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Archtop guitars are steel-stringed acoustic guitars with a distinctive "arched" belly and a sound particularly suited to blues guitar and jazz. They are also known as jazz-boxes or hollow bodies, although not all hollow body guitars are archtops.

The top (and often the back) of the archtop guitar are carved in a curved rather than a flat shape, and it normally has f-holes. This curve and f-holes are both similar to the violin family, on which they were originally based. Although any true archtop has a rich tone unamplified, most archtop guitars have some sort of pickup/microphone system, and many are intended primarily for this purpose and so may also be considered electric guitars. Most used on modern archtops are humbuckers in bridge and/or neck positions.

The archtop was invented by Lloyd Loar of the Gibson Guitar Corporation after designing a style of mandolin of the same type.

WidipediA link

For information on selecting a guitar for jazz visit the jazz guitar news group ( rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz) has a FAQ with answers to lots of common questions.

Making An Archtop Guitar By Robert Benedetto. Guitar. Size 8.5x11 inches. 279 pages. Published by Centerstream Publications. (174)
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Guitarmaking: Tradition And Technology By William R. Cumpiano & Jonathan D. Natelson. Guitar Text. 388 pages, 8 x 10.5, softcover. Published by Chronicle Books. (GM10000)
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Archtop Guitar Builders click to show or hide section

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Abyss Guitar Company
Kevin L. Pederson
535 N. 13th St.
Forest City, IA 50436
641 590 2593 or 641 582 3718

Info

Produces laminated wood parts for archtop guitar builders

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Adnan Archtop Guitars
Istanbul'dan El Yapimi Arch-Top Gitarlar
Phone: +90-212-2608413

Info

More information available on company's web site.

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Kevin Almy
P.O. Box 27162
Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 64 4 388-1196

Info click here to view more info

(From Dales's bio)

I was born September 16, 1954, raised in Nazareth, PA, home of Martin Guitar. In my teens I became inspired by meeting some of the world's finest guitar builders. This led me to play guitar and become a builder. Visiting the shop of one of Martin's craftsmen encouraged me to buy one of his guitars. I was overwhelmed by the craftsmanship and ease of playing. At that point I knew I wanted to build an instrument of that quality. I started building acoustic guitars in 1977 in collaboration with friend Dick Boak.

In 1993 I began an apprentice with Archtop guitar builder, Robert Benedetto. Working for Bob for several years was an experience of a lifetime. Teaching me his secrets and passions for the Archtop guitar that has taken him some 30 years to master. Together we built some of the worlds finest Archtop guitars.

Gradually, I started incorporating Bob’s secrets with my own ideas. In 1996, inspired by Bob and Cindy Benedetto, I began offering my own handmade Archtop guitars under the American Archtop Brand, for which I have received critical acclaim. American Archtop Guitars are built for the player. Guitars are custom ordered and I am always available to discuss your personal preferences. I am president and owner of American Archtop Guitars. My world- famous instruments are built in my home in Stroudsburg, Pa. All guitars are designed and constructed by me from start to finish. Despite the substantial demands for my instruments. I rarely handcraft more than 20 per year.

I also offer several workshops varying from design to the actual construction of an Archtop Guitar. I have also produced a CD under my own label with several of my players demonstrating the unique sounds of my guitars.

I now introduce you to my line of American Archtop Guitars. They are one of the finest guitars handcrafted today.

American Archtop Flyer

Here is the new American Archtop full color flyer.

American Archtop Flyer (Print Resolution)

FILE: AAFlyer.pdf ( 720 KB )

You will need Adobe Reader to view your PDF file.

Build Your Dream Guitar with Master Luthier Dale Unger

3 to 6 students per class.

8 day workshop, all wood and material. 17" x 3"" 6 string guitar.

Dale apprenticed with Bob Benedetto for three years. I play Dale's guitars at the Philly guitar shows and they are the best available. Dale makes about 18 to 20 archtops a year. I have a Legand 7 of my very own being built. :-).

Custom Build Your Dream Guitar In A Private Class with Master Luthier Dale Unger

8 day workshop, all master grade wood and material. 16" or 17" 6 or 7 string guitar.

More information available on companys's web site.

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Steve Andersen
Andersen Musicial Instruments
7811 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
206 782-8630
206 782-9345 (Fax)

Info

Art Guitars and Amplifiers by Phil Sylvester.

Combining a love of art and a passion for guitars, Phil Sylvester creates some very cool guitars and amps. Includes here just because they are way cool.

(ed.) One of the sites that change your browser window size. Why there are site designers (www.felthat.com) that think they know what the use wants if beyond me.

More information available on companys's web site.

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Artinger Custom Guitars LTD.
Matthew J. Artinger
4693 Belmont Dr.
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-965-0437

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Roger Bacorn Custom Guitars & Mandolins
2230 River Rd.
Nichols, NY 13812
607-699-3094

Info

(ed.) Victor is a luthier and guitarist from Philadelphia, PA. I've played his 7 string guitars at the Philly shows and there are very nice.

More information available on company's web site.

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Carl Barney
P.O. Box 128
Southbory, CT 06488
203-264-9207

Info click here to view more info

Blue Guitar Written by Ken Vose; photography by Leslie Jean-Bart; foreword by George Benson. Guitar Text. 131 pages, 8.5 x 9. Published by Chronicle Books. (GM10008)
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Berketa Guitars
Ray Berketa
PO Box 54
Charnwood Act 2615
Australia
Phone/Fax: +02 62586548
Fax:
Toll Free:

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M Campellone Guitars
725 Branch Ave.
Box 125
Providence, RI 02904
401 251 4229

Links

www.jpcharlesluthier.com

Makes an acoustic Cavaquinho (D,G,B,D tuned) follows the traditional Brazilian design, with only a few differences: a flat peghead (not slotted) for a better stiffness and crossed braces under soundboard. Can also be tuned and played as a genuine Ukulele

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Vinny Colletti
Custom Stringed Instruments
51 Maple St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
607-433-1956

Info

Michael Collins is coming out with a book on building a laminated gypsy swing guitar.

The only complete manual which explains the construction of the laminated gypsy swing guitar in full detail. All instruction for the construction of molds, jigs, and the procedures to build your very own instrument from scratch. Line drawings, and many photos make the completion of either a d-hole, or an oval hole guitar possible to anybody that is up for a good challenge. Mr. Maccaferri would be pleased!

Due Fall of 2004.

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Comins Guitars
Bill Comins
P. O. Box 611
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215 376 0595 (Fax and Phone)

Links

Blue Guitar Written by Ken Vose; photography by Leslie Jean-Bart; foreword by George Benson. Guitar Text. 131 pages, 8.5 x 9. Published by Chronicle Books. (GM10008)
See more info...

Info

Apprenticed with Bob Benedetto

More information available on company's web site.

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Darrell Cook
600 E. Baseline Rd.
Lafayette, CO 80026
720-938-0440

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D'Ambrosio Guitars
Handmade Archtop Guitar Luthier
P.O. Box 2408
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 454-8258
(866) 454-8258 (toll-free)

Info click here to view more info

John D'Angelico the dean of jazz guitar builders is no longer with us but his instruments are and I ran across some information online that I present here.

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Jimmy D'Aquisto
(1936 - 1995)

Info click here to view more info

Jimmy D'Aquisto consider the top archtop guitar builder of all time.

Blue Guitar Written by Ken Vose; photography by Leslie Jean-Bart; foreword by George Benson. Guitar Text. 131 pages, 8.5 x 9. Published by Chronicle Books. (GM10008)
See more info...

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Dearstone Mandolin Works
2315 Bay Street
Bristol, TN 37620
423 968 9599

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Earnest Musicial Instruments
Joel Eckhaus, Luthier
12 Fairlawn Ave.
S. Portland, ME 04106
207 799-9788

Info click here to view more info

Makes an archtop Tenor guitar as well as other Tenor models.

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American Archtop Flyer

Build Your Dream Guitar with Master Luthier Dale Unger

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