Soloists & Archtop

[DarkMare]

I have been wondering over this for quite some time now, would anyone please be able to tell me the differences between a Soloist and an Archtop?

Thanks!

[slayer]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Well, they can be one and the same. For example, I own a CS Soloist Archtop. Jack.

[StukaJU87]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Regular Soloist has a flat top. like a Strat.

Archtop is curved on top like a Les Paul.

[Mr. Poon]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Soloist



Archtop

[akoch]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

The main difference will be in the right hand feel: the archtop has its strings higher off the body, more like gibson/prs... you may or may not like it. Feels very much like non-recessed floyed if you tried that one. Also, older pro archtops came with the 24' scale, newer are 25.5' - hence the difference in sound/play too. The older one are set-neck, newer ones are neck-through.
So you have quite a selection and quite a palete of sounds [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Cheers,
Alex

[DarkMare]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Thanks everyone!

About the curved body top - it's rather strange because I have seen several photos of Archtops around here before and some of them don't seem to be curved at all? Do ALL Archtops have that curved top?

[Zerberus]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Arch = Curve, by definition an archtop has that curved top.... And I´ve never seen a Jackson Archtop that didn´t have a nice arched top...

Also, Don´t confuse "archtop" with "Trans-finished maple top", which can also be just a veneer for cosmetic purposes, archtops can also have solid colors [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[DarkMare]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

[ QUOTE ]
Arch = Curve, by definition an archtop has that curved top.... And I´ve never seen a Jackson Archtop that didn´t have a nice arched top...

Also, Don´t confuse "archtop" with "Trans-finished maple top", which can also be just a veneer for cosmetic purposes, archtops can also have solid colors [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, yes, I know. But what I mean is, several JA-serial guitars appear to have a flat surface. This one for example: http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...&page=0#543926

[Ozz666]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

All the JA serialed (Archtops) have a curved (arched top) to them. Dave's JA 003 is a very early Archtop (the 3rd one Jackson made) and the curved tops weren't *AS* defined as they are on the current models. That guitar DOES indeed have an arched top to it, you can see most notably around the Volume knob that it's an AT. It has more of an overall curved top from the sides of the guitar too the center. The current models are way more defined as pictured above (the trans Red AT).

- Joel

[Chrisb]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

I wondered if on the early Archtops they carved the body wood then glued the top on, which would maybe give it a more even gradual curve not quite as drastic? Where as in current CS pics you can see they apply the top first and carve it down. Though I imagine you can't do that on unless the top being applied is thick enough to be carved down. For instance if you got a veneer on an archtop. Dunno about 1/8" tops but most definitely a 3/4" top is carved down as can be seen from the pictures. Archtops are sometimes referred to as carved tops for that reason. An archtop with a slab top (5/8" or thicker) can give a more balancing sound to your guitar which is one reason people like archtops. I think it provides a real sonic difference if you have say 2 guitars the same shape, one with a mahogany body and a veneer top and then an archtop with a mahogany body a 3/4" carved maple top. The tone is more balanced but very full and thick.

I personally never understood why you would use a bright sound wood as a archtop body, but Korina, Mahogany and Koa are all fine choices for archtop body wood.

And for me personally I love archtops, especially on unusual shaped guitars, I think it gives a touch of class to some of the more edgy designs.

[xenophobe]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

This guitar sounded GREAT with a 'bright' top. It had a flamed korina body and neck... and had a nice warm, but cutting growl...



The neck was waaaay too thick and I couldn't play her worth a damn without slowing down or getting cramps...

[Chrisb]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Tops are always bright though, Its the body wood that offsets it. Korina is very good in that regard, its alot like mahogany to my ears. I think solid flame/quilt bodies have way to much brightness to them though, but thats just me.

Flamed Korina body and neck? Never heard of such a thing. Got any pics of the back/neck? Awesome quilt on that custom.

[xenophobe]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Flamed korina neck and body. This picture is a bit overexposed, and doesn't show the detail well. I have other pictures that show the flame off much better, but this shows you how much of it was actually figured...

[DarkMare]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

[ QUOTE ]
This guitar sounded GREAT with a 'bright' top. It had a flamed korina body and neck... and had a nice warm, but cutting growl...



The neck was waaaay too thick and I couldn't play her worth a damn without slowing down or getting cramps...

[/ QUOTE ]

Man, that guitar is beautiful! [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]
Do you have any other photos of it?

[Chrisb]

Re: Soloists & Archtop

Very odd, I assume its White Korina not black. I didn't know Korina could even be figured. Thats very very cool! I am guessing the neck and back are painted as well (from the picture it looks that way, its way to dark to be natural).