Tim Reede - First Archtop

I don't know a lot of builders that still have their first guitar or even the first of any design they tried.  Reason being that first attempts are learning experiences, and the more obsessive a builder is about their work the more likely they are to have smashed, burned or otherwise destroyed the flawed products of those learning experiences.  Today I have the pleasure of taking a look at a builder who resisted that urge and kept his very first archtop, Tim Reede.


This particular guitar does have some cosmetic defects from getting banged around as a show piece in the 5 or so years since Tim first built it.  However, the first thing I notice (knowing that it is a first attempt) is that it doesn't look, feel, play or sound like a first attempt.  I definitely echo the sentiments of the judges that saw it at the first ASIA Student Guitar Review Tim attended: it would make a fine studio instrument.  It's solidly built, feels great to play and has the classic sound you would expect.


One interesting feature that I really appreciated as an acoustic guy is the saddle in the bridge.  Tim says he avoided an adjustable bridge because he doesn't like the effect the metal screws have on the tone, and makes the action adjustable via interchangeable saddles.

Top: European Spruce 
Back and Sides: European Maple - Both are Hand Carved 
Fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece, head cap and body binding: Cocobolo 
Fingerboard and Head stock binding: Curly Maple 
Inlays: Gold and Mother of Pearl 
Pickup: Hand Made by Kent Armstrong 
Tuning Machines: Gold Gotoh Keystones 
Bracing: "Parallel" 
Scale length: 25" - Lower Bout is 17" 
Finish: Amber Shellac and Mcfadden Lacquer

On a personal note: headstocks make or break a guitar for me.  It's a silly thing since they typically affect little beyond the aesthetics.  In any case, I like this one a lot.

Audio Samples:


MP3


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WAV


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