Carved Tops w/ Floating Pickup

[tomv713]

Hello,

Sorry for what I assume is a common question, but looking for the best option for a carved top archtop with floating pickup. Would like to keep under $2,000 (preferably closer to $1,500). Some specs

1.) Scale Length: 25” or under

2.) Nut Width: Under 1.75” (i’ve noticed a lot of Eastmans are too wide)

3.) Prefer Ebony FB

Best option looks like a Peerless Imperial, but don’t know a lot about them.

[jads57]

Used Eastman 810CE with a real Kent Armstrong PAF 12 pole piece floater! Best deal going for some years now!

[tomv713]

What’s the nut width on those? I think 1.72” is doable but I have tiny baby hands

[nyc chaz]

As jads57 said, a used Eastman is the way to go.Bought my ar910 for 2K years ago and it is the guitar i play the most even though i have other famous name guitars costing way more.

[jazzshrink]

What about the lower bout? Do you have a preference for 16" vs 17"?

[jazzshrink]

What’s the nut width on those? I think 1.72” is doable but I have tiny baby hands

Any relation?

[tomv713]

Any relation?

I think you and I had this joke between us before lol

[tomv713]

I’m using it more for chord melody and in a solo setting, so i’d lean 17” but 16” isn’t bad. I use a comins semi hollow for any situation where feedback my be a factor anyway

[deacon Mark]

Spend a bit more and buy the D'a NY 2 on forum. It is $2400 and, 25.5 scale but way better guitar. I have an 18 NY4 with I have had for 22 years. Incredible guitar. Easly better than anything Eastman for QC. Mine is a fine sounding and loud archtop even though solid press into place top. It sounds better than many carved guitars.

[lawson-stone]

A Loar LH650 has a carved top, 16" and floating pickup.

[omphalopsychos]

Do you need a cutaway? If not, get a vintage Epiphone Triumph. They do come up for under $2k. I see them pop up all the time and share PSA links to friends I know are looking.

[Ascend to Victory]

Just a moment...

^^^^ probably too small?


Just a moment...

[nyc chaz]

Spend a bit more and buy the D'a NY 2 on forum. It is $2400 and, 25.5 scale but way better guitar. I have an 18 NY4 with I have had for 22 years. Incredible guitar. Easly better than anything Eastman for QC. Mine is a fine sounding and loud archtop even though solid press into place top. It sounds better than many carved guitars.

I own 6 Eastman guitars and the QC is superb.I wish i could say the same for some of the high end gibson's i have played in the last couple of decades.

[Ascend to Victory]

Just a moment...

[tomv713]

Definitely like this one but it seems Similar to a Carlo Robelli D120? Actually it may be the same guitar

[tomv713]

Anyone have experience with FGN?

Just a moment...

[tomv713]

Definitely prefer a cutaway

[John A.]

OP is asking for scale length less than 25" and nut width under 1.75", carved top with a floater under $2k. Eastman is out of the running due to both scale-length and nut width; Loar due to nut width. Aren't vintage Epis 25.5" scale-length? The aforementioned Peerless models are all I can think of in a recent/new guitar with those dimensions. In older ones, maybe you could find a Guild CA-100 or Gretsch Corsair with a floater? I've never tried the Guild, but I played a Corsair once. It sounded pretty nice, FWIW, but old Gretsches are notorious for needing neck resets. Maybe something like an L-50 with Krivo pickup? This maybe a unicorn.

[fretbuzzard]

The Guild A-150 should definitely be on your radar. Pressed rather than carved solid spruce top, I believe, but still a nice-sounding box.

[nyc chaz]

OP is asking for scale length less than 25" and nut width under 1.75", carved top with a floater under $2k. Eastman is out of the running due to both scale-length and nut width; Loar due to nut width. Aren't vintage Epis 25.5" scale-length? The aforementioned Peerless models are all I can think of in a recent/new guitar with those dimensions. In older ones, maybe you could find a Guild CA-100 or Gretsch Corsair with a floater? I've never tried the Guild, but I played a Corsair once. It sounded pretty nice, FWIW, but old Gretsches are notorious for needing neck resets. Maybe something like an L-50 with Krivo pickup? This maybe a unicorn.

Sorry,that's not true Just a moment... He said 25 or under.

[John A.]

Sorry,that's not true Just a moment... He said 25 or under.

Right, my bad. But he also said nut width under 1.75" and noted that many Eastmans are too wide (ar810ce has a 1.75" nut). I think this is a challenging set of requirements to fill.

[jads57]

At that price point Eastman is the only real carved Archtop with a floater. Laminates are fine as well, but they are not exactly the same response.

[nyc chaz]

Right, my bad. But he also said nut width under 1.75" and noted that many Eastmans are too wide (ar810ce has a 1.75" nut). I think this is a challenging set of requirements to fill.

The Eastman i gave a link for is 1.72, carved,ebony board and under 2K.It fits everyting he wanted.

[jazzshrink]

Only a few of the Eastman archtop models feature a 1.75" nut width. The majority are 1.72" according to their website. My 810CE with a floater is 1.72". I paid $1600 for it last year and it's really nice.

[John A.]

The Eastman i gave a link for is 1.72, carved,ebony board and under 2K.It fits everyting he wanted.

Never mind then.