A first for us here at Dream Guitars—this is a 2018 Tim Frick Oriole 16″ Archtop, and it’s an absolute stunner. Built with Sitka Spruce over Bigleaf Maple, this hand-carved Jazz box is light, alive, and resonant in a way that immediately grabs your attention. Tim’s work is known for its elegance, and this Oriole delivers in every detail.
From the Lollar Johnny Smith-style humbucker to the beveled soundport, this guitar is full of thoughtful design choices that elevate both tone and experience. The subtle burst finish brings out the natural beauty of the woods—especially the figure in the Maple—and the overall visual aesthetic is one of quiet sophistication.
Unplugged, it’s articulate and sweet, with a dry, woody tone perfect for intimate sessions. Plugged in, it opens up into something truly otherworldly—rich, expressive, and endlessly musical.
This is a builder to watch and a guitar that speaks volumes about where modern archtop lutherie is headed.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, orole, visesnut
There’s elegance here, both visually and sonically. I love seeing work like this from new-generation builders—Tim Frick is one to keep an eye on, and this Oriole is a perfect example of why. 
This may be my first Frick, but it better not be the last. The neck carve is just about perfect, well rounded and full enough to feel solid in hand without being a handful. The understated aesthetics really click for my tastes, and the light honey burst on top really lets the cures and the woods stand out all the more. Soundports don't show up too often on archtops, but I'm happy to see Tim employ one here. This way I feel dialed into the voice acoustically, and even amplified since it's projecting up at my ear rather than what's coming from the amp. 1 in stock
| Scale Length | 25 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.688 in |
| String Spacing | 2.094 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Sitka, Maple - Bigleaf |
A first for us here at Dream Guitars—this is a 2018 Tim Frick Oriole 16" Archtop, and it’s an absolute stunner. Built with Sitka Spruce over Bigleaf Maple, this hand-carved Jazz box is light, alive, and resonant in a way that immediately grabs your attention
There’s elegance here, both visually and sonically. I love seeing work like this from new-generation builders—Tim Frick is one to keep an eye on, and this Oriole is a perfect example of why.
This may be my first Frick, but it better not be the last. The neck carve is just about perfect, well rounded and full enough to feel solid in hand without being a handful Select at least 2 products
to compare
