I recently picked up an Ibanez AFS75 non tremolo Thinline model made in 2006, discontinued in 2007 I think. All the newer AFS75TD have the Tremolo. I did not want it, too heavy and I don't Whammy!
Beautiful Black finish with little time on it, I paid $299. used.
It plays like a much more expensive box. Is 16 inches at the lower bout and 1 3/4 inches thick at the edge. I put D'Addario Chrome 11-50's on it, adjusted the truss rod and this plays and sounds beautiful. I also would want a ES350T, Byrdland, or ES175T, but until I can justify spending thousands more, this is good for me. I also have an Epiphone Zephyr Regent - made by Peerless, it plays beautifully and sounds like an ES165, but it is thick, the AFS75 is much more comfortable to play, sounds like a 175T or 350T with the 2 Pups and is now my go to guitar. Find one of the AFS75 non tremolo models, you'll be glad you did. I play through a new 2010 Polytone Mega Brute. Ah, Just Right.
Last edited by BHJazzman; 04-22-2011 at 07:38 PM.
Reason: New Info detail - my Epi is made by Peerless
I ended up getting a Peerless Sunset, 2nd hand but new condition with hardcase off eBay for £316!!
It is PERFECT.
I am getting used to the gold hardware. ES350Ts and Byrdlands had gold hardware and this guitar certainly seems to be built along those lines (although the body is a bit narrower and thinner).
It plays like butter and is incredibly comfortable.
I re-strung it with TI Jazz Swing 13-53s and through my beat-up old Roland Cube 60 (1980s Japanese made orange version) it sounds lovely.
I plan to upgrade the stock Epiphone humbuckers to Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays at some point (have had experience with these on 2 other guitars and love them).
So thanks for all the suggestions.
I think the next best options for me would have been an Epi Sorrento or Dearmond Starfire 2 but I couldn't resist the price on this one!
Will get some pics up if I get a chance.
I like the Cube. It cost me £120 and I've only had it a few months and not yet gigged with it but it's very portable, clean and loud.
It's the first non-valve amp I've used for about 15 years but already it's my go-to amp for jazz (I still prefer my valve amps for everything else).
Your Peerless is VERY nice! Thanks for posting! There is just something so satisfying about owning & playing a guitar you had been searching for.
Thanks for replying re the orange Cube 60! There have been a lot of good things said about them, such that I just ordered 2 [2?!] for $115 each, incl shipping!
Very nice Sunset in deed. I am impressed. Looks like a Byrdland. Peerless is hard to find here in the USA, but if anyone is looking, Doc Dosco in Los Angeles is one source I know of.
Yeah it definitely has that Byrdland/ES350T vibe - which was kind of what I was after.
I can honestly say it plays superbly and sounds wonderful, even with the generic Chinese-made pickups (which will, at some stage, be upgraded).
I've tried it through the Cube and my '75 Princeton Reverb and the results are very pleasing with both.
Amongst other things the previous owner changed the bridge for a tune-o-matic, although the original rosewood one is included. I'm inclined to stick with the tune-o-matic as I'm happy with the tone.
He also changed the knobs from amber bell types to these reflectors. I may swap them back as the reflectors he used look a little cheap.
I may also try and get a black pickguard to make it more 350T-ish, also because the lower point of the current one slightly obscures the treble volume knob (admittedly not something I'm likely to use very much though).
I didn't post a pic of the back of the guitar, but it's a very nicely flamed, figured maple.
It's only the second time I've bought a new (or, in this case, "as new") guitar and I generally prefer a more played-in, aged look. I would like to think this one will be a keeper, so am just going to have to age it naturally myself with lots of playing!
These things currently retail at £500-£700 in the UK and are generally hard to find so I do feel like the cat that got the cream!
Possible candidate: Washburn HB-15C. Single cut, 16 inch width at lower bout, and a true hollowbody thinline (2.5 inches deep). Street price in U.S. is about $300.00 U.S.
It will likely require a fret leveling, a new bridge, and a better pickup. Mine did. But even with those upgrades it falls within your budget (at least at U.S. prices and with the luthier I go to) and it's a decent guitar after the mods are done.
I bought the one I own in 2006 and unless the specs changed since then it has a 25.5 inch scale and a medium "C" profile neck similar to many 1950's Gibsons.
ON EDIT: WOOPS! Got on the wrong page and didn't realize you bought the Peerless. Congrats. I have a Peerless built Gretsch and it's a nice guitar.
Hello all...
I just purchased and Epiphone Sorrento 62 reissue.
very sweet and comfortable to play,it looks and sounds very original like an ES 125 tc.
Very affordable but because of the limit of 1962 examples made of this reissue they will be harder to find I suggest that you go get one while you can.
One issue is making recommendations on the other side of the big pond. The guitars you are likely to see commonly in N. Ireland aren't the ones we will commonly see in E. USA. So, I don't know if, for example, the Guild Starfire II is a guitar that is commonly available to you. It was recommended earlier.
I used this guitar in jazz/stage band in high school. It was a real winner, in terms of playability and a jazzy sound. It has been made in decent quantities through the years--both in its original run, and in the reissues that came out later. They both sound and play just great.
Used copies can be had within the price range you state, I believe.
A couple of points - the Epiphone Sorrento is on sale at Musician's Friend for $499. But it has mini-HB's, wondering how suitable this is for jazz. Sure looks nice in natural.
I have a Peerless Sunset - the pickups are described as Epiphone Classic 57's, I presume made in Korea? In any event, very nice pickups that I have not had the inclination to change. It is availabe at Guitars N Jazz for $895, which is not a bad price for the quality.
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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