Steve Andersen Guitars

**lclyman** · 11-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Hi,
I'm a first time poster here and I thought I'd pose a question about Steve Andersen's archtop guitars.

I'm looking at possibly buying one of his Oval hole 16" archtops so I'm curious as to what you folks think of his guitars.

I played a friends Andersen 16" oval hole and it's a remarkable instrument so I'm considering one as well..

All comments are appreciated..

Thanks in advance..

Larry

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-10-2009, 12:46 PM

Never heard of them. Can you post a link? How much do they go for?

**lclyman** · 11-10-2009, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Never heard of them. Can you post a link? How much do they go for?

Here's a link to his website:

Andersen Stringed Instruments

Larry

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-10-2009, 01:31 PM

The inlaid gold wire and the headstock/fretboard curves are pretty cool! I'd say this is one for my archtop thread!

**derek** · 11-10-2009, 03:32 PM

Steven Andersen guitars are supposed to be stellar. I have heard nothing but good things about them. His Little Archie model was made with lots of suggestions from Bill Frisell to anwer Bill's need for an archtop that would travel well.

Since then, many major makers have come out with their own version, Bennedetto's Andy and Bambino to Sadowsky's Jimmy Bruno. His stuff is very pricey, so out of my league.

**JohnRosett** · 11-10-2009, 03:34 PM

I've known Steve since 1981, when he was building mandolins in Idaho. From the begining, his workmanship and attention to detail are second to none. He is really one of the great archtop builders.

**Blair** · 11-11-2009, 08:31 PM

I've personally played one of the Standard models, it was very nice, I didn't get to play it or hear it through an amp but it was good sounding acoustically, and also had a great feel to it.

**JCG** · 12-07-2009, 04:33 PM

Hallo!

Being a Andersen player for two years now I'd like to add my "wisdom". There is one thing that you should keep in mind considering the Oval Hole model. It simply doesn't fit any category. To me this one is truely a new kind of guitar. With a sound reminiscent of a good classical guitar with the added brilliance of steel strings and the projection of an archtop this one is a real weapon.
To me it is the ultimate acoustic guitar. Fingerpicking works very well, single line construction is a dream and you can even strum it like Freddie Green. And the dynamic range is just incerdible. Very sweet and soft, yet roaring when driven hard. I don't know how I got along without one.
The weird thing is that by now I even play rock and classical music on it. It's my main acoustic axe. To me it turned out even better than Steve promised.
It is hard to discribe it with words so get out, find one and play it or visit Steve Andersen in Seattle. He is a real nice guy to deal with and his workshop is a must see...it is as clean as his guitars. This man is a perfectionist.
I chose the 16" version with the short scale as Steve recommended this combination for best balance. These measurements make for a very easy playability. As a reference, I've attached some pictures of my #435.
Needless to say that the craftsmanship is beyond the shadow of a doubt. There is a reason why Steve Andersen was chosen to assemble the body of the "Zeidler Project"...

**uburoibob** · 11-29-2010, 10:17 PM

I have owned 4 of Steve's guitars - 3 currently... an Emerald City Reserve, a Little Archie, and a Little Electric Archie (the single cut-in pickup that was in Steve's ads for a while). His work is perfect - construction and craftsmanship, sound, tone, playability. Just incredible stuff. He has a lifelong customer in me.

Bob

**Groyniad** · 11-30-2010, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by uburoibob

I have owned 4 of Steve's guitars - 3 currently... an Emerald City Reserve, a Little Archie, and a Little Electric Archie (the single cut-in pickup that was in Steve's ads for a while). His work is perfect - construction and craftsmanship, sound, tone, playability. Just incredible stuff. He has a lifelong customer in me.

Bob

I'm thinking about getting a full sized Andersen - perhaps a second hand emerald city. I play straight ahead jazz in small groups in bars and restaurants (which can get pretty noisy) - do you think I'll have a problem with feedback. I currently play a Sadowsky Jim Hall that is very good at resisting feedback. The question is, if I get a first rate handmade archtop, will I be restricted to using it at home or will I be able to use it properly in professional situations?
thanks

**mattymel** · 11-30-2010, 04:26 PM

for me, hands down the best archtop builder around. being in seattle i have played many of his guitars and hope to own one when my ship comes in. his guitars are the most well made i have ever seen, and besides being gorgeous, they play and sound better.

for now, i will have to be satisfied with the setup job he did on my old 40s Epi, which was also some of the best money i have ever spent. the man is a genius...

**Groyniad** · 11-30-2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by mattymel

for me, hands down the best archtop builder around. being in seattle i have played many of his guitars and hope to own one when my ship comes in. his guitars are the most well made i have ever seen, and besides being gorgeous, they play and sound better.

for now, i will have to be satisfied with the setup job he did on my old 40s Epi, which was also some of the best money i have ever spent. the man is a genius...

Thanks for that - I've never seen one in the flesh but they sure look superior. I'd love to hear more about them from others in the know - because its impossible for most of us to try these instruments we're very dependent on the informed opinions of others.
thanks again!

**82Benedetto** · 11-30-2010, 10:26 PM

Awesome instruments, incredibly expensive.

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:20 PM

This is my 2000 Emerald City Reserve, built by Steve Andersen. Here's a link to a website I made during the build, and photos below that I took this morning:

MyAndersenGuitarIR

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:21 PM

More photos...

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:22 PM

And 4 more...

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:24 PM

Here are shots of the Little Archie Steve Andersen built for me. It has a full rich sound that I just love. And that's acoustic sound I am talking about!

I believe this Little Archie is a 2001:

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:24 PM

Some more...

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:26 PM

And 3 more...

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:31 PM

Here's one more Steve Andersen.

This one is an Electric Archie Hybrid - 14" fully-carved archtop.

Bob

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 07:32 PM

and three more...

Bob

**hurricanebob** · 03-01-2011, 10:10 PM

Looking on his website, the entry level guitar was $5200.

For that price, you should be blown away. Not just like it--you should be ready to marry it.

Because, after all, that's the low end. The high end was something like 13K.

So: are they good? At that price, if they weren't, he'd be run out of town on a rail. But--if it were me--I'd play some guitars in the $2k - 3k range, and compare them.

If it's the nicest thing you've ever played, then it's absolutely worth it. But it would be foolish to buy one without seriously exploring your options.

I don't know where you live, but it seems that Andersen is in Seattle--and, I think, that's the home of archtop.com. Perhaps, if you live in that area, you should visit their store. If nothing else, you'd have a great time.

**uburoibob** · 03-01-2011, 10:46 PM

Blown away puts it mildly. His guitars open so many doors in terms of hearing and feeling what the tone of an archtop is all about. I've played just about the entire Eastman line, Sadowskys, Gibsons, and once played my way through virtually the entirety of archtop builders (Classic American Guitar Show - 1998). Steve's guitars did it for me - over all the current crop of builders. Much sweeter tone. Much greater attention to construction detail. A perfect aesthetic.

His place in Seattle is his workshop and isn't a store. If you want to visit, you should write to Steve and ask him.

In the world of archtop builders, his guitars are priced pretty firmly in the middle and, given that his quality and tone is at the top, it seems like a true bargain, to me.

Bob

**NotDave** · 03-01-2011, 10:49 PM

I've owned several guitars built by Steve. I have the absolute highest regard for his work. The first guitar he made for me was a 16" oval hole. A unique and very, very satisfying sound. For the last 5 years or so, my playing-out guitar is one of his 17" models (and I have a bunch of other new and old archtops that I like, but this is the one I keep coming back to).

His work is meticulous and he has a wonderful design sense. In particular, his necks are consistently among the most comfortable I've played. In terms of pricing, his are too low for what he produces.

He is also very accommodating and a pleasure to work with.

Highly, highly recommended.