Best Acoustic Archtops

[Stringbean]

Been wandering around NYC looking for a similar thing.. but have fallen for a Megas 18" at rudy's.. little out of the budget but really nice sounding beast..
off to Mandolin Bros later in the week to see what they have that I can actually afford.

I'm gonna take a look at that Megas. The Gretsch G100 is hangin over at the new Sam Ash (the old Manny's store) on 48th.

[MikeJ]

I'm gonna take a look at that Megas.

I am trying to convince them to sell it to me at a discount but they are resisting the temptation. So don't run away with it just yet.

[NSJ]

While very happy with my guitars, if I were to think about getting an acoustic archtop, I would FIRST try to get a decent gypsy (Selmer-type) guitar. Just personal preference.

[MikeJ]

Ended up getting a 66 Johnny smith archtop frm Mandolin Bros. Its the single pickup model Sounds real nice to my old ears.

Mandolin Brothers, Ltd. - Gibson (used, 1966) Johnny Smith

[JohnW400]

Congratulations Mike. How did you lke the place? I haven't been there in a long time.
They do have some nice things there.


Coincidentaly I saw a Johnny Smith hanging up at a local Guitar Center yesterday. They wanted 10,000. I don't think it was a 66.

I was there to check out classicals so I didn't get a chance to look at it. The thing I hate about GC is that on the weekend theres always a ton of wannabe's alway checking stuff out so you really can't seriously shop there without having 20 other guitarists playing at the same time. So I basically wasted my time. I'm glad your time was more productive. Good Luck with it.

[MikeJ]

Was only me and one other there so got to play around with about 10 Archtops came down the the Johnny smith or an Anderson? (weird round offset sound hole) had a lot of fun over 2-3 hours and picked up the JS for just over 8.. Great place not as much vintage as they had when I bought the super 400 8 years ago but still some real nice gear.

and great people.

cheers

Mike

[tonedawg]

Had to put my 2 cents in... try real vintage Made in the USA guitars from the 50/60s like Guild and Epiphone they are priced between 1000 - 2000 and some you can get for under a grand. Either laminated or carve top most will have Brazilian fretboards and top quality construction. Ted Green used guilds a lot and T-100s can be had for under 1000 if you are patient.