Gibson Archtops returning 2026?

[AllanAllen]

That said, when I Googled this question, here's the AI generated response:

"Yes, Gibson still builds archtop guitars, but production is very limited, often through custom orders or special runs, with models like the L-5 or Byrdland appearing as dealer specials, rather than mass-produced models, due to high costs and smaller demand compared to solid-body guitars, with many discussions pointing to a shift away from regular archtop lines after factory changes...".

I wouldn't be surprised if your AI generated text was sourced from this forum.

[Litterick]

You're moving the goalpost. We are talking about archtops, carved ones at that.

We are arguing about whether Gibson is a luxury brand.

[jads57]

I actually think Gibson has made some of their best guitars for sure both electric,acoustic and Archtops in more recent years.
An I have a 1949 J-45 to compare it to as well. And I’ve owned many,more recent decade Gibson Shop and Standard thinlines,Les Pauls,etc. as well as the old 1950,60&70’s versions.

I really like Jim Hutchins,Jamie Culbertson,Phillip Wharton Archtop builds! As good as it gets at least I’m my book.
But that said not at a higher cost or even compared to certain Buscarino,Campellone,Megas, Comins,etc acoustic Archtops I’ve had opportunity to play.

[pawlowski6132]

I actually think Gibson has made some of their best guitars for sure both electric, acoustic and Archtops in more recent years.

Really? In my experience, the 'Golden Years' of Gibson flat top and archtop production were from 1925 to 1950. I'd love to hear your experiences comparing anything made recently to something form that time period.

[AllanAllen]

We are arguing about whether Gibson is a luxury brand.

Honestly. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.

Lately, I don’t think I’m making the forum a better place. I got a serious case of the grumpies and I want to get back to talking about tunes and technique.

[pawlowski6132]

Honestly. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.

Lately, I don’t think I’m making the forum a better place. I got a serious case of the grumpies and I want to get back to talking about tunes and technique.

join the club, i'm totally 'get off my lawn' guy these last few months, no patience.

[Archie]

Yes and that generation didnt grow up with the idea that if you want a good guitar you grab a Gibson (or a couple of other brands). They have been flooded with choice and some of those choices are quite good.

When a lot of us older guys expire is there going to be a glut of archtops people dont really want?
I realize there are probably a lot more young guys in the mix than I know of but Im betting its top heavy in terms of age.

And face it, we are the generation with more cash and maybe the last. The younger gen is saddled with debt and insane living costs. 10k guitars????

Don't forget the market has gotten much bigger, now with nearly 3 billion people being brought into the middle class.
Gibson are no doubt in China and India building brand loyalty and if not, they should be.
I don't see much of a future for them being based in the US and I think a Chinese mega plant, is likely a good option.
Get those Les Pauls into the hands of young Chinese kids asap, just not at US prices.

[Archie]

join the club, i'm totally 'get off my lawn' guy these last few months, no patience.

I always had you down as that guy, which I somewhat enjoyed.

[Litterick]

I couldn't think of one serious musician or well-heeled hobbyist that's in the market for an archtop that is buying anything new except perhaps from a custom luthier, especially acoustic archtops. All the good stuff was made years ago. I wouldn't take a new Gibson archtop today if you gave it to me. That could be said for their flat tops too. I don't care if it's "aged" or not. Because it's not. It's just dried out tops.

I've tried MANY of their re-issue stuff...it's all just marketing getting you to buy something that is perceived as being as good as the genuine vintage stuff. Why do you think they're doing that to begin with? The used market was active and they weren't selling that many new guitars. Just my conjecture.

I think your conjecture is right. Gibson is competing with its past. High-quality Gibson guitars can be bought second-hand. A vintage market provides the best of these guitars at high prices.

Gibson has largely abandoned the design and manufacture of new models. Instead, it continues to make its classic designs. It most expensive models imitate their originals very closely. The buyer can have a new guitar that is in almost every respect identical to a classic, but with a warranty.

[pawlowski6132]

Don't forget the market has gotten much bigger, now with nearly 3 billion people being brought into the middle class.
Gibson are no doubt in China and India building brand loyalty and if not, they should be.
I don't see much of a future for them being based in the US and I think a Chinese mega plant, is likely a good option.
Get those Les Pauls into the hands of young Chinese kids asap, just not at US prices.

You're kidding right?

[pawlowski6132]

I always had you down as that guy, which I somewhat enjoyed.

Well, I can see where this thread is heading so, I'm sure I won't disappoint you.

[Archie]

Well, I can see where this thread is heading so, I'm sure I won't disappoint you.

[jads57]

Well like I said I’m 68 years old and remember owning as well as trying many older Gibsons from the most every era. Including the really early oval hole Archtops,which were quite primitive in retrospect.

Ive also played many from the Golden Era that weren’t always so great as well. I think there’s a tendency to white wash the past or think it’s somehow more magical. And while some instruments were,not all were.


I still think Gibson with the luthiers mentioned in modern times are as good as the old revered ones.And that there is just as much if not attention paid the highest priced ones also.
I had the good fortune of playing several at Dave’s Guitar and Lavonne Music and Finearchtops.com owner Steve Wagners personal guitars.

[GuitarJay]

Yes, I was thinking that about the maple necks as I wrote it. It’s odd to my mind that Eastman didn’t go for the “classic” 175 mahogany and rosewood combo on the neck though - maybe more costly?

Agreed that it seems odd on the surface, given that they seemed to be intent on providing their version of the archetypical ES-175.

[bluejaybill]

I think Gibson is making very nice reissues of their rock and blues guitars (LP's, ES335's). These guitars are still used by top touring professionals in those fields. Very few tour with the originals (Bonamassa being the exception, and he has many he won't tour with). They are very good, even excellent, but they are not as good as the vintage ones IMHO, I don't think that's possible now, for them at least.

The problem with arch tops is that they are only used in niche music now. If I was even doing a jazz gig, I would need to think about the volume, as far as choosing a guitar. And most forms of music other than jazz are quite a bit louder. So the financial incentive to build them is not there, except at very high cost. It would be interesting to see if they can sell them, if they do make them.

[m_d]

I don't understand the whole "the price would have to be very high" discourse. Campellone is a small-scale operation and his carved tops are impeccable and quite reasonably priced. Archtop Tribute's ES-175 type model is quite beautiful and apparently an excellent instrument. It's made in Japan and priced below $1,500. Yes, not $6,000 but $1,500. I don't know how they are made and what the ratio is between human labor and machines/automation. But I can't think of a reason why Gibson can't pull it off, if they really want to. Archtops made Gibson's history and the brand is not complete without them.

[AllanAllen]

Gibson will be made in America and American labor is expensive compared to overseas labor. Skilled niche labor is even more expensive.

Fundamentally, it’s really that simple.

For example, a Campellone standard is $6,000.

[Stringswinger]

I don't understand the whole "the price would have to be very high" discourse. Campellone is a small-scale operation and his carved tops are impeccable and quite reasonably priced. Archtop Tribute's ES-175 type model is quite beautiful and apparently an excellent instrument. It's made in Japan and priced below $1,500. Yes, not $6,000 but $1,500. I don't know how they are made and what the ratio is between human labor and machines/automation. But I can't think of a reason why Gibson can't pull it off, if they really want to. Archtops made Gibson's history and the brand is not complete without them.

I believe a new Archtop Tribute ES-175 model would run in excess of 3K USD. They can be had used for $1500.

[jads57]

Well if you can live without the Brand Name there are many well built Archtops available in the used market!
I believe the Japanese Westvilles are knockoff 1950’s Gibsons.But I’ve never had a chance to play any. Perhaps others can give us a review amd comparison to their counterpart Gibsons?

[m_d]

I believe a new Archtop Tribute ES-175 model would run in excess of 3K USD. They can be had used for $1500.

In dollars it's actually $1,300 new, case not included.
ホールド性抜群のミッドデプス・モデル！
There's a fancier model with solid rims for a couple hundred more.

[m_d]

Gibson will be made in America and American labor is expensive compared to overseas labor. Skilled niche labor is even more expensive.

Fundamentally, it’s really that simple.

For example, a Campellone standard is $6,000.

Japan is extremely advanced though - IMO, after visiting the country, perhaps in fact the most advanced in the world. A very different mentality, for sure. I don't have an issue with a $6,000 Campellone, but a $6,000 ES-175 is expensive for a plywood guitar. It's hard for me to see the 175 as a "luxury item". The L-5, maybe, but not the 175.

[Alter]

For me as a musician Gibson archtop prices stopped making sense somewhere around or before Covid. You could get a 135, 150, or a 175 for very reasonable money till then.

It's just not worth the money, would rather get an Ibanez or D angelico for gigs, as I see most young musicians do.

[Mick-7]

In dollars it's actually $1,300 new, case not included.
???????????????????
There's a fancier model with solid rims for a couple hundred more.

Yes, the value of the Yen vs the U.S. Dollar is as low as it's ever been in the last 4 years, 1 Y = .63 USD now, thus the lower price for new Japanese guitars. However, the Bank of Japan intends to raise its interest rate and the value of the dollar is falling so this should turn around.

[garybaldy]

I've bought four nice Gibson archtops since covid (starting about 3 years ago) and have no regrets. I've played guitar since 1966 and decided it was time to treat myself. I do feel I made a slight mistake initially by buying quite a few 'substitutes' at the very start of covid.

[m_d]

Yes, the value of the Yen vs the U.S. Dollar is as low as it's ever been in the last 4 years, 1 Y = .63 USD now, thus the lower price for new Japanese guitars. However, the Bank of Japan intends to raise its interest rate and the value of the dollar is falling so this should turn around.

In Swiss francs at least, the ratio was roughly the same three years ago. Before that, I was not really following.