Eastman FV880CE-SB Frank Vignola Signature Archtop

This Selmer/archtop hybrid guitar was designed by the Utah based luthier Ryan Thorell for Frank Vignola, a longstanding luminarie of the American Gypsy and swing scene. Frank's style fuses the acoustic pyrotechnics of Gypsy jazz with the cool sophistication of American swing and bebop, requiring an instrument that is truly acoustic/electric. There's no doubt that Thorell succeeded brilliantly in this endeavor, by designing an instrument with impressive acoustic volume and tone that is easily amplified and feedback resistant.

An evolution of Frank's previous Benedetto signature model,  the Eastman FV880CE-SB has body contours based on that of the Selmer Maccaferri models made famous by Django Reinhardt. The most notable feature is the Maccaferri style cutaway which instantly identifies this instrument's Gypsy heritage. Innovations include a smaller, more comfortable 15" body; a shorter, more ergonomic 25 3/8" scale; carved cello style tailpiece; carved ebony pickguard; stylized soundholes on the lower treble bout; and a sound port on the upper bass bout. Unlike traditional Gypsy guitars, this instrument has a carved, AAA spruce top that is unusually thin to allow for maximum acoustic resonance. A floating Lollar Johnny Smith pickup and pickguard mounted tone and volume thumb wheels are also included.

This long awaited flagship model has one big advantage over it's little brother the FV680. Constructed with highly figured maple back and sides, the FV880 is not only visually stunning but is also a tone monster! Maple has long been the wood of choice for archtop guitars as it's tonal characteristics are the most musical and satisfying. Complex, with singing highs and thick mids, the FV880 will shine in almost any situation. By comparison, the mahogany bodied FV680 has a simpler, flatter tone.

The acoustic sound of this instrument is truly unique, as its hybrid qualities allow one to achieve punchy, Gypsy style leads one minute and complex, mellow jazz tones the next. The projection is astonishing, with plenty of volume for rowdy Gypsy campfire jams or acoustic, big band rhythm work. The Lollar Johnny Smith pickup translates these qualities beautifully into an amplified sound that is rich and full, while retaining a very acoustic-like vibe, even at high volumes.