Jacky Walraet / Guitars & Artists

All new models are made with a sustainable mindset, without the use of any tropical woods.

All woods used are non-endangered and non-CITES listed species (CITES = Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) .

All new models are Local-Wood-Chalenge (LWC) registred by the European Guitar Builders association (see external EGB's LWC-link)

NEW WORK / Nouvelles œuvres

• GROOVE-CAT Deluxe / Full body semi-acoustic archtop

- Highly figured maple top
- Eucaliptus back/sides & pickguard

- Maple neck
- Rocklite-Ebano® fingerboard

- Bridge: maple & lilac

- Bartolini floating pick up

- Double acting titanium truss rod

- Hand rubed natural oil finish

- Size; 14³/₄inch @ lower bout
- Body join at 16th fret

Groove-Cat Deluxe; full body semi-acoustic archtop guitar with the typical clear definition and high responsiveness of my previous archtops, but, due to its special construction and inner architecture, this model has a remarkable longer sustain which makes this instrument suitable for a wider variety of styles.

Although this model is intended to be played through an amplifier, it still makes a rather quiet but surprising warm woody acoustic sound when played unplugged, ideal for at home conditions. The neck joins the body at the 16th fret, giving very good accessibility to the higher regions. This instrument was designed and custom-made for the great jazz player; Guillaume Muschalle

• The BEETLE-FT 2020, Flattop model

- Acoustic flattop

- Spruce top and braces

- Maple neck
- Bog oak fingerboard,

back & sides,

- Playing action can be

adjusted by pivoting neck

- Barbera sadle pick up

- Hand rubed natural oil finish

- Size; 16 inch width

Clear as a bell

Due to its unique design and architecture the Beetle-FT is a very open sounding guitar, highly responsive to playing dynamics with a clear definition of the notes in solos and chords, specialy when using close intervals. At the same time the sound is not 'polished' but rather 'woody' with a nice grain in the texture. It has a great sustain, amplifiable with different systems. It's easy to change the playing action under full string tension (with only one-key-turn) and it has a rear access panel to the inside of the instrument...

The Beetle-FT has basically everything you are looking for in an high-end acoustic archtop but with extra fullness and warmth of a flattop. Or, compared to a 'normal' flattop, the Beetle-FT has clearly more definition. Testable in my workshop, or I can also come to your place! (if not in NZ).
The flattop Beetel-FT (2020) is a mutation of the original Archtop Beetle-AT. (2018)

• The BEETLE-AT, Archtop model

- Acoustic Archtop
- Spruce top and bridge (with lilac 'nut')
- Maple back/sides and neck

- Playing action can easily be

adjusted by pivoting neck angle

- Bog oak fingerboard
- Bartolini floating pick up
- Volume and tone controle under pickguard

- Hand rubed natural oil finish

- Size; 16.5 inch width

click photos to enlarge

• LITTLE SISTER / Petite Soeur

- Semi acoustic holow body Archtop
- One piece arched (and figured) ash top
- Alder body
- Maple neck & bridge (with lilac 'nut')
- Bog oak fingerboard

- Bartolini floating pick up
- Volume and tone controle in pickguard
- Hand rubed natural oil finish

- Size: 13,4 inch width

click photos to enlarge

• ANOA / Anoa

- One piece maple solid body
- Maple neck & bridge (with lilac 'nut')
- Bog oak fingerboard

- Bartolini floating pick up
- Volume and tone controle in pickguard
- Hand rubed natural oil finish

- Size: 13 inch width / 28mm thick !

Prices, questions or remarks, please send me a message.

E A R L Y W O R K
(from the archives)

My first archtop guitars were largely inspired by the work of Jimmy D'Aquisto and John Monteleone. I visited John several times in his workshop on Long Island (NY). He became spontaneously a kind of mentor just by talking ideas about archtops and musical instruments in general.

The arched tops and backs are all precisely hand carved to ensure a typical responsive acoustic 'archtop-sound'. All guitars are equipped with a floating magnetic pick-up that doesn't disturb the vibrations of the top.

• Classic Archtop Jazz Guitars. 17"/18" models

Hendrik Breackman with an early 18" archtop (photo 2020)

☝︎

• Flat-Top-Carved-Back Model / FTCB

The acoustic FTCB model is standing out particularly through his uncommon use of a carved and arched back as it is in archtop jazz guitars. This has the effect of projecting the vibrations more directly towards the sound hole and outside the guitar. Combined with a specific designed bracing pattern this results in a clear and precisely articulated voice.

Peter Hertmans playing the FTCB model

• Solid Hollow model (SH)

This model of electric solid body guitar is based on the classic, ergonomic design of the Strat. However, the incorporation of internal resonance chambers gives it an own distinctively unique sound.