Opinions on mid-priced archtops ?

[mangotango]

Newsense

This?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-AFJ...#ht_272wt_1190

[GuyBoden]

Newsense

This?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-AFJ...#ht_272wt_1190

No nonsense Newsense, make a bid for this vintage classic Gibson L50, it will also have the advantage of a good resale value:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAW-DROPPI...item1c3d1c79cf

[newsense]

Newsense

This?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-AFJ...#ht_272wt_1190

Thanks for looking out for me Mangotango. Its interesting, but it is an AFJ81, which has the ACH1 pickup, rather than the 91 which has the Super 58 Custom and a very different prospect. It would certainly need a pickup swap to be worthwhile, in which case I may as well buy a brand new AFJ91.

No nonsense Newsense, make a bid for this vintage classic Gibson L50, it will also have the advantage of a good resale value:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAW-DROPPI...item1c3d1c79cf

Yes, why not - £360, then I'd have a couple of hundred available to stick a pickup on it.........

wait a minute - you're pulling my plonker aren't you ?

[newsense]

Tried a couple of Eastmans today, an AR371CE and an AR403CE. Unfortunately both were strung with round wounds and the amp was of uncertain provenance. First impression was that acoustically they were much louder and brighter than I expected. However, I really didn't feel the rush to get the credit card out - despite the fact that there was 25% off the ticket price. Yes - 25% !! I'm going to think about it over the weekend, but currently favouring the 403 in "classic" finish.

So, for all potential Eastman buyers in the UK, you may find a trip to (wait for it) Cleckheaton worth your while. The Music Room in Cleckheaton has probably the largest stock of Eastmans, both flat-top and archtop, in the UK (http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk...acturers_id/52). All the stock of archtops are currently reduced by 25% in shop compared to the on-line prices. That means that even the £3,750 PG2-BD Signature Pagelli is reduced by 25%.

[Aant]

They even sell a blonde 371: http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk...oducts_id/6942

[GoergeBenson]

I can see these blonde ones becoming the next "japanese guitars' of the 70's in the future, if they stop making the model within the next 5-7 years, even better. Although I don't see why they should.
In 30 years time they will be quite collectable (even if they are still in production). Of course not worth buying one now to out under the bed because the value over that time would result in a loss for the original purchaser.

Not a fan of the other Eastmans. Found them just a little off the mark for what they wanted to be. I think theres a lot to be said for people 'needing' a solid top and not realising that, unless done correctly they can play and sound pretty bad.
Can you really expect a solid top guitar for $1,000 to sound like an L5?

In reality, no. IMO most solid tops are made for marketing reasons and not for the tone at that price point.

[newsense]

They even sell a blonde 371: http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk...oducts_id/6942

Unfortunately, I don't think the on-line stock list is up to date. The blonde AR371 isn't in the shop, otherwise I probably would have bought it, but they have two 403s, one in "classic" and one in sunburst. They also have a 372.

[monkmiles]

but they have two 403s, one in "classic"

Yum! My favorite jazz box! Pic of mine in my profile avatar pic.

[newsense]

Just to round this thread off, I finally took delivery of a Sunset Red Ibanez AFJ91 this week. The decision was made after playing both AR317 and AR403 Eastmans. Not saying that the Ibby is a better guitar, but suits my specific needs better. Will be posting a review in a new thread and, for the benefit of another thread started by Maxxx (https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...ound-tone.html), a comparison with my Ibanez AS153.

[mr. beaumont]

Can you post here about a new guitar without a picture? Shoot, newsense, you might get banned!



Congrats though. NGD is always a good feeling.

[newsense]

^^^^ - saving my pixels for the new thread !