THE CONCEPT BEHIND THIS MODEL WAS TO MAKE IT AS LOUD ACOUSTICALLY AS POSSIBLE. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS I BORROWED SOME DESIGN TIPS FROM MY RHAPSODY FLAT TOP. THE STARTING POINT WAS MAHOGANY FOR THE BACK AND SIDES AND SPRUCE FOR THE TOP. THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE BEEN USING MAHOGANY FOR THE ARCHTOPS INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL HARDWOODS AND I AM IN LOVE WITH WHAT THE MAHOGANY BRINGS TO THE TABLE TONALLY. ALSO WITH A FLAT TOP IN MIND I MADE THE SIDES THICKER, I USED MAHOGANY FOR THE NECK, I USED FORWARD FACING X BRACING WITH AN ADDED TREBLE BAR AND BECAUSE OF THE NEW DESIGN FEATURES DECIDED TO USE THE RHAPSODY HEADSTOCK SHAPE. IT IS STILL AN ARCHTOP AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD STILL HAVE A PICKUP SO I CHOSE MY SIGNATURE DUAL FIELD HUMBUCKER WHICH HAS MORE OF A SINGLE COIL P90 VIBE WITH A MORE DETAILED SOUND THAN MY STANDARD PICKUP ESPECIALLY IN THE BASS AND IS ALSO LESS PRONE TO FEEDBACK. ACOUSTICALLY IT CAN COMPETE WITH ANY FLAT TOP FOR VOLUME. THE HIGHS ARE SWEET, THE LOWS ROBUST, AND THE MIDRANGE IS FAT, SILKY AND WARM. PLUGGED IN YOU GET THAT TRADITIONAL ARCHTOP TONE WITH FAT MIDS AND PLENTY OF PUNCH. ADD IN THE SIMPLE ELEGANCE OF THE DESIGN AND THE SUPERIOR PLAYABILITY THAT I STRIVE FOR ON ALL MY GUITARS AND THIS ARCHTOP IS A SURE WINNER.
