Recommendations for budget 15 or 16 in Hollowbody archtops?

[0zoro]

Thanks RT!

[gkorm]

The bout size has a lot to do with the tone and projection of the guitar, along with materials, bracing, etc. The early archtops were large bodied acoustics, in their case size=volume in a band setting. When they became amplified, smaller bodied models were introduced since they no longer depended solely on air movement to produce sufficient volume. We're talking BODY sizes here, not neck size, radius or scale length. That is a whole different subject than was refered to in the original post about sizes. Here's a quick search result and an article on the subject.
The Acoustic Archtop Guitar - Size Matters

Great article RT! Thanks for posting. It is exactly that trade off between body size (both the width and depth) and acoustic sound, that led me to wonder, in my initial post, whether I was only dreaming about finding a smaller size that I could comfortably play, while still being able to enjoy the sound of it without plugging in -- and not paying the big bucks. In the past I owned a Super 400 -- definitely too big for me though I wish I kept it.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

A Super 400! Most anything else is going to feel small after that!

[Eddie Lang]

Good article. Thanks for posting. Unless I misread, it does suggest however that the L-5 was 17" from its introduction in 1922, which would be a mistake. It was 16"was, as was the L-4. The other archtops from that period were measuring between 13-1/2" to 15".

In the 1930's, the music changed (as it always does). The banjo had started to fade out of jazz orchestras in the 1920's to be replaced by the guitar. As the big bands were becoming more and more important, the guitar needed more volume to cut through the horns, although it was still essentially a rhythm instrument. The competition between Epiphone and Gibson was great and both companies tried to "out-size" the other by releasing larger models. In 1934, the L-5 grew to 17" and the 18" wide Super 400 came out. Epiphone's largest model was the 18-1/2" (19") wide Emperor which came out in 1936. Meanwhile, more 16" models saw the day and many existing smaller models by the two companies saw their width increasing, usually about 1".

In the late 1930's, the electric guitar arrived and changed the role of the guitar in the orchestra. First, they were just archtop guitars with pick ups and the amps were not very powerful. Later in the 1940's and mostly the 1950's, they transformed again to accommodate the increasing demand for more volume and with it, less feedback. That's when thin guitars appeared, then semi-hollow and eventually solid-bodies.

[ecohen]

Maybe try some of Ibanez AF series? They are quite nice, good quality and nice sound and are cheap. Good start to modding also.

Just got the ibanez af 75. Great hollow body for practicing unplugged. And very comfortable (and good looking).

[Eddie Lang]

This 1950 ES-150 on eBay shouldn't go for much above $1000. It's looks good, it's got a nice P-90 and it must sound pretty good when played acoustic. I have no connection with the sale, the seller or the guitar.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices