Recommendations for budget 15 or 16 in Hollowbody archtops?

**gkorm** · 09-09-2010, 06:05 PM

Hi all,

Any favorite budget 15 or 16 inch lower bout Hollowbody archtops? I have tried a couple of the Eastmans. They are a bit out of my price range. I am hoping for something nice, and still cheaper. Also tried a Dean Deluxe (probably the low end). Nice but not much of an acoustic sound at all, at least to my ears. I wonder if I might still get lucky, or if I am dreaming.
; -)

Thanks for your input.

Best wishes,
George

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-09-2010, 06:10 PM

15" is pretty tiny. How about a Godin 5th Avenue?

**Papadoc** · 09-09-2010, 06:16 PM

I've been eying two, the Gretsch G100ce and the Ibanez AF 125. Both are under $1000. Laminated tops, but if you're going to play mostly plugged in, that won't matter much.

**woyvel** · 09-09-2010, 07:58 PM

The Loar LH350, Samick JZ-1, Epi Broadway. I do favor the Ibanez though. The AF125 is excellent. Should I be in the market, I'd try all of them.

**goshawk** · 09-09-2010, 09:11 PM

I can't recommend them because I haven't played them, but I believe the Epiphone Joe Pass, ES-175 reissue and Zephyr Regent (discontinued, I think) and the Ibanez Artcore AG series are all 16" models, and each should be available for under $1000.

**Eddie Lang** · 09-09-2010, 10:43 PM

Something good but cheaper than an Eastman, eh? And I understand that you are looking for something that you will play acoustic with. It's good that you are open to 15" guitars so that opens up a few options.

Personally, I like vintage guitars and there is a few possibilities for you on the market.

There is a few Epiphones from the mid 1930's to the 1950's that range from 14-3/4" to 16" that you can get for under $1000. Think Olympic, Zenith, Blackstone. And I am NOT talking about the newer Gibson made Epi models of the same name. Some of them were between 13" and 14-3/4" in the early 30's though, so be sure to get the proper specs unless you want a midget archtop (they are still nice in their own way though).

As for the budget vintage Gibsons, you can get L-30, L-37 and L-47 (14-3/4" wide, flat back, under $1200 - $1500 in good condition) or L-50 (same specs as above until 1935 when it switched to 16" for under or a little above $1500).

Archie · 09-10-2010, 12:10 AM

I recently sold my '59 Gretsch Clipper:

You can find these for well under $1000.

You should also be able to find a Gibson ES 135 for under $1000 (although they're semis).

**mongrel** · 09-10-2010, 08:30 AM

I believe the Dean Stylist, a fully hollow two humbucker guitar, is 15". They can be found used for under $300 US and are about as good as the other entry level Asian-mades. I like the Epi Broadways but they, like their single floater sister Regent, are 17"-ers.

**Meggy** · 09-10-2010, 09:06 AM

I think some of the Peerless models are a bit less than the Eastmans, but still a cut above the cheapest Asian archtops - might be worth considering if they fit your price range.

**RoyaleT** · 09-11-2010, 05:53 AM

I just saw a nice Aria FA-65 for less than $700 for sale in a Freehold, NJ shop. I have a FA71 and can attest to their quality for the price.

**woyvel** · 09-11-2010, 08:14 AM

Any teles in that shop in Freehold? Just curious. If so the race to NJ is on Big Daddy.

**RoyaleT** · 09-11-2010, 11:44 AM

That shop basically exists to sell vintage higher end guitars. Huge sellection of Tele's and Strats, and he's real big on LP, too. You can check out his inventory here: 9 South Guitars . Bob Martancik is a great guy to deal with and very knowledgeable. Harry at Toobz Amp repair in the same building is as excellent in his field.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by woyvel

Any teles in that shop in Freehold? Just curious. If so the race to NJ is on Big Daddy.

I'm on the wrong coast to race there, but let us know who gets there first! (I did live in Ithaca, NY, for five years, but it's been a while since I've been back.)

**gkorm** · 09-12-2010, 06:11 PM

Wow, you guys are fast! Great suggestions from all of you!! Some I had already considered, and more than a few that I hadn't. I'll check back here just in case there are more coming.

That first one on the list, Godin 5th Ave suggested by Big Daddy, is close to what I was looking at earlier, hoping to find one to try out. Actually the cutaway version is the one I would want to try.

The Loar -- didn't know that was in that low price range!

...and 9 guitars in Freehold -- what a great looking shop! I could probably get down there if I borrow a car. ; ) Might happen this fall.

Thanks again!

**mangotango** · 09-13-2010, 11:14 AM

I like the look of this place - sorry but I don't know how far from you this is. Some nice-looking guitars in there, tho'.

Electric Guitars

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-13-2010, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by gkorm

That first one on the list, Godin 5th Ave suggested by Big Daddy, is close to what I was looking at earlier, hoping to find one to try out. Actually the cutaway version is the one I would want to try.

Yeah, I think they would be hitting a sweet spot if they combined the cutaway with a single P-90 neck pickup.

**RoyaleT** · 09-13-2010, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by mangotango

I like the look of this place - sorry but I don't know how far from you this is. Some nice-looking guitars in there, tho'.

Electric Guitars

He's about 50 miles from me. Stopped in his place about 6 months ago on my way up north, nice family type shop. We're lucky to hav a few very good guitar shops within an easy drive, nice selection if you want to shop around some without having to rely on mail order or superstores geared fpr shredders.

**gkorm** · 09-13-2010, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by mangotango

I like the look of this place - sorry but I don't know how far from you this is. Some nice-looking guitars in there, tho'.

Electric Guitars

That looks great! A very full cross section of "budget" archtops along with choice mid range beauties. Very reasonable trip from NYC by car or mass transit too. : )

plus one Harmony Rocket with enough knobs to last a lifetime! ; )

**goshawk** · 09-13-2010, 07:48 PM

One more stop on the guitar tour of New Jersey:

Guitars N Jazz Featuring Palen Archtops

**0zoro** · 09-14-2010, 03:19 AM

Do any of you well traveled people know of a good shop in the DC area. I live in Stockholm but plan a visit to see my sister who lives there, and guitar shop while on shore.

**0zoro** · 09-14-2010, 06:35 AM

I have followed this thed with some interest as I am (always?) in thoughts about a new box, and the price catagory 500-1000 is where I would be found. What I dont understand is the 15" and 16" reference, nor the significance of it? My thought is that this is neck radius, what difference does a 15" have over a 16" or even a 17" except it would get some getting used to. I have a EPI dot and I believe one of the EPI´s was refered to as 17", but upon checking both Gibson and Epiphones site I found no reference.

**asedas** · 09-14-2010, 07:18 AM

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

**RoyaleT** · 09-14-2010, 07:56 AM

The 15-16-17" reference is to lower bout size, not neck radii. Many jazz box necks have about a 12" radius from what I've seen.

**0zoro** · 09-14-2010, 08:09 AM

Pls elaborate RoyaleT. If not the raduis then what? And what is the significance of the difference, need for larger hands, greater extention/fles or what?

**RoyaleT** · 09-14-2010, 08:25 AM

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.
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Acoust...ers&id=4856001