Carved for Sound: How the Acoustic Archtop Guitar Keeps Swinging
In this feature, we’ll trace the history of the acoustic archtop guitar—from its 19th-century origins and golden-era prominence to its postwar decline and modern-day revival.
Michael John Simmons
Great Acoustics: A Rare 1920s Clef Club Deluxe Guitar Banjo
With its 16-inch head, this oversized instrument—Dubbed Big Head Joe by its owner, Dom Flemons—has all the punch and power you could want.
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Great Acoustics: A Mighty 1949 Epiphone Emperor Archtop
The Emperor pictured here was made in late 1949, and has a carved spruce top, carved maple back, and extensive inlay work befitting such a fancy guitar.
How the Orchestra Model Went from a Flop to Become One of the Most Popular Guitar Types
The first OMs were built by Martin in 1929, and today, almost every modern guitar builder inspired by the venerable company builds an OM of some kind.
Great Acoustics: A Rare Gibson Bella Voce Guitar Banjo
With its extensively engraved gold-plated hardware, the Bella Voce (along with the equally fancy Florentine model) was the most expensive banjo in the Gibson catalog.
