Steve Gilchrist Mandolins and Archtops

[TPC168]

Has anyone ever played a Steve Gilchrist archtop? Though he has made many world-class mandolins throughout his career, his archtops are as rare as can be. I would love to have the opportunity to try one. I have heard that his 16" Loar inspired archtops are truly phenomenal. Here are some he is building currently:

Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville are accepting orders for his next batch of instruments set for the fall of 2014. http://cartervintage.com/

The guitar on the bottom is a 16" Junior model with ebony appointments. This instrument is 20K. The one above it is the Standard model which is 25K.

Looking at the log of Gilchrist guitars, it seems he hasn't made many. http://www.mandomusic.com/gilchristinstruments.html

I believe I have only seen one Gilchrist archtop come up for sale used. Please chime with any comments if you've ever owned one or played one. This may be the guitar to go "all-in" on. Unfortunately, this is a little rich for my blood.

 

[6120]

I bought a mandolin from him. He is a great guy and a great builder. His Mandolins are second to none and capture the Loar sound as good as any. I have never seen his archtops but he take great pride in his work and I am sure they are wonderful. Keep in mind the secondary market for top quality mandos will allow you to buy and sell a Gilchrist with minimal loss if not break even or profit. This is not the case with archtops, expect a hit upon resale. Yes they are great. Yes they are rare, but not as great a following at that price point as the mandolins.

Has anyone ever played a Steve Gilchrist archtop? Though he has made many world-class mandolins throughout his career, his archtops are as rare as can be. I would love to have the opportunity to try one. I have heard that his 16" Loar inspired archtops are truly phenomenal. Here are some he is building currently:

Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville are accepting orders for his next batch of instruments set for the fall of 2014. http://cartervintage.com/

The guitar on the bottom is a 16" Junior model with ebony appointments. This instrument is 20K. The one above it is the Standard model which is 25K.

Looking at the log of Gilchrist guitars, it seems he hasn't made many. http://www.mandomusic.com/gilchristinstruments.html

I believe I have only seen one Gilchrist archtop come up for sale used. Please chime with any comments if you've ever owned one or played one. This may be the guitar to go "all-in" on. Unfortunately, this is a little rich for my blood.

 

[moj067]

He's an elite builder for sure.
I can only dream of owning one of his mandolins.
That or a Dudenbostel.
If someone does have one his archtops please post an audio file.

 

[TPC168]

I have never been able to locate a sound file for a Gilchrist archtop. Yes, if someone has one, please post.

I know Steve Earle bought one from Gruhn's a while ago. He is on the cover of Acoustic Guitar from September 2013 holding the guitar I believe.

I think I saw a used Gil archtop from 1994 and the asking price was around 18k. This was some time ago. I have no idea what it sold for.

 

[Hammertone]

I played a Gilchrist version of a Super 400 over 20 years ago at Carmel guitars. I'll try to find the picture I took. It was one of the nicest acoustic archtops I have ever played, and I will never forget the experience. I would have bought it on the spot but didn't have two nickels to rub together at the time.

I've played hundreds of great acoustic archtops by makers including Benedetto, Bourgeois, Campellone, Collings, Comins, D'Angelico, D'Aquisto, Epiphone, Gibson, Glassl, Graf, Grimes, Hahl, Harrison, Hoyer, Manzer, Monteleone, Morse, Nickerson, Lang, Parker, Roger, Ribbecke, Seifert, Solomon, Todt, Wolfrum and many, many more. It was as good as or better than any of them.

 

[Mezoro]

For those interested in hearing sound files, I have released two CDs on which I played selections using two of Steve's fine instruments. These recordings are available at CD Baby. "Sunburst" http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/foxjim
and "Natural Blonde" http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/foxjim2
These were recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, engineered and mixed by Al Schmitt and mastered by Doug Sax.
There are some talented builders and talented players out there, and to judge them against one another is unfair, in my opinion. Art need not be competitive.
On his own merit, with comparisons to none, Steve Gilchrist is a monumental talent. I have the highest respect for his work.
Jim Fox
3/10/2014

 

[Cathbard]

And now for something completely different. Built for me by Steve himself some years ago.

The man can get unconventional too when he wants to.

 

[Mezoro]

That's different!

 

[frquent flyer]

Ar the top of the pyrimid for arch tops and mandolins one will find the names of Gilchrist, Monteleone,Kemnitzer and Dudenbostal

 

[jads57]

Beautiful looking and most importantly sounding guitars!

 

[Phydaux]

Beautiful looking and most importantly sounding guitars!

I've played a Gilchrist super 400, you could balance the guitar with one finger, beautifully made great vintage look and feel. And more importantly it sounded just like my favorite 36 Gibson super 400.