The 16″ Oval Hole Acoustic Archtop is specially designed to bridge the gap between traditional jazz guitars and acoustic flattop instruments. This unique model is crafted to deliver the warm, rich overtones of a flattop acoustic guitar while maintaining the clarity and punch that defines a quality archtop. Whether you’re a jazz guitarist seeking an acoustic voice or an acoustic player looking for a new tonal palette, the 16″ Oval Hole offers a perfect blend of both worlds.
Acoustic Excellence: Designed to perform beautifully on its own, the 16″ Oval Hole doesn’t rely on electronics to shine. This guitar is capable of standing on its own acoustically, producing a full, resonant sound that fills the room with its natural voice. The oval sound hole design enhances the guitar’s ability to project rich, warm tones, creating an instrument that sings with both power and subtlety.
Innovative Ultratonic Pickup System: When amplification is needed, the 16″ Oval Hole is always ready, thanks to its custom-installed Ultratonic pickup system. Renowned for its ability to capture the true voice of steel-string guitars, the Ultratonic pickup is a passive system that requires no batteries, ensuring that the presence of the pickup does not interfere with the guitar’s acoustic tone. This means you get the best of both worlds—an instrument that sounds incredible unplugged and equally impressive when plugged in. For optimal performance, the Ultratonic pickup is best used in conjunction with an outboard preamp, giving you full control over your amplified sound.
Design and Craftsmanship: The 16″ Oval Hole shares the same high-quality construction and attention to detail as all of Tad’s instruments, ensuring that it not only sounds great but also feels great to play.
Neck and Body: The neck and body are designed with ergonomics in mind, providing a comfortable playing experience that allows for extended sessions without fatigue. The subtle arm and rib bevels, along with the carefully sculpted cutaway, make this instrument easy to handle while still delivering a powerful, resonant tone.
Tonewoods: Built from premium-grade solid tonewoods, the 16″ Oval Hole is available in several stunning finishes, including honey blonde, natural, and the striking lapis lazuli crystal blue. The latter, known as the “Blue Oval,” is a special variant of this model, featuring the same deep, rich blue created with powdered lapis lazuli gemstone that is beloved for its exceptional colorfastness and divine translucency.
Harmonic Tuning: The tailpiece of the 16″ Oval Hole is specially designed with string afterlength tuning, which enhances the instrument’s harmonic overtones. This feature adds a beautiful richness to each note, further complementing the guitar’s acoustic qualities and ensuring that every chord and melody resonates with depth and character.
The 16″ Oval Hole Acoustic Archtop is more than just an archtop—it’s a versatile instrument that bridges genres and playing styles. With its ability to deliver the warm overtones of a flattop acoustic combined with the clarity and punch of an archtop, this guitar is perfect for players who demand both acoustic richness and archtop versatility.
The Blue Oval Archtop: A Masterpiece in Sound and Style. The Blue Oval Archtop brings a striking aesthetic to Tad’s renowned 16″ Oval Hole Acoustic Archtop, combining the best of acoustic performance with an iconic, visually stunning finish. Featuring the deep, rich, crystal blue hue created using powdered lapis lazuli gemstone, the Blue Oval is more than just a guitar—it’s a work of art that stands out both sonically and visually.
Hi Tad, The guitar arrived late last night safe. I was with a large group of musician guests, so unboxing was a lot of oohs and aaahs. The Yogis and Buddhists were tripping on the Lapis and lotus. Just putting some time into exploring the instrument… Firstly the visuals and details are perfection. The binding is stunning, as is the depth of the blue. So many details that just elevate this instrument to a masterpiece. The acoustic voice is all I was hoping for – depth and clarity with great projection, and the side port just puts you inside the sound – so grateful you suggested. Also multi scale playability and comfort combined with punchy basses and warmer trebles – amazing. Neck dimensions are very comfortable – wide enough and fast – another reason I’m glad I followed your dimensions advice. The acoustic voice is addictive. Just finding all the magical places on the neck – lots of bloom and sustain. Loving the guitar, still learning its qualities.. Light touch delivers what I was hoping for – a full sound that responds to dynamics. I can hear a heavier hand expanding its ceiling every day. The Bass is very focused and clear, so I know its voice has great potential as it ages. I played some pieces with a friend, and I could hear the inner voices of chords – that was quite a joy, even in simple percussive jams. Scale lengths fabulous, no buzzing with a heavy hand, and warm trebles. Visually I’m still tripping – perfect blue and fade. Comfort and body contact is a blessing. The maple binding looks like calcified stone and is so smooth, sitting or standing. You went to such excellence in creating the perfect instrument for my needs – I’m unable to thank you enough Tad. May you be blessed and rewarded for this alchemy and innovative mind. For now all I can say is you have been knowledgable, kind , and very innovative in this passion. I have had so many instruments in the last 45 years – this is the Emperor. Much love and gratitude to you and yours Tad.Kamran Khan
