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Add to Compare2008 Benedetto Bambino Maple, Espresso Finish
Here we have a post-Fender Bob Benedetto “Bambino.” Don’t let its small stature fool you — it’s got a voice big enough to fill a room. Designed with the gigging musician in mind, this guitar is lightweight and compact. Its laminated maple top and back and maple neck are designed for comfort. The two nickel plated Benedetto A6 pickups are all you’ll need. If you’re looking for a huge sound in a compact package, the Bambino was designed by The Master himself with you in mind.
Add to CompareBenedetto/Mohychi/Giuliano Project Archtop Flamed Maple/Spruce 16 Inch
at one of Bob Benedetto’s guitar making classes in 1992 but the instrument was not completed. The parts were later brought to famed luthier Giuliano’s Guitar Shop in White Plains, NY. Giuliano, if you are not familiar with his name, was the one who refinished the famous D’Angelico “Fin” archtop owned by Scott Chinery. Giuliano assembled and finished the guitar to perfection. All the work is top notch especially Giuliano’s finish. The guitar is signed inside by Bob Benedetto as well as Bob Moyhchi and dated 9/92. An amazing story for a brilliant guitar.
Add to CompareBenedetto Manhattan Flamed Maple/Euro Spruce
The flagship of the Benedetto line, Bob personally selects the tonewoods, reviews the voicing and inspects each Manhattan model. That’s the reason this guitar has a strong acoustic tone and amazing amplified voice. The Opulent Brown finish is just stunning and the Benedetto abbreviated fingerrest and cell style tailpiece complete the look. This one has been upgraded with a hand made Kent Armstrong PAF pickup. First rate in every way.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - European, Maple 
Add to Compare2015 Tom Bills Cremona 16″, Curly Maple/Sitka Spruce
Tom Bills‘ status as a premier builder of archtop guitars is manifest in this gorgeous Cremona 16 inch from 2015. Not only is the fit and finish perfect, the setup glassy, and the neck-to-weight ratio dialed in–the voice, both acoustic and electric, is rich and warm and immediately envelops you. This instrument is an absolute treasure to play. Bigleaf Maple body with Sitka Spruce top, Tom’s custom French Polish shellac finish throughout, and on this Cremona Tom spec’d a rare short scale neck that makes left hand work effortless, and allows for easy bends. Falling across the fingerboard you’ll find several oak leaves rendered in MOP, and elsewhere this Bills Cremona is trimmed in flamed Maple and appointed with Ebony hardware. The humbucker is a custom Lollar with Ebony cover that ties into the pickguard.
If you’re looking for a 16 inch archtop that can keep up with you, that offers new avenues of play, is plain inspiration, this Tom Bills Cremona should fit the bill nicely.
Check out another video of this Tom Bills featuring Duane Simpson: https://youtu.be/pVcltKcVuS0
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, art of lutherie, 1825, duane simpson, fingerstyle, jazz box
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Bigleaf 
Add to Compare2007 Blanchard Archtop, Maple/Spruce
Mark Blanchard does. it. all. We love his flattops, his nylon string crossovers, and now we love his archtops too. This beauty comes to us from 2007 with light honey Maple and Spruce, and a Lollar gold foil pickup with volume knob integrated into the finger rest. Round hole rather than F holes, and we feel that does add a warmth and roundness to the voice, too. Acoustic or amplified, this Blanchard is sweet, balanced, and warm—easy playing to boot. 16 inches at the lower bout makes for a comfortable archtop build, and Snakewood bindings (plus knobs on the Waverly tuners) tie it all together.
Other keywords: arched top, lutherie, luthier, boutique guitar, mop, fingerstyle, p/up
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce, Maple 
Add to CompareBrand New Blue Arch Big Bang Archtop, African Padauk/Western Red Cedar
Our own Paul Heumiller said, “Dreaming on a guitar like this is easy.” What more is there to say? Gorgeous aesthetic, powerful sound and a fit and finish that screams pristine. This instrument is powerful and inspirational. Dressed in African Padauk and Western Red Cedar, this ain’t your grandpa’s archtop, but it sounds like it would have been. It’s no coincidence this instrument has been dubbed “Big Bang.” That is as much of a descriptor as it is a title, both unplugged and amplified it’s resonance is prominent. From the carbon fiber bracing, to its custom humbucker this guitar seems to have neverending features that draw the player in. Listen and see for yourself.
Other keywords/mispellings:Luthier, lutherie, archtop, jazz, tric,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Padauk 
Add to CompareBoaz SS Jazz Archtop European Maple/German
This is an amazing sounding SS Jazz Archtop from renowned Israeli builder Elkayam Boaz. The design is completely original and and employs parallel braces making this one of the most responsive archtops you’ve ever played. Acoustically it’s very loud and there is a custom handmade Lace pickup originally designed for Jimmy D’Aquisto. The neck is designed for a lifetime of accurate play and complimented by another Boaz original idea, a bone saddle with staggered heights for instant adjustment to the action. There are amazing details ranging from the fingerboard inlay, side inlays, custom pickguard with hidden volume control and hand hammered tailpiece. Completing this beautiful archtop is a wonderful Ribbon inlay on the back of neck. This is a player, a collector piece and a work of art all at once!
Add to Compare2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 String, European Maple/Italian Spruce
We’re no strangers to Mirko Borghino’s work here at Dream Guitars. Not only is he the maker of John McLaughlin’s Shakti (here we’ve got one of his McLaughlin Signature Series in right now, check it out: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/builders/borghino-guitars.html), he also builds a wide range of steel and nylon string instruments. And then there’s creatures like the Mirragio 7. An archtop engineered for the veteren 7-string player, but also accessible and appealing to the 7-string-curious-6-string player. Effortless is the experience of playing this beauty from 2018. We currently have it set up with roundwounds, and it would also be a beast with flats–but currently it’s got a bit extra bite in the voice, which the custom I-Spira Replica Vintage pickup takes to handsomely. The body is figured European Maple with Ziricote bindings and appointments throughout; Italian Spruce top; and a flame Maple neck that manages to retain a C profile even as wide as it is with the added seventh string. That in itself is a feat.
Hands down, this 2018 Borghino Mirragio 7 is a complete instrument, designed for extended range while maintaining playability and comfort. Sky’s the limit.
Other keywords: lutherie, borghino guitars, miragio, 7 string, duane simpson
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 2.031 in String Spacing 2.438 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Maple - Flame 
Add to Compare2019 Borghino BB1, Italian Walnut/Italian Spruce
Italy’s Mirko Borghino has collaborated with Italy’s Francesco Buzzurro for this boutique hybrid archtop nylon string 2019 BB1 equally at home for jazz and the classical repertoire. An arched Italian Walnut body is paired with a carved Italian Spruce top from the Val di Fiemme, Alessi tuners, and the dynamite Graph Tech Ghost nylon string pickup system. This offers both 1/4” and MIDI outputs plus volume knobs for both outputs, and bass, treble, mid, and mid sweep tone. So many options! The Borghino BB1 is immensely fun to play, hands down. It handles a wide range of styles and attacks with aplomb, plays effortlessly, and has a lively and quick response that translates perfectly from an acoustic setting into amplified territory.
Other keywords: crossover guitar, fingerstyle, cutaway, andy jurik, hiscox
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.875 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Walnut - Italian 
Add to Compare2003 Bourgeois A-350 Curly Maple/Spruce
This Bourgeois Archtop is stunningly beautiful and in fantastic condition, given that it has had ten years of play and maturation. The tastefully carved Curly Maple back and perfectly quartered Spruce top have that buttery smooth, mellow sound jazz players are always looking for. Plug this one in and blend between the K&K Archtop Pickup for crisp, acoustic sound and the floating Kent Armstrong Humbucker for quick solo licks. But be careful as you play: The quilting in the neck has such a depth and hue about it that you’ll be hard-pressed not to be distracted!
Add to CompareBrand New Tim Bram Archtop, The Tribute, Mahogany/Spruce
Made for the 2024 Artisan Guitar Show, this Bram “The Tribute” archtop guitar features Mahogany for the back and sides, and Sitka Spruce for the top. The Tribute embodies all the DNA and makings of a classic archtop guitar, shaped into the profile of a Telecaster. With its “T-Style” cutaway, F-holes, adjustable ebony bridge, floating ebony pickguard, and a Kent Armstrong pickup, this is a very unique piece. The carved top has steep ridges along the cutaway and smooth doming on the bass side of the upper bout. Truly a beautiful and unique guitar to behold.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, jazz, tele, hipshot,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.063 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Mahogany 
Add to Compare2021 Tad Brown True Blue, Sugar Maple/Adirondack Spruce
This one’s a special piece that stands proud apart from the crowd! California’s Tad Brown offers this brand new True Blue acoustic archtop here with Sugar Maple body and Adirondack Spruce top, stainless steel frets, and a lapis lazuli-infused finish rendering the guitar in a brilliant blue.
Here’s Tad to explain: “Earth meets water in Honduran Rosewood and Lapis Lazuli. The blue pigment comes from the historic Lapis Lazuli gemstone, sprayed on as the color coat. It has this very cool unique three dimensional effect, appearing darker or lighter depending on ambient lighting, being translucent to direct light and opaque in reflected light. Permanent colorfastness that will never fade.”
Such an exciting and novel approach, and we’re here to tell you, it’s gorgeous. Added touches include: Rosewood tailpiece suspended on titanium cello tailgut wire, which resonates and adds overtone complexity to your playing, a pickup jack installed at the tail (for adding a pickup down the line should you choose), and a Fort Knox-strong Calton flight case.Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 420221, adriondack
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Sugar 
Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Blue, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Brand new! This is what happens when a master archtop builder continues to push the envelope: Tad Brown CC Blue. Red Spruce top, Red Maple body, plus a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup and cobalt array, pale Maple bindings with an extra bevelled edge (and a subtle arm bevel introduced into the bindings and top itself at the lower bout); Rosewood appointments throughout; a slim build weight and 1 3/4” nut. The “blue” model designation refers to Tad’s use of lapis lazuli in the finish, resulting in a three-dimensional effect that pulls extra depth out of the Flame Maple body and Adirondack Spruce top.
This time around, Tad spec’d this CC Blue with a tighter lower bout, putting this one at 15 1/2″ across. This makes for an even more easy-playing experience. The neck profile Tad describes as a “slim sportscar neck,” and this one practically drives itself.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 470332, adriondack, es-250, 2022, stainless, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red 
Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Blue, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
Brand new! Raring to go! Here’s a chance to land yourself a slice of the sweetest blueberry pie you’re likely to find. Tad Brown of California’s CC Blue is simply fabulous. Red Spruce top, Red Maple body, plus a CC Pickups ES250 Charlie Christian pickup and cobalt array, pale Maple bindings with an extra bevelled edge (and a subtle arm bevel introduced into the bindings and top itself at the lower bout); Rosewood appointments throughout; a slim build weight and 1 3/4” nut. The acoustic voice has heaps of projection, and a sweet clarity across the registers. Amplified, this Tad Brown becomes a force of nature, refined.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 461221, adriondack, es-250, 2022, stainless, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.225 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red 
Add to CompareBrand New Tad Brown CC Gold Archtop, Red Maple/Adirondack Spruce
In, and right back out! Our latest client commission with Tad Brown is a showstopper. We were sad to see it go, before we were even able to photograph it. But we did land a dynamite demo with our own Al Petteway to showcase the livewire Charlie Christian cobalt pickup array. Ready to snag one for yourself? Give us a shout! We’d love to put it together.
Other keywords: duane simpson, arched top, jazz box, 451021, adriondack
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red