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Hi guys, I would like to purchase my first arch top guitar soon. So far my I've narrowed my choices down to the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin II CW with P90s or the Guild A150 savoy. I prefer the tone of the the A150 savoy but it might have feedback issues and + I can get the Kingpin II used for a better price. My price range is around $1200 canadian dollars. Got any other recommendations?
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11-16-2015 01:08 AM
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I'd still get the Guild. All archtops have some feedback issues and jazz shouldn't be played at Rock guitar levels anyways. I had a Kingpin II once and at least to me it was a very uninspiring guitar. But of course, that is all a matter of taste. The best, of course, would be to go to a musicstore and check them out. Especially the Kingpin should be prominently featured in canada.
Good luck!
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Ibanez pm2 or lgb30 would be my pick.
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Yeah I'm going to check both of 'em out at stores (again actually, I've played both a while back). I'd have to agree, some videos of the king pin II sound thin, but I've heard ones that sound pretty decent imo (such as this, ).
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Ibanez pm2 or lgb30 would be my pick.
Hmm not too fond of how ibanez guitar's look to be honest... I know it's trivial but it matters to me haha. Thanks for the suggestions though!
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My Ibanez rant... They "USED" to look great (IMO) before the stripped down AF/AK/AG models came out :-)
Originally Posted by BryBry
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Got any particular model recommendations? Originally Posted by GNAPPI
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In your price range you'll come away with several hundred dollars if you go with Ibanez even new. But like every guitar, your playing it is the best way to decide. Originally Posted by BryBry
The older AF 100+ models were classy looking, sound great (all these have the Super 58 pups) as were the AK/AG 100+ models. Some don't like the wood (pickguard, knobs, tailpiece) and abalone inlay appointments, I do.
My most surprising Ibanez (maybe most surprising of all my gits) is the AG86TRD. Its 15" body of bubinga over mahogany sounds very warm even with the ACH pups nobody seems to like. It's action is very Les Paul like, one of my fave players.
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Thanks for the info. Yeah that AF100 looks a lot better than the newer stuff... Sounds pretty good too! I'll probably keep an eye out for used Ibanez guitars, but I doubt I'll find any... So far the Godin is looking my best bet. Originally Posted by GNAPPI
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I've got the Guild Savoy A150 and I love it.
The top is pressed but solid and responds nicely. The neck is perfect for me
and the frets are unusually tall, which I love. At 6 lb.s the guitar is actually
relatively light (a good thing) and being thin of body fits beautifully under the arm.
I've been tempted by the Ibanez(es) over the years but too heavy for me.
This pickup sounds great to me. I even like the sweet odor the case imparts to it.
I also own a Godin 5th Ave. (non-electrified.) I'm thinking of adding the Guild 1100
pickup to it. You might consider this also.
My Savoy is part of the permanent collection. Good luck however you choose!
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Would highly recommend the AFJ95 - well within your budget tho' not including a case. 16" body, laminated spruce top, Super 58 pickups. Thankfully free of lightning bolts on the headstock or wood grain effect wallpaper on the pickguard! A steal. Same as the Peerless Renaissance Custom but then I've said that before and anyway it's a thinline. Originally Posted by BryBry
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hmm yes, the ibanez guitars are completely different guitars in looks and sound. I've just checked out the guild savoy and it looks like a great option. Solid pressed top with a floating DeArmond for that price is pretty good I think. The blonde version looks killer.
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Ephiphone ES175 premium or Joe Pass or Broadway is worth a look too. I prefer the tone over my Ibanez.
Ibanez certainly does make a bunch of nice jazz guitars though.
If I was going Godin, I'd try to move up to a Composer or Jazz model.
First archtop = FUN
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All good choices...
I will mention the Godin Kingpin--the non-cutaway version with a single P90. It is an excellent guitar, super comfortable, very good-sounding and versatile. Quite a bit cheaper than the 2-PU model, and you won't really miss that bridge pickup, even for rockabilly and blues.
BTW Godin makes a humbucker version of the Kingpin 2 as far as I know sold only at Musicians Friend. Nice choice if you prefer HB's to P90's.
Used Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II Cutaway Level 1 Cognac Burst | Musician's Friend
I currently have a Godin 5th Avenue with a floater and a Peerless Sunset. I would recommend them to anyone. I have also had a Samick-made Epi Joe Pass--also an excellent guitar. The Epi ES-175 is another thought which will probably get you closest to a 175 sound for under $1000, if that's the sound you're looking for.Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 11-16-2015 at 11:49 AM.
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Peerless Gigmaster Jazz 175
Eastman AR 371
Both sell for around $1000 and both will give you some of that ES175 vibe.
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Archtops usually come in 2 varieties Acoustic (usually carved top and back) and Hollowbodies (usually laminate construction) Although there are exceptions the acoustic carved tops tend to have floating p/ups to compliment their acoustic properties. These guitars are usually quite expensive due to labor of hand work involved.
Hollowbodies tend to have built in p/ups and are much cheaper to build as well as have way less feedback issues.
Some examples "Carved Acoustic": Gibson Johnny Smith, L-5C Premier, L-7C, Guild Artist Award, Eastman 810CE,etc.
"Hollowbodies": Gibson ES-175, Tal Farlow, Heritage H-550,Many Gretcsh Guitars, the above mentioned Ibanez and Godin's,etc.
Hope this info helps your descision!Last edited by jads57; 11-16-2015 at 11:50 AM.
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And in between the acoustic/carved and laminates are the "pressed" guitars. Solid wood, but not carved. The Peerless Monarch has solid top and back, formed by pressing not carved. Sort of a nice middle-ground. You still have a solid wood instrument, but the cost is lower.
The Loar LH650 is also an outlier in that it is carved, solid wood top and back, but is a budget guitar you can find for under $1k though they nearly always need a bit more attention on setup.
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Does it feedback when too close to the amp or at higher loud drummer volumes? Originally Posted by rabbit
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I'd strongly suggest looking for at Eastman guitars. You could well find a new one you'd be happy with for $1200 and definitely a used one could be had for the $.
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I've tried both and was disappointed. Maybe because I wasn't playing through my usual Deluxe Reverb. But if I'm going to spend that much I would probably try and find an old guild guitar. And yes I too am excited for my first arch top. It'll be nice to get that nice traditional arch top when playing jazz Originally Posted by Longways to Go
Ephiphone ES175 premium or Joe Pass or Broadway is worth a look too. I prefer the tone over my Ibanez.
Ibanez certainly does make a bunch of nice jazz guitars though.
If I was going Godin, I'd try to move up to a Composer or Jazz model.
First archtop = FUN
.
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I'll be honest, one of the reasons I wanted to stay away from them is 'cause EVERYONE in my area has an Eastman (for good reason I imagine). If I could find a used one I would definitely go for it though. Originally Posted by whiskey02
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I wanted to get the kingpin without the cutaway but after playing my acoustic w/o a cutaway for the past while I've realized how much of a difference a cutaway makes. Wow I said cutaway 3 times in that sentence! But yeah, Those extra frets are really vital to me. And I actually prefer P90's to humbuckers. Thanks for the reply Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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Here's a pic for thought. Gray Sargent, Tony Bennett's long time accompanist.
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Hi. Just a plug for the Guild A-150 Savoy. I like the uniqueness of the DeArmond 1000 and 1100 pups. Nice acoustic tone with heavier (13s) strings. I tarted mine up a bit with gold hardware and the 1100 pickup. (Pic) I also had a Godin Kingpin 5th Ave. Nice guitar as well, but not as lively as the Guild.
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I saw TWO Eastman 371's this week used at a local shop, $650 each. Were I starting in jazz and knew what I know now, I'd have grabbed one of those. Played great, sounded great, looked beautiful, priced right.
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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