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Hi all. I thought it might be helpful (to me at least) to compile a list of everyone's favorite or highly regarded 16'' arch tops. Let's leave the private builders out as they're not easy to get hold of and play. More readily available examples please. I'm particularly, but not only, interested in examples with somewhat reduced rim depth than say a 175. Solid carved, lam or a combination of both would be great.
I'll start.
- 50's ES175
- L4
- Benedetto Bravo
- Hofner Jazzica
ThanksLast edited by teleboli; 03-25-2015 at 08:49 PM.
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03-25-2015 08:41 PM
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All of the Boutique makers offer one Campellone, Megas, Buscarino, Elferink,etc.
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Heritage H575
Heritage H525
Heritage Sweet 16
Heritage H530
Heritage Groovemaster
Gibson L4
Gretsch New Yorker
Gretsch 6120
I think the Westerly RI Guilds had the Savoys and Manhattan models 16" as well. I could be wrong.
Anyways... that's off the top of my head.
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oh and the Ralston "Vince Lewis" 16 inch model.
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I can't say enough about my Comins Concert 16.
Last edited by kid335; 03-25-2015 at 09:43 PM.
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Collings Eastside LC.
Gibson ES-775.
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16"? Plus/minus a bit:
Hofner 450
Hofner 455
Hofner 456
Hofner 457
Hofner 458
Hofner 459
Hofner 460
Hofner 461
Hofner 462
Hofner 463
Hofner 464
Hofner 465
Hofner Senator
Hofner President
Hofner AZ Standard/Award/Special
Hofner Jazzica Special/Custom
Hofner New President/Special/Custom
Hofner Vice President
Hofner Thin President (Ist version)/Jimmy Bruno
Yer welcome.Last edited by Hammertone; 03-26-2015 at 02:37 AM.
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One of the nicest 16" archtops I've had the pleasure of owning and playing was the Sadowsky 'Jim Hall' model. Would definitely buy another one if fortune ever came back upon me.
Also had a 1960 ES-165 with a PAF, though it was a really cool looking box it just didn't do it for me, couldn't connect with it for some reason, I guess some guitars are just that way.
My only archtop nowadays is an old 16" Epiphone Emperor II. Hoping one day to get my hands on a good 16" Peerless Monarch
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If you're including Asian things, Eastman and Peerless make a bunch of nice ones.
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I like my 1949 Gibson L4C, it's 16 inch and totally hand carved, so light with a great tone, it's nothing like the later heavier L4's, I've owned it nearly 15 years, so it's definitely a keeper.
It has a floating Lollar McCarty pickguard.
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+1 for sadowsky
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vintage guild ce-100.
I think they are 16.5" bout width with 2.75" rims.
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I understand why you want a reduced depth vis-a-vis the ES-175, but let me tell you--the 175 is an absolute classic. the 16" by 3-1/2" body just pumps out great jazz. This is especially true of the light, thin laminates from the 50s and early 60s. Most of those guitars are only about 6lbs...some are 5-1/2lbs.
If you want a shallower guitar with solid construction that also just sings and sings, may I suggest The Heritage Sweet 16. Every one I have played has been a great guitar. They used to stock them at Classic Axe in Manassas, Virginia. Acoustically and electrically, the Sweet 16 is really a "sweet" guitar--even if it is named after a shotgun. (I guess Heritage _could_ have named it after a young lady's 16th birthday, but given the folks at the Parsons Street factory, I'd bet that the guitar was named after the old Remington Model 11 "Sweet 16"/Browning A-5 "Sweet 16" model of shotguns.) The builders like to both build guitars and hunt.
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Gibson ES 125
Gibson ES 125 T
Gibson ES 225 T
...
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Eastman John Pisano AR880 (hand carved spruce top, hand carved flame maple back and sides) or the AR680 (hand carved spruce top, hand carved mahogany back and sides). Really very nice guitars.
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+1
Originally Posted by 339 in june
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Beautiful Comins Kid! She's stunning! Originally Posted by kid335
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Barrymclark, you're right, the Guild Savoys were 16". I loved my X150 made in Westerly, RI. Guild's version of a 175. I wish I hadn't sold it. I now have an ES 175 1959 VOS. Great guitar, but the Guild was every bit as nice as a 175 (at least the newer ones) for less money.
Other favorite 16" archtops are the Godin 5th Avenue series--Kingpin, Jazz, Composer...
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The Ibanez AF-120 is nice and reasonably priced. The AF-200 is nice and unfortunately NOT so reasonable. The AF-195 is a nice in between model if you can find one. Didn't see the Ibanez Joe Pass in the above, but may have missed it. They are generally nice and fairly plentiful as well. My favorite is the Heritage Sweet 16. But an ES-175 is pretty hard to improve on, in my experience....
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The Borys B-120 has been around since the 70s, so you should be able to find one pretty easily. When I was at his shop a few weeks ago, he was cranking them out like he was on amphetamine!
16" with 2 and 3/4 lower bout. Laminate top.
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Eastman John Pisano AR 380. Beautiful guitar!
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My Eastman AR 371 will arrive Wednesday!
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Godin 5th Ave Acoustic
Godin 5Th Ave Kingpin
Eastman AR 805 CE
Eastman AR 805-7 CE
Eastman AR 810 CE
Eastman AR 810-7 CE
Eastman AR 905 CE
Eastman AR 905-7 CE
Eastman AR 910 CE
Eastman AR 910-7 CE
Comins
Comins 7th Ave
Dale Unger American Dream
Dale Unger American Dream 7 string
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I have a 2004 Hofner New President that was given to me... there is no fret wear... looks like it was never played... or played very little... im looking to sell it... how much should i ask for it?
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My Eastman AR371 arrived last week. It was used and I paid $625. I EL-OH-VEE-EE ITTTT
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