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1937 Martin F-7 Brazilian/Adirondack
Only 187 F series Martins were ever produced and probably only 40-50 of those were the Martin F-7 Archtop model we have here. It’s 16″ body with a carved arched top and a back arched by way of curved braces was unique at it’s time and was the foundation for the 0000 M body flattop Martins that came after. This is a BIG sounding guitar. This particular F-7 Martin has a lot of energy and really cuts. The Brazilian Rosewood is the kind we all lust after, straight and dark and the Adirondack top has perfect grain. This one has been preserved remarkably well making it, in our opinion, one of the finest and rarest Martin F-7 Archtop guitars you’ll find anywhere.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2004 Martin CF-2 Flame Maple/Adirondack Red
The goal of this collaboration between Martin Guitars and famed archtop builder Dale Unger was to create a high quality instrument that player’s could afford. Dale oversees the construction of these beautiful guitars which are built at Martin. The CF-2 offers the thinner 2 1/2″ body with dual Seymour Duncan pickups. This guitar is very versatile and works for clean Jazz and screamin’ blues.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.06 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple Add to Compare2009 McCurdy Perfecta, Maple/Spruce
Ric McCurdy’s Perfecta model is appropriately named, indeed. Ric designed this model in conjunction with the venerable John Abercrombie to offer an archtop voice and play feel in a feedback-resistant electric stage-ready package. This beauty from 2009 is decked out with Lollar Imperials, twin volume & tone knobs, and 3-way switch at the treble upper bout. Maple body with a Spruce top and figured Maple neck; six pounds play weight; slinky smooth setup—our ’09 McCurdy Perfecta is defined by versatility, playability, and sharp looks for the complete package.
Other keywords: McCurdy guitars, jazz guitar, hollow-body, hollowbody, gotoh, cedar creek
Add to Compare1998 Lewis Archtop Walnut/Redwood
Here we have an excellent archtop guitar in Redwood and Walnut from builder, Michael Lewis. It’s obvious this one’s been played, judging by the openness of the voice. It’s remarkable how sweet this instrument sounds played acoustically, but when plugged-in, the true beauty of it’s voice, as well as the quality of the Bartolini pickup, really shines through. Sweet, fat, and mellow are all apt descriptors, and surely this guitar has seen many a late-night jazz club jam session. Additionally, the satin-finished walnut neck feels superb in-hand.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.63 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Redwood, Walnut Add to Compare2004 Moll Quat-Not-Troport Flamed Maple/Adirondack
Simply Stunning Custom Quat-Not-Troport Archtop by Bill Moll. This very special guitar is one of a kind and is based on John Monteleone’s Quattroport design. Outstanding workmanship and incredible tone that has attributes of a Fine Archtop and Flattop and is equally at home playing straight ahead Jazz or Fingerstyle Blues. Excellent volume and clarity thanks to the three extra sound ports on the bass side of the body and the stunningly flamed Bigleaf Maple back and sides and Adirondack Spruce top. There is also a Piezo pickup built in. The tailpiece, fingerboard and pickguard are each crafted from figured Macassar Ebony in stunning detail. Superbly playable, this instrument is an attention-getter.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.06 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Bigleaf Add to Compare1998 Monteleone Radio Flyer, Red Maple/Adirondack
A thing of beauty is a Monteleone. We are fortunate to have acquired an exquisite sample of John’s masterwork that’s been kept in excellent condition since its birth in 1998: a Radio Flyer in flamed Red Maple and Adirondack Spruce. 17 inches across the lower bout, 3 inches deep at the sides, gently radiused back and sides, African Ebony tailpiece, bridge, and pickguard, 1 13/16” nut—the dressings of archtop royalty. Bound in Red Maple, and with a Red Maple neck, this Monteleone reminds us just how beautiful flamed Maple can be, and John hand-rubbed Nitrocellulose finish has adopted a honey amber patina to bring the Adirondack and Maple together.
In spite of a generous lower bout, this archtop is built light and airy, and its voice lines up accordingly. We were delighted to find trebles which absolutely sang, and meshed smoothly with an overall middle register emphasis that lent the tone an simultaneously crisp and woody flavor. John describes the sound of individual notes on an archtop as articulate bubbles, and we find the description fitting: there’s a well-defined pop that separates each note and keeps solos ringing and chords clear. With a gentle fingerstyle touch, the Radio Flyer could purr; dig in with a pick to accentuate an agile, airy response. A colorful splash of treble overtones bloom when played softly, keeping the voice clean and lively even when quiet.
In short, this is one of the finest archtop guitars we’ve ever laid hands or eyes on. It’s an honor to offer a piece of functional art of this calibre from John Monteleone.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.06 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Maple - Red Add to Compare2015 Pagelli The Massari Quilted Maple/Moonspruce
2015 is a very good year for the guitar world. Why? Because this is the year that the Massari was made by Pagelli, a monster of a jazz guitar dyed in blue that sings like gold. Only the choicest of woods were used in this build, from the Canadian Quilted Maple back and sides to the super rare Swiss Alpine “Moon” Spruce, so called because it’s only harvested according to a specific calender which follows lunar cycles to ensure the Spruce is lighter, and stronger, than its other brethren. So, acoustically, the Massari is filled to the brim with a sweet, fat voice–but when amplified, the custom-wound Haussel Humbucker transforms the guitar into a surgeon’s knife: immaculately clean, unerringly precise, aggressively responsive. The secret behind Haussel’s technique involves his use of poles in the middle, not unlike a single coil, so the pickup catches string vibrations at one defined point, creating an articulate single coil tone with none of the hum. Take it anywhere, throw any genre at it, and the Massari will keep up. You’ll want to practice more, just to play it. This guitar comes with the original Ameritage hardshell case.
Follow this link to see Al Petteway’s take on this gorgeous instrument: youtu.be/eCTVYzqWtjc
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.81 in Nut Width 1.81 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - Moonspruce, Maple - Quilted Add to Compare2000 Palen Archtop Flamed Maple/Sitka
Here we have a gorgeous Palen Archtop in Sitka Spruce and Flamed Maple. This Palen immediately draws the eye as soon as you walk into the room, the sunburst has been beautifully executed over the whole instrument. The tone of this archtop can easily keep up with its looks. We played it unplugged first and were surprised by the richness of tone we achieved, Then we plugged it in, and that is the game changer. The stereo pickup combines magnetic and piezo for a wonderful acoustic tone and incredible versatility.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.16 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple Add to Compare2019 Ken Parker Archtop, Flamed Mahogany/Red Spruce
Ken Parker is well known for his design of the Parker Fly guitar, here we have something remarkable from the man himself. This Archtop from 2019 is truly singular and unique. Adirondack Spruce top and stunning Figured Mahogany back and sides. This instrument looks, feels, and sounds like no other. A stunning example of what a guitar can be.
Other keywords/misspellings: luthier, lutherie, bespoke, evo, jazz,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Mahogany - Figured Add to CompareNew PRS Private Stock JA-15 Curly Maple/Bearclaw Spruce
Straight from the 2010 PRS Experience we bring you this, one of the very first, PRS Private Stock JA-15 Hollowbody guitars. We are absolutely sure JA-15 model that this will become a big hit for PRS Guitars. It raises the bar on so many levels. The JA-15 was designed in concert with Paul Jackson Jr., to read more about the design click here. It’s lightweight and very response. The unplugged tone and energy is great so when you plug it in it comes ‘alive’. On this Private Stock version the PRS team chose an amazing Curly Maple Back and Neck so the beauty of natural figured wood streches from head to toe. The top is of course a 10 top of Bearclaw Spruce, so you get the ultimate in tone and eye-catching appeal. The Brazilian Rosewood board is adorned with 14 karat gold “J” birds with Brown Lip MOP centers that are dazzling. On the headstock the Private Stock Eagle, also in gold and Brown Lip, peers down at every note you play. Brazilian rosewood tuner buttons and luxurious two-tone Brown Leather PRS case complete this rare and special PRS JA-15 Archtop.
Add to Compare2014 Ribbecke “Imagine” Halfling Pin Bridge Archtop, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Bring to mind the video of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for “Imagine.” You know the one: it begins with the two walking along a misty path, and before long John is sitting at an all-white piano in an all-white room of an all-white country estate singing one of their most famous songs. Tom Ribbecke took this alabaster image to heart when he first conceived of this particular Halfling pin bridge archop project.
Indian Rosewood back and sides are paired with a three-piece Maple neck Cedar top which are both painted a creamy white. Simple Ebony bindings and trim delineate Rosewood from Spruce, and the Ebony pickguard and bridge set off the milky expanse of Ribbecke’s Halfling top plate—bass-side flat, treble-side arched—and the offset soundhole balances out the image. Beneath the hood lies a B-Band 22r UST pickup with volume control mounted inside the soundhole and terminates in the end pin jack. A 1 3/4” nut and 25.4” scale feel right at home on the gently curved C profile neck, and the setup is dialed in for slinky playability.
The voice is round, focused, and warm at the edges, with hints of punchiness in the bass. It’s not quite a flattop for brashness, and it’s not all the way an archtop for woof, but it blends the two in such a way that individual notes are three-dimensional and distinct, and they have a habit of hanging in the air. It’s easy to spend a long time exploring the tonal (to say nothing of the visual) nuances of Ribbecke’s unique top voicing techniques and the ability of his pin bridge archtops to provide a unique flavor to a wide range of genres and playing styles.
Here’s an additional demo with Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/sXXxoe8VWgw
Check out a riff with Paul here: https://youtu.be/KwRx7szuvYg
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian Add to CompareNew Ribbecke Compliant Rim 15 Inch, Bigleaf Maple/Cedar
Tom Ribbecke needs no introduction here; the work is proof positive. We’ve landed a brand new 15 inch archtop with Tom’s latest compliant rim feature that’s a breeze to play and offers a warm balanced response both acoustically and amplified. Bigleaf Maple back and sides with a Red Cedar top, Koa bindings, and a tasty red Nitro finish. Floating Bartolini pickup with volume and tone knobs under the pickguard, and Tom’s offset soundhole which enhances the bass response and really lets the Cedar top/ compliant rim sing.
Other keywords: cedar creek, electric guitar, jazz, rock guitar, gibson, gotoh, tom ribbecke guitars
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.625 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Maple - Bigleaf Add to Compare2014 Ribbecke Halfling Pin Bridge Archtop, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
True balance is a rare thing in this world. Poised perfectly between bass and treble, sustain and attack—a rare thing. Tom Ribbecke’s Halfling top threads the needle just so. Check out our demo for this Indian Rosewood & Sitka Spruce Halfling pin bridge archtop, and listen for the roundness of the treble response and just a tinge of added warmth in the lower register that brightens up the bass. There’s an archtop-esque pop to individual notes that allows for flatpicked passages to stand out, and lots of headroom. Ribbecke blessed this neck with an oil-slick setup that practically plays itself. When we experimented with dropped tunings, the voice remained crisp and focused and cut well.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian Add to CompareNew Ribbecke Master Series Dreadnought, Honduran Walnut/Western Red Cedar
Our latest Halfling from the Ribbecke Master Series comes with an inspiration from the Dreadnought guitar for added bass and punch, not to mention projection. Dubbed “Whisper Gray” for the translucent finish on the Red Cedar top, this Ribbecke has Honduran Walnut back and sides (renowned for its density), Tom’s asymmetrical carved Halfling top and bracing, and a B-Band UST pickup system. Compared to the other Master Series guitars we’ve had in, this one has an extra heaping dose of woody punch that shows up especially in the mids, and a sweetly dialed in string-to-string balance that feels at home for both flatpicked runs and fingerstyle arrangements.
The neck is finished in satin, and feels smooth and personal the moment you take a hold. Standard 25.4” scale with a 1.75” nut and a 12.5’ fretboard radius, bone nut and saddle, and a thin, removable Ebony pickguard round out the portrait of the Gray Whisper: smooth operator, put together, elegant at a glance and at a touch.Other keywords: arched top, arch top, jazz, archtop, tom ribbecke, gotoh, reunion blues, lutherie, luthier, dreadnaught, strumming
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.18 in Woods Cedar - Western Red, Walnut - Honduran Add to Compare1996 Ribbecke Monterey Curly Maple/Sitka
The Monterey is an example of the highest art of Archtop building. Tom Ribbecke is well known in the guitar world and has a long history of being a premiere luthier. The Monterey is a top of the line model with top quality materials and craftsmenship. You simply can’t find a better archtop and this one plays with ease.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Maple