Hi, :)
Just a few things I would have liked to have known at the outset ; but at least gave rise to a lot of enjoyable experiments. My observations are not ( of course ! ) given as the irrefutable truth, just stuff that I gleaned along the way. In fact I posted it partly to enjoy learning from contrary opinions - and of course for the 'lurkers' who might visit for Archtop fodder.
1) Bare Knuckle pickups are very sensitive to adjustment - in the best possible way.
Half a turn of the height adjusters, can hit your favourite 'sweet spot' - or dial it out again. This is a mark of great quality, as on the Archtop / Jazzer, what you are usually hearing is the raw sound. No stock pickups I have ever tried differed much until I had moved them 2-3 whole turns. I know this is "Preaching to the choir " for most people, but if you are new to B.K.P. make no assumptions until you have spent time listening, and adjusting.
2) Of the budget ( sub £300 category ) Hollow Archtops - Ibanez are the best 'straight out of the box' .
The Vintage turned out very well, but it's finish is relatively fragile, and the stock hardware was swiftly replaced. The Ibby has good hardware, is very well designed / proportioned, is tough as old boots ( whilst still having the best sonic presentation / projection ) and the 'stock' hardware saves you £ 50 + of your 'upgrade' budget. I may just have been lucky, but I suspect not.
3) String heavy, set the truss rod - use as designed.
I have tried lighter and heavier strings , but for Jazz / chord melody , go heavy and set the truss rod accordingly. This not only holds the strings in place beneath your fingers better for clean chording - but also seems to create extra resonance as considerable truss rod and string tension meet. A well set up archtop with 13s- 14s on It's still going to be easier to play than a Les Paul with 11's - If it has a set back 'Lyre' type tailpiece. Use for the purpose it was designed, ( i.e no bends beyond 1/4 tone bends ). This enables an action of 0.5 mm at the 12th fret. The bridge is most probably the 'floating' type, so bending is going to feel different anyway.
4) Use a wooden bridge.
This is not an 'all or nothing' thing, but I love the sweeter presentation, and the mild blending of notes it provides. The intonation is still easy to set, in fact easier than the ( non - compensated type ) Telecaster 3 saddle bridges I have had. Heavier strings seem to intonate much better anyway.
5) Don't be put off by the mystique / snobbery associated with playing Jazzier styles.
It's just a steeper learning curve at the outset. It's not 'better' knowledge , it's not 'higher' knowledge - it's just 'new stuff' - much as any genre. The person playing Neo-Classical Rock / Metal is probably sweating over much the same stuff. As an existing player, you can use all the stuff you already know - just differently .
6) Take it slow, enjoy the journey - find your own path.
I apologise in advance if much of what I have written is self evident, but it is ( hopefully ) a starting point.
Cheers ! :)
