Who’s Drunk the Archback Kool-aid?

bobouz

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Flat or arched back makes no difference to me - it just depends on the tone & playability of the particular guitar in hand. Now I must say this very quietly in order to not hurt my F-40’s feelings, but truth be told, as much as I enjoy my three arched-back maple Guilds, my flat-backed maple Gibson J-185 happens to be the one I’d have to have with me in that proverbial desert island scenario. Hopefully it will never come to that!

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PreacherBob

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Flat or arched back makes no difference to me - it just depends on the tone & playability of the particular guitar in hand. Now I must say this very quietly in order to not hurt my F-40’s feelings, but truth be told, as much as I enjoy my three arched-back maple Guilds, my flat-backed maple Gibson J-185 happens to be the one I’d have to have with me in that proverbial desert island scenario. Hopefully it will never come to that!

0C3FDB5D-E26C-474F-A583-B70E67196A49.jpeg
And there again are those awesome looking shoes I can’t seem to find🥺
 

davidbeinct

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Flat or arched back makes no difference to me - it just depends on the tone & playability of the particular guitar in hand. Now I must say this very quietly in order to not hurt my F-40’s feelings, but truth be told, as much as I enjoy my three arched-back maple Guilds, my flat-backed maple Gibson J-185 happens to be the one I’d have to have with me in that proverbial desert island scenario. Hopefully it will never come to that!

0C3FDB5D-E26C-474F-A583-B70E67196A49.jpeg
My teacher has a J185. It is a spectacular guitar.
 

davidbeinct

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Yeah so the title of the thread is contentious. That bothers me. But since I'm not willing to wade through all the posts right NOW..... call me an arched-back WHORE!! Especially maple!! Love that maple stuff.....

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Sorry didn’t mean for the title to be contentious. More tongue in cheek. I have a kind of acerbic sense of humor that maybe doesn’t come across great in forums.
 

Roland

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Actually up until a few weeks ago I thought that I had, but then I realized it wasn't a big thing to me.
 

Br1ck

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Every single design difference does one thing at the expense of another. The arch back D 25 is no different. If what it does floats your boat, you'll be happy. Play in a group, it will project. As is always the case, having all of them is the answer. If someone were to say a D 25 is the best guitar ever, well then the kool aid analogy can apply. If I were looking to gig on a budget, I'd buy a D 25 in a heartbeat. So much better IMHO than the herd of Taylors out there.
 

Boneman

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I haven’t yet since I don’t have any archbacks in my stable. Will that change in 2022? :unsure:
 

Wilmywood

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I have both a 1972 G37 maple archback and a 2000 DV 52 rosewood flatback. They are almost identical in size and shape except for the backs' shapes and materials. I feel, as does my professional bass player friend (who has a 1949 Martin D45) that the G37 may well be the finest sounding acoustic he has ever played, and I concur. I have NO idea whether it's the lack of back bracing on the archback or the thickness of the back making the difference, all I know is it's different and, IMO, better.
 

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highwayman

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Come to think of it, I have quite a few
archbacks, and they are all great guitars, definitely keepers:

F15, F 20, D15, D25, D30, F 65 CE.

When I compare the D15 with the D25, I prefer the D15, though I am aware that their top woods are different - spruce vs hog - and in a way you compare apples with pears.
 

plaidseason

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I'm onboard!

A GF25/GF30 is at the top of my short-list.

Two things I've mentioned again and again . . .

1. I've found the DCE1 to be a surprisingly great guitar for recording (better than my previously owned F30r-ls even). I know there are a lot variables (mics, etc.), but I suspect it's that the tone is rich without tones of complicated overtones. Just a deep and clear resonance.

2. When i realized I missed having a dread sound in my life, I played lots of mahogany and rosewood dreads only to find that it was the D25 sound that I was missing. Like I'd honestly pick a D25 over a J45,or a D18. I don't know why. I just like it.
 

PreacherBob

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I have a that 2002 JF30 which sounds great, along with two jumbo maple 12er arch backs. But the gorgeous 1987 JF65 I recently picked up really is the holy grail of the maple arch back jumbos that I have. Huge projection and still has a beautiful clear tone, all the way through the trebles. I’m sure the aged wood has a lot to do with that.

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WC_Guitarist

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Yeah so the title of the thread is contentious. That bothers me. But since I'm not willing to wade through all the posts right NOW..... call me an arched-back WHORE!! Especially maple!! Love that maple stuff.....

IMG_2354.jpg
Hello,
May I ask which model/year this is? It's very beautiful. I'm a new guitarist, and I love Guild guitars. Especially the older ones.
Thanks!
Janine
 

hansmoust

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But the gorgeous 1987 JF65 I recently picked up really is the holy grail of the maple arch back jumbos that I have. Huge projection and still has a beautiful clear tone, all the way through the trebles. I’m sure the aged wood has a lot to do with that.

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Hello PB,

Just so you know ...... that particular JF-65 is from the year 1998, but that doesn't make it a lesser guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
 

PreacherBob

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Hello PB,

Just so you know ...... that particular JF-65 is from the year 1998, but that doesn't make it a lesser guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Yeah Ive been using the method you told me to a couple weeks ago on the 1994 D55. The gentleman I just bought the JF65 from seemed dead set on 1987, however the neck block stamp says Oct 19, 1998. Also the 1987 JF65-12 I just got was sold as 1987, but the neck block stamp says 1991. So I’m pretty sure half the guitars I have are not the years I purchased them as. But in the end your are so right, they are GREAT guitars nonetheles!

JF65
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