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I have an Ibanez AFJ95 that I absolutely love except that it just feels too big to be comfortable. It has great tone, a very comfortable neck, but something about it just feels big. I don't know for certain if it is the depth (3 5/8") or lower bout (15 3/4") or what exactly. I have been looking at the Ibanez AG95 which is the same depth but has a 14 1/2" lower bout; I thought this would be perfect but after trying a AG75 in the store it still feels too big. Maybe it is the depth and not the bout? I also heard that Ibanez changed to a semi-hollow body for the AG95, but a lighter wood (ash) so I don't know how this would effect the sound but I suspect not to my liking.
There is a dearth of archtops to try locally so my choices are limited. I know that sizes vary with model years and that some are quite big, but are there any smaller (in the $500-$700 price range) that are smaller but still have a reasonable "thunk" like the AFJ95? I am just a beginner so I don't need the fanciest out there and can't justify something like a Gibson or Heritage.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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02-16-2018 10:27 PM
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I think It's always the depth.
You say you are new to archtops. How long have you been playing that Ibanez?
It took me like two years getting used to mine.
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epiphone les paul standard florentine
cheers
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Yes you are probably right. I have been playing the Ibanez about a year now. Are there any others that have less depth but don't sacrifice too much in the tone department?
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Benedetto Bambino!
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The Ibanez AG86 is a GR8 little git.
Mine is 14 1/4" x 2 3/4" and the sound out of that little bubinga body belies the name on the head. They can be had for well under $500 with a case.
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I didn't realize that the AG86 was thinner, I will have to check it out. I thought it was just an older version of the AG95
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You might want to consider an Epiphone Casino Coupe. It is in the thinline range for depth. Fully hollow, too.
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You need a Telecaster, not an archtop.
Just my opinion.
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What do people here think of the Eastman AR403CE? I see several on Reverb for around $600 used. It appears to be thinner but still fully hollow, correct?
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Yes, it's fully hollow, laminated maple body, ~2.5" in depth. Eastman makes very nice guitars, I like them a lot, especially for the price. They're mostly lightly built, weighing ~5 lb or less, and have rather loud acoutic volume. They don't sound like Gibsons, because they're not built like them, being patterned on Benedettos. Some people don't like their relative brightness, but I do, and so do many others. I would take an Eastman over an Ibanez without hesitation, given a similar price for a similar guitar.
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It's been my experience also that depth has more to do with comfort and your 3 5/8 is quite deep. Just finding something closer to 3" might be all it takes.
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I think you and the others are right, but can you give me some examples of archtops in the $500-$750 price range (or less) that have this lesser depth? I have had a very hard time finding any good information in this area, and there are very few in Austin to look at. I did run across the Eastman AR403CE as mentioned above but it is on the very high end and I really don't want to spend that much; I would also have to order it sight unseen as there is no dealer anywhere close to me.
Originally Posted by Grez
I know that Ibanez used to make thinner full hollow body guitars like the AG86 but getting information out of them is extremely difficult as they don't give a telephone number and don't seem to respond to emails either. I was all set on the AG95 until I realized that it had the same 3 5/8 body depth as mine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Thanks, I have a Strat and eventually want a Tele (I just love Ed Bickert), but that is not my aim at this point. Originally Posted by Alder Statesman
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I might try one this weekend, although a full size version (the Coupe is not available locally). Originally Posted by lammie200
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A used Epiphone casino or sorrento. Or a used peerless songbird. Or used Eastman Pisano 380.
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If you like it and want the Coupe you might want to try Sweetwater for ordering it. They photograph and go through them so that they are set up well. I actually never found one in a store before I bought the one that I have. I also changed the bridge out with a Resomax V2 to take out the metallic zing, but that might not bother you. TBH, I don't see the point of a semi hollow unless you can't manage feedback if it becomes an issue. If it is you can stuff it with thin foam packing sheets. Originally Posted by rdwhitti
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I tried an Epiphone Casino today and it was OK but didn't "grab" me so to speak. Of course heavier flat wounds and a good setup would have made a huge difference I know, so I am trying to take that into consideration. It was very comfortable but I don't know the exact depth. Now I am wondering about the Eastman - the AR403CE is 2 3/4" and the AR371CE is 3 1/4" (supposedly the AR372CE is the same). I wonder if I would notice the slight 1/4" difference between my Ibanez and the AR371CE? Even that much may be enough to be noticeable. I can find demoes of both of these on Reverb for prices I am willing to pay. I hate to buy one sight unseen but Eastman gets a lot of love both here and elsewhere. I just can't decide! My Ibanez will be gone in maybe a week (it is already sold) and I need to get something.
Last edited by rdwhitti; 02-18-2018 at 08:49 PM.
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Well now I am really confused. I have been going off the Ibanez website which lists my guitar body depth as 3 5/8" but I just measured it with a tape measure (edge of body at lower bout not including arch) and it measures 2 3/4"! So how exactly is body depth measured? If I include the depth of the arch it may add up to a little over 3 inches; if I measure from the bottom edge (not the arch) to the top of the bridge it is probably the full 3 5/8". So now I don't know who to believe for body depth.
Could somebody here list some body depths of guitars that they own? For example, a Casino/ES330/ES335, an AR403SE, AR37xSE, ES175, ES175T, whatever you have? Thanks.
And please indicate how you measured, if it was on the edge of the body or something else.
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Look for an used Ibanez AGS series, now discontinued, I think. Originally Posted by rdwhitti
That's the format you want.
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Well I just ordered a new AR403 today n classic finish at a discounted price so we shall see. Basically I just sold 2 used guitars for this one new one and I wasn't playing by one of them so I am good on the money side.
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I think that you made a good choice. I tried in a store a few months back. It seemed to be a little more on the hand made end than any of the large manufacturers' models.
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Thanks, I am sure I will like it. It is slightly narrower than my AFJ95 and from what I can read in a totally different class. And it is an absolutely beautiful guitar! I love the classic finish that I got (not the sunburst). It is coming with rounds and I will give them a try, but when they need replacing I may put on flats. Until then I plan to just enjoy it. Originally Posted by lammie200
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Easy. ES 339 which is only 13 inches. The playability is amazing. I swapped out the neck pick up for Jason Lollar Charlie question now it’s basically a jazz box.
I realize that Gibson gets criticized a lot, but they really hit it out of the park with the ES 339.
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I couldn't agree more with "it's always the depth." An ES-175 can feel like a handful, owing to its 3-1/2" depth, even though it's only 16" across the lower bout.
OTOH, a Heritage Super Eagle at 18" is a breeze to play, owing to its 3" depth, shorter body (compared to a Super 400) and overall carve. I get completely lost in the music when playing the Super 400. My deeper 16" and 17" guitars seem constantly to remind me that they are "out there" on my knee.
Anyone else notice this?
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