Epi Elitist Broadway or Heritage Golden Eagle

[Fred68]

Hi all, first post...

I'm in the market for a L-5 style guitar, and am considering these two (both used).

Any thoughts on these or other preferred models below $3000 is appreciated!

[jzucker]

$3k is crazy for a used Broadway or Eagle.

And...The broadway is made out of plywood whereas the eagle is all solid wood. If you want a plywood guitar, I'd get an Ibanez GB200 which blows away the Broadway and you can find used for around $2200.

If you want a solid top guitar, the eagle is a great guitar. I have 2 of them. Just factor in a fingerboard planing / refret as all 3 of my heritage guitars needed them. However, I bought them all for around $2k used so even with the planing and refret it was still under $2300.

I compared my eagle to the GB200 and the eagle sounded more wes-like but the Ibanez is a fabulous instrument and the necks are perfect on those.

[jzucker]

Those original guys are in their mid to late 80s. I hope they're not still making the guitars!

[Klatu]

Originally Posted by jzucker

If you want a solid top guitar, the eagle is a great guitar. I have 2 of them. Just factor in a fingerboard planing / refret as all 3 of my heritage guitars needed them. However, I bought them all for around $2k used so even with the planing and refret it was still under $2300.

I agree with Jack, although I think $2000 is a bit low for a Golden Eagle. $2500 would be an excellent price on a near mint condition Golden Eagle, IMO.

[X-500]

I'm Guildcentric, but you might want to look at the X-700. It is comparable to the L-5CES and you can find very nice specimens for under $3,000. Although they tend to be the hardest to find of all the Guild X-boxes, I found my blonde model for $2,500 US. It has very nice appointments such as; ebony fretboard, abolone/mother of pearl inlays, fine 5 ply binding, ect. It has a AAA solid spruce top and the rest being of maple laminate - or as others refer to as plywood . As Heritage, you get hand made Amercan quality at a great price. Here is an example that is on hold at Archtop.com

1998 Guild Stuart X-700

Happy Hunting!

[jzucker]

The X700 is the shorter scale (24.75") so it doesn't quite sound like an L5 but I've owned a couple and they are fantastic instruments. Order of magnitude better than the epi broadway.

[X-500]

Originally Posted by jzucker

The X700 is the shorter scale (24.75") so it doesn't quite sound like an L5 but I've owned a couple and they are fantastic instruments. Order of magnitude better than the epi broadway.

Oh right, I forgot about the shorter scale - which is my preference. Makes it easier for fingering chords ...