Current production Gibson L7 decent? (Acoustic archtop quest)

spiral · #1 11-22-2010, 12:54 AM

I am currently wrestling with trying to find a good acoustic archtop and noticed that the Gibson L7c is about the same price as the L5 copies of some private luthiers. Has anyone played it? Worth $4k used?

I fell in love with a Campellone over the summer as well, so i am trying to eliminate candidates. FWIW i have been also looking at the Tacoma AJF Jazz King and Aria FA77. I realize they are all over the map in price and build but they all have desirable acoustic qualities, but i won't easily be able to play them all in a room, or at all. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

fws6 · #2 11-22-2010, 02:34 AM

I have never played the newer Gibsons, but I am sure that a (used) Gibson is a safe bet from an investment point of view.

So why not see how low the seller will go, buy it, and try it for a while ?

If you keep it clean and decide dont like it, you can easily sell it for the same amount. Whereas the other guitars you mention will only raise 60-70% of the value upon resale and are hard to sell in the current economy.

Gibson is still an A-brand no matter how many Firebird-X's they put out...

JohnW400 · #3 11-22-2010, 08:10 AM

Buy a Campellone. You wont be disappointed. You get more guitar for the money with Mark. There are a few around right now. Mandolin Bros has one I think.

Eddie Lang · #4 11-22-2010, 06:18 PM

Are you thinking about the 2006 L-7C at archtop.com? All I can say is that I've done business with them before and Joe Vinikow is a class act. The deal was smooth, the guitar in great condition and the whole transaction was a pleasure from beginning to end.

I usually prefer vintage guitars and if I was looking for one like an L-7C, I'd check out the one at Gruhn Guitars.

AR3945 Gibson L-4C (More photos...) , 1953, EXC (normal lacquer checking), pointed Florentine cutaway, sunburst finish, SC.........$3850

Usual disclaimer: I have no connection to these two guitars or to the dealers, other than being a satisfied customer of archtop.com.

spiral · #5 11-22-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Lang

Are you thinking about the 2006 L-7C at archtop.com? All I can say is that I've done business with them before and Joe Vinikow is a class act. The deal was smooth, the guitar in great condition and the whole transaction was a pleasure from beginning to end.

I usually prefer vintage guitars and if I was looking for one like an L-7C, I'd check out the one at Gruhn Guitars.

Thanks. Yes i had seen the one at archtop.com and thought it was a decent price but didn't know how good the newer production was. I've had my fill of vintage archtops so want something a little more recent just for durability and less potential neck + top issues. That's not to say i wouldn't buy a vintage guitar, but it would have to be in front of me to consider it.

JohnW is likely right. I really did love the Campellone i played but am having problems actually buying the ones i wanted. I tried two different times and it didn't work out. I saw the dark burst Gibson L7 and got distracted. I don't normally like sunbursts but that super dark black in the Gibson is hotness.

How firm are the prices at archtop.com?

Thanks for the Gruhn pic. I'm not a fan of the florentine cutaway otherwise i would have considered one of the new Loars.

Thanks again for the comments.

Eddie Lang · #6 11-22-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

How firm are the prices at archtop.com?

It depends. If it's a consignment, it's pretty close to firm. Otherwise, I suggest talking or writing. I found that Joe is someone you can talk to.

EDIT: according to my experience with him, of course.

kamlapati · #7 11-23-2010, 10:48 AM

I've played some reissue L-7's that were very nice, and that would of found a nice place in my stable, but I also played one that was quite uninspiring.

I'll second much of the above: a vintage L-5 is much more of a sure investment, and Joe Vinakow is a great guy to deal with. One factor in favor of buying a guitar from Joe is that he will also resell it for you.

With any of the alternatives you cite, you'll end up with a great guitar. Have fun.

spiral · #8 01-07-2011, 03:02 PM

FWIW, i am making my way through my list of wants to either settle or eliminate. I bought the Aria FA77 online and wasn't blown away. The acoustic sound felt very muted / flat / dead both with flatwounds (what it came with) and roundwounds. The tailpiece was actually pressing against the top, which seemed weird, especially with the choice of a floating pickup. The electric sound was surprisingly awesome though, and the antique sunburst was beautiful. But there were some issues with the guitar anyhow so it went back to the distributor. I am checking that off as a no. Elimination never felt so liberating!

I found a Tacoma AJF22 / "Jazz King" on Craigslist (when craigslook was still working. RIP!) that had the finish lifting issues on the headstock and was able to get it for $980 (shipping was 'spensive) so i felt like i got a good deal. I have since scraped off the finish on the headstock with a razor (came off easily) and was left with some nice bare ebony which i have since lightly sanded and steel-wooled. I added some spare pearloid stairstep buttons from a non-starter project and it looks very nice now.

Acoustically it has a really nice tone. I would say it isn't as open / complex as something like a Campellone or vintage Gibson, but it's only 4 years old. That being said it sounds and plays great as is. The sound reminds me of "oval hole archtop" thread. It sounds unmistakably like an archtop, with the percussive attack, but with just more low end information in all the notes, but not enough to lose the projection or muddy the tone. It's like if you slightly turned up the EQ in the 250-180Hz range. A HC review describes it as a blend between a dreadnaught and archtop but it is firmly in the archtop camp. I don't like the EMG pickup, but it has a sound that i think many people would like. It is just a little too rolled-off for me. It has a c-neck and contrary to some review i read, it is not thin. It is thinner than a vintage gibson archtop but thicker than something like a 335. I wish it were just a few mm thicker but it's great overall.

I'll post sound clips of the FA-77 and AJF22 soon but in the meantime here are some photos.

Tacoma AJF22 Jazz King Archtop Guitar by spiesteleviv, on Flickr

Untitled by spiesteleviv, on Flickr

mattymel · #9 01-07-2011, 05:11 PM

hey. i live in seattle and have played the newer L7 you are speaking of. Joe and I both agree the new Montana built Gibson L7 archtops are the best archtops gibson is making right now. they sound outstanding. for me, easily put newer super400s and L5s to shame unplugged. no comparison. i would say the newer L7s can easily hold their own against most luthier built guitars. AND they sound and feel like gibsons, which is what some people want.

my only other recommendation is thinking about an old Epi, of which i am a very proud owner. for me, they are the best deal going by far. and you can get a 40s or 50s Epi for the price of a newer Gibson. and the old Epis are CONSISTENT. Emperors and Deluxe can be a little pricey, but Triumphs are a amazing guitar for less than 3K. i hang out at joe's and play them any chance i get. Epis are WHERE IT IS AT if you are looking for a solid archtop with great acoustic tone. they put almost any comparable gibson from the same period to shame for 1/3 the price.

but for the money, new L7s are a GREAT buy too. you wouldnt be sorry. i just bought a ES335 59' reissue from Joe TODAY. check it...

spiral · #10 01-08-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattymel

hey. i live in seattle and have played the newer L7 you are speaking of. Joe and I both agree the new Montana built Gibson L7 archtops are the best archtops gibson is making right now. they sound outstanding. [...] my only other recommendation is thinking about an old Epi[...]

Thanks for your reply. I have played a few vintage Epiphones and they sound pretty good but they always seem to be trashed. When i come across them on eBay, or GBase, or even Craigslist, they just seem to have been very road-worn. Is that because they were cheaper and people actually played them and the Gibsons were like expensive jewels that people just kept in glass cases?

I mentioned before really wanting a more recently build guitar so that is why the L7 was interesting to me. The one at Archtop.com is overpriced IMO, not because it isn't worth it, but because i have seen the same guitar not sell for $2k and below on ebay / craigslist. If i could get it for less than $3k i would take the chance or make an offer, but it's a consignment.

Though, i have to say your review / enthusiasm has rekindled my interest in the L7. I had made up my mind to forget about it. Thanks for nothin'!

ps. congrats on a very pretty new addition to your stable!

pps. i just checked the Elderly site, and over xmas i played that Epiphone Triumph they have listed. It was ok. It had seen some miles. Sounded decent but not better than my Tacoma or CF-1. I'll keep my eyes peeled for others though.

mattymel · #11 01-08-2011, 04:35 PM

hmmm...never associated Epis as getting more trashed than Gibsons. the ones Joe gets in are usually in great condition for 40 or 50 year old guitars. mine is a 1940 Deluxe and it has a good amount of checking. but that is more than made up for in tone. i dont mind it because i figure if it has lasted this long, it aint going anywhere.

i used to be more of a gibson guy because i always thought i liked mounted pickups better. i still wouldnt mind finding a ES175 at some point, but now i really miss not hearing that acoustic sound coming through (even if slightly) when i am plugged in. honestly, pretty much any epi blows the best gibsons away in that arena IMHO.

good luck in the search. the L7s are great guitars.

rpguitar · #12 01-08-2011, 09:40 PM

I have not played the L-7C reissue, but I just grabbed a 1934 L-5 historic reissue and it's just a fabulous guitar. It gives up nothing at all to the vintage Gibsons I've owned and played. It's light, super responsive, and flawlessly constructed. It's made in Nashville rather than Montana, however. But if the same philosophy is applied to production of the L-7, I'm sure it's a winner too.

JohnW400 · #13 01-08-2011, 10:03 PM

Roger ,

How does the reissue compare to your '47?

Davidh · #14 01-09-2011, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

FWIW, i am making my way through my list of wants to either settle or eliminate. I bought the Aria FA77 online and wasn't blown away. The acoustic sound felt very muted / flat / dead both with flatwounds (what it came with) and roundwounds. The tailpiece was actually pressing against the top, which seemed weird, especially with the choice of a floating pickup. The electric sound was surprisingly awesome though, and the antique sunburst was beautiful. But there were some issues with the guitar anyhow so it went back to the distributor. I am checking that off as a no. Elimination never felt so liberating!

I'll post sound clips of the FA-77 and AJF22 soon but in the meantime here are some photos.

Tacoma AJF28 Jazz King Archtop by spiesteleviv, on Flickr

Untitled by spiesteleviv, on Flickr

Hi,
First of all, that Tacoma looks lovely - I'm very pleased you found the right guitar

.

Back to the Aria FA77.......
Your observation about the tailpiece touching the top of the guitar is correct, as is your description of the unplugged sound. The fretboard support also touches the top of the guitar and, as you say, all this kind of negates why they put a floating HB on the neck.

However it does look good, and it sounds great plugged in. When I bought mine I tried out almost every guitar in the shop, including a Gretch Jazz and several chinese hand-carved

archtops (you know the ones I mean) - the Aria blew them away!

Look forward to hearing those soundclips.

As a postscript, it now seems blindingly obvious (having thought about this since Jef first flagged this up via pm a couple of days ago) that to allow the tailpiece to float all one would have to do is move the bridge back a little. Aria advertise it as a floating tailpiece after all. I'll give that a go over the next day or two and post the results back here.
ATB,

David

ES125er · #15 01-09-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

I'll post sound clips of the FA-77 and AJF22 soon

Please do. I've always been interested in the Tacoma (the construction, the look), but have never seen one in real life or heard one.

rpguitar · #16 01-09-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnW400

How does the reissue compare to your '47?

They are pretty different in tone and response, but not in quality or overall vibe.

Both are parallel braced. The '47 is 17" at the lower bout while the '34 RI is 16". The '47 is very direct, very punchy and full of cutting midrange, louder, and full sounding. It's not as rich in overtones though, and I think the sustain is less even while the guitar is louder.

The '34 RI is more sensitive to touch, better for fingerstyle, a little softer but with more dynamic range, and better overtones. It's a more intimate guitar suitable for several styles, while the '47 is more about straight ahead jazz and swing.

The '34 RI feels every bit as broken in and "loose" as its 64 year old ancestor. That's what really amazes me about it.