Best Acoustic Archtops

[abracadabra]

There's a major thread on 'The Perfect Jazz Guitar' but only a few acoustics mentioned. I guess this will be a much smaller (!) thread, but which do you reckon are the best acoustic archtops? Best overall, best value, etc.

I ask because I'm thinking about buying a new guitar and I suppose I should explore the non-amp route as well as all the rest. Won't limit me too much as I don't envisage playing with others anytime soon, plus if I bought an electric I'd probably spend a lot of time playing unplugged anyway.

So what are your experiences without the plug?

[Scolohofo]

This is a terrible tread!Guitars cannot be treatenned as things!My acoutic is lovely instrument as are my alectric but they such other instruments!So my saga dg10O is nice i will never miss her untill ifund an otheracousric..................................... ......................I hope yu do

[mr. beaumont]

best overall--can't pick that.

but it's hard to argue with the godin 5th avenue for best value.

[LaVonne]

I have a 2008 Collings AT16. It's a non cutaway based on an early Gibson L5. I can't imagine a better guitar.

[JohnW400]

That Collins is a good looker allright. I like that Jazz box with the one KA pup. But I dont have $7500 laying around looking for a new home right now

When talking acoustic boxes it's probably a good idea if we knew the $$ range. Once we know that I'm sure that you'll get all kinds of helpful suggestions.

[peterk1]

I'm playing a Hopkins Contessa (hopkinsguitars.com) and absolutely love it. Very Benedetto inspired. Nice acoustic sound. Decent volume. I play/practice unplugged a lot of the time.

[abracadabra]

When talking acoustic boxes it's probably a good idea if we knew the $$ range. Once we know that I'm sure that you'll get all kinds of helpful suggestions.

Around $1000. But also generally interested in any acoustic models, just for info and because it's always nice to look at guitars!

If it has a pickup or two, that's fine too, but I'm interested in how they sound acoustically as well. I've played a bunch, but would be good to hear other experiences.

[abracadabra]

I'm playing a Hopkins Contessa (hopkinsguitars.com) and absolutely love it. Very Benedetto inspired. Nice acoustic sound. Decent volume. I play/practice unplugged a lot of the time.

Thanks for the info. Out my price range, but what a nice website. Nice to see more than one pic of the guitars for once. This may be something for the future!

[JohnW400]

For $1000 try Epiphone, Samick, for a bit more $$ look at Eastman, maybe Peerless.

Just for kicks, heres some links

archtop.com: #1 Online Marketplace for Vintage Jazz Guitars
Guitars N Jazz Featuring Palen Archtops
Home | Gbase.com> Guitars Amps & More
Lark Street Music: Vintage Guitars, Teaneck NJ
Vintage fretted musical instruments-handcrafed guitars-stringed musical instruments

[LaVonne]

Before I got the Collings I had an Eastman ar905 non-cutaway with a floating Benedetto pickup. It was a great acoustic guitar. I am selling it only because the neck was a bit too chunky for me. In terms of price range its on consignment for 51,649. Not trying to sell it on the forum but for price comparison I think its reasonable. Eastman makes some very nice sounding acoustic archie's at very reasonable prices.

The Collings was expensive and I consider myself very lucky to find one used but like new condition. It will never be worth less than I paid for it.

[JohnRosett]

LaVonne, what's that price again? Gotta be a typo.
I have a 1944 Epiphone Zenith that has a mahogany top. It's a wonderful sounding acoustic that holds it's own with the big boys. There are alot of the "student" or "budget" grade vintage archtops out there that can be had for $1000 or less that sound really good. Back in December, I was in a music store in Santa Fe, I think it was called High Desert Guitars, that had a 40's-50's Epiphone Blackstone with a professionally added cutaway for $550!

[LaVonne]

Oops hit the 5 instead of the $. $1,649. :-)

[Ray C.]

best overall--can't pick that.

but it's hard to argue with the godin 5th avenue for best value.

I agree. I just received mine yesterday. A lot of bang for the buck-a nice little guitar.

[rio]

2nding Eastmans, I have an 805ce and while I use it as an electric regularly, it holds its own as an acoustic intrument very well.

[davidblair]

I bought a 1960 Gibson ES125 for $1000. recently. It sounds good enough unplugged. It plays just great.
Repairing an old broken archtop can be rewarding. Check if the truss rod works and the top isn't sinking down.
Here's another site "archtop.com"

Hey LaVonne- How about some pics of your Collings?

[Doctor Jeff]

This Gretsch is quite a looker:

Buy Gretsch Guitars G400 Synchromatic Acoustic Guitar | 6 String Acoustic Guitars | Musician's Friend

At $1500 retail, not super cheap, but not crazy expensive either. Would love to try it out sometime...

[LaVonne]

I've uploaded 2 pics to Photobucket. Whats the best way to share them here? They aren't very good photos, too much glare.

[abracadabra]

I've also had a look at the Gretsch G100 (acoustic) or G100CE (neck pickup). Look very nice, and not too pricey either. The G100 can be had for €620 online.

I haven't found a Godin 5th Ave to play yet, but they certainly look the part, and haven't heard a bad word about them.

[mudfin]

Kinda depends on your budget. The best is very subjective, though. I picked up an S101-EHL-24, L5 copy, Chinese made. I am very happy with it, only cost $195.00. It's a great way to start, plays and sounds sweet.
Also, another factor would be what type/style music you intend to play.

I've got a Gibson J200 that is nice for strumming, and really plays nicely, but I've recently gotten into gypsy jazz, and find myself picking up the ehl-24 more. I plan on buying a gypsy guitar soon, too.

[Stringbean]

I tried a Gretsch G100 today....what a great sound. I've never played an archtop before, but I really dug it. Almost sounded like the sound was being processed, as compared to my J45. Playing the walking jazz blues lesson on it...man, that's a great sound. I've got to have it!

[GodinFan]

I use a Godin 5th Ave for playing big band rhythm guitar. Set it up with medium or heavy bronze strings and high action, and it works quite well.

[MikeJ]

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.

[JohnW400]

Mike,

Take a bus to Lark Street Music in Teaneck NJ. It's about 5 minutes from the GWB. He has some intersting stuff as well. He's closed on Saturday though. Another place to check out is Golden Age Music in Westwood NJ.

It's right by the train station so you could hop a train to Newark then Westwood (I assume your in NYC on vacation). He's got a ton of stuff there.

The last one, Guitars and Jazz has got tons of stuff as well. He may be a bit too far away.



Vintage fretted musical instruments-handcrafed guitars-stringed musical instruments
Lark Street Music: Vintage Guitars, Teaneck NJ
Guitars N Jazz Featuring Palen Archtops


also if you have time check out g-base only to get an idea of who else in NYC sell jazz boxes.

Home | Gbase.com > Guitars Amps & More

Look up archtops and then scan a few pages. You would be looking for dealer with a phone number that starts with 212 or 718. I know there a few dealers downtown where the streets have names instead of numbers but I can't remember the names .

Good Luck

[MikeJ]

Thanks John appreciated..
Here for 6 weeks so plenty of time to find something....and reading all these threads with interest.

Mike

[derek]

I had an Eastman 810ce that was a wonderful acoustic machine. I sold it because that is not my sound. Some have mentioned laminate models that though can have an acoustic sound, do not compete with their solid wood brethren unamplified.