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I'm looking for a good archtop seven string for under 1200. But I don't know really know anything about them. Anyone more knowledgable than me out there? I'd like it to be my all around guitar and use it for any musical situation. So far I've been looking at the ibanez artcore which I've heard good things about, but it's just the first one I've come across.
Thanks!
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11-26-2013 02:43 PM
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Does it have to be a big archtop? Eastman El Reys come in a 7 string version. I think you can still see one on the JHale web site. Closer to $2K than 1200, though.
Here are some characteristics for a dream 7-string for me:
multi-scale neck (fan-fretted)
headless
ergonomic
chunky neck profile
smallish body
Does it exist?
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Strandberg can make you that guitar: http://strandbergguitars.com/
Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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You've mentioned the Artcore model, but when you say all around guitar, what do you mean exactly? If you want a guitar to to do distorted tones and things like that, the Artcore probably isn't a good choice, and you'd be better served picking up a solidbody Ibanez 7 string guitar (or any of the numerous companies that now make them). Originally Posted by Jesterbob
Last edited by JSanta; 11-26-2013 at 03:22 PM.
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Chris Forshage can make that. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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Except I want it for less than a grand. Originally Posted by marcwhy
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Can't help you there Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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AFIK, the new Ibanez is the only factory made Archtop 7 string in the $1,000 range. They are very recent additions to the lineup, so I haven't been able to even see one yet. The other guitars in the Artcore series are quite nice though, so I'm sure this one will be good too. Schecter used to make a Jazz 7 model which was cheap, but it wasn't quite perfect (it had two pickups and it was a thinner body).
Keith
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Floatingpickup is right, the Ibanez is the only new archtop in that price range (of course, NAMM is right around the corner). The Ibanez 7 from the 90's will run closer to $2000 used, but it's a nice guitar. You *might* find a used Eastman 7 for around $1500-$1600 (I hesitated and missed one). There is a fellow that sells Chinese 7 strings on e-Bay for little money, but gererally, the reviews I have read are not favorable; YMMV. I always have my eye out for a deal but still haven't bitten. If you want to go solid body, the Agile T-7 Texan 7 string has gotten pretty good reviews at $500, and looks basically like a 7 string Tele. The new Agile T-725 7 in natural with a black pickguard looks great to me at $525. Man, once I can play again...
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Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
Hilarious.
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The older Ibanez you are referring to is the AF-207. I have one and it is a very nice guitar. They were made in Japan. What I like about it is that it is a 16" body with a 24.75" scale and the nut width is a little narrower than Benedetto's, American Archtops etc, making the guitar very comfortable. As you said, they go for around $2,000 and they aren't too easy to find. I know of one here in Ontario that the guy might be interested in selling. Here is a picture of mine alongside that one. Originally Posted by ah.clem
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Hmm so I guess it's pretty slim pickin' if you're not willing to go into the two thousand range. That's the impression I got from just looking around online. By "all around" I meant all around for jazz, ie not a guitar strictly for solo chord melody stuff, but for playing with a band or solo or anything like that. I definitely want an archtop, carved would be nice. The reviews I've read for the Artcore is pretty good, the occassional quality control issues. I'd like to go a little higher quality, but I'd really want to make sure I was getting all the bang for my buck if I'm spending two grand on a guitar lol.
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I know. I'm not looking for an archtop. A plank is okay. Originally Posted by marcwhy
Hilarious.
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The Ibanez is a fine guitar, but it is different that the Eastman costing close to $2k. I have an Eastman 805 7 string and it is fantastic and worth every penny I paid for it. They are very different instruments though. The Ibanez has the set in pickups and is a laminate guitar so it won't be as acoustically lively as the Eastman, but will be more resistant to feedback, which is something to consider. The Eastman also has a nitro finish versus the poly on the Ibanez. Originally Posted by Jesterbob
The tone and feel the Eastman offers is what I hear in my head. Short of buying a Benedetto (which is on my dream list), the 805 is perfect for me.
That all being said, the Ibanez is an excellent value that will serve you well for many years.
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Have you spent any time playing 7-string yet or is this just something you're considering? If you haven't tried it a bit, then I'd suggest going really cheap at first. 7-string is definitely not for everyone and they are really difficult to sell for a decent price. I played 7-string exclusively for about 8 years but I always advise people to start with a cheap used Ibanez or Schecter. It won't look right but it gives you a chance to explore the concept for very little money and whether you decide to move to something better or give it up altogether, you can unload it for a fire-sale price and not lose much in the process. Originally Posted by Jesterbob
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Thinking about my dream, I realize it's actually several dreams. I'd like to try out some unusual features. In particular: Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
- a 7-string guitar
- a guitar with a multi-scale neck (fan-fretted)
- a headless guitar
- an ergonomic guitar
I'm not keen on splashing out on a fancy archtop, so any of these could be a solid-body plank guitar. I'd just rather it didn't look all pointy and shreddy.
THEN, as a short-cut or cost saving measure, these features could be combined, maybe even into one guitar! That's how I came to my first idea, but I'm really thinking it would be cool to check out several features.
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Your dream isn't unusual: Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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Yep, Strandberg was already mentioned for Big Daddy's dream (see above), and I mentioned Forshage, who has built the same dream guitar. BD later said, though, that he would like it in the $1000 range, so the dream remains elusive .. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
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It would have to be Asian.
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I just checked out the Strandberg web site. Much drool.
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I've been following the Strandbergs and posted some link on this forum over the years, I first read about Ola Strandberg on Building the Ergonomic Guitar Web site here http://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/ Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
Yes, an Asian Strandberg copy would be less expensive, but the 7 string Headless Tuners will still be expensive items.
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Ola recently began a production line here in the US, but prices are in the mid $2k's for them. I had one of the 8 string production guitars and it was incredible.
OP, sorry to derail your thread so much.
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My personal point of view is that an ergonomic guitar would be better "Made to measure", built to fit the user, we all have differing body shapes, arm lengths etc, so a mass production line ergonomic guitar won't really fit all body shapes. Originally Posted by JSanta
IMHO
Guy
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Rick Toone ergo: about $5-6K. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
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That's key, finding a cheaper source for that part. I guess it's specialized and it seems that every fan-fretted guitar uses the same independent bridge/tuner device. I don't see why it can't be less expensive. I don't know who makes it, but they may have a monopoly. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
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