Overview
The Maxey Archtops GH1 Walnut is a compact, fully hollow archtop designed for players who want the resonance and response of a traditional archtop in a more intimate, highly playable format. With a 13 inch body and thoughtful modern refinements, the GH1 delivers clarity, depth, and exceptional comfort without sacrificing classic archtop character.
Tonewoods and Construction
Hand carved using traditional archtop methods, the GH1 Walnut features a matching walnut top, back, and bent sides. Walnut brings a balanced tonal profile, sitting comfortably between the warmth of mahogany and the articulation of maple, with strong mids, clear highs, and a focused low end.
Historic archtop construction techniques including bracing and kerfing are used throughout, contributing to the guitar’s acoustic liveliness and dynamic response. Mahogany binding surrounds the body, neck, headstock, and F holes, framing the walnut beautifully while reinforcing the instrument’s refined craftsmanship.
Neck, Playability, and Feel
The three piece neck combines maple with a center lamination for strength and stability, paired with a smooth ebony fretboard and mother of pearl inlays. A 25.5 inch scale length and 24 medium jumbo frets provide a familiar feel with extended range, while the Carve Away horns offer excellent upper fret access across the entire neck.
The neck profile is a gently curved C shape that feels comfortable and natural in the hand, supporting both chord work and lead playing. A double expanding truss rod ensures long term stability and consistent setup.
Electronics and Versatility
Equipped with a matched set of Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers, the GH1 Walnut offers a wide tonal palette that moves easily from warm jazz textures to articulate blues and expressive rock tones. Each pickup features its own mini toggle for series, split, and parallel wiring, allowing the player to dial in everything from full humbucker richness to single coil clarity.
The electronics are housed in a carefully shielded wiring harness and controlled by a simple, intuitive layout that keeps the focus on playing while offering deep tonal flexibility.
Hardware and Appointments
The GH1 Walnut is fitted with premium hardware throughout, including GraphTech Ratio locking tuners for precise tuning control and a GraphTech ResoMax archtop bridge for enhanced sustain and resonance. A newly designed GH archtop wood tailpiece complements the instrument visually while maintaining a lightweight, responsive feel.
Wooden pickup rings and matching wood control knobs complete the aesthetic, reinforcing the organic, handcrafted nature of the instrument.
Finish and Final Details
Finished in nitrocellulose with a combination of gloss and matte surfaces, the GH1 Walnut allows the wood to resonate freely while aging gracefully over time. At approximately six and a half pounds, the guitar feels balanced and comfortable whether seated or standing.
The GH1 Walnut is built for players who value craftsmanship, tonal nuance, and thoughtful design in a compact archtop form.
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jacksondinges (verified owner) –
The Team at Maxey Archtops have outdone themselves. The sound plugged straight into the amp, compared to other guitars I own is night and day. It creates a beautiful sound. The neck feels amazing in my hand and the GH-1 plays smoother, easier, nicer than any other instrument I have picked up. Since it arrived, I have been re-arranging signal chains to get as close to amp>guitar as I can.
Aesthetically, i cannot imagine a more beautiful looking guitar.
The team has been great to work with throughout the process, very responsive and friendly. Timelines were accurate despite the fact that this industry is prone to delays and longer waiting times. What they told me was accurate which is very professional. I could not be more pleased.