acoustic archtop for under... Irish folk and blues

**novello** · 06-24-2013, 04:27 PM

Hi everybody

I can imagine this question has already been asked a thousand times

but I'm looking for a specific guitar, and would like to know whether she exists or not

I'm a blues and Irish folk acoustic guitarist

I'd need a second acoustic guitar too keep one in an open/modal tuning and the other in standard tuning.

I'd play it acoustically, mainly unplugged. I'm looking for a big sounding one.
I'd put a piezo on it, though maybe I wouldn't mind a floating minihum.
So... I think I'd need the guitar to be carved out of solid wood... With a deep and fairly wide/tall body.

Other things I wish to find on an archtop for buying it:

needed
- 25,5" scale
- wide nut, 43mm or more
- large&deep (or vintage-style, but round) neck profile

heavily preferred
- NO cutaway
- natural finish available
- classic "F"/violin holes - no fancy hole shapes

...around 1000€, maybe 1200€, new or used. Used preferred.

FYK I fell in love with this one once

http://www.themusiczoo.com/images/12...l_502810_a.jpg

But just found a used one for the double of what my budget would be.

One more thing: I live in Venice. No acoustic nor floating- PU archtops around to try nor see. Chances are that if I'm going to buy one, I'd do it online... But if you know some store where I could try 2 or 3 guitars with the mentioned specs in Munich or London or Dublin... The plane ticket would cost less than the shipping so...!

Thanks a lot everyone

**jazzguitar1963** · 06-24-2013, 07:23 PM

For your budget, what you've described would only be made by Eastman. You simply won't get a carved-top archtop unless it's made in Asia. As for the non-cutaway bit - good luck finding anything in an archtop that doesn't have a cutaway. From what you've described, you will have to make some fairly large compromises to meet your budget, or double your budget.

**rpguitar** · 06-24-2013, 10:06 PM

All of the Eastman archtop lines come in non-cut form. You just have to look. 604, 605, 804, 805, 810, 904, 905, 910. Bolded ones are f-hole models that I've actually seen in non-cut. They are all 1.75" nut and 25" scale.

**Lux** · 06-25-2013, 03:37 AM

Is having it sent from the US an option? Elderly always has quite a few for sale Archtop Acoustic Guitars - Elderly Instruments

Lux

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by jazzguitar1963

For your budget, what you've described would only be made by Eastman. You simply won't get a carved-top archtop unless it's made in Asia.

That's something I imagined... Is it a really bad thing?

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by rpguitar

All of the Eastman archtop lines come in non-cut form. You just have to look. 604, 605, 804, 805, 810, 904, 905, 910. Bolded ones are f-hole models that I've actually seen in non-cut. They are all 1.75" nut and 25" scale.

Thanks a lot... On their site they say so only about the 605 and 610.

What are their street prices by the way? Are they easy to find used?

Thanks a lot

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Lux

Is having it sent from the US an option? Elderly always has quite a few for sale Archtop Acoustic Guitars - Elderly Instruments

Lux

Yes it is.

1$ + taxes and shipping = 1€ though

It's just that I have no idea of what the street prices may be for an archtop that lists 2000$

Send more e-stores links please

....and... OK, let's include cutaways!

Question: what's an Eastman neck profile like?

**Geert** · 06-25-2013, 07:13 AM

How about a The Loar LH-600/700? Allthough it is 24-3/4 scale, it is a solid wood guitar and within your budget.

The Loar - Archtop Guitars, Small Body Acoustics, and Mandolins

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Geert

How about a The Loar LH-600/700? Allthough it is 24-3/4 scale, it is a solid wood guitar and within your budget.

The Loar - Archtop Guitars, Small Body Acoustics, and Mandolins

Thanks, I did not know this manufacturer either.

What is their street price, new or used?

I'm asking because the (European) e-stores don't stock any of the Eastman nor any the Loar guitars you guys mentioned

I will email them in case but I don't want surprises..

**Geert** · 06-25-2013, 08:00 AM

I got mine from Thomann.de
Just checked their website and they seem to be running low on their stock of Loars... only a black LH-600 available.
I bought mine for around €800, but this was about 5 years ago.
Great guitar...

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 08:12 AM

Yes I see. These are the prices you expect from an Asian-made guitar.... flattop, archtop or 12string...

Why are the Loar archtops so cheap, else, why are Eastman archtops so expensive?

If I had the money for a brand new Hi-end Eastman, I'd surely have the money for a good "production" american made archtop...

**nachoga** · 06-25-2013, 10:35 AM

I don't know specifications, but probably you feel great with an old Gibson. I mean, 40's - 50's models. You can find it on Ebay (in USA, of course), for $1000-1800 if you have patient. I bought one a couple of years ago (I don't remember the model) and I think it was around $1500 including shipping (it should be $90-120). I suppose it will give you better quality than a modern Eastern guitar (I hope).

I should check ebay.com. Often USA sellers don't offer worldwide shipping, but if you ask them directly a lot of them don't have any problem to do it. This is a straight search for "Gibson archtop":

gibson archtop | eBay

For example these models look fine:

Gibson L48 Vintage 1949 Acoustic Archtop Guitar | eBay

1940's Gibson L 50 Vintage Archtop Guitar | eBay

You can check an historic Gibson archtop page to see the specific models and the specifications so you can refine yuor search.

I'll try in Italy Ebay too and select the international sellers for Gibson archtop. I found several models on England at that price.

You have to be patient and check it several weeks. It's like fishing.....

Greetings from Spain.

**novello** · 06-25-2013, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by nachoga

I don't know specifications, but probably you feel great with an old Gibson. I mean, 40's - 50's models. You can find it on Ebay (in USA, of course), for $1000-1800 if you have patient. I bought one a couple of years ago (I don't remember the model) and I think it was around $1500 including shipping (it should be $90-120). I suppose it will give you better quality than a modern Eastern guitar (I hope).

I should check ebay.com. Often USA sellers don't offer worldwide shipping, but if you ask them directly a lot of them don't have any problem to do it. This is a straight search for "Gibson archtop":

gibson archtop | eBay

For example these models look fine:

Gibson L48 Vintage 1949 Acoustic Archtop Guitar | eBay

1940's Gibson L 50 Vintage Archtop Guitar | eBay

This is something I would have never imagined, unbelievable

iii Muchas Gracias !!!

**Mike Anderson** · 06-25-2013, 12:03 PM

Personally I find the whole question confusing from the outset, having played both Irish folk (professionally for years) and blues (for fun for 30 years) - why an archtop at all? Hardly what you'd expect for either style. If it's what floats your boat esthetically, go for it, but I can't think of a single known Irish folk or blues artist who uses an archtop guitar.

**nachoga** · 06-25-2013, 06:16 PM

See that vintage guitars page:

Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson archtop vintage guitar collecting

Mine it's a L-50, very low collectible, but playable and great looking.

And read what Mike Anderson says.

Thinking in Blues and Irish, if you goes to be fingerpicker, I choose a parlor guitar. A birch wood parlor guitar for the authentic Pyamont/Delta sound, even regular or slide. Think Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake, etc. And for ragtime too. I have one from the 30's for less $300. Bass side smooth but treble side good. Not for strumming or playing without a mic.

**rgiaccio** · 06-26-2013, 07:49 PM

Consider that according to this site the L48 specifications changed over time, with mahogany or spruce top, solid or laminated; the L50 seems to have been always built with a solid top.

**nachoga** · 06-27-2013, 09:40 AM

Yes, Rgiaccio is OK. It's the same web I told you. For me it's the wikiBible for truly major label vintage guitars.

**Mike Anderson** · 07-01-2013, 06:31 PM

There's a nice gear page at Daithi Sproule's site. He is the real deal in Irish folk, maybe the OP can find some inspiration. Might add that fingerstyle doesn't really enter into Irish trad much but might be useful for your occasional ballad. Unplugged and into a mic is best - piezo is the death of tone IMO. Listen to lots of Arty McGlynn and Paul Brady. Try drop D and DADGAD and see if you like them - lots of Irish players do, but not really necessary to get the music out. But you do not need an archtop.

And man, I'm glad nobody wrote "what about BB King"?