+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. 01-29-2012, 08:16 PM #1
    Richard W
    Richard W is offline
    JCF Member Richard W's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    212

    Default Archtop vs Flat Top

    BATTLE TO THE DEATH! lol, but really Archtop vs Flat top: what wins?
    For The Reaper Wants More...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 01-29-2012, 10:31 PM #2
    charvel750
    charvel750 is offline
    JCF Member charvel750's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Posts
    4,625

    Default

    Not sure either is a winner or a loser. Wins at what? Tone? Construction effort? An archtop guitar is always harder to produce than a flat top, which usually means it's more expensive. But there are archtop guitars that sound great, and there are flat tops that sound just as great, so much at stake when it comes to these kinds of things besides body style and construction.
    "Got a crazy feeling I don't understand,
    Gotta get away from here.
    Feelin' like I shoulda kept my feet on the ground
    Waitin' for the sun to appear..."
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 01-29-2012, 10:43 PM #3
    CowboyFromHell
    CowboyFromHell is offline
    JCF Member CowboyFromHell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    556

    Default

    All things being equal otherwise, I'd have to say based on visual appeal alone, archtop wins hands down.
    Jerry


    "... I got home, picked up my ax, turned on the four-track and just played it ... I played three solos back to back on Cemetery Gates ... the next morning, the second and third solos weren't bad, but the first had that first take magic ! .. I didn't touch it..." - Dimebag Darrell
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 01-30-2012, 08:14 AM #4
    veemagic
    veemagic is offline
    Platinum Member veemagic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Slinger, WI
    Posts
    623

    Default

    What is the point of this question?
    "I have so much gayness at times. My wife walks in my music room, and there I am, in my undies, listening to "Sister Christian" while lighting fireworks..doin' blow." - Bill Z
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 01-30-2012, 08:21 AM #5
    Axegrinder87
    Axegrinder87 is online now
    Galloping Riffmaster
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Greenville, SC
    Posts
    853

    Default

    To open a friendly discussion amongst peers, about guitar preferences.

    I personally don't like arch tops. I also predominantly play Rhoads and King Vs.
    "Today, I shat a brown monolith ..majestic enough for gods to stand upon" BillZ aka horns666
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 01-30-2012, 08:30 AM #6
    SausageofPower
    SausageofPower is offline
    JCF Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    333

    Default

    As a piece of art, arch tops. For playing, flat tops. They just feel more comfortable to me.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 01-30-2012, 09:26 AM #7
    toejam
    toejam is offline
    JCF ADMIN toejam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Slayerville, NJ
    Posts
    34,797

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Axegrinder87 View Post
    To open a friendly discussion amongst peers, about guitar preferences.

    I personally don't like arch tops. I also predominantly play Rhoads and King Vs.
    An archtop Rhoads looks cool, though!
    I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 01-30-2012, 09:29 AM #8
    Axegrinder87
    Axegrinder87 is online now
    Galloping Riffmaster
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Greenville, SC
    Posts
    853

    Default

    OH....MY....GOD.....


    I never knew such a thing existed. Ok, that's a cool arch top. Not changing my vote, but GOD DAMN!
    "Today, I shat a brown monolith ..majestic enough for gods to stand upon" BillZ aka horns666
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 01-30-2012, 09:31 AM #9
    toejam
    toejam is offline
    JCF ADMIN toejam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Slayerville, NJ
    Posts
    34,797

    Default

    Here's more info on it. http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/517...-makes-it-home!
    I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 01-30-2012, 09:39 AM #10
    CowboyFromHell
    CowboyFromHell is offline
    JCF Member CowboyFromHell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Tigard, Oregon
    Posts
    556

    Default

    I think I'm in love!
    Jerry


    "... I got home, picked up my ax, turned on the four-track and just played it ... I played three solos back to back on Cemetery Gates ... the next morning, the second and third solos weren't bad, but the first had that first take magic ! .. I didn't touch it..." - Dimebag Darrell
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 01-30-2012, 09:56 AM #11
    Zedisdead
    Zedisdead is offline
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Actually, the archtop construction in itself provides an addition in tone. The maple of a 3/4' arched top will feature much more brightness than a flat 1/8' flat top. It allows more combinations in woods and tone.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 01-30-2012, 10:10 AM #12
    toejam
    toejam is offline
    JCF ADMIN toejam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Slayerville, NJ
    Posts
    34,797

    Default

    Who says an arched top will always be maple? My Les Paul Studio is all mahogany, including the top.
    I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. 01-30-2012, 10:29 AM #13
    Zedisdead
    Zedisdead is offline
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    8

    Default

    My point was that it allows more wood combination so more tonal possibilites.
    As for the mahogany tops, I don't really know but would be interresting to see how it alters tone.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. 01-31-2012, 08:53 AM #14
    veemagic
    veemagic is offline
    Platinum Member veemagic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Slinger, WI
    Posts
    623

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Axegrinder87 View Post
    To open a friendly discussion amongst peers, about guitar preferences.

    I personally don't like arch tops. I also predominantly play Rhoads and King Vs.
    Ahhh I see... Its a poll then. I vote both!
    "I have so much gayness at times. My wife walks in my music room, and there I am, in my undies, listening to "Sister Christian" while lighting fireworks..doin' blow." - Bill Z
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. 02-01-2012, 12:32 AM #15
    Chief_CrazyTalk
    Chief_CrazyTalk is offline
    JCF Member Chief_CrazyTalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    824

    Default

    Flat tops and bolt-on necks for me, thanks.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  16. 02-01-2012, 01:52 AM #16
    DarkkWarriorr
    DarkkWarriorr is offline
    Platinum Member DarkkWarriorr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    The Seventh Kingdom
    Posts
    271

    Default

    I prefer flat tops in general, but heck, that arch-top Rhoads it so damn sexy. I wish they'll make arch-top pointy production guitars someday...
    -Metal isn't the same without Pointy guitars-
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  17. 02-01-2012, 04:11 AM #17
    1337storm
    1337storm is offline
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    23

    Default

    For playing comfort I much prefer archtops.
    Which probably only leads to the conclusion that I should
    have bought more guitars with non recessed Floyds.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  18. 02-03-2012, 08:28 PM #18
    BYeh1
    BYeh1 is offline
    JCF Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    374

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CowboyFromHell View Post
    All things being equal otherwise, I'd have to say based on visual appeal alone, archtop wins hands down.
    +1
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Forum Rules