Unlike most traditional arch tops the “Universal” is smaller and has a more contemporary, sporty aesthetic. And unlike it’s acoustic counterpart, the B-1 harbors two searing humbuckers. Plug it in. Hear the difference that a Bruton String Works, hand crafted arch top can make. It gets the name “Universal” because of its range and diversity in tone.
Considered by many to be the Comins flagship model, the Chester Avenue is adorned with master grade tone woods and meticulous detail throughout. While the design has been refined and redefined over the years, it continues to be the model that most represents the tradition of ornate arch top artistry.
Traditional styling with a contemporary flare, the Classic Model is offered as a straight-ahead jazz box. While the standard model is furnished with a floating pickup, a built-in pickup is also a popular approach.
The Concert Model, with is modesty in appointments and violin style shading, has an aura of timeless simplicity. Hand carved from solid woods, it possesses the same high standards of tone, playability and workmanship as the Chester Avenue and the Classic, though it presents an understated alternative.
Initially conceived as a modern electric jazz guitar, this model possesses qualities that suit it to many styles. It can facilitate much of the subtlety and richness one would appreciate in intimate and expressive playing situations while still being amenable to higher volume settings. The electric sound is evenly responsive, controllable, and versatile. Even when used in combination with overdrive effects, the issue of feedback is quite manageable.
These instruments are uniquely personalized one off pieces, borrowing or inspiring design elements that signify special events, personal interests, or important achievements. Toward this endeavor, additional time is allocated to accommodate the necessary collaborative exchange of ideas, as well as the anticipated custom design work and tooling required to bring the concept into being. Clients will be asked to participate in a process that considers how components and materials can be utilized to express the initial inspiration.
The Renaissance model is born out of a full pallet of decorative woods whereas infinite choices of color schemes can emerge. Although it comes standard with chamfered f-holes, it is a good choice for unique sound hole designs as well as other aesthetic interpretations. An optional floating pickup is available at additional cost.
After having played Selmer-Maccaferri style guitars built exclusively by Stefan Hahl for many years, Biréli Lagrène asked Stefan if he would build a signature model guitar for him. Stefan was glad to oblige and created the Biréli Lagrène Signature guitar, built according to Biréli’s specifications and wishes and, of course, with the finest materials.
The classic jazz guitar sound is achieved by means of the floating humbucker installed at the end of the neck. A second, ceramic pickup mounted in the bridge via a special technique adds an extremely pure, cutting, yet warm and acoustic component. Both pickups adjust individually and can be blended together for a diverse selection of sound character options, from warm and jazzy to brilliant and acoustic.
The Contessa is the distilled essence of the classic archtop guitar. Unadorned and understated, it's elegant simplicity, sensuous edges and purity of form allow the senses to appreciate the downright sexiness of a hand carved archtop guitar. It's visual purity is echoed by the purity of tone. Clean, rich tonality springs forth in both acoustic and electrified configurations.
The Marquis is the distilled essence of the classic archtop guitar. Unadorned and understated, it's elegant simplicity, sensuous edges and purity of form allow the senses to appreciate the downright sexiness of a hand carved archtop guitar. It's visual purity is echoed by the purity of tone. Clean, rich tonality springs forth in both acoustic and electrified configurations.
The Monarch is an up to the minute take on the archtop's art deco heyday. Impeccably executed from it's multi layered fine line binding to it's crown motif inlays, it is a head turning, ear opening show stopper.
The Monarch Regal makes a bold visual statement to match the boldness of its tone. Dramatic art deco tailpieces and pickguards feature 5-ply fine line binding and gloss lacquer finish.
Bridgetown: The Bridgetown archtop is a 17" art deco beauty. Bridgetown-7: The Bridgetown-7 top is parallel-braced select Alaskan Sitka, hand carved. Rose City: The Rose City arch top features an x-braced fine Alaskan Sitka carved top, Pacific Northwest BigLeaf Maple back and sides. Honduran Mahogany neck with Ebony fingerboard. Rose City-7:The Rose City arch top features an x-braced fine Alaskan Sitka carved top, Pacific Northwest BigLeaf Maple back and sides. New Rose: This is the latest incarnation of the Rose City.
The RE7 or 6 and RE7F is an asymmetrical, ergonomically designed, carved top, headless wonder. The original was made for Ron Eschete. He had played a Klein electric owned by one of his students. He loved the neck angle and how it sat on his leg. He wanted Saul Koll to make him something like it, only in a 7 string. At this time he was playing large traditional arch tops.
Lacey developed the Argonaut as a smaller instrument, making it easier to travel with.
In searching for a name, Lacey turned to his crossword dictionary where he discovered that Argonaut also means traveler. Continuing on this theme, he chose an ancient battle helmet for the headstock inlay..
Born out of the Big Band Era, the 18 inch archtop guitar was developed to compete with the brass section back when amplifiers were not yet invented. The Imperial is reminiscent of these prized instruments and delivers in volume and projection..
The 17 inch premier is a popular choice for jazz players especially when fitted with an optional floating pick-up. The 17 inch body still delivers in volume..
The Virtuoso is Lacey's top of the line model, only the finest grade figured woods are used.
Prized by serious collectors, The Virtuoso is unique visually. A blue version was made for the Scott Chinery collection. The intricate engraving is done by world renowned engraver Ohann..
Picture a guitar that could replace both your, D28 Flat-top and L5. An instrument where your hands and pick attack as well as your string selection, be it flatwounds, roundwounds, electric or bronze and combinations thereof, can take you to all those familiar places while delivering a level of exquisite tone and clarity superior to what you've had before.
"THIN IS IN!" The Thinline is an offshoot of the HJG-1 "Halfling Jazz Guitar" which is the result of over 25 years of Tom Ribbecke's unique understanding of carved top design. True crossover instruments, they combine the sensitivity of steel string guitars, with their flatter soundboard on the bass side, and the articulate sound of true jazz guitars.
After five years in development the Kiso-Ribbecke, a collaborative effort between Tom Ribbecke and Kiso, is now available through Ribbecke Guitar Corporation & Destroy All Guitars.com! We are pleased to announce that we are the only authorized United States dealers!
Scharpach is proud to build a guitar as desirable and exciting as the Vienna Archtop. They are just as proud of the people who play them. The Vienna is built for the most passionate guitar lovers. Scharpach believes that design details should enhance the beauty and the basic shape of the guitar. You can see that all proportions are perfectly balanced, a dynamic powerful elegance. Yet this is done without any overt features that would distract the eye. The architectural purity of the design gives the guitar a clean shape that represents the essence of the sound.
We are most fortunate to represent direct sales of Mario Beauregard's highly sought after and evolutionary "MB" guitar. The MB's hand carved rounded side rims and dropped carved top and back are the keys to it's superior sound and trademark look. The MB was designed to preserve acoustic properties while an interior baffle system was incorporated to limit and cancel feedback.
This beautiful model was born out of a commission and a desire to create a guitar that combines the drive and thump of an archtop, the warmth and depth of a nylon, and the breathy throaty sustain of a Selmer-Maccaferri. The result is amazing! With a unique bracing and graduation technique that Ryan developed, the tone is an exciting extraction of the above guitars. The top is of an aged hand-selected spruce, the back and sides are European maple. The aesthetic is very striking with the rich, dark cocobolo against the black ebonies and white soundboard and maples. The neck is slightly narrower then a classical guitar at 1 7/8”. The action and playability is very smooth. It works great for fingerstyle or plectrum playing.
Walnut and Cedar bring their warmth and depth as a starting place for this fresh take on the archtop guitar. More full bodied and open sounding like an acoustic guitar, yet it still has the meaty thumpy tones of an archtop. The Cedar and Walnut contribute a certain darkness to the tone that sounds fantastic with bronze strings. Aesthetically this guitar has a very organic and contemporary look yet still relates to and plays off of the archtop tradition..
This is a very traditional archtop guitar, a desendent from the great makers of the genre. It is x-braced and a fully acoustic. It is also built to withstand feedback issues. The guitar is voiced around your particular needs and desires. Players typically describe sound and physical parameters, and Ryan designs the guitar to suit those requirements and goals..
This groundbreaking guitar brings the beautiful clarity and immediacy of the Viennese guitar tradition into contemporary archtop design. This guitar was designed in collaboration with guitarist Frank Vignola to showcase the unique vision and style he is renowned for.
The Wysteria is uncompromising elegance. Aesthetically, this guitar pays homage to the great lineage of the archtop jazz guitar. From its hand-crafted Loyd Loar era inspired sunburst finish, to it’s contemporary bocote and ebony natural wood appointments, this is an unapologetic and pinnacle guitar.
The Autumn archtop guitar incorporates many of the finest tonal qualities of a flat top guitar while retaining the traditional roots of its heritage as an arched instrument. The Autumn's unique blend of warmth and clarity is what lead Tom Bills to choose its name. It reminded him of wearing a warm sweater on a cool autumn day.
The Natura Deluxe is an Archtop guitar that is free from limits. It goes far beyond the typical Archtop Jazz sound and is a true acoustic instrument. It has a sparkling, clean, liquid treble quality and adds a fat, punchy bass to bring a dynamic balance with power on demand and excellent sustain. The lightest touch or the heaviest attack is met with balanced sensitivity, clarity, and responsive power.
Archtops
