The follow of designing archtop guitars based mostly on the acoustic ideas of the violin emerged within the early twentieth century. Violin-like options, together with the arched prime and f-holes, have been included into guitar building to reinforce quantity and projection, notably essential earlier than the widespread adoption of amplification. This design allowed these devices to provide a richer, extra resonant tone appropriate for bigger ensembles and efficiency venues.
This innovation proved essential within the improvement of jazz guitar. The elevated quantity and distinctive tonal qualities of those devices allowed guitarists to take a extra distinguished position in bands, not relegated solely to rhythm accompaniment. The design additionally influenced the event of electrical archtop guitars, which grew to become iconic devices in jazz, blues, and rockabilly. This borrowing of violin design components considerably impacted the evolution of the guitar as a solo and ensemble instrument.