The 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 an archtop.
These guitars are equipped with dual and 3-way stereo pickup systems, but they don’t rely on electronics to shine. Designed to perform acoustically on their own, they produce a full, resonant sound that fills the room with their natural voice. The oval sound hole design maximizes the instrument’s ability to project rich, warm tones, creating a voice that sings with both power and expressiveness.
The dual side sound-ports add an immersive feature that enhances the player’s personal listening experience. By projecting sound directly toward your left and right ears, they create a natural stereo effect. While the ports don’t alter the instrument’s fundamental acoustic projection out to the audience, they allow you to hear yourself with incredible clarity—just as if you had personal monitor speakers positioned directly beneath your ears.
Whether you’re a jazz guitarist seeking an acoustic voice or an acoustic player looking for a new tonal palette, the Oval Hole offers a perfect blend of both worlds.
Tonewoods and Acoustic Voice: The new 17″ premium version takes the acoustic archtop platform a step further, offering enhanced warmth and richness over the 16″ model. It features an old-growth Adirondack spruce top paired with sugar maple and jet-black African blackwood bindings and appointments. A clear finish highlights the natural beauty of the woods, lending an elegant “black and white tuxedo” look, accented with a stunning abalone logo and classic mother-of-pearl split block fingerboard inlays, along with an intricate lotus flower inlay on the headstock.
Advanced 3-Way Stereo Pickup System: Amplification possibilities are vastly expanded on the 17″ model with the addition of a third pickup. Alongside the passive James May Ultratonic and Barbera acoustic pickup systems is a Kent Armstrong handwound floating P90 magnetic pickup with a custom African blackwood cover. Volume and tone controls are cleanly mounted on the fingerrest with custom low-profile blackwood knobs, giving players precise control over a highly versatile tonal palette.
Design and Comfort: Despite the larger 17″ body, this instrument is meticulously engineered for comfort and playability. The neck joins at the 13th fret, keeping the overall reach identical to the standard 16″ model. Remarkably, the 17″ weighs only 4.5 ounces more than the 16″, ensuring a larger, richer voice without sacrificing the ergonomic, fatigue-free experience.
Premium Appointments and Hardware: Attention to detail is evident at every glance. Complete with Tad’s signature ultra-lightweight bridge design and harmonic afterlength tailpiece tuning to maximize overtones, the 17″ model offers the ultimate in acoustic richness and archtop versatility.
Tonewoods and Acoustic Voice: For players who prefer a slightly more compact footprint without sacrificing volume, the standard 16″ Oval Hole is an absolute cannon. Built from premium-grade solid tonewoods, including a red spruce top, it is lightweight, remarkably punchy, and delivers a powerful acoustic projection. It is available in several stunning finishes, including honey blonde, natural, and the striking lapis lazuli crystal blue (known as the “Blue Oval”).
Innovative Dual Stereo Pickup System: When amplification is needed, the 16″ relies on its custom-installed James May Ultratonic and Barbera pickup system. Carefully installed to work in perfect harmony with the guitar’s tone bars, this system is renowned for capturing the true voice of steel-string guitars without interfering with the top’s natural resonance. Each pickup is passive and wired to its own output jack with no batteries required, ensuring an incredible sound both unplugged and plugged in.
Design and Craftsmanship: Designed with ergonomics in mind, the 16″ body provides a comfortable playing experience for extended sessions. The subtle arm and rib bevels, along with the carefully sculpted cutaway, make this instrument incredibly easy to handle while still delivering a deeply resonant tone.
Harmonic Afterlength Tuning: The tailpiece is specially designed with string afterlength tuning to enhance harmonic overtones. This adds a beautiful richness to each note, complementing the guitar’s acoustic qualities so every chord and melody resonates with depth.
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 knowledgeable, 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
