ARCHTOP AND FLAT TOP GUITARS - Same Maker - What's the sonic difference? KIM WALKER

[@bleeknoir]

Oh goodness me, there’s nothing like an archtop. Especially one of this level. Incredible.

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah man, it’s a naughty bit of kit

[@joshpoynter4523]

Michael, has Ralph Bown ever built an archtop to your knowledge? Thanks for posting. Would love to hear "Rialto" on an archtop.

[@Earthstein]

The player is amazing in expressing the music through his art. I am quite taken. --- Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@CameraLaw]

That last note! Thanks. Don't play my artchtop enough, methinks. Such glorious instruments.

[@MichaelWatts]

Get to it!

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

The mid forward nature of the archtop compared to the flat top really pops out dramatically with this back to back. As you know, I'm an archtop guy overall, and this shows me exactly why.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much for watching and yes, I totally agree!

[@RByrne]

Two amazing guitars! Both sound great in their own way, but the archtop really is on another level for tone. I would love to see how those headstocks are done.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching! Really glad you enjoyed it!

[@geobot9k]

If you're talking about the inlay I used to do jewelry inlay work. The short and sweet of it is draw it up then when you have something you like draw and transfer the templates[1] to the mother of pearl[2] pieces and wood, cut out a cavity in the wood[3], cut the mother of pearl pieces[4], glue them in with 2part epoxy[5], finish[6] and enjoy. Long and bittersweet expansion pack: [1] You could do it old school with carbon transfer paper or make the template outline on a computer with krita/inkscape/mspaint/whatever you're comfortable with and print it out on inkjet transfer paper. The ink takes a few minutes to dry and for clumsy people I recommend practicing it a few times first before doing it on the work because some inkjet transfer papers like to smear. [2] Or coral, synthetic opal, or anything nice looking, really. Acrylic resin with pearl ex additive is really fun to play with and it polishes up really nice so long as it cures in a pressure pot otherwise there will be a ton of bubbles. [3] Many ways to skin a cat. Could use a drill press, set the depth to whatever you're comfortable working with, I normally worked in 1 or 2 mm depth, and drill out material then chisel until you can't see the drill marks any more or use something like a flex shaft precision router base but these are pretty pricey. If you're fortunate enough to have equipment to make one yourself could be a fun machining or 3d printing project if you're into it. Save wood dust for gluing in. [4] Rough cut with a jewelers saw. Refine with a dremel/foredom or fine-tooth file so long as it doesn't chip the work until the work is close to fitting in its spot. If chipping happens sandpaper working up the grits helps. Once it's close to fitting in you can use pencil lead along the border of the cavity and gently rock the work in it to see where material needs to be removed. [5] Adding color matched paint helps to hide mistakes between two inlaid pieces and mixing in wood dust will help fill in mistakes along wooden borders. [6] Sand it all flush, or if you want to get fancy then cabochon the foreground and subject at different heights, then go up the grits starting wet sanding around 1500 to ~7000 to polish.

[@shuklajayant]

What a beautiful sound and playing. The archtop sounds incredible. What strings are used on both. Thanks

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! D’addario on the flat top and elixirs on the archtop if I remember rightly

[@shuklajayant]

@@MichaelWatts thank you. Once again. Extraordinary playing and sound

[@daryllossing1340]

Thank You for that beautiful playing! Each guitar is so different but each sound fabulous in their own way

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching! That means a lot to me!

[@gianfrancoviola9868]

The answer is I NEED BOTH! By the way I’m going to get a shirt like yours. For one, it’s gorgeous! And maybe my playing would improve too.. thank you Michael!

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s always the answer! As for the shirt, it’s vintage Ralph Lauren so might be tricky to get hold of but you never know!

[@ellenrik]

What a beautiful tone from the flat top, very responsive. If you look at the light reflection between the sound hole and bridge at 2:09 - 2:12 you can see the light shimmer as the top vibrates. Both guitars are amazing pieces and skillfully played.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! I hadn’t even noticed that little detail - well spotted!

[@stratocactus]

It flickers the entire video, more of a light issue ahah

[@MrKCWalker]

Now that is fun! Thanks, Michael! This is quite a blast from the past. Birdseye… The perfect tune or those guitars :-).

[@MichaelWatts]

Hey Kim! The man himself ladies and gentlemen! Such beautiful guitars and an unforgettable day.

[@dalgguitars]

Thank you for showing us both of these stunningly beautiful guitars. This seems to further confirm that the shape of the guitar dictates its sound. I'm envious of these guitars. I'm envious of the maker's skill. I'm envious of your skill as a player. Maybe envious isn't the right word. Maybe aspirational is the right word. Either way, thanks so much for such a great video!

[@MichaelWatts]

You are very welcome! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video - and it it helps, those guitars are nearly 30 years old now and Kim Walker’s more recent work is orders of magnitude superior. I know. It’s scary to be honest. I try not to think about it too much.

[@brianwalsh2945]

absolutely beautiful

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Brian!

[@pallhe]

Beautiful guitars and beautiful playing!

[@garygullikson6349]

Chet Atkins played Gretch arch tops amplified with finger pics. He played flat top steel strings with finger pics. He played nylon string classical guitars finger style with a mic. Chet's choice of guitar was based on type of music to be played. RIP Chet.

[@theblueguitars]

This was a terrific comparison. Don't quote me, but I think you and Tony McManus, with your DADGAD fingerstyle wizardry andthe overtones, are made for flattops.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much! I have to agree, DADGAD archtop can really work!

[@pnomis]

2 marvelous guitars and I love archtops as well as flat tops. For me the style being played here sounds much richer on a flat top. Archtops really come into their own when played with finger picks or a plectrum. Why? I'm not sure but I think that the quick attack, rapid delay response of an archtop favours the immediate hit you get with plastic or tortoiseshell.

[@troytempest290]

Beautiful playing & two very nice guitars but that archtop is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears-I’m not wild about the headstock on either in truth. Horses for courses I guess.

[@MichaelWatts]

Hey it was the 90s! Thank you so much for watching!

[@davidharris7431]

Very nice Michael . Yeah , the flat top , in my biased opinion hehe . Peace ✌ , merry Christmas .

[@Ragamuffyn]

I prefer the sound of the flat top. Seeing this makes me wonder what a flat top violin/viola/cello would sound like.

[@neilyoung5029]

Gorgeous stuff ❤

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Neil! I must come in soon - the Trickers are calling!

[@neilyoung5029]

Always welcome mate 😊

[@vivatacustica8155]

Great... what strings are on the archtop??

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! The archtop was wearing Elixir 12-53 PBs

[@vivatacustica8155]

Really great song and great playing!! PBs 12s that is what I use, too, after zillions of tests - but yours seemed silverish, probably due to the YT video... got it and thanks

[@МихаилКурлапов-х6о]

Если бы не мои глаза, я подумал бы, что вторая гитара - резонаторная, возможно, даже с металлическим корпусом! Совершенно неожиданный для меня мощный звук с таким колокольным звоном. 👍

[@MrMjp58]

The flat top was bright and resonant. Very folky sounding. The archtop sounded a bit muted by comparison. Very interesting to hear the same folk style on both these great instruments.

[@paullanier8280]

Nice job ! ! !

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Paul! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@greekflatpicker]

World clad guitar. A Brazilian Walker OM was the best new OM I’ve ever played . That archtop works better for playing with a flat pick . Sounded thin to me. Just my .02 cents of course

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you my friend! Hope you’re well!

[@jganun]

Revealing. I thought the archtop would be the more mellow sounding, but for that the flattop is much better.

[@UncleDanBand64]

The mini jumbo blew it away to me.

[@MichaelWatts]

Well… that’s interesting!

[@tonybaloney6656]

Both sound great but that archtop is a winner .

[@paolospadaro]

Beautiful video, your impression? 😉

[@MichaelWatts]

I love them both - totally different personalities

[@paolospadaro]

@@MichaelWatts grazie ☺️

[@andrewbowen6875]

Again Steve Earle’s Covid lockdown channel after showing his vintage Martin and Gibson collection he then proceeded to show and explain how very few people have the true knowledge of how to build mandolins and Archtop guitars. He had an Archtop from one of the modern New York makers you have shown on here MW

[@MichaelWatts]

He’s absolutely right in that regard!

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@MichaelWatts well yeah and what I love about the acoustic guitar is that there is levels to everything so that even a an early classical starter with an individual fluid style will still like me be able to appreciate the simple but flawless attention to songwriting and the singers accompanying oneself. I know Earle himself was mildly offended by a well known vintage guitar place in New York when the man said he had just the guitar for a “Strummer” like him🤔 As someone who has tried to find that place between Americana and finger style I understand why he would of been offended lol. His collection came largely by his long relationship with Gruhn and his nerdy knowledge of the Martin and Gibson is quite beautiful lol.

[@laszlosolya714]

What about an archtop with phosphor- bronze strings?

[@MichaelWatts]

This archtop has phosphor bronze strings

[@adriansummers3462]

Love the look of archtops but prefer the richer sound of the flat top. Wouldn’t it be nice to the perfect blend?

[@MichaelWatts]

Lots of people have tried!

[@editorjuno]

@@MichaelWatts -- Hamm-tone makes a small archtop based on the 1930s Epiphone Olympic, but with a flat back. It has an interesting "hybrid" range of timbres.

[@AIainMConnachie]

Beatitudes

[@andrewbowen6875]

Your North East partner in crime (joke) Steffan Sobell whilst not having the looks of the American Archtop right. Am I right in saying he was doing something tantamount to Alchemy in as much as that very first guitar you showed on here had a shaped back if not the soundboard. Probably going off track but that’s what Steve Earle refers to as it being such a rarified art and despite many laying the claim to be able to produce arch tops and mandolins he and George Gruhn agreed it’s something only a few do very well.

[@MichaelWatts]

Stefan’s first guitar was heavily influenced by a Martin style C archtop and his sound does have a lot of that wonderful steel. Great builder!

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@MichaelWatts Hmm I wonder MW. Again purely from Steve Earle his description of the likes of David Bromberg who found that a certain Martin that I wanna say was classical style? Could be converted into a steel string guitar that many of the blues guys followed suit and with Brazilian backs and sides to boot. Having since seen a Sobell again it defies belief how he pulls it off. Quite unrelated but does anyone know Sobell plays on some folk records? I saw an album with him credited for playing a squeezebox I think lol

[@jamierobb2186]

The Flattop sounds good but the Archtop blows it clean away

[@MichaelWatts]

Another vote for the blue Empress!

[@andrewbowen6875]

Will you be covering the Mark Knopfler Guitar sale MW? From the brief Christie’s video I couldn’t ascertain wether his 58 Burst or a later replica was being sold and same regarding the red Strat. Course Knopfler has his own love affair with a certain Archtop who featured in a beautiful song of his.

[@MichaelWatts]

I’m not sure about that one - the sale is in January and I’m going to be really bloody busy but I’ll see what I can do!

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@MichaelWatts oh fair play. It was only a suggestion since some of your videos about upcoming rare auction guitars have been great

[@IvayloNikolov]

Considering the starting price of 65,000 USD and a 8 years long client wait list ... I really don't think I will ever be touching a Kim Walker guitar. But never say never 🙂Don't like the archtop. Not my kind of instrument. Lack of overtones - the sound is snappy and kind of numb. And on the other side is the flat top ... ♥♥♥

[@MichaelWatts]

Archtops are an acquired taste if you’re used to flat tops. Kind of like espresso, single malt or Cuban cigars. But once you do acquire it…

[@albertking1566]

⁠@@MichaelWattsAnd, honestly, I would have a hard time trusting anyone who couldn’t come around to the taste of espresso, single malt, or Cuban cigars😂

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@MichaelWatts wish I could remember the Stella Archtop player with a three piece ensemble who showed the difference between how he played acoustic with his Archtop and electric

[@raffyzoo2130]

bridge isn't compensated=out of tune bigtime. nut not compensated=at least 5 cents out. get within one cent with compensated bridge and nut. i can hear it, maybe you can? or just don't care?