Maxey Archtops NO2 Hollow Body Electric Guitar
The Night Owl is where Maxey Archtops first took flight. The Night Owl 2 (NO2) carries that original vision forward, joining the Guitar Heads series as a modern, ergonomic interpretation of the compact hollowbody electric guitar. With its distinctive double-cutaway silhouette, dual f-holes, and signature Maxey Archtops 3+3 headstock, the NO2 combines classic archtop inspiration with contemporary playability and a personality all its own.
Acoustically, the Night Owl 2 sings with a focused fundamental note surrounded by rich harmonic complexity. Plugged in, it retains that natural clarity, warmth, and midrange depth. Add a little overdrive, and the instrument comes alive with blooming sustain and expressive harmonic feedback. Whether playing jazz, blues, jam, rock, or exploring new musical territory, the Night Owl 2 offers a familiar voice with a singular look.
Body and Construction
The Night Owl 2 features a fully hollow, routed mahogany body designed for open resonance, natural warmth, and rich low-end response. A carved solid maple top adds snap, clarity, and definition, while a selection of premium figured wood veneers provides a distinctive visual character.
Two traditional f-holes complement the guitar’s compact double-cutaway design, enhancing its classic hollowbody appearance and allowing the instrument’s natural acoustic voice to resonate freely.
Like the GH3 and GH4, the Night Owl 2 employs precision-routed internal bracing. The carved maple top is supported by routed bracing, while the mahogany back incorporates routed cross bracing for structural stability and tonal balance.
A comfortable belly contour on the back enhances playing comfort, and a rear electronics access plate allows for convenient servicing. The body features a high-gloss polyurethane top coat paired with satin matte sides and back, combining visual depth with a smooth, comfortable feel.
Neck and Playability
The Night Owl 2 features a set-in, glued maple neck designed for strong sustain and a seamless transition into the body. Its 25 1/2-inch scale length and 24 medium jumbo frets offer modern playability, excellent note definition, and extended access across the fingerboard.
An ebony fingerboard with pearloid inlays and a 14-inch radius provides a comfortable balance between chord work, melodic runs, and expressive lead playing.
A double-expanding truss rod delivers long-term neck stability, while a bone nut and 1 11/16-inch nut width provide a familiar and comfortable playing feel.
The neck is finished in smooth satin matte polyurethane, offering a fast, non-sticky surface that remains comfortable through extended playing sessions.
Electronics and Tone
The Night Owl 2 is equipped with a pair of PAF-style humbuckers designed to complement its naturally resonant hollowbody construction. The pickups capture the instrument’s acoustic character, delivering articulate highs, warm lows, and a rich, expressive midrange.
Each humbucker features four-conductor wiring and an independent mini toggle for series or split-coil operation. This gives players quick access to full humbucker warmth or brighter, more articulate single-coil-style tones.
High-quality Alpha potentiometers and cloth-covered wiring provide reliable performance and a clean signal path. The intuitive control layout includes one master volume, one master tone, and two independent pickup mini toggles, making it easy to shape your sound on the fly.
Clean, the Night Owl 2 delivers exceptional note clarity and harmonic detail. With overdrive, its fully hollow construction responds with natural sustain, dynamic sensitivity, and the blooming harmonic feedback that has become a defining characteristic of Maxey Archtops guitars.
Hardware and Appointments
The Night Owl 2 features a distinctive Maxey Archtops 3+3 headstock design, setting it apart from the Guitar Heads series. Its elegant shape is complemented by a bound headstock face and the MA signature logo, giving the guitar an unmistakable identity.
MA locking tuners provide excellent tuning stability and make string changes quick and convenient.
An archtop-style wood tailpiece and wood-base Tune-o-matic bridge complement the guitar’s traditional hollowbody construction, contributing to its resonant character and classic aesthetic.
Chrome hardware provides a clean, refined appearance, while white binding with a black accent stripe frames the body and fingerboard for a sophisticated finishing touch.
Finish and Feel
The Night Owl 2 combines a glossy polyurethane top with satin matte sides, back, and neck. The high-gloss top highlights the depth and character of the selected wood veneer, while the satin surfaces provide a smooth, comfortable playing experience.
Its compact, contoured double-cutaway body offers excellent ergonomics and easy access to the upper frets, making the NO2 equally comfortable for seated jazz sessions, extended rehearsals, or energetic performances on stage.
Natural variations in wood grain and figure ensure that each Night Owl 2 has its own individual character while maintaining consistent craftsmanship and finish quality.
Inspiration
The Night Owl represents the beginnings of Maxey Archtops, and the Night Owl 2 brings that original spirit into the company’s modern lineup.
Sharing the precision-routed hollowbody construction, premium appointments, and versatile electronics of the GH3 and GH4, the NO2 establishes its own identity through its compact double-cutaway shape, dual f-holes, and distinctive Maxey Archtops 3+3 headstock.
The result is a modern hollowbody with an unmistakable personality: acoustically resonant, electrically versatile, and capable of everything from warm, articulate jazz to soaring, harmonically rich rock.
The Night Owl 2. A familiar voice with a singular look. It’s always a hoot.
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