Best Jazz Archtops under 5000 USD?

**bigeric** · 09-16-2010, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I routinely check out the J Hale web site. They link to their used instruments for sale page on eBay. I just noticed they have a custom order (carved spruce top) Heritage H575 for $1,800. Just a tip!

I have the same guitar but with a floating pickup. I love playing this guitar!
I got mine ussd for $1200.00. It needed some neck work but was easily done. I had a solid maple 575 but I sure prefer the spruce top.

**woyvel** · 09-16-2010, 08:13 PM

+1 on the J. Hale site and the Archtop FAQ's!

**Arnesto** · 09-17-2010, 12:14 AM

I´m just bought a D´aquisto jazzline I´m very happy with her

**lizandvk** · 09-18-2010, 02:28 AM

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for all of the replies and the heaps of great info!

Here's another question....has anyone played a Gibson Byrdland? I know these go for a bit more than the originally stated 5K, but I was just wondering how people feel they stacked up against the rest!

Many thanks for all the info!

Cheers!

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 09-18-2010, 02:46 AM

With the Byrdland it's all about the short scale.

**6stringjazz** · 09-18-2010, 09:55 AM

To me, the Byrdland doesn't quite have the fat tone that a longer scale guitar would have, although Anthony Wilson sure makes it sound great. I have a friend with one, and the short scale neck really takes some getting used to. Some of them also have very thin necks which makes it even more uncomfortable to me.

**meritonemusic** · 09-18-2010, 10:26 AM

i'm a big fan of Aria's archtops.. I saw uk jazz guitar great Jim Mullen many years ago playing an aria (which I believe he normally does) - and went and got one for myself.. I have 3 of them now, absolutely LOVE them, dead cheap too!

**JArent** · 09-20-2010, 11:07 PM

Kopp custom archtops!

Kopp Archtops|Hand Carved Archtop Guitars By Denny Kopp

**wizard3739** · 09-21-2010, 12:07 AM

I love my Sadowsky "Jim Hall model" and believe it to be the best guitar I have ever played. From my viewpoint, it has no feedback or volume/tone issues and is easy and inspiring to play. Before getting my Sadowsky, I was adamantly a fan of the vintage archtops, having owned and played many, many of them. All of them seemed to have feedback issues and were uncomfortable for me at a gig. Those of you who haven't tried a Sadowsky should try to find one and give it a good test run. You may be pleasantly surprised!

wiz

**MemphisD** · 04-07-2013, 03:48 PM

Sometimes cheap is good. I just bought an Ibanez AFJ85. I love it.

**jtizzle** · 04-07-2013, 04:39 PM

Victor Baker will make you a sweet, decked out carved Archtop for some over 5k. I paid more than 5k for mine and it's well worth it.
He also makes high quality laminates that won't run you as much as a Sadowsky, a really nicely decked out one will probably run you around 4k, whereas the Sadowsky's are 4k and change. Couple of hundred in price difference.

I was actually considering Sadowsky before VB, but I realized that Sadowsky makes laminates, when I wanted my sound to be a little more acoustic, and VB made cheaper solid tops than say, Benedetto. I paid a little over a grand than I would for a Jim Hall Sadowsky, and got a much better instrument, starting with the carved top.

EDIT: Didn't even realize, but you bumped a 3 year old thread...

**Archtop 13** · 04-07-2013, 06:24 PM

I think you might do well to contact some builders & discuss your needs. I can certainly build a nice instrument in that range. If you're going to she'll out that type of money, it should be made to fit you & your playing. Talking with a few different builders should give you a good idea of what you get for your money & where their expertise lies.

**pingu** · 04-07-2013, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by meritonemusic

i'm a big fan of Aria's archtops.. I saw uk jazz guitar great Jim Mullen many years ago playing an aria (which I believe he normally does) - and went and got one for myself.. I have 3 of them now, absolutely LOVE them, dead cheap too!

Yeah I'm a big Jim Mullen fan

Which aria is best for you for Jazz ?

**DC Ron** · 04-07-2013, 07:03 PM

I'd go for a vintage ES-175 or L-7/L-7C. Classic jazz tones and rock solid resale...

**Jazz_175** · 04-08-2013, 02:16 AM

For a laminate one consider also COllings Eastside LC

**Leunam** · 04-08-2013, 03:22 AM

Eastman Pagelli PG1 Pagelli Signature Archtop

manuel Home

**DRS** · 04-08-2013, 03:11 PM

The OP started this thread 3 years ago. His last post here was Oct 2010. Has he found a guitar?
FYI, a previous poster from 2010 suggested Painter and Moll. I understand neither of these builders is building guitars anymore.

**Spook410** · 04-08-2013, 05:18 PM

I am a little confused by some of the answers. In this price range wouldn't you be looking for something with superlative acoustic capabilities to be leveraged in controlled environments? Seems that if playability and live performance were the areas to be optimized a Gibson ES175 or Heritage H575 would do about as well as any other laminate? Wish I had a Sadowsky around here so I could understand the great enthusiasm for these among experienced players.

**gianluca** · 04-15-2013, 05:32 PM

this is a 1998 Gibson LeGrand: extremely low action and playbility and it is just a little over 5k

Best Jazz Archtops under 5000 USD?-dsc02540-jpg

**gianluca** · 04-15-2013, 05:45 PM

Best Jazz Archtops under 5000 USD?-dsc02542-jpg

**2bornot2bop** · 04-16-2013, 12:18 PM

[QUOTE=gianluca;318098]this is a 1998 Gibson LeGrand: extremely low action and playbility and it is just a little over 5k[QUOTE]

A little over $5k Euro's you mean? Never seen a LeGrand priced that cheaply in the US.