D’Lorenzo Archtops
Posted By Scott on November 5, 2011
Archtop guitars are more closely related to the violin family of instruments than the spanish type of guitars which would include classical, flamenco and steelstring instruments. Why did early archtop builders such as LLoyd Loar make this departure from the Spanish tradition? Loar is well recognised for his knowledge of the science of
acoustics, so we can assume his design principles were not based on
mere aesthetics (although they are the most graceful and beautiful of
all guitars!)*. In fact Loar designed and built the archtop to be heard
in an orchestra or danceband (before the electric era) as a chordal/rythm instrument. The acoustic properties of a bowed instrument ie: strong,percussive attack and quick decay (the bow provides the sustain, any ongoing resonance from the instrument may
clash with the bowed note) also would make for a loud, percussive “cutting” rythm guitar. And when they were eventually fitted with a magnetic pickup, they were ideal for playing a rapid stream of eighth
or sixteenth note jazz solos typical of the bebop era.
But times,taste and musical styles change. Many contemporary guitarists (including many jazz players) have evolved a more lyrical,
expressive “singing” style of guitar playing that demands a more sustained note capability as well as a detailed “woody” tone for solo
and fingerstyle playing. Rethinking traditional principles of archtop design and construction have let to the development of the “NCAT” (New Concept Arch Top) series of D’Lorenzo guitars. Immediately noticeable are the abbreviated “comma” soundholes and a one piece neck/heelblock (a feature on all D’Lorenzo acoustics). Less obvious are
the solid linings (for increased side stiffness) and a braced rather than carved back. Not only does a braced back improve resonance and “sparkle” but also allows the use of nontypical woods such as Cuban Mahogany or Lacewood to further individualize the tone of an instrument. The result is a recognizable archtop sound but with more sustain and a detailed “woody” tone.
Don’t worry- if you want a more traditional archtop with f-holes and carved back, we can build one for you, but with the improved acoustic response of the one piece neck/heel and solid linings. All archtops are available as pure acoustics or with a mini-humbucker and /or acoustic bridge transducer.
*editorial opinion!
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