Top Archtops under $2800 - Sadowsky, Heritage H550,Golden Eagle, ES-175 ?

[ben2e]

To be clear, I'm not trying to spend $2800 but I'd prefer to spend no more. I've got a few semi-hollow's but play mostly jazz so would like recs on what you folks who have owned a few would recommend.

I've seen a few Heritages (H-550, a spruce top H-575) closer to $1500. Seems to be several Super Eagle's, Golden Eagle's, Sweet 16's etc for sale too a bit higher.

There's a Sadowsky LS-17 mint used a little over my limit (I'm optimistic).

A "good" condition Benedetto Bravo as well and of course tons of ES-175's.

What would you more experienced owners/players be chasing for my budget (or less).

[coolvinny]

Spend an extra $500 and get a Holst 16" laminate custom made to your specs. Eat Kraft Dinner for a couple months if necessary. It will be worth it.

(this assumes you have have tried enough guitars to know exactly what you want in a custom instrument - if not, i.e. if there is a chance of resale on the horizon, then get something used and with a big name so you will minimize your loss when you sell it)

[chrisnewlin]

I can recommend the 175 based on owning it, and being completely pleased with it for anything jazz related. Mine was made in the early 90's if you're curious. I ended up getting it for just under $1700; quite a steal for those, it seems.

You can always turn around and resell a 175, too, because unless you do something to it, they don't lose value. Although with how fantastic they are, I'm not sure you'd want to. Just my opinion

[tedium]

I went throught the same thing and I've gone for a Comins
http://www.cominsguitars.com/comins-craft-series/gcs-1es
I have just ordered mine as they are back in stock and for the introductory price of $1495 I think it is great deal.
Bill is also a great guy and he addressed any issues I had about buy it.
Check out some of the video demo's on you tube.

[Bill C]

Looking at your list of candidates I would ask, do you prefer a laminate or carved body, a 16" or 17" body, a 24.75" or 25.5" scale, a built-in or floating pickup ...?

[ben2e]

Looking at your list of candidates I would ask, do you prefer a laminate or carved body, a 16" or 17" body, a 24.75" or 25.5" scale, a built-in or floating pickup ...?

This is to play plugged in so laminate should be fine and are substantially cheaper too so just as well. I have both 24.75 and 25.5 semi-hollows. Either is fine with me. Same with the pickup. I have no strong preference there.

My only previous archtop was a Peerless Monarch. I wonder if Comins is using Peerless to build his Korean guitars.

[ben2e]

I went throught the same thing and I've gone for a Comins
http://www.cominsguitars.com/comins-craft-series/gcs-1es
I have just ordered mine as they are back in stock and for the introductory price of $1495 I think it is great deal.
Bill is also a great guy and he addressed any issues I had about buy it.
Check out some of the video demo's on you tube.

Interesting. I posted below but I wonder if the craft series are made by Peerless and if so, how similar they may be. I've heard of Comins. Interesting as my Peerless seemed to be well made but I never loved the pickups. Looks like these are semi-hollow though. I'm pretty well covered there.

Chris, I hear you on the ES-175. I'd thought Heritage there due to their steep depreciation and similar pedigree so offering a good used value. I don't see many 175's under $2k these days.

[tedium]

Contact Bill Comins , he is a top guy and I'm sure he'll answer your questions.
I'm looking forward to my Comins next week I hope and after chatting to Bill I have no doubt that it will be a great guitar.
Yes it is a semi. Good luck with finding the one.

[Spook410]

Spend an extra $500 and get a Holst 16" laminate custom made to your specs. Eat Kraft Dinner for a couple months if necessary. It will be worth it.

(this assumes you have have tried enough guitars to know exactly what you want in a custom instrument - if not, i.e. if there is a chance of resale on the horizon, then get something used and with a big name so you will minimize your loss when you sell it)

I liked this. Not because I know anything about Holst but because of the point about understanding your requirements.

I went through the process on flat tops. When I finally had a custom guitar built 15 yrs ago I knew exactly what I wanted. Even now, it would be the last guitar I would part with. I bought quality guitars in the meantime (Martin, Goodall, Gurian) and still enjoy them. I also like that they still are worth something. Materials, workmanship, value.

(side note: 20/20 hindsight I should have bought several Goodall's. Amazing guitars. Have gone up in value. Boutique maker. Who knew? Don't know what the archtop equivalent in today's market is.)

[Klatu]

If you've got $2800 burning a hole in your pocket, I think the best course of action would be to go to a high end guitar shop and play as many axes as you can get your grubby hands on. Buying a new instrument is so much fun that I'd hate the rush the process and miss out on all the great instruments I could have played.

You seem to be right on in identifying great guitars in your price range. Heritage guitars are great fun to play and very well made, so I highly recommend them; although you should go to a shop like Wolfe Guitars and go through as many of them as you can because since they are handmade, they tend to vary widely.

Another brand that I've had tremendous experiences with is Hofner. I've got a few of their guitars that I'd put up against my Heritage Guitars anyday. They feel great and have unique necks that join to the body at the 16th fret, allowing the player unprecedented access to upper frets.

Most importantly, have fun and don't forget to post pictures of your new baby once you've brought her home.

[ben2e]

I hear you on the trying and playing but even in a town like Seattle, there's very few options other than guitar center. There's a few great places for acoustic guitars but very few dealers selling new archtops. I could't live much farther away from Wolfe.

[coolvinny]

Dude, if you're in Seattle then get in touch with Joe Vinikow who operates Archtop.com. He actually has those guitars in his possession so I imagine you can go to his 'shop' and try a few models that interest you. There are lots of great luthiers whose used instruments end up with Joe - I've seen plenty under $2,800 that would be great buys.

A quick look at their current inventory shows a Martin CF-1, an Ibanez, a Nezil, used Benedettos, a "D'Aquisto" (had to put that in quotes...), a Davoe, and an ES-175 all within your budget. That will at least give you a flavour for what you like.

[rgire]

I love my Eastman AR810CE. playing with d'addario chromes (.13 -.56) through an Ultrasound amp Love it. Mellow and sweet

[feet]

as a kinda left field suggestion that hasn't been made yet, you can have pretty much any modern gretsch for a lot less than $2800. some are more suited to jazz than others, but they are all great guitars. a spruce top country club, a syncromatic g400 or maybe a 6122-1959 might be some of the more "appropriate" choices.

i'd definitely check out hofner (steals!) and heritage for that money, too. or some elitist epiphones, if you can find them.

[ben2e]

Dude, if you're in Seattle then get in touch with Joe Vinikow who operates Archtop.com. He actually has those guitars in his possession so I imagine you can go to his 'shop' and try a few models that interest you. There are lots of great luthiers whose used instruments end up with Joe - I've seen plenty under $2,800 that would be great buys.

A quick look at their current inventory shows a Martin CF-1, an Ibanez, a Nezil, used Benedettos, a "D'Aquisto" (had to put that in quotes...), a Davoe, and an ES-175 all within your budget. That will at least give you a flavour for what you like.

You're right. I went there several years ago so it may be time for a return visit. The guitars are mostly used but nice nonetheless and that Martin looks pretty nice. The 175's don't look like bargains to me. Seems like you could wait for one of the %15 off any instrument sale's at GC and get a new one. I admit that buying from Archtop.com at least gives you some level of confidence in the instrument.

[pantz]

Dude, if you're in Seattle then get in touch with Joe Vinikow who operates Archtop.com. He actually has those guitars in his possession so I imagine you can go to his 'shop' and try a few models that interest you. There are lots of great luthiers whose used instruments end up with Joe - I've seen plenty under $2,800 that would be great buys.

A quick look at their current inventory shows a Martin CF-1, an Ibanez, a Nezil, used Benedettos, a "D'Aquisto" (had to put that in quotes...), a Davoe, and an ES-175 all within your budget. That will at least give you a flavour for what you like.

That Martin CF1 is in great shape (I should know - I recently shipped it to Joe).

[ben2e]

That Martin CF1 is in great shape (I should know - I recently shipped it to Joe).

It does look nice. That's the guitar I know the least. Why'd you sell it ? How does it compare to a Sadowsky Jim Hall or the other's I was looking at ? Seems like they're priced reasonably. Guitar Center even have a couple used ones granted probably not in the shape yours is in.

[Rustic]

Check out the 2000 Devoe Florentine at Archtops.com while you're at it. What a price for an American built, hand carved custom instrument and look at that maple! He's a relatively unknown builder but has done some great work. I recently purchased one of his instruments (3rd hand) and just love it.

[pantz]

It does look nice. That's the guitar I know the least. Why'd you sell it ? How does it compare to a Sadowsky Jim Hall or the other's I was looking at ? Seems like they're priced reasonably. Guitar Center even have a couple used ones granted probably not in the shape yours is in.

It's a fantastic guitar - very loud and resonant and with plenty of overtones. Much better acoustic quality IMO than an Eastman carved top that I have. But Ive been playing my ES 175 almost exclusively for ensemble gigs and most solo stuff I use my Soloway Swan so it wasn't getting played much, and I can really use the money elsewhere right now.

It's a very different feel & sound from the ES175 and Jim Hall, IMO (although I've only played a JH on a couple of occasions so I'm no expert there). For me, the ES175 is a better fit for a do-it-all guitar (I play swing, bebop, fusion, and rock on it). The Martin is IMO a much nicer guitar but just not as versatile for the sounds I'm looking for right now. Everything about it really oozes high quality and attention to detail, though. Frankly I think the CF1s are an insane bargain. It is such a nicer guitar than my 175 w/r/t craftsmanship, even though I paid similarly for both.

I have to say I wonder almost daily whether I'm doing the right thing selling it but there is also a promise to my wife in that decision somewhere.

I consigned it with Joe and am hesitant to make too many representations about the instrument as I trust him to answer any questions about it. I will say that it is in excellent condition and is a great looking and playing guitar. It just isn't a great fit for me right now and I can't afford to keep that money tied up.

[ben2e]

Thanks. Looks like there are a few Martin CF's out there.

Does the Sadowsky Jim Hall differ from the Aria made D'Aquisto Jazz Line ? There are some conflicting claims in this forum saying Aria makes both and are nearly identical, others saying they're made in different places.

It sounds like the ply top on the Sadowsly Him Hall and LS17 are special stuff. It has to be though for the price difference.

[Bill C]

Thanks. Looks like there are a few Martin CF's out there.

Does the Sadowsky Jim Hall differ from the Aria made D'Aquisto Jazz Line ? There are some conflicting claims in this forum saying Aria makes both and are nearly identical, others saying they're made in different places.

It sounds like the ply top on the Sadowsly Him Hall and LS17 are special stuff. It has to be though for the price difference.

There's a comparison of the Sadowsky JH and the Aria Jazzline here ...

Re: Sadowsky JH Models = Long Term Value

[ben2e]

There's a comparison of the Sadowsky JH and the Aria Jazzline here ...

Re: Sadowsky JH Models = Long Term Value

Perfect, thanks. Seems like an attractive alternative vs the Sadowsky unless I'm missing something.

[2bornot2bop]

I hear you on the trying and playing but even in a town like Seattle, there's very few options other than guitar center. There's a few great places for acoustic guitars but very few dealers selling new archtops. I could't live much farther away from Wolfe.

A lack of archtop's for sale in Seattle? Well, I'm in Seattle, and there's no shortage of AT's for sale here.

[2bornot2bop]

Dude, if you're in Seattle then get in touch with Joe Vinikow who operates Archtop.com. He actually has those guitars in his possession so I imagine you can go to his 'shop' and try a few models that interest you. There are lots of great luthiers whose used instruments end up with Joe - I've seen plenty under $2,800 that would be great buys.

A quick look at their current inventory shows a Martin CF-1, an Ibanez, a Nezil, used Benedettos, a "D'Aquisto" (had to put that in quotes...), a Davoe, and an ES-175 all within your budget. That will at least give you a flavour for what you like.

Being the buyer is local he knows that any guitar he finds at Joe's place he's got to add 10% to the price of that guitar. State tax. A $3k guitar cough up another $300 bucks.

I know there are likely many folks on this forum that have done business with Joe, but the few times I succeeded in reaching him by phone he's impatient as hell. It was a totally negative experience for me. Perhaps that's only his telephone persona due to receiving lots of inquiries on listed guitars. You'd think having a local party expressing interest would receive a bit of courtesy, but that was not the case. Needless to say it left a bad taste in my mouth.

If that wasn't anyone else's experience then consider yourself more fortunate.

[sierra trekker]

Yea, I had my Sadowsky LS-17 up for sale on this forum as well a couple others and then my sanity returned. What was I thinking??