17" carved spruce top with (single) set pickup

**husk** · 01-06-2015, 01:02 PM

Hi, on another thread somebody told me to look after 17" carved spruce top for what I'm looking for (something next to burrell midnight blue sound)...
Then I'd like to have a set pickup (single but not necessarily) to have bigger choice in replacement possibilities and because it's not for playing it unplugged.

So I start searching and have a lot difficulty to find models. The ones I found was with floating pickup, or the ones with set pickups was 16" large.

Any list of models would be much appreciate. Thanks you

**Jabberwocky** · 01-06-2015, 01:14 PM

Ibanez Artcore Sj500Vls Hollow Body Electric Guitar in V...

**pubylakeg** · 01-06-2015, 01:43 PM

What's your budget ?

**husk** · 01-06-2015, 01:54 PM

Not so much maybe 1500$ max for now. But anyway if it's above that it could still be interesting in future !

**jads57** · 01-06-2015, 02:13 PM

Look into Eastman Archtops, Loar Guitars, or a used Heritage Guitar (brand)

**redwater** · 01-06-2015, 03:37 PM

For the sound of Midnight Blue I´d consider to choose a Gibson ES175. Or better a ES165 (more usable for Jazz because of single set Humbucker)...

**redwater** · 01-06-2015, 06:41 PM

Ok, did you check the Guild A150 Savoy?

**spiral** · 01-06-2015, 06:53 PM

Peerless Cremona is the only option I can think of that is close, and even those are more than $1500 new. You can sometimes find them at that price used. Doc Dosco is your guy if you want a Peerless (and are in the US):
https://reverb.com/item/175909-carve...air-on-the-top

If you are ok with 16" you can get a very nice Eastman AR503 for $900 or less. Carved top, laminate back and sides, set in pickup, 1 3/4" nut, 25" scale. What country are you in?

**pubylakeg** · 01-06-2015, 09:19 PM

Single coils are the way to go, spruce top and 17" less important.

I'd buy a Guild Newark Street X-175 Manhattan, and some good flatwounds,

either that or wait till a used Gibson ES-175 with P90's comes along,

and devote my energy to transcribing lots of KB.

**helios** · 01-06-2015, 10:08 PM

I like the tone this fellow gets from his Eastman Jazz Elite 17 (Around $2400):

**spiral** · 01-13-2015, 02:56 PM

Not sure where you ended up but I found a Peerless "Lee" for $1600. It became the Leela recently. Carved top. 16" body. 25.5" scale. Nice case. Grover tuners. Wood binding. What's not to love? https://reverb.com/item/439852-peerl...case-2008-ruby

I don't think the 1" on the body will make a huge difference, if at all. I'd love to own one!

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 09:32 AM

Nice find, spiral. I even like the Red.

Husk, you didn't check out the Ibanez Artcore SV500VLS? It has a really nice warm velvety tone like KB's. You can play it acoustically and hear a warm woody tone. The pups are AlNiCo 58 Customs.

I have one and I really like it with D'Addario Chrome Flats. That is how it came strung from Ibanez :grin:

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 09:48 AM

Yes I did Jabberwocky, but unfortunately I'm on the old continent. I don't want to check out from overseas because of nasty import duties.

**Woody Sound** · 01-14-2015, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Husk, you didn't check out the Ibanez Artcore SV500VLS? It has a really nice warm velvety tone like KB's. You can play it acoustically and hear a warm woody tone. The pups are AlNiCo 58 Customs.

Just keep in mind that it is 24-3/4 scale. (Which I like, but others don't.)

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 10:07 AM

It is a standard classic fender scale isn't it ?

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by husk

Yes I did Jabberwocky, but unfortunately I'm on the old continent. I don't want to check out from overseas because of nasty import duties.

Oh, that's a bummer. Not for living in the auld continent but for the nasty import duty. Close to Ol' Blighty?Tokai Guitars - JS70 . Maybe get a Made in China Tokai and rout it out for a humbucker (Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday or Aaron Armstrong son of Kent son of Dan). http://www.armstrongpickups.co.uk/ .

Your best bet would be an Ibanez AFJ91 Expressionist Hollow Bodies Artcore Expressionist - AFJ91 Artcore Expressionist | Ibanez guitars . I am sure it is for sale in the old continent. Laminated spruce top, single humbucker, full rim depth, 16" hollowbody.

Important thing is get something that can get you playing.

Not exactly KB's tone but close enough that it won't matter.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 10:21 AM

https://m.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_afj91...tm?ref=msg_a_1

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Important thing is get something that can get you playing.

Not exactly KB's tone but close enough that it won't matter.

Totally agree with that. I'm always thinking like that.
Now I don't have a big budget but after I spoke with my "luthier" (I don't know the word the guy that make guitars by hands), I need at least a solid spruce top. It told me i get more brighter tough warmer tone with that, and I'm looking forward very good dynamic. He thinks solid top would bring this. But I have been very pleased by the demo of the AFJ91 though. I couldn't find the SJ500 in europe.

Now I'm thinking something like peerless journeyman...

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 10:33 AM

https://m.thomann.de/gb/peerless_gui...m?ref=mal_a_10

https://m.thomann.de/gb/peerless_gui...m?ref=mal_a_10

Je luth donc je suis

**Klatu** · 01-14-2015, 10:35 AM

I'd like to ask the question of why the guitar needs to be carved. In my opinion, the difference in tone between a carved and laminate guitar with set pickups is not as noticeable as that of a solid carved floater and a laminate set pickup.

The reason I bring this up is that if you consider your budget and your requirement for a carved guitar with set pickup, you'll limit your options to Eastman and Loar, whereas if you include set pup laminates to your criteria, your range of choices expands exponentially.

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 10:38 AM

Because even with a set/mounted pickups the solid top will enhanced dynamic and the sound will be brighter and warmer. Much what I'm searching for.

**Klatu** · 01-14-2015, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by husk

Because even with a set/mounted pickups the solid top will enhanced dynamic and the sound will be brighter and warmer. Much what I'm searching for.

Why do you say this? What guitars have you played that have led you to this conclusion?

When you refer to tones, do you mean electric or acoustic?

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 10:52 AM

Sorry I'm talking electric all the way, for acoustic my Martin is perfect !

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 11:10 AM

Our very own Jim Soloway on an earlier version of the AFJ91.

**Klatu** · 01-14-2015, 11:15 AM

If it's electric tones you're after, then my recommendation would be to add laminates to your search as the sound differences will not be nearly as significant as you seem to think.

Another thing I'd like to add is that solid carved wood used on electric archtops might produce brighter but not necessarily warmer tone. Laminate electric archtops have produced some of the warmest, creamiest sounds in recorded jazz history.