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I'm contemplating getting a thin Archtop. I don't like full-bodied models because I find them uncomfortable to play.
I know nothing about what's out there. What are some options in the 1-3k range.
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08-22-2024 10:26 AM
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Peerless Sunset
Gibson es135 91-2004
Ibanez PM120
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What have you tried already? What do you like/dislike about that?
Originally Posted by charlieparker
What searches have you done so far here or elsewhere online?
What's your definition of thin?
Carved or laminate?
Does it have to be fully hollow, or are you also considering semi-hollows?
Do you care about acoustic/unplugged sound quality?
Cutaway or non-cutaway?
Anything else (e.g, does country of origin or brand matter?)?
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You need to specify : with a center block or full hollow and what would be the maximum depth ? Gretsch offers a wide range, Epiphone and my recently acquired vintage 1968 Yamaha SA30 was a steal when compared to the Gibson ES-330 model they were copying !
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A Vintage Epi Sorrento like this :
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or a Guild Starfire III
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or a Gibson Es-125
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lots to choose from ....
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I haven't tried anything. I am just starting out on looking. I live in Los Angeles in case you have any suggestions as to where I might try something. Originally Posted by John A.
I don't care about acoustic. I would like to get something like a traditional jazz guitar sound. I particularly like Tal Farlow and Kenny Burrell's sound.
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Heritage 575, several very nice examples for sale here and on Reverb. Can be had for under $3K. 2/3/4" thick, all solid and carved. If a thin laminate body is ok theres a lot of choices at every price point.
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I’m also partial to thinlines. Be sure to try an Eastman Romeo before spending (much) more on something else. I have one and love it. If, on the other hand, money doesn’t matter then Collings makes killer thinline jazzboxes. In between those two there are great choices to be had from PRS, Gibson and Ibanez.
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Can't help with LA shop suggestions. It would still be good to know what you depth you consider to be thin. That said, I'd recommend looking at: Originally Posted by charlieparker
Gibson ES-275
Gibson ES-125T or TC
Gibson ES-330 Satin (has humbuckers and sounds very different from a regular 330)
Eastman AR403ce and AR503ce
Peerless Gigmeister Jazz
Seventy Seven Hawk Standard or Hawk Jazz Standard (hard to find, but great guitars)
Guild T50 or T100
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Maybe an Ibanez GB10?
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I had one of these and it sounded great! Originally Posted by John A.
Burstbucker p/u's
A better jazz tone than an ES 335
The back of the neck was sticky though.
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You probably won’t get very near Kenny‘s sound with a thinline guitar alone but with a good pickup, amp and med- heavy strings a still great jazzy sound is definitely achievable. ? Originally Posted by charlieparker
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+1 for the GB10 - well within your budget and a world class instrument. I recently found a minty '22 sunburst for just over 2K.
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I have a Benedetto Bambino Deluxe, and it's a very nice thinline archtop, but the one I reach for every day is my Wu. These are not that easily obtainable, but they can be ordered at a very reasonable price. It's lighter than the Benedetto, and was built as an acoustic, while the Benedetto is primarily an electric. That's not a bad thing necessarily, it's just what it is, and preferred by many for various reasons, including feedback resistance. The bottom line is that most, if not all, of the recommendations here would probably fill your bill, but they're all slightly different, and might or might not be perfect for you. That's something that only you can decide, and what I or anyone else prefers is beside the point.
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If you look at a 125t or Epi equivalent or ... I would strongly suggest you consider a new Guild SF III or T 50 for a lot less. Korean made, remarkable guitar. Im playing a '23 right now next to a '60 Starfire. The new one sounds every bit as good (Lb1 pickups) and plays better. Build quality every bit as good. I think its a great time to be looking for a thinline lam archtop, in particular from Korea or China.
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A Westerly Guild SFII is a good option. Has a bit more tone than an Ibanez GB10 but plays just as easily.
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Excited to see Guild under Yamaha ownership. Originally Posted by Rickco
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Nice, that has HB1 pickup as opposed to LB1 on SFIII? I switched the tail piece on my new one, here it is next to the '60 (if you lay down on your left side) Originally Posted by Archie
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Good question on the depth. I would say 2" or thinner. Originally Posted by John A.
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If you don't object to a shorter scale, the Epiphone Elitist Byrdland is a solid choice.
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I’ve had a 1981 GB10 since 1986, excellent guitar. Can be thunky like Tal with flatwounds. Can be singing with roundwounds.
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AFAIK the most common depth for thinline archtops is ~2.25". There are lots of those. Thinner examples exist, but are not so common. Check the depth of the ones you think you might like.
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Wouldn’t call that a thinline but otherwise it’s a compact archtop. And it’s GREAT. I’ll never part with mine. So well designed and sweet-sounding. Originally Posted by chris32895
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Heritage H530?
Just a moment...
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For a very thin (<2") archtop, I think the Eastman T146 is hard to beat. It's 1.75" deep at the rims, solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, fully hollow.
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Obviously, if you want a very thin guitar, you need to get a Hofner Very Thin, the John Stowell model is very good.
The body of Hofner Very Thin guitar is unusually thin (thus the name Very Thin) at only 1 and 1/4inch.
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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