In my experience, a responsive archtop with f-holes is an oxymoron. You can have a great volume on one of these guitars, mostly based on mid and mid-high response, but bass is always poor, something that large soundboxes can somehow mitigate. However, f-holes are one of the most recognizable characteristics of jazz guitars, one that many players are not willing to put down.
The Siracusa 16F is my first attempt at solving this. The area around the f-holes is reinforced internally by two thin carbon plates, so these can’t start cracks on the thin top. This guitar has its soundbox closed and its neck glued already, so I’ll be able to check it soon. Stay tuned!
