PittPastor
Member
So, I got my MIM Archos back today. It was repaired from the top split that happened when the humidity took a nosedive here in PA this winter.
Originally, I didn't think much of the Archos, TBH. I got it because it has a 1 3/4" neck and I wanted to play around with it to see how Travis picking felt on it. I didn't care for the feel. In fact the extra 1/16" made my fretting hand ache a little. And the sound was a little thin for my liking. It sounded too trebly, and not balanced like my D40C. So, I was a little disappointed. And then the flat top split, and uck, uck, uck. Bad feelings all around.
But it has solid electronics in it.
And I bit the bullet and paid for the (surprisingly) expensive repair. (Braces had to be replaced as well as the cleats put in. Then it needed a new piece to be glued in because the split was so wide.)
In for a penny, in for a pound, I also paid for a full set up, and I had Stuart dress the frets (which were pretty sharp).
Got it back today and played it a bit. I was pleasantly surprised. First off, the setup does wonders for the playability. Stuart dropped the action a bit, and that makes a difference.
Secondly, apparently part of my hand pain was just I was still recovering from the hand strain of trying new techniques and messing up my thumb. I don't think my thumb will ever be completely right again, but most of the pain is gone, and I am happy to report that my hand doesn't seem to be hurting after playing it tonight.
And, the onboard Fishman seems to play pretty well with my Fishman Aura pedal, which should mean that I am able to fix the trebly problem from stage. So, I might end up playing it a bit more than I originally thought. (Especially since I have retired my D40C from stage work now, and had the UTS pickup removed.) So, instead of being a campfire guitar, it might also be a church solo guitar.
Now, will it replace the Westerly D40C? No. That guitar just sounds right to me, and it plays better.
But I no longer hate my MIM, and I may even be warming up to it. I need to play around with the Aura and it some more, but it might become quite the workhorse, I am happy to say.
As long as it stays healthy!
Anyone know how I can date this guitar?
Originally, I didn't think much of the Archos, TBH. I got it because it has a 1 3/4" neck and I wanted to play around with it to see how Travis picking felt on it. I didn't care for the feel. In fact the extra 1/16" made my fretting hand ache a little. And the sound was a little thin for my liking. It sounded too trebly, and not balanced like my D40C. So, I was a little disappointed. And then the flat top split, and uck, uck, uck. Bad feelings all around.
But it has solid electronics in it.
And I bit the bullet and paid for the (surprisingly) expensive repair. (Braces had to be replaced as well as the cleats put in. Then it needed a new piece to be glued in because the split was so wide.)
In for a penny, in for a pound, I also paid for a full set up, and I had Stuart dress the frets (which were pretty sharp).
Got it back today and played it a bit. I was pleasantly surprised. First off, the setup does wonders for the playability. Stuart dropped the action a bit, and that makes a difference.
Secondly, apparently part of my hand pain was just I was still recovering from the hand strain of trying new techniques and messing up my thumb. I don't think my thumb will ever be completely right again, but most of the pain is gone, and I am happy to report that my hand doesn't seem to be hurting after playing it tonight.
And, the onboard Fishman seems to play pretty well with my Fishman Aura pedal, which should mean that I am able to fix the trebly problem from stage. So, I might end up playing it a bit more than I originally thought. (Especially since I have retired my D40C from stage work now, and had the UTS pickup removed.) So, instead of being a campfire guitar, it might also be a church solo guitar.
Now, will it replace the Westerly D40C? No. That guitar just sounds right to me, and it plays better.
But I no longer hate my MIM, and I may even be warming up to it. I need to play around with the Aura and it some more, but it might become quite the workhorse, I am happy to say.
As long as it stays healthy!
Anyone know how I can date this guitar?