"The goal with the Tribute model was to make an archtop that was smaller and easier to play than a traditional archtop, while still offering the familiar archtop voice. I also wanted to stay away from the traditional shape that is associated with archtop guitars.”
~ Tim Bram (via guitarplayer.com)
From the time he built his first guitar at age 14, Tim Bram has been blending his love of music with his passion for woodworking. Over the course of a 30+ year career as a master woodworker, he’s honed his skills building and repairing guitars, always striving to create instruments that are beautiful, versatile, and inspiring to play.
His Tribute Archtop is a perfect example - merging the rich, resonant voice of a classic archtop with the sleek, familiar comfort of a Telecaster. The result is an approachable, scaled-down guitar that delivers all the warmth and depth you’d expect from a full-sized archtop, in a package that feels instantly inviting in the hands.
Archtop Tone, Telecaster Comfort
The Tribute Archtop blends the lush, resonant voice of a traditional archtop with the familiar shape and ergonomics of a Telecaster. This means you get all the warmth, depth, and acoustic character you love - without the size, weight, or bulk of a full-bodied jazz box.
Scaled-Down, Player-Friendly Design
Tim’s design is intentionally more compact and approachable than a classic archtop, making it easier to hold and more versatile for a variety of playing situations. Whether you’re standing on stage, sitting in the studio, or just playing at home, it feels instantly natural in the hands.
Master-Level Build and Voicing
Built entirely by hand, each Tribute Archtop reflects Tim’s deep knowledge of archtop construction - from the carved top and back to the bracing that optimizes acoustic resonance. The result is an instrument that’s highly responsive, dynamically rich, and equally at home with clean jazz voicings or more modern, genre-blending styles.
