-
I've had some bad luck trying to get a good archtop in my hands recently. I've gone through 4 archtop guitars this past year (the worst being a Gibson ES-165 from a very well known guitar store that was priced a touch high and had a bad neck angle, misaligned tailpiece, and broken/improperly repaired braces) and I feel a bit like I'm going to pull my hair out. Normally I find guitar shopping fun but lately all I want to do is play and this is really getting in the way. I'd like some opinions. If I buy cheap I'll keep it around as a beater later and if I buy pricier I can always use it to fund a better guitar later. My dream guitar is a Gibson ES-165 but lately I do not want to deal with the headache and the price.
I'd like some opinions on hollow body guitars that can be had from a good seller with a good return policy at or below $1500. The guitar must be a 16" body size (maybe smaller) and must be laminate. The neck cannot be too thin as my hand will cramp up, particularly when playing a lot of chords, which is most noticeable in the lower positions. Above all I want the guitar to play very easily. Unfortunately because there are hardly any hollow body guitars around me these will have to all be bought blind.
What I like so far:
- Eastman AR372CE: This will have the most familiar body shape to me and I know will cause no discomfort. A bit worried the sound may be a bit bright based on Eastman's reputations. They are on sale right now from Sweetwater.
- Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin II HH: These get recommended a lot around here. Not sure of the neck? I played a used one at GC a while back and it was ok but I wasn't blown away by it.
- Gretsch G2420: I had one of these a while back (older model with block inlays) and it played awesome. I tried 2 at GC the other day and both were comfortable in my lap and sounded decent unplugged but had some niggles to them that made me pass. The necks seem pretty consistent on these and they are cheap. I would probably replace the stock Filtertrons however. Gretsch does not stick out in my head as a go-to jazz guitar brand.
- Ibanez AF75: I've played a bunch of artcores and they are pretty good but do seem to vary. I had a PM35 a while back so know the body shape would be comfortable. Not sure on the neck? Would probably replace the pickups.
Any suggestions are welcome.
- Eastman AR372CE: This will have the most familiar body shape to me and I know will cause no discomfort. A bit worried the sound may be a bit bright based on Eastman's reputations. They are on sale right now from Sweetwater.
-
11-23-2025 05:14 PM
-
Just to add to this - ideally I'd like the guitar new. At this point it'd have to be really exceptional for me to consider a used guitar.
-
"My dream guitar is a Gibson ES-165"
So then, you'd prefer a guitar with 1 pickup? - because all the ones you listed have 2 pickups. Preferred scale length?
Best hollowbody guitars 2025: The right guitar for you | MusicRadar
Last edited by Mick-7; 11-23-2025 at 06:06 PM.
-
The simple solution is to try hands-on before you buy, unless you just live in an area where access to brick-and-mortar music stores is impractical. Even if you have to drive a bit, it's likely to be more cost-effective and less frustrating than buying remote and having to deal with the hassle of returns. If you're really serious, a cheap Southwest Air ticket can get you to a major metropolitan market that is overflowing with archtops. Make a vakay out of it. A few traveling guitar shows pop up every year... going to one of these shows can be a great way to see/try hundreds of guitars in one venue, and maybe to find that guitar you really connect with.
Don't count out used. That $1500 budget will get you a guitar that was $3k new. Many vintage axes are well cared-for.
Taking at face value your statement that there are "hardly any hollow body guitars around me", and you must shop online, stick to reputable dealers like CME, Gruhns, Elderly... probably a few others that forum members can recommend.
And here's a really crrrrrazy idea: if the difference between your dream guitar and what you can buy now is $1500, put that $1500 down on your dream guitar, find some cheap credit, and make payments on the rest. Maybe do some side hustle on the weekends (gigs? teaching?) to make the extra dough. IDK what your situation is, but it might just be easier to find a way to come up with the extra dough than to go through a lot of gyration to accept something less than ideal. Apologies if that's inappropriate advice - just trying to think of creative solutions to your dilemma....Last edited by starjasmine; 11-23-2025 at 06:09 PM.
-
One pickup would be great but most guitars have 2 and that’s fine. Any scale length is fine. 16” max body width.
Originally Posted by Mick-7
-
The Eastman 480 is quite similar to a 165.The 480 is one of the best buys in archtop guitars.Beautifully built and they sound great.New they are more than $1500 but you can find a used one in your price range.I haven't bought a new guitar in years and my wallet is the better for it.
-
This is a good suggestion and one I overlooked. Thanks. Originally Posted by nyc chaz
-
Didn’t Ibanez just come out with a 'cheap’ Pat Martini model? Single pup, 16” or a hair under? Originally Posted by chris32895
If you want a guitar to play well, Ibanez are consistently on another level. They play themselves.
Access to this page has been denied
-
If you want an ES-165, you should get a 165, your recent experience notwithstanding. None of the (otherwise very good-to-excellent) substitutes will sound nor feel like the Gibson, nor have the neck. I have three of them, one from first year of production (1991) I've had since then; a 1992 and a 2007 with the floater (which despite all the carved tops I have, I even like it acoustically).
There are a couple of dozen on Reverb right now and many posted by sellers who accept returns. Both v1 with the set-in pickup and v2 with the floater are represented. Further, for the first time in quite awhile, there is a floater option at $2899, and there are set pickup option starting at $2995 and up. I'm sure most if not all are structurally sound; certainly most of them. Like a lot of players who want an ES-175, go through a cheaper route only to find that they wind up buying a 175 anyway, the 165 is like that, too. You might save yourself some trouble.
Phil
-
nice suggestion but I wouldn’t get along with a single coil Originally Posted by Archie
-
i understand and that was my understanding with the first 165 I got. However I do have a hard max of $1500 at this time Originally Posted by 213Cobra
-
I second this. There are lots of good ES-165s out there. If it’s what you would really like, it’s what you should go for. It’s easy to get frustrated when getting a bum guitar, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find a good one. Originally Posted by 213Cobra
Edit: I was typing my comment when you made your post about the hard $1500 max. Is there a reason not to just wait for the 165?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
This guitar replaced it, they've got a few "open box" guitars for $1400+ and the Black Friday sales are almost here: Originally Posted by nyc chaz
Eastman Guitars AR503CE Archtop Hollowbody Electric Guitar
-
Fair enough. Then I would wait until that hard max lifts. -Phil Originally Posted by chris32895
-
I had a 503. It’s a very nice guitar, I sold when I put p90s in my Epiphone.
The epi had a superficial crack that seemed to no longer be superficial and I bought a different Eastman. They’re quality instruments.
-
The 480 wasn't replaced.The 480 is part of the John Pisano line and was an anniversary model.The 503 is a carved guitar while the 480 is all laminate.OP said it is a laminate he is looking for. Originally Posted by Mick-7
-
+1. And usually if/when you part with it, it's pretty much even. Originally Posted by nyc chaz
-
I understand that and that would make sense at this time, but currently I have a total of 0 guitars so I need something. Wanting the best hassle-free instrument within my price range. This is just how it is at the moment for me. Originally Posted by 213Cobra
-
I take the view that if what's in my wallet is to pay the bills or give to my kids or give to charity, that's fine. Otherwise I'd use it to buy a guitar. Originally Posted by nyc chaz
-
Some of the older Japanese Greco 175s I've seen and heard (but not played as I'm left-handed) have been equal to many Gibsons I've come across.
Here's a recent clip featuring an ex-student of mine playing his Greco in a casual jam. A beautiful looking and sounding instrument with no changes of hardware going through a non-modded Fender Princeton reissue:
-
Originally Posted by chris32895
If you have zero guitars, this isn’t the ideal time to search for perfection. Might I suggest a squire telecaster while you sort things out?
-
Not necessarily searching for perfection, just looking for recommendations for a solid jazz guitar in a mid price range. Later on I will be in a better spot to plunk down money for a 165 or something of that sort. I could buy a tele, but I know I would not be satisfied with its sound as I want a jazz box. I'm ok not having a guitar for a couple days. I've always been a one guitar guy, and I suppose this is one of its downsides. Originally Posted by AllanAllen
-
I have a really hard time with the used Gibson prices. that have gone totally crazy since the last few years. Ok, Gibson are iconic and all that, but the OP's experience proves that it's also the brand with which you can encounter the worst problems. That's my experience too.
To keep him trying to save the money, and get an ES165, because " only Gibson is good enough..."
No, A lot of brands are as good as or better than Gibsons at lower costs. Gibsons aren't better, they're just different. Or the other way around..
I'm exactly in his case, searching for the same thing. After a month or two, the EASTMAN AR 480 Pisano model is the one I want, but I can't find it anywhere.
The P90 AR372 looks very nice, but I fear it to be too bright.
The Crossroad Vanguard has one HB and solid top.. but that brand gets me a bit nervous for some reason (the scarfed joint neck looks cheap)
The other ones that must be nice, without too much risk
* Ibanez LGB30. Dislike the tailpiece on that one but it's an easy fix
* Used Eastman AR580 or AR503
But they're solid top
-
The OP wants an archtop at $1500 or less. Why are we doing gymnastics to not answer the question? He's got no guitars now, can't afford the ES-165 now. Let's deal with what is.
The Eastman is a really nice guitar. I tried an AR371 several years back- nice neck, comfortable feel, stupidly easy to get a nice tone. If I hadn't already had a full complement of guitars, it would have gone home with me.
"Bright" is in the ear of the beholder, but the guitar and amp have tone knobs.
-
PMB, really enjoying that " casual duo jam" of your student
Reminds me of "Rene Thomas in Paris" mood.
Cunamara you're thoughts on the brightness of the AR372 are interesting.
When I tried one, you couldn't deny it's much brighter than most. It's not a tone knob thing, it's in its DNA and you can't remove it.
If you roll the tone knob too low, the sound becomes dull, not the "smokey" Metheny kind of sound.
However, the ones I tried had Kent Armstrong pickups, and it was at least ten years ago.
Eastman is a brand in constant evolution, (so am l
) (they get better and better in my opinion, me I don't know
), so today's AR372 sound maybe different ?
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos