Great Archtop - $700 and Under

[willtheguitardude]

Hey guys! I know great is probably not what I would get with only $700, but hypothetically, if I were to buy a full hollow archtop, what are the best makes and models around in my price range? Please suggest something other than Epiphone. Thanks!

[Jazzman301]

I think eastman has a few new models close to that price. The AR371 the 403 and one other model I can't think of. There are plenty of choices in that range but quality becomes more of an issue. You can find a used Aria in that price range. I think The Loar guitars come in around $700ish. Epiphone has a few options as does Ibanez.

'Mike

[Jazzman301]

Also there are some Dearmond models like the X155 and X135 that fall in that range used.

'Mike

[Tom Karol]

I just got a new Eastman AR403 for $715. After spending another $45 for a pro set-up, it's pretty close to 'great'! The AR371 sells for just a little bit less. Retroman1969 seems to think his is pretty close to 'great', too!

There's some links to relevant threads here:
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...n-guitars.html

Crafter (an often overlooked - not too many USA dealers - Korean company) makes a 2-pickup fully-hollow archtop model called the FEG780 that's well built and goes for about $700 as well. Check it out on Crafterusa.com.

There's also Ibanez and Godin (among others) to consider.

[pierre richard]

How about Cort and Aria...maybe Hofner...

Ibanez has three or four models in that price range..

Time on the instrument...Pierre

[hallpass]

I like the new Eastman 371 or 403 and the new Ibanez AFJ81 or AFJ85. Or Ibanez AF105 or AK105 for a little more.

[Retroman1969]

Eastman 371 and 403, and the Godin Kingpin are all in the $700 range and they are the standouts in that price class, IMHO.
Next on the list would be The Loar 350, 600, and 700 which I believe also run right around $700, give or take.

[Jazzman301]

That AFJ81 looks gorgeous in that sunset red. Wow. I almost want to buy one even though I have a Monarch with a set/routed HB...Really great looking guitar.

'Mike

[mr. beaumont]

3 different price points on those loars, about $500, $800 and 1k respectively.

A good deal if what you want is an acoustic archtop...I'm convinced the word archtop is too vague. Hell, I even see people calling semi hollows archtops...just wrong!

[Jazzman301]

Well I think the word archtop includes a WIDE arrray of guitars that all share an arched top...Technicaly speaking I beleive a LP or an M75 are archtops...Just not full hollow body arch tops. I guess in short I agree with Mr.B

Anyone heard those new Ibanex guitars? That AFJ81 looks really nice. Nothing on YT or on the Ibanez website as for videos or mp3s of it.

There are a ton of options is really the point guitardude. Start narrowing things down. Scale length, type of top(maple, spruce etc), how many pickups, what kind of pickups(floating, single coil, humbuckers), is your intent for this to be an accoustic instrument or and electric. I think if you give us some of what you specificaly looking for we can help you narrow things down a bit.

'Mike

[willtheguitardude]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm convinced the word archtop is too vague. Hell, I even see people calling semi hollows archtops...just wrong!

I'm talking about a full hollow, archtop with an electric pickup (can be floating), like my avatar. I own a Semi-Hollow and I want upgrade in a sense to a more traditional Jazz guitar. Well, I guess I could bring my budget up to 1k, but not much more.

[mr. beaumont]

And is the acoustic sound important to you, or will you primarily be playing the guitar plugged in? Will you be using it in any loud environments where the amp will be quite loud?

The great news is, you have a ton of options. It's also the bad news

[willtheguitardude]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

And is the acoustic sound important to you, or will you primarily be playing the guitar plugged in?

You know, it is quite important to me. I went to a guitar shop today to play some Eastman and Hofner guitars. I liked the Eastman a lot! The Hofner was really cool to, but the Eastman was better. The only obvious downside is that the Eastman was twice as much. I'll save a little more. I would love some good acoustic sound, and the Eastman and the Hofner gave me that.

[va3ux]

I know you said no Epiphone but do not overlook a used Epiphone Zephyr Regent. It is an ES-165 style guitar, made by Peerless from '98 to about 2008. A real sleeper and an excellent guitar for the money if you like that style. The Samick HJ-650 is another sleeper. Washburn J-6 is another. The Epiphones and Washburns were all made by Samick anyway (at least until recently).

These are just ones I am familiar with in the price range you've mentioned and you'd have some of your $700 left over with any of these. When they were new they all sold in the $500 - $700 range. The problem would be actually finding any of these in a store to try. There are lots of other choices as others have mentioned. The newest Eastman model mentioned earlier look promising.

Speaking of acoustic tone, for an archtop my Samick HJ-650 (L-5ish copy) has excellent acoustic tone/volume when strung with 12 or 13 round wounds; certainly superior to my ES-175 (now gone) or any of the other archtops I have.

[willtheguitardude]

Originally Posted by va3ux

I know you said no Epiphone but do not overlook a used Epiphone Zephyr Regent.

I looked at it, but I don't like it. I should have mentioned, I don't want any 175 type cutaways. I want more of an L-5 cutaway, if you know what I mean. No non-cutaways please! I'm not a big fan of Epiphone hollow bodies anyway. However, I love my Epiphone Sheraton II, its like the only guitar I use right now, great Semi!

[Retroman1969]

In that case, you might consider the Eastman 503. It has a carved solid spruce top for good acoustic properties, the L-5 style cutaway, and nice touches like ebony bridge, tail, PG, and fretboard, and imperial style tuners.
It's still a new model, and not yet easy to find, but it seems to be coming in at a hair under $1000 (street price) at the places that already carry it.

[va3ux]

Originally Posted by willtheguitardude

I looked at it, but I don't like it. I should have mentioned, I don't want any 175 type cutaways. I want more of an L-5 cutaway, if you know what I mean. No non-cutaways please! I'm not a big fan of Epiphone hollow bodies anyway. However, I love my Epiphone Sheraton II, its like the only guitar I use right now, great Semi!

Gotcha. Just thought I'd mention it.

[gary mitchell]

600 T0 700 Bucks With Case. And Seymour Duncan Pickups American Electronics

[jonm]

You should look at the Loar 350. It's an archtop modeled after the L5. The top is solid. I believe it's about $700...
Check out these two links:

http://www.theloar.com/LH-350-VS.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyYC...eature=related

[Roosto]

Epi Broadways can be found on ebay at a nice price. The 5120 Gretsch in sunburst is an option, some remove the Bigsby and put on a tailpiece of choice.

[arnie65]

For less than $700 you can't beat the Aria FA-71 or the Aria Broadway. Well constructed, good wood, nice tone out of the box. Here's a clip of the FA-71.

Jazz Guitar I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face Chord Solo Aria FA71 Roland Cube.MP4 - YouTube

You can find them on Ebay for $629 all day long, beautiful guitar!




Cheers,
Arnie..

[RoyaleT]

+1 on the Aria FA-71. They can actually be found for quite a bit less than that
$629 figure. Three just sold out of Texas for under $500. The two pickup 70 is also nice as is the smaller 65.
Quick e-bay search found this 65, a Dearmond X155, and some Eastmans at good prices.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aria-FA-65-E...item20c3902f51

[Doctor Jeff]

Haha I know you said no Epiphones, but there are about a dozen blonde Epi JP's on Ebay right now at a price point of about $400. As I have said a million times, for the money I don't think you can do any better. Even including pickup upgrades.

But you have an Epiphone Sheraton 2! I love that guitar and would consider that as my go-to jazz guitar if I were in the market. Maybe you're looking for a bigger box?

I'll also second the Godin Kingpin, which will provide a sound quite a bit different from the Sheraton.

[M-ster]

Dang, that sunburst 503 is a looker!

[eddy b.]

Hey check out Washburn I've had a J6 and it was a fine instrument, they have anew model out that looks real sweet fully hollow, floating pickup and a very pleasing finish.

[Roosto]

I like to keep in mind the DiPinto Philadelphian

[cosmic gumbo]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Hell, I even see people calling semi hollows archtops...just wrong!

Gibson calls a Les Paul an archtop, but what do they know about the history of guitar?

[mr. beaumont]

Obviously nothing. Who plays jazz on a Les Paul?

[voxwerx]

rhetorical ?

[pingu]

Originally Posted by arnie65

For less than $700 you can't beat the Aria FA-71 or the Aria Broadway. Well constructed, good wood, nice tone out of the box. Here's a clip of the FA-71.

Jazz Guitar I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face Chord Solo Aria FA71 Roland Cube.MP4 - YouTube

You can find them on Ebay for $629 all day long, beautiful guitar!




Cheers,
Arnie..

Yeah Jim Mullen plays one ........
good enough for moi !

You don't have to spend a lot onan axe these days .......
just play a few and pick a nice one
I mean Sadowskies are nice too