McCarty Archtop vs Hollowbody (I or II)

[matonanjin]

I am starting to figure out the differences between a Hollowbody I and 2. But now I am trying understand the difference between them and a McCarty Archtop. As I've posted on here a couple times I need and am looking for something light. I found what I thought was a great Hollowbody on a couple occasions and was dangerously close to clicking on the "Buy" button when they got sold out from under me.

I have now found a nice looking McCarty Archtop. What makes it different from a Hollowbody (I or 2)?

 

[veinbuster]

The differences between the archtop and the hollow body are pretty significant. The archtop is noticeably heavier, but still lighter than most solid bodies.

From a playability point of view, the archtop is much thicker - closer to a parlour acoustic than a solid body. As a result, it feels much different in your hands, or on your lap than the hollow body, which I find reasonably close to a solid body. If you’ve played a hollow body, just try to imagine the center of the wood sandwich being twice as thick. I play acoustic quite a bit, so I don’t mind the depth of the archtop at all.

Doubling the volume of the inside of the guitar does change the tonal characteristics of the archtop quite a bit versus the hollow body. It has much more acoustic resonance. On mine, I hear a much more prominent bottom end. There is an older thread that discusses this and I believe I did a couple of short videos of my archtop and one of the hollow bodies in it.

 

[walrus]

Veinbuster, I assume you meant "than most solidbodies"...

I agree with everything veinbuster said - it really is a totally different guitar. Playing sitting or standing, its going to have a whole different feel.

 

[veinbuster]

Veinbuster, I assume you meant "than most solidbodies"...

Indeed, I edited the original. Thanks.

 

[matonanjin]

Thanks for the information. It helps a lot. Based on this I'm going to hold off on the Archtop. The smaller Hollowbody I'm convinced will work better for me. Thanks again.

 

[Mr_You]

Be careful...

Keep in mind the weight of the body. It seems the body of many early Hollowbody models are lighter than the redesigned 25th anniversary and on models.

I had an early Hollowbody I model and, though it sounded great with upgraded pickups, the guitar's weight was unbalanced and the neck always wanted to fall. I thought I could deal with it, but it was way too distracting and required conscious effort when playing standing up.

I would make sure you could play one in person before purchasing or take a chance on a 25th anniversary or newer model.

But really what I want is a DGT Semi-Hollow or Hollowbody II with single f-hole...

 

[veinbuster]

Be careful...

Keep in mind the weight of the body. It seems the body of many early Hollowbody models are lighter than the redesigned 25th anniversary and on models.

I had an early Hollowbody I model and, though it sounded great with upgraded pickups, the guitar's weight was unbalanced and the neck always wanted to fall. I thought I could deal with it, but it was way too distracting and required conscious effort when playing standing up.

Interesting. I bought an early HB II in 1996, and a 25th anniversary one in 2010. I have never notice a weight difference or any difference in the balance of the guitars.