Archtop suggestions on $1500 budget

**vernon** · 09-22-2014, 05:33 PM

Wow! You folks are great. I do appreciate all the wisdom, suggestions, and practical advice. It is getting me motivated to take the next steps. Thanks!

**Broyale** · 09-22-2014, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Playerizor

I would suggest Heritage but I prefer they remain incredibly undervalued so the stay affordable for me. So don't buy Heritage and certainly don't do anything that would make them more popular or more expensive.

For real. Solid, carved archtop guitars are overrated and don't even get me started on that headstock. Yeah, stay away from them Heritages.

I own a Heritage H575 that I like, btw.

**snoskier63** · 09-22-2014, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Broyale

For real. Solid, carved archtop guitars are overrated and don't even get me started on that headstock. Yeah, stay away from them Heritages.

I own a Heritage H575 that I like, btw.

That's the same thing I've been hearing about Guild guitars as long as I've known about them. If I was in a business of buying and selling for a profit I would have never suggested looking at Guild, but I have my guitars and after all these years of buying and selling to find the right guitars I am done. It only took me 35 years to get to this point, but I made it. What is so nice is that these days with construction methods as they are there is excellent quality in numerous makes of guitars, so part of the fun is in trying out many different guitars, and then trying to resist buying several.

Good luck with that!

**Hammertone** · 09-22-2014, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

... part of the fun is in trying out many different guitars, and then trying to resist buying several.

Good luck with that!

Resistance is futile.

**ronjazz** · 09-22-2014, 09:21 PM

Vernon, if you get to the CT shoreline, George Youngblood in Guilford has several nice archtops to try.

I'll tell you this, though: I've had 300 guitars, from L5s and L7s and 175s and Guilds (very underrated), a host of Ibanez copies, not bad, etc. Lots off money spent; not until I sat down and made a list of the specs of my ideal jazz guitar did one finally appear, and for $700, brand new. Best one I ever owned, although now wasted because I play only 7-string, but try stuff with an idea in mind of your satisfaction and comfort with the feel and the sound: nothing else matters. When I got that $700 guitar, I took it to the gig from the shipping office, unpackaged it, unwrapped it, opened the case, strapped it on, plugged it in, and life began anew. So you never know, until you do.

**Spook410** · 09-23-2014, 12:09 AM

So.. what if the OP isn't as interested in the electric sound as the acoustic qualities of the instrument? The latter do present themselves significantly even amplified with something like TI BeBops and a good floater pickup. That's why you go for the carved top and not the laminates. That and real live carved acoustic archtops are a joy even when they aren't plugged in.

Of course, laminates do have their place. Usually leaning against your amp.

**Teddyfm** · 09-23-2014, 05:40 AM

Hi

Here is another total stranger giving advice...

Some really good poins in this thread. Play as many as possible whitin your price range, new and used, and you will probably find an instrument that you can connect with.

I didnt and ended up with an expensive guitar that just reminds me I should have taken my time.

But then I got a Peerless Monarch. Carved with a floater. Match made in heaven for me. Its like an old friend. I have learned to get the sound I want from it. Lovely guitar.

Not me playing, but I wish...

Anyway, I am not saying you should get a Peerless, but try all the ones you can get your hands on. You will never know what instrument you are going to like.

Good luck

Ted

**snoskier63** · 09-23-2014, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Spook410

Of course, laminates do have their place. Usually leaning against your amp.

I have two 17" archtops: one carved with a floating DeArmond Rhythm Chief, and the other laminated with two single coils. The carved guitar is better unplugged, but if I wanted purely unplugged the pickup would be unnecessary.

When both are plugged in and compared they are both phenomenal guitars, but I do not feel that the carved top guitar is better, just slightly different. Despite one being laminated, it is very light and still resonates well acoustically, but because it is laminated I have less limitations with it. If I were to choose only one to keep I don't know which it would be, but I suspect it would be the laminated model due to its versatility. Fortunately, I can keep both and don't have to decide.

**Ghostlady** · 09-23-2014, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Teddyfm

Hi

Here is another total stranger giving advice...

Some really good poins in this thread. Play as many as possible whitin your price range, new and used, and you will probably find an instrument that you can connect with.

I didnt and ended up with an expensive guitar that just reminds me I should have taken my time.

But then I got a Peerless Monarch. Carved with a floater. Match made in heaven for me. Its like an old friend. I have learned to get the sound I want from it. Lovely guitar.

Not me playing, but I wish...

Anyway, I am not saying you should get a Peerless, but try all the ones you can get your hands on. You will never know what instrument you are going to like.

Good luck

Ted

The monarch is not carved, it's pressed solid. The Imperial and the Ceroma are the carved peerless models. This is not to say a pressed solid like the monarch sounds bad, they can sound great, I have a pressed solid myself with my fujigen mfa-fp which sounds great unplugged. It's another option worth considering, especially with their stated budget.

**Teddyfm** · 09-23-2014, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ghostlady

The monarch is not carved, it's pressed solid. The Imperial and the Ceroma are the carved peerless models. This is not to say a pressed solid like the monarch sounds bad, they can sound great, I have a pressed solid myself with my fujigen mfa-fp which sounds great unplugged. It's another option worth considering, especially with their stated budget.

Hi

You are right of course. Pressed solid. And yes, it does sounds pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Cheers
Ted

**2bornot2bop** · 09-23-2014, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by vernon

I am leaning toward a carved top single neck pick up.

For $1500?

That's a tough find for a single built in humbucker. You've more options for a double humbucker or floater.

For a carved archtop below $1k I'd go with the Loar LH650. Great carved archtop that covers all the bases.

And whomever said Heritage 575's are a good buy used between $1500-$2k - NOT!

They're commonly found at $1150-$1200. Check the Heritage forum.

**snoskier63** · 09-23-2014, 05:00 PM

2B,

I was one that said $1500 is a good buy for a Heritage 575. I am not familiar with the Heritage forum, so I could only go by what I see on ebay for 575's currently for sale. I apparently stand corrected.

**newsense** · 09-23-2014, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by ronjazz

Vernon, if you get to the CT shoreline, George Youngblood in Guilford has several nice archtops to try.

I'll tell you this, though: I've had 300 guitars, from L5s and L7s and 175s and Guilds (very underrated), a host of Ibanez copies, not bad, etc. Lots off money spent; not until I sat down and made a list of the specs of my ideal jazz guitar did one finally appear, and for $700, brand new. Best one I ever owned, although now wasted because I play only 7-string, but try stuff with an idea in mind of your satisfaction and comfort with the feel and the sound: nothing else matters. When I got that $700 guitar, I took it to the gig from the shipping office, unpackaged it, unwrapped it, opened the case, strapped it on, plugged it in, and life began anew. So you never know, until you do.

OK - but what was it - and when - can we still get then for $700 ?

But, perhaps I see the point you are making - the guitar you decided upon was borne of very specific individual needs, which others may not share. Hence there is little point in telling us what it was. All the same, I'm still curious to know.

**newsense** · 09-23-2014, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

And whomever said Heritage 575's are a good buy used between $1500-$2k - NOT!

They're commonly found at $1150-$1200. Check the Heritage forum.

If only that was the case in the UK. Heritage prices here are crazy. Like Gibson, plus some.

**vernon** · 09-23-2014, 05:52 PM

I will be in Chicago for a week and will have some time to try out some archtops there. The place I'm most familiar with is Chicago Music Exchange because it's close to my kids. Any other favorite shops on the north side you might suggest? Thanks again for your help.

**Spook410** · 09-23-2014, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

<snip> but I do not feel that the carved top guitar is better, just slightly different. <snip>

True, true. Nobody can say carved is better than laminate.. depends on what you play and where you play it. All I was saying was that I think a carved instrument is almost always a better acoustic guitar and that this can show up when you amplify it. For me, never having to do more than back a singer, this is great. If I had to deal with more volume than that, I would probably look for a good laminate.

As for the OP, if he is looking for more acoustic (guessing 'woody' means acoustic) carved tops excel at this. Although to your point Snosk, if you're going to play through an amp all the time, many players will find something like the Heritage 575 easier to live with while still sounding good.

**snoskier63** · 09-23-2014, 07:44 PM

Vernon,

Another suggestion I will make is to try some more expensive Archtops when you can. If you know how some higher priced guitars sound and play you will be better able to assess the sound and playability of those guitars in your price range. You will then be more certain about whether to buy at $1500, or save up a little more for something more expensive. Just a thought.

**entresz** · 09-24-2014, 01:25 AM

Check out the Gretsch Synchromatic G400s. I have one and I really like it. They have X braced pressed solid tops, laminated maple back and sides. Nice ebony fingerboard. Made in the Terada factory in Japan. It has a really nice punchy acoustic sound- not tinny sounding at all. I've used mine acoustically with a big band I play in- I stick a mic to the sound hole to compete with the amplified double bass and miked piano. It sounds very authentic. I currently have it strung up with 12-54 GHS white bronze strings. Probably going to bump it up the 13s next string change. A carved top would sound that bit sweeter, but the pressed solid top that Gretsch are using seems to work very well.

These didn't come with pickups fitted, so you'd have to factor in the cost of adding a pickup if considering one. I added a Vintage Vibe DeArmond style single coil in a Johnny Smith housing. It has a great 40's,50's sound amplified. It's pretty feed back prone though. For louder gigs I usually use my Gibson L6-S solid body instead.

I've seen used Gretsches similar to mine on eBay for less than $1500.

As I said, I really like mine and I think they're a real bargain.

**Ghostlady** · 09-24-2014, 01:46 AM

A guild a-150 may also be worth trying, not for the price. Again, pressed solid top, good acoustic character, and a de-armond pickup. The older guilds as some have stated are also great, and many are in your budget.

**Klatu** · 09-24-2014, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by DRS

I've seen nice all solid used Heritage 575s for $1500
I like my Eastman AR810CE which was $1575 CDN new.
The new Korean D'Angelico EXL1s are nice in a laminate guitars for around $1K.

Good call on the Eastman and Korean D'Angelico; however, I would hesitate to add the Heritage 575 to that list because most of the used ones I've seen for sale are asking north of the OPs budget.

As for the Eastman vs. the Heritage, they are very different instruments. If one is looking for an acoustic instrument that can be amplified effectively, the Eastman 810 is the place to look. If a primarily electric sound is desired, the Heritage and other 175 style guitars are ideal. However, don't expect much of a acoustic tone from the 575 because while it is a solid carved instrument, the plates are so thick as to cancel out the acoustic properties of such an instrument.

If you're looking for a primarily electric jazz guitar, there are more options available. One of the best values that is readily available is the Godin 5th Avenue. I'd say that it's tone and construction are on par with far more expensive instruments, and it's available at less than half of your budget.

**mr. beaumont** · 09-24-2014, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by vernon

I will be in Chicago for a week and will have some time to try out some archtops there. The place I'm most familiar with is Chicago Music Exchange because it's close to my kids. Any other favorite shops on the north side you might suggest? Thanks again for your help.

If you can, get up to Different Strummer at the old town school of folk music. Last two times I've been there, they've had a Godin 5th av Jazz model that's just great...if I had the cash, it'd be mine already.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-24-2014, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

I would hesitate to add the Heritage 575 to that list because most of the used ones I've seen for sale are asking north of the OPs budget.

I've no idea where you guys are looking for used 575's, but again, it's common to find them for sale at $1150-1200. Heritage forum, and craigslist have the lowest used prices....ebay, not so much, but even on ebay I've seen over a dozen used 575's sell at or around $1200 in the past 3 years.

I bought a mint 575, the first and last one I've owned, for $1100, off the heritage forum.

here's a craigslist ad of a custom spruce top 575 that was posted on the heritage forum....asking price was $1100:

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/fo...-north-county/

$1400 shipped, or a lower negotiated price, bought this nice 575 - see listing:

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/fo...-heritage-575/

The last 575 listed on the heritage forum sold for a negotiated price less than the sellers $1600 asking price. To expect to get $1600 for a 575 isn't realistic, as even spruce top 575's have often sold for $1400-$1500.

That's my glimpse of the market from the perspective of someone whose disinterested in that particular guitar.

FS: Heritage 575 ASB - Heritage Goods: For Sale, Trade, Wanted - Heritage Owners Club

**mr. beaumont** · 09-24-2014, 03:48 PM

That second guitar is pretty much mine exactly (though mine has a few more dings and no pickguard)

I paid $1200.

575's should definitely be on your shortlist. They amplify more like a solid wood guitar (they do not sound like a 175, which is not necessarily good or bad--just different) , but little to no feedback issues.

They're pleasant, but quiet, unplugged. They're definitely an ELECTRIC archtop overall.

**DRS** · 09-24-2014, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I've no idea where you guys are looking for used 575's, but again, it's common to find them for sale at $1150-1200. Heritage forum, and craigslist have the lowest used prices....ebay, not so much, but even on ebay I've seen over a dozen used 575's sell at or around $1200 in the past 3 years.

I bought a mint 575, the first and last one I've owned, for $1100, off the heritage forum.

here's a craigslist ad of a custom spruce top 575 that was posted on the heritage forum....asking price was $1100:

Excellent Heritage 575 Jazz Box - $1100 (North County) - Bay Watch - Heritage Owners Club

$1400 shipped, or a lower negotiated price, bought this nice 575 - see listing:

FS: Heritage 575 - Heritage Goods: For Sale, Trade, Wanted - Heritage Owners Club

The last 575 listed on the heritage forum sold for a negotiated price less than the sellers $1600 asking price. To expect to get $1600 for a 575 isn't realistic, as even spruce top 575's have often sold for $1400-$1500.

That's my glimpse of the market from the perspective of someone whose disinterested in that particular guitar.

FS: Heritage 575 ASB - Heritage Goods: For Sale, Trade, Wanted - Heritage Owners Club

I think you're spot on. There was a decent 575 for sale at Long and McQuade in Vancouver for $1575 and that's a retailer. I would've got it but I'd just bougth a new Eastman AR810CE.

**GNAPPI** · 09-25-2014, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Playerizor

I would suggest Heritage but I prefer they remain incredibly undervalued so the stay affordable for me. So don't buy Heritage and certainly don't do anything that would make them more popular or more expensive.

You can take that further... when you play out or in front of people put a piece of electrical tape over the name on the head. :-)