Entrada Archtop Guitar

gives it such a classy, timeless look. You can tell this guitar was built with care and attention to every detail. And I have to say—this was by far the best customer service I have ever received on anything I’ve ever purchased, period. Mike was incredible to deal with. Friendly, responsive, and genuinely passionate about making sure I was taken care of every step of the way. The “Meet Your Guitar” video that Robert made, playing my actual guitar before it shipped—just wow. I’ve never heard of customer service like that before. It was personal, thoughtful, and made the whole experience feel special and one-of-a-kind. That kind of attention and connection is something you just don’t see anymore. If you're thinking about getting one of these guitars, don’t hesitate! You’ll get not just an amazing instrument, but a level of service and care that goes way beyond expectations.
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s high end boutique guitars. After the pleasant price tag shock, I took it home. The craftsmanship and specs of this guitar are well thought out; I really appreciate that it’s a full 2 octaves with an ebony fretboard. I wanted to change the bridge & tailpiece to the ebony ones as mine came with the metal ones. And this is what really impressed me with Conti guitars…as a second owner…the customer support is still strong. These guys really stand by their guitars. I love this guitar for my vintage type R&B, soul & jazzy tones.
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omments that its neck plays like butter; and that’s exactly it. The neck shape, the gorgeous ebony fingerboard, the comfortable frets and perfect fret end work, and set-up make the Entrada an exceptional experience and pleasure to play.To be honest: I was expecting to receive a great instrument. But I felt unsure, if its playability would suit me. There was no need to worry. The Entrada’s neck is one of the best, perhaps the best I have ever played.Moreover, the small body size (15″), the relatively thin body – almost like a semi-hollow – the weight, and the good balance make the instrument very comfortable to play, both sitting and standing.A further interesting and positive observation is that the Entrada poses way less feedback problems than my other archtops.My first thoughts were that this instrument is too good for me, for my level and my limited talent. But then I realized that it felt much easier to play certain licks and lines, chords and pieces. My humble conclusion is that an instrument should support the player. And this is what the Entrada does very, very well.Finally, the whole buying process was a very positive experience. The great support from the Conti team, it’s kindness and helpfulness, always answering still another question of mine, and finally the kind and very informative personal video by Robert Conti – all that was amazing. Thanks to the whole team!
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g. And fret work that is simply perfect. The action on my guitar was perfectly set to low action and the thing is a joy to play. I had a ES -125 TDC as a kid that I called the “pencil neck” and now at 65 years of age I know that my Conti Archtop Entrada is every bit as good or better than my 125!The point where the neck joins the body is as smooth as glass and the tailpiece is simply stunning. And the sound from the Kent Armstrong is smooth as silk yet with gain sounds very full an robust. This is without a doubt the finest guitar I have ever played. My search is over!Thank you Robert and team so much! Once I’ve gotten some of Robert’s jazz lines mixed in with the blues I’ll post some sounds.
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t was needed out of the box was to tune the guitar and go. The service level at the company is impeccable. The instruments gets completely set up and then Uncle Bob takes it for a test run (which I have on video). A pro player’s hands are the last one’s on it before I take it and play it. Aesthetics: Looks matter to me A LOT because it goes to quality. No picture I can show you can really hammer home how impressive of an instrument this is. The aesthetic is flawless. The finishes are flawless at every little detail point as well. The details with the border binding around the guitar – flawless. The mother of pearl inlays with the abalone – flawless. The border around the fretboard (which I just noticed) flawless. Did I mention that I got a whiff of the wood smell when removing the cover on the guitar? Don’t let the laminate finish fool you. It’s a high end laminate finish but beneath it is a three-ply maple body and it’s really well built. The gold hardware is the highest quality and it really shows in person. What really jumps out at me is the way the tune-a-matic bridge looks especially compared to the cheaper ones on the budget guitars. You can’t even compare them. The use of ebony on the guitar from the fretboard to the pickguard to the tailpiece matches beautifully with the blonde finish on the guitar (and that’s not even the best part) I love the headstock on the guitar and really like the way it’s dressed – especially with the chalice. Last – and more of a personal preference thing – I like the single pickup configuration. I never play bridge pickups and with a guitar like this, I prefer the simplicity of a single pickup and think a pick up switch detracts from the look. Not a criticism but not a fan on an archtop. Playability/feel, etc: My personal preference for an archtop is a thin body so the Entrada works perfectly for that. The body size is PERFECT. It is an extremely comfortable instrument to hold and the size of the body puts my right arm in a very comfortable resting position making the guitar very easy to play. The neck is amazing. The feel of it reminds me of my old ’60s Gibson archtop from years back and I’ve never owned a guitar with the nearly flat fingerboard radius. My technique may suck for now but it’s clear that this guitar wants to play fast and is built for it. I especially noticed it when switching strings playing some lines (felt like the transitions were easier). This is also the first 24-fret guitar I’ve owned and the accessibility to the higher frets (by design) was a great move on Bob’s part. The shallow cut just isn’t for looks, it’s functionality. It’s a sold guitar but comfortable (not a brick like my Epi Les Paul). It’s plays like a dream whether I’m doing single note lines, chord melody or just banging on some chords. Sound: Remember I said earlier how the quality of the parts would indicate how the thing would sound – all I had to do was tune up the guitar and strum an open E chord and I knew I was on a completely different level. That was unplugged The natural resonance and sustain blew me away. The whole damn guitar vibrated and just kept going. Warm, rich and full. Plugged in – amazing. The Kent Armstrong Vintage ’57 is the perfect pickup for this instrument given that it nails that old school, warm PAF sound. The tones are crystal clear and harmonically rich. The pickup is also very responsive to dynamics and pick attack. I put this into my crappy Line 6 Spider practice amp and it made that sound good. With my 16 watt Class A tube amp – blew me away. Along with the pickup is are volume and tone knobs that are very responsive to small adjustments. The tone knob has a very wide range of sounds you can get from it. LIke the rest of the guitar, the electronics are high end (CTS linear pots – 500K and I assume a CTS .0047 green capacitor) This is a terrific instrument – a truly high end pro-quality instrument at a price where the bang for the buck factor is enormous. This thing punches above its weight class. You don’t have to spend $2,000 and up for an all-wood archtop in order to get a high-level instrument. These retail at $1,389 – by comparison, Gibson ES-335s are almost twice that and you’re not getting the quality or service level. For what I play and what I want, this gives me everything I could have asked more if not more. Perfect right out of the case. Now to learn to play the thing.
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play through a Fender tube amp like the Blues Junior. The sound of the Entrada Conti guitar is well balanced and very sweet, on the warm side. Amazingly sonic unplugged, and one of the best necks I have ever played on. Very light and easy to hold, and easily worth twice the asking price. This guitar reminds me of my Benedetto Bravo without the sticker shock Well done guys, well done.
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a higher action on my steel strings. I add a foto today and will send a short video some days later, when I have the occasion to record something. Again - I´m very satisfied and happy with this purchase. Best regards from southern Germany!
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perience and passion that you present makes me positive that I'll get the very best. I'm confident it will arrive safely. And I promise to update when it does arrive. Also, I wanted to thank your crew for their devotion. In particular, the technician for taking care to set up the guitar, and also Steve and Ann for helping me answer all the questions I had with great patience. Thank you! I wish you all good health, happiness, and all the best of everything possible from the bottom of my heart!Upon Receipt of Entrada: Thank you Mr. Robert Conti and your dedicated crew for this beautiful sounding and gorgeous guitar! It arrived safely with no issues. Fedex did a good job and the guitar is flawless! It plays wonderful! Couldn't be more happy. This is truly a unique experience that shows your devotion and care for what you do so well. Sending my warm regards, good health, happiness, and the best of everything! Welcoming you to visit us in Israel.
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to this body. The color of this guitar is amazing. I do not have this color on any of the guitars in my collection. This guitar is perfectly balanced and the gold hardware completes the package. My bandmates love the look and sound of this guitar and I couldn’t agree more.Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to your craft. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of the Robert Conti Guitar Universe.
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mely pleased in how it worked out. While working I was not the only one impressed with the guitar. Some other guitarists happened to be there and they were wowed at its sound and beauty. Everyone wanted to know where I got it.But a word about Bob in that he actually plays it before shipping it out. He then sends a video of your guitar being played by him. That is no different than going yourself to a store and trying it out. You see it, you hear it, and can't wait to get it. This guitar will be with me a long time. Thanks So Much!
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eat it is! Appreciate and am so grateful for your help throughout this whole process, Mike!
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and fits nicely in the hand from the bottom to the top of the fretboard. I agree with Robert when he says it “plays like butter”. I also like the balance between the headstock and the body so with or without the strap it doesn’t want to tip up or down. The entire experience from ordering to receiving this guitar has been great fun. Thanks again Robert, Steve and Mike!
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