sitka Spruce
This 2017 Salutation model from Bill Comins feels right at home in your hands after the first chord. 16 inches across the lower bout with a 6 pound playing weight, this Salutation is extra comfortable and comes setup for fast action with the 25″ scale and 1 11/16″ nut. Flame Maple back and sides (and neck), with Sitka Spruce on top plus an upgraded black chrome Kent Armstrong pickup and gold Waverly tuners with Snakewood buttons. This Salutation model comes with smooth S holes to match the curvaceous lower bout and cutaway. The Salutation stripe motif extends from the headstock veneer to the pickguard, tailpiece, and heelcap.
Other keywords: comins guitars, duane simpson, lutherie, luthier, 0289, fingerstyle jazz
Additional demo here:https://youtu.be/L691SQlYxvM
$14,560 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Flamed 
2015 Stuart Day Steel City Archtop, Maple/Spruce
Gorgeous. Stuart Day outdid himself with this Steel City Archtop. Built in 2015, the Maple/Spruce body has opened up sweetly, with a quite clear and crisp flavor to the acoustic voice. Sparkling Abalone along the tailpiece, position markers, pickguard, and headstock in an art deco style–again, gorgeous. Perfectly set off by the honey hues of Maple and Spruce. 16 inches across the lower bout and weighing in under six pounds, this Stuart Day Steel City is quick and lively in hand. Bartolini humbucker plus volume and tone, all wrapped up in a Cedar Creek case.
Other keywords/misspellings – duane simpson, arched top, arch top, jazz, jazz box, 10
2012 Galloup G-9CE 17″ Archtop, Hard Maple/Sitka Spruce
Smooth sailing across the fretboard, slick playability and juicy amplified tone–this 2012 G-9CE from Bryan Galloup is a dream machine for the archtop player. Figured Maple back and sides with carved Sitka Spruce top, custom Kent Armstrong humbucker with volume at the pickguard, and a slim play weight of five pounds makes for an easy-playing experience and sharp-dressed aesthetic. Especially considering it’s a full size 17 inch lower bout.
Here’s an additional video with Duane Simpson playing this beautiful Galloup archtop: https://youtu.be/4yDYWAQiiuo
Other keywords: galloup studios, 1211, ken armstrong, gotoh, flame maple, visesnut
1947 Gibson ES-350P, All Maple
An astounding time capsule of a guitar—this is a 1947 Gibson ES-350P. All-maple construction, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, a single P-90 pickup, and the original trapeze tailpiece.
This hollowbody instrument has remained with the same family since day one and spent years in the hands of a professional player in the D.C. area. It’s been played, loved, and exceptionally well cared for—exactly what we hope to find in a vintage electric archtop. Everything on this guitar, including the ultra-rare “Cali Girl” case, is original.
A truly staggering piece of electric guitar history.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, kalamazoo, vintage, classic, jazz, archtop, hollowbody, california
2024 Island Instruments DelAir, Black Limba/Spruce
New to us here at Dream Guitars is a like-new 2024 DelAir from Island Instruments—a guitar where vintage aesthetic meets modern application and construction. This is a truly unique hollowbody, capable of living comfortably in many different musical and tonal realms.
Built with Black Limba (Korina) for the body and Spruce for the top, this instrument is exceptionally resonant. It’s currently set up with flatwounds, and the result is punch, power, and clarity in every note. There’s some serious magic in that Mojo floating Hersheybucker. Just as much at home with surf music as it is with straight-ahead jazz, this DelAir is an inspiring and versatile creation.
Look and listen—hear it for yourself.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, luthiere, bespoke, canada, belair, visesnut
$7,800 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce, Limba - Black (Korina) 
2024 Thorell Red Sky Deluxe, European Maple/European Spruce
Red Sky Deluxe by Thorell, 2024. Its anatomy is crafted from European Maple and European Spruce, along with upgraded Bocote accents. With Art Deco appointments, it’s a modern tribute to the Loar-style archtops of the past. It features a custom-made DeArmond-style single-coil pickup, along with a floating pickguard equipped with volume and tone controls. This archtop also boasts a soundport and an arm bevel for added comfort. Sleek design, outstanding tone, and comfort for days. Comes wrapped up in a Hoffee case.
Here’s An additional demo video of this beautiful Thorell Red Sky Deluxe!
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, jazz, hollowbody, scheller, 24191
$12,480 Add to cartScale Length 24.9 in Nut Width 1.67 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple - European 
2005 Kim Walker Archtop, Curly Maple/Sitka Spruce
Here we have a rare piece from Kim Walker. This is a 2005 Archtop. If you know of Kim Walker, you know he is synonymous with absolute excellence and is quite unparalleled in the guitar world. It’s no surprise to us that this example from Kim, albeit uncommon, is just as incredible as his renowned flattop work. Seymour Duncan humbucker, floating pickguard, and all the features you expect from a top-tier archtop are delivered here by the one and only Kim Walker. Curly Maple back and sides, Sitka Spruce top. Truly superlative to what you know and love about hollowbody guitars.
An additional demo can be found here: https://youtu.be/d0kNSSLe0Uk
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, jazz, hiscox, arctop,
$36,400 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple 
2018 Maegan Wells 16″ Archtop, Maple/Sitka Spruce
An absolute delight we have here in this 2018 Maegen Wells 16″ archtop. Maple for the back and sides, with Sitka Spruce on top. Koa bindings, and ebony for the pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece.
This is an excellent example of a modern archtop. While it contains all the makings and components of a traditional archtop, the details and aesthetics are incredibly contemporary. With Maegen’s understated and minimalistic approach, one glance is all it takes to know it’s one of her creations.
Outfitted with a Bartolini pickup system, wherever this instrument finds its new home, it will certainly be a happy one!
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, california, meagan
$14,560 Add to cartScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple 
2015 Maegen Wells 15″ Archtop, Maple Back/Koa Sides, Sitka Top
2015 15″ Archtop from Maegen Wells, sporting a Bartolini Johnny Smith humbucker, Ebony and Koa appointments throughout, and a custom bone inlay on the headstock by Will Hylton. Finished in Nitrocellulose Lacquer with a Dark Orange Cherry Burst stain. Aluminum Tubing side dots—this guitar is as much fun to look upon as it is to play, and it certainly is fun to play. The top is Sitka Spruce, the back is Big Leaf Maple, and the sides are Figured Koa. A very uncommon yet radically cool feature set on this instrument. The voice is complex, yet surprisingly applicable to just about any musical situation. Get this while you can—it surely won’t hang around for long.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, jazz, f holes, megan, ribbecke, visesnut
$14,560 Add to cartScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple & Koa 
Brand New D’Ambrosio Allegro Special, Maple/European Spruce
This brand-new (technically 2019) Otto has been held by the builder for a few years but is still being sold as new. This 16″ Allegro has a lot going on—the finish is a white-burst pearlescent that shifts to a soft pink opalescent sheen as the guitar moves, a detail nearly impossible to capture in photos or video due to the nature of the finish. A gold-foil pickup and an extravagant abalone vine along the fingerboard make this an instrument to behold in both sight and sound.
The floating Macassar ebony bridge features recessed volume and tone controls built directly into the guard. The coordinated hues of the finish, shell, and interior of the case give this guitar a lavish, one-of-a-kind presence. Sonically, it’s just as impressive—capable of everything from Ernest Ranglin-inspired warmth to classic Wes Montgomery tones.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, jazz, 1812
$17,890 Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce, Maple 
2018 BC Kingston 17″ Archtop, European Curly Maple/Haida Gwaii Sitka Spruce
We’re excited for the chance to offer you a dynamite custom archtop from the venerable Brian Kingston of Prince Edward Island, Canada. AAA European Curly Maple back and sides paired with a hand carved Haida Gwaii Sitka Spruce top (bearing gorgeous and rare flamed figuring), bound F holes, and an exquisite sunburst in ambers, yellows, and browns across both neck and body. A generous 17 inches across the lower bout with a play weight of six pounds, this Kingston feels solid in hand, with a glossy neck profile and upper bout soundport to boot. A custom Seymour Duncan pickup with volume and tone knobs under the pickguard carries this beauty faithfully into amplified territory, but it’s equally at home as an acoustic archtop with a crisp treble definition and articulate midrange. Brian built this one in 2018 for the shows, and we’re proud to offer it now as a new instrument with a little age to liven up the voice.
Other keywords: arch top, jazz box, fingerstyle, sitka spruce, cedar creek, gotoh, sound port
SOLD Add to cartScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.1880 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - European 
Brand New American Archtop Ram, Flame Maple/European Spruce
The result of masters from two fields in collaboration: luthiers Dale & Tyler Unger and hyperrealist painter Peter Maier. The Ram is a particular brand of unique—17 inch archtop whose Maple back is adorned with a hyper realistic ram from Maier. On top, a gold motif continues along the center seam and with the trapeze tailpiece and hardware, plus gold Gotoh mini tuners. The headstock boasts a tightly figured Koa headplate, and from there you’ll find a series of vibrant Abalone position markers along the fretboard. Here’s a snapshot of Maier’s process: https://youtu.be/5AN01qUDxbw. On the electronics front, Unger outfitted the Ram with a Kent Armstrong floating humbucker plus volume and tone at the pickguard (itself featuring a single band of gold that arcs diagonally across). Top is AAAA European Spruce, paired with AAAA European Maple for the back and sides. Flame Maple neck, set off with the Ebony fingerboard, completes the portrait. Here’s Maier: “The Ram guitar was inspired by my time at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, where skulls of animals were dominant in many business locations—however I worked gold leaf onto the horns with an engine turned finish to give it more of a costly & valued appearance.”
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fine art, gold foil, curly maple, 262, 2021
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.7500 in String Spacing 2.1880 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple - Flamed