Rancourt 15" Concerto Signature 2020, Natural

If you're after a luthier-built archtop that sounds as good acoustic as it does plugged in, take a deeper look at this 15" Concerto model from Québec luthier Guillaume Rancourt! Guillaume builds a dazzling array of acoustic archtops, applying inspiration and techniques from the violin world. The accomplished young builder also carries his style and technique into upright and electric basses, electric guitars, and sitar harp guitars.

This versatile 15" Concerto has the soft edges and varnish finish of a violin, an aesthetic that works beautifully on the archtop. The solid salvaged red cedar top was hand-carved and has braces carved in. It's paired with solid figured Peruvian walnut back and sides, also hand-carved. Guillaume says of his bracing:

"The braces are Rancourt Guitars own original design, hand carved in the top to enhance the harmonic response & complexity, its power, to reduce loosing vibration through glued straight joints and to give a more balance natural tone and resonance to a wider frequency range throughout the top."

The result is stunning, immediately responsive, and so much fun to play. The tone is focused and woody, and while an obvious fit for jazz, one could easily imagine this guitar exploring all kinds of acoustic realms and beyond. The Bronzeville pickup from Duneland Labs is the same as the one used by Ken Parker on his latest models, and it's combined with a K&K Big Twin transducer pickup. Four control knobs under the pickguard give the player maximum control over their tone.

Overall condition is excellent, with some minor cosmetic scuffs and dings on the body.