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The Ibanez GB-10 is such a nice convenient guitar, at a reasonable price point, and it has always been such a successful model. Why don't other big name makers offer a similar line of smaller archtops? I'm sure they're missing the boat.
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10-20-2014 08:43 AM
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Eastman makes a couple of smaller archtops that have been met with positive reviews. Most prominent among them is the El Rey model, a 14" fully hollow solid carved archtop. They also offer 14" and 15" versions of their solid wood, fully hollow 335 style instruments.
If I recall, Gretsch offered mini versions of their more popular models, including a mini 6120 Jr. which measured 14" across the lower bout; however, I do believe it has been discontinued.
It seems to me that whatever niche market there is for small body electric archtops is being served by the limited offerings of aforementioned manufacturers, otherwise Gibson and other competing companies would be offering such products.
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What makes you think they don't?
Originally Posted by Klatu
15.5" Gibson L-5's:
Danny W.
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Got it. I haven't seen the 15" L5, but would I be correct in assuming that it's a very high end custom instrument? How many other production level small body electrics can you think of? Honestly, I can't think of too many.
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I was thinking more of a tradition looking smaller lam archtop, reasonably priced. Like maybe $1500-$3000. Eastman had the 803-15, but I think it was solid carved, and discontinued now anyway.
Last edited by Woody Sound; 10-20-2014 at 10:22 AM.
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Ibanez has had one in their lineup, the AF75 and that's 15 inches, two humbuckers and fully hollow. You can get these for about $400. But you're right, there is a much greater preference for larger boxes. People equate body size with a certain sound, the instruments their idols play with their own abilities to play that way. It's not a norm of jazz guitarists, especially jazz traditionalists, to play a smaller guitar. The origins of the jazz guitar were in acoustic big bands and the bigger is better, louder thump and chunk is necessary school of playing. The needs have evolved, the guitars have changed but attitudes have their own pace of acceptance.
You can find what you're looking for, but you may need to turn a few more stones to get there.
David
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The Eatman T165 might get you close with its 15" single cutaway design. It's a solid carved instrument, though.
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Is it really hollow though? It has a stop-bar tp. Originally Posted by Klatu
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It is really hollow. Like the T185, it is fully carved, but features a block under the bridge to fasten the tailpiece. I have a T186 and can tell you that it's an effective design because it manages to provide the resonance of a hollow body while greatly limiting feedback.
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Here's one that appears to be in your wheelhouse:
https://reverb.com/item/291731-eastm...pup-ohsc-26152
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The Sadowsky Bruno and SS, Victor Baker's Model 14 and others already mentioned. I've become a fan of small archies with my GB10 and VB I like the size for comfort and the sound is full and very defined.
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Thanks, but I was thinking reasonably priced - somewhere below $3k. Originally Posted by docbop
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Check out Ibanez they have a inexpensive model that is similar to the GB10 in size. Sorry I can't keep track of their model numbers. Plus if patient you can find deals on GB10's that's how I got mine. You find where some Rocker thought have a hollowbody would be cool and then gave up. My GB10 when I got it had 9's on it and action almost on the fretboard. Patience pays off. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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The Peerless Sunset and Godin Premiere are both smaller thinline jazz guitars, both under $1500.
I appreciate the comfort value of the thin body, but I wouldn't get much benefit from a bout less than 15". That size is the most comfortable for me hands down.
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The biggest and the best do offer such guitars. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
they're not as well known because, well because they're small. Most people who want arch tops want 17 inch guitars. Fewer folks will go for 18 and 16. Fewer still for the smaller guitar. Many will just opt for a 335 or clone if going there.
that said, I once owned a beautiful Gibson Lee Ritenour L5 signature, so there ya go.
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The GB model from this luthier is about as good as it gets in a smaller jazz guitar. They are phenomenal guitars, but unfortunately tend to run in the $5.5k CDN range.
Harrison Guitars, Gallery
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Those are nice krusty. What is it about Canadian guitars?
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Gibson has the Johnny A Signature model. It's an interesting guitar. Perhaps I would build it without a Bigsby arm. Almost certainly I wouldn't use Richlite for the fingerboard--but that might get Gibson raided again.
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Ah, the Gary Benson Model - cool little guitars! The Twelfth Fret occasionally has a used one for way less. Doug builds really great guitars and works in the Fret's repair department in addition to building his own instruments. Originally Posted by krusty
It's available without the Bigsby. Also available is the Johnny A Standard (all mahogany body/neck, rosewood board), that usually comes with a simple tune-o-matic/stop tailpiece set-up. Originally Posted by Greentone
My guess is that 16" archtops sell way more than any other archtop size, but I don't have any data to support that. Pure conjecture... Originally Posted by fumblefingers
Last edited by Hammertone; 10-20-2014 at 06:00 PM.
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I'm pretty sure the Johnny A Standard hard tail is either discontinued or on hiatus. I looked for one in august and there were none to be found, new or used. (It should probably also be noted that the Johnny A is a 25.5" scale length guitar)
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True - neither the Johnny A Signature or Standard are commonplace.
Here's a Signature with a stop tailpiece:
Gibson Custom Shop Johnny A Signature Guitar 2004 711106184135 | eBay
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And three cheers for one of the true good ol' boys, Jeff Hale !!!
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I like this one the best: Originally Posted by krusty
What I like about the above guitar and the GB10 is that they look in proportion relative to the smaller body size. Most of the other 15/14 inch archtops I see look a bit funny in that respect. Like a comical shrunken down version of a 'real' archtop. I think the El Reys look good though.
The main advantage for me in having a smaller body archtop would be for playing with a strap while sitting down - the optimum strap height I use for playing standing up doesn't work when seated using a 16" guitar. However, I'm put off by the weight of the GB10's - a heavy guitar in an ergonomic shape to me is somewhat counterproductive.
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Victor Baker Model 14 Custom:
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