TIM BRAM GUITARS

Fans of jazz guitar have no doubt noticed more and more players moving towards smaller, easier to manage guitars, specifically the Fender Telecaster (the brilliant playing and tones of Bill Frisell and Julian Lage are certainly what's behind this "movement").

As much as we love our Telecasters and use/play them regularly, we have to admit there are times when the sound and feel of a great archtop are called for, either for the gig, session, or just purely for the enjoyment of making music on this classic style of guitar. But - and you could hear it coming - but...much like a great dreadnought, the physical stature and string tension of a traditional archtop can make these guitars quite difficult for new or even seasoned players to manage. 

Enter Pasadena, MD-based luthier Tim Bram. We've been following Tim's work for a few years and marveling at his concept, design, and execution - and let's face it, these guitars are gorgeous. You've probably gathered what he's up to just based on the pics - it's a Tele shaped, and sized to some degree, archtop. Ie, a smaller, more manageable instrument that's a breeze to play and delivers classic archtop sounds. 

Tribute Archtop

Curly Maple back, sides, and neck

European Spruce top

14.5" Lower Bout

25" Scale

12" Radius Fretboard

1-11/16" Nut

2 1/2" deep body

Vintage Amber Nitro Cellulose Lacquer Finish

Mother of Pearl fretboard inlays

Floating Lollar Gold Foil pickup

Ebony Fretboard, tail piece, bridge, and finger rest

Martin Retro strings, 12-54

Tribute Archtop Thinline

Curly Maple back, sides, and neck

European Spruce top

14.5" Lower Bout

25" Scale

12" Radius Fretboard

1-11/16" Nut

2" deep body

Vintage Amber Nitro Cellulose Lacquer Finish

Hand-wound Kent Armstrong PAF-style pickup

Ebony Fretboard, tail piece, bridge, and finger rest

Martin Retro strings, 12-54

"Tim guitars are unique and visionary. He takes the shape that I love (the Amercian Telecaster) and crafts a beautiful handcarved archtop. The craftsmanship, woodworking and designs are rather remarkable. A joy to play and a beauty to behold."

Tim Lerch

"Tim's craftsmanhip on my archtop is just breathtaking. Not only aesthetically beautiful, but the playability and tone are just like magic. I'll enjoy this instrument for years to come."

Brent Mason
Nashville Guitar Legend | Musician's Hall of Fame Inductee

"Tim creates guitars for both the professional musician and the collector alike. Upon first glance, the physical beauty and craftsmanhip are apparent. It is only upon playing the instrument that the true beauty is revealed. There is a layer of both electric and acoustic quality present in every note. The fretboard is balanced and responsive across all the strings. There is a beautifully balanced mid-range that compliments both the high and low register. Played with a pick or just fingers, Tim's guitars offer a world of color and sound to the player. "

Tom Lagana

Tribute Archtop Thinline Demo