Peerless Archtops

[C.A.JO.]

Hello all,

Usually I play my Gibson Les Paul Custom. (I used to own a Gibson ES-335, but for some reason that I can't comprehend to this day I sold it 2 years ago). Generally I like my sound. I have 3 different setups for different styles and purposes, but I use my Les Paul as the main axe with all of them:

Practice setup:
- Amp: AHM Acoustic 10w amp
- Effectsboard: Boss Tu-2 tuner+Boss SD-1 Overdrive+Boss DD-3 Delay+Boss RC-2 Looper

Jazz/Blues setup:
- Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
- Effectsboard: TC Electronics Tuner+Dunlop Zakk Wylde Wah+Ibanez TS-808 Tubescreamer+Carl Martin Delayla XL Delay (slap back).
- When I play jazz I only use the tuner and the delay. Sometimes I add a little crunch, but it's rare.

"Party Band"-setup:
- Amp: Line 6 100w Duoverb.
- Effects: TC Electronics Nova System (The best multi-effect at this price IMO).
- Extra guitar: Fender Stratocaster (with EMG DG-20 pick up system).

Like I said initially I like these setups. But I miss the hollow-body sound, which I had from the 335. I've been wanting to buy one again. But a few days ago I discovered a brand called Peerless. The have very beautiful and (it seems so) well-build archtops.

I've put my eyes on a model called "Peerless Imperial". It has a D'Aquisto like headstock, ebony fretboard, spruce top, maple sides and bottom, ebony handles on the tuners, floating pickup, ebony bridge, saddle and pick plate... sunburst finish, gold hardware. It's very gorgous and as you can see... the specs are as they're supposed to. It costs 13,500 kr. (approx $ 2,400). So I wont call it "cheap", but compare it to another archtop with the same materials and looks from the top-brands, and then it's suddenly quite cheap!

Has anyone on this forum had any experience with Peerless? The Imperial? I would like to hear about it.

My other choices are a Gibson ES-335 once again or a D'Aquisto New Yorker. I tried the New Yorker last year, and it's a very nice instrument. Actually Peerless have a model called "New York", and it's seems to be a fine copy of it's big brother from D'Aquisto.

But, anyone tried these (The Imperial or other Peerless models)?

Thanks!

[brad4d8]

i haven't tried any Peerless models, but there are a lot of members of the Yahoo jazz guitar group who really like them and recommend them highly.
Brad

[goshawk]

A member reviews the Peerless Renaissance here:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...ce-review.html

[brad4d8]

Here's a review of the Imperial:
http://www.guitarsite.com/news/whats...less_imperial/
Bear in mind that the reviewer is also an endorser, and may even be a seller/distributor.
Brad

[Squint]

The guy who wrote that review is Doc Dosco. Yes, he's a big fan of Peerless (and thanks to him, so am I), but he's also a very cool dude, great and I mean GREAT jazz player and a very honest person. I know, I've met him and would own a Peerless or two if something had not happened to keep me from getting them. Doc knows what he's talking about and he walks the walk to boot! Peerless is one of the best values in jazz guitars out there.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by brad4d8

Here's a review of the Imperial:
http://www.guitarsite.com/news/whats...less_imperial/
Bear in mind that the reviewer is also an endorser, and may even be a seller/distributor.
Brad

Just to reinforce what Squint said: Doc = great guy. He isn't really a guitar dealer per se. He started "carrying" the Peerless brand because he believed so strongly that the Peerless guitars were amazingly built instruments, especially for the price, and they didn't have a US distributor at the time. Since then Peerless found a distributor but Doc still sells what you see on his site. I recommend emailing him. He has good prices, is super honest about what he sells, and can guide you to what is the right fit.

I was looking at Peerless last year as well and had a long email exchange with him which is how i know all of this. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him in the future.

[mangotango]

I had a Peerless Monarch in mind for a long time until my D'Angelico came up. I'd also tried a couple of their other models, including the Jazz City and New York. The JC and NY were both good guitars, but very "new" sounding and had less appeal to me taste than the Monarch. However, these are all from the level below the Imperial, Cremona, etc.

Nevertheless, I found them all to be well made, eminently playable instruments and very good value for money. Additionally, whilst trying out the Monarch, I met a player I knew from the London jazz gig circuit, who told me that he had a Peerless and knew several other guys who used them rather than taking out their nice vintage Gibsons or whatever to gigs in "rough places".

[C.A.JO.]

Originally Posted by mangotango

Additionally, whilst trying out the Monarch, I met a player I knew from the London jazz gig circuit, who told me that he had a Peerless and knew several other guys who used them rather than taking out their nice vintage Gibsons or whatever to gigs in "rough places".

That's my intention too... I'm a wreck at the small clubs with my old Gibson Les Paul + I want big box guitar .

I think I'll buy either a New York or a Monarch, because if I want the Imperial I might as well just save up a bit more bucks and order a custom handmade guitar from a local builder. I gotta remember my purpose for buying one... getting a good looking, good sounding archtop at a decent price, that I can replace and not worry too much about when gigging crowded places, and dealing with drunk people dancing, pushing, etc.

Thanks.

[mangotango]

Yep, I already had my Epi Joe Pass and have dressed it up a bit...but if not, I'd have a Peerless. Given that I have my D'Angelico New Yorker with a floating p/up, I would go for the Jazz City with the pickup mounted in the top, for something a little different.

[82Benedetto]

Personally, I'm not big on the Peerless guitars. I think you get a lot more bang for your buck from an Eastman or similar guitar, but that's just me. They are two different beasts, but I wouldn't settle before trying an Eastman.

[RonD]

Originally Posted by 82Benedetto

Personally, I'm not big on the Peerless guitars. I think you get a lot more bang for your buck from an Eastman or similar guitar, but that's just me. They are two different beasts, but I wouldn't settle before trying an Eastman.

Hi 82Benedetto,
I clicked on the link below your post. Are you A Mano guitars? If so, do you make lefties?
Cheers, Ron

[C.A.JO.]

Okay, I'm not getting a Peerless guitar.

When I discovered the only dealer in Denmark 2 weeks ago, the price was 6.500 kr. for a New York model. Now it's 8.500 kr. That's insane! How can prices go up so fast? I suspect it's the smell of gold, because of great demand for these models. It's a brand shop, too. Anyways, now it's too expensive for the purpose I need it for.

I'm looking into an Ibanez PM-35 now. Anyone who's played this one?

P.S. 2000 Danish Kr. is $400.

[Foulds Jazz Guitars]

Have sent you mail!

[C.A.JO.]

Originally Posted by Foulds Jazz Guitars

Have sent you mail!

I didn't get it. Would you please text me a PM? I can send you my email address if you want?

Thanks.

[Foulds Jazz Guitars]

Not sure what happened there..I must have not pressed send properly of something. If you can send me your email address I'll try again.
Thanks!

[Archie]

Dan, I tried clicking on the link in your signature, and it didn't work.

It looks like this:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/www.fouldsmusic.co.uk

[Foulds Jazz Guitars]

Originally Posted by Archie

Dan, I tried clicking on the link in your signature, and it didn't work.

It looks like this:

The Jazz Guitar Forum - Powered by vBulletin

Aha! Thanks for pointing that out man! Now changed.

[C.A.JO.]

Originally Posted by Foulds Jazz Guitars

Not sure what happened there..I must have not pressed send properly of something. If you can send me your email address I'll try again.
Thanks!

I've sent a PM to you now.

[C.A.JO.]

Well, I didn't end up with a Peerless. Yesterday I was given an offer I couldn't refuse.

I bought a tweed Peavey Classic 30 and a Samick Greg Bennett JZ-233 model for $1000. Amp hasn't been played for more than 5-10 hours total, and the guitar has been modded with new knobs, pickups and a deluxe case. The guitar is in perfect condition, and it sounds and plays absolutely great.

Of course the amp is well known and can be used for many styles and events. Perfect size and look. I'll also use this in a blues setting. The guitar suits my needs at this moment. I needed a rather cheap but good looking jazz-box for gigs where I don't wanna bring my old Les Paul. This guitar does the trick fine. My next buy will be a high end jazz guitar. But for now I settle with what I have - or else the wife will start filing for divorce:-) (Of course not, just kidding:-))

Thanks to all who participated in this thread.

[RoyaleT]

What's the neck like on the Samick. Is it one of the newer Greg Bennett designs? I had a Royale 3 semi hollow from them which I liked the sound of, but prefer a larger body style.

[C.A.JO.]

Originally Posted by RoyaleT

What's the neck like on the Samick. Is it one of the newer Greg Bennett designs? I had a Royale 3 semi hollow from them which I liked the sound of, but prefer a larger body style.

The neck is fine... not to thin, not to thick. It reminds me of a fat Gibson neck which you'll find on some old 335's.

It's an old guitar, the seller told me it was from the nineties, and this model is quite a rare one, since they didn't produce that many. It looks like jazz guitar, which you'll play country on because of the bigsby vibrato arm, but I make it sound very jazzy. I've already gotten used the vibrato arm... Now I'm adding subtle vibrato on all the beautiful chords:-) Have to downscale this new habit before gigging again:-)