Archtop dealers near Philadelphia?

**McJazzer** · 05-26-2016, 12:22 PM

Hi everyone,
I've been saving up money for some time now so I can buy a real archtop guitar. I've done enough research on all the different options as far as size and pickup types so I have a pretty good idea of what I want. The only thing left to do is actually play the guitars but I'm having a hard time finding places I can do that.
Specifically, I live in Reading, PA - about an hour north west - so Philly is really the best spot to look but if anyone knows of any shops in surrounding areas feel free to chime in. I'm looking for a shop with a large selection of archtops I can try. My budget is around $2,000.
Thanks for the help!

**wintermoon** · 05-26-2016, 12:27 PM

I haven't been there in years, but I use to go to Cintioli's Music near the Oxford circle in the northeast.
I think I bought 4 or 5 L-5's from them over the years including a '69 I still have 30 yrs later.

**Michael M** · 05-26-2016, 12:56 PM

Guitars 'n Jazz claim to have 400 archtops in stock - Summit NJ

Archtop Guitars | Guitars 'n Jazz

**wintermoon** · 05-26-2016, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Michael M

Guitars 'n Jazz claim to have 400 archtops in stock - Summit NJ

Archtop Guitars | Guitars 'n Jazz

agreed, probably worth the extra drive

**ooglybong** · 05-26-2016, 01:04 PM

IIRC, Golden Age Fretted Instruments is not too far from G'n'J. They seem to always have archtops in stock too.

Home | Golden Age Fretted Instruments

Current Archtop inventory...

https://www.gbase.com/powered/gearli...earchbar=False

I'm about four hours north of these shops, but I do mean to make trip... sometime.
Like at some point when I "need" yet another guitar. Lol

**drbhrb** · 05-26-2016, 01:27 PM

Roxy Guitars in Roxborough stocks Heritage and some other archtops. Their hours are super weird though and the service sucks. If you can, I second the advice to go up to Guitars n Jazz. There's really nothing comparable near (or anywhere)

Edit: Looks like Roxy doesn't do Heritage anymore.

**mercosound** · 05-26-2016, 01:58 PM

Guitars n Jazz is a cool store; more archtops in one location than I've seen anywhere else. Plus, it adjoins a drugstore, where you can buy aspirins and guitar strings at the same time. Talk about one stop shopping...

**richpiv** · 05-26-2016, 06:24 PM

I live in Phoenixville and have yet to find a shop with a decent supply of archtops from the Lehigh Valley to Philly (DTown Guitars has great amps and guitars, just not archtops).

However - check Guitar Center used gear at the Cherry Hill store - Gibson ES165 Herb Ellis, Gibson L50 and Gibson L48 all in your price range.

Guitar n Jazz is great and a straight shot out I78. I may be there on Saturday for an amp if they are open.

Funny thing about GnJ, I paid for my Eastman with a credit card at the pharmacy counter and the Bank would not authorize the purchase until I called. Afterwards it struck me - why would some be spending $1,000 at a drug store?

Good luck with the search!

**McJazzer** · 05-27-2016, 12:18 PM

It looks like I'll be going to Guitars 'n Jazz sometime soon! The inventory they have is perfect for what I'm looking for. Thanks for all the help!

**jazz.fred** · 05-27-2016, 01:21 PM

Good choice!

**QAman** · 05-27-2016, 05:44 PM

Guitars n Jazz is certainly your best bet. There are many available Archtops within your budget - and a multitude of variations in construction ( i.e laminate, carved x brace , parallel brace etc). Lou is a good guy and will find you something that fits your need.

**Max405** · 05-27-2016, 06:37 PM

Re GnJ, Just make sure you make an appointment. You can't just stop in. Whoever is there at the time will most likely be with another customer.
The pharmacy is huge and it's a mess. There are guitars hanging everywhere in the pharmacy. Its kind of surreal. It's called List Pharmacy. The actual guitar store within the pharmacy is in a VERY small room. 3 people in the room will be too many. I've been there a couple of times and I choose not to shop there. And I live only 15 minutes away.
Golden Age in Westfield is a nice little store. I've been there once. Went there to buy an L7 and ended up falling in love with a Ribbecke Halfling and a Guild Artist Award. The owner, John Reynolds was a nice guy.

**QAman** · 05-27-2016, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

Re GnJ, Just make sure you make an appointment. You can't just stop in. Whoever is there at the time will most likely be with another customer.
The pharmacy is huge and it's a mess. There are guitars hanging everywhere in the pharmacy. Its kind of surreal. It's called List Pharmacy. The actual guitar store within the pharmacy is in a VERY small room. 3 people in the room will be too many. I've been there a couple of times and I choose not to shop there. And I live only 15 minutes away.
Golden Age in Westfield is a nice little store. I've been there once. Went there to buy an L7 and ended up falling in love with a Ribbecke Halfling and a Guild Artist Award. The owner, John Reynolds was a nice guy.

Joe,
I agree with you on all points. Guitars N Jazz is certainy not a place I frequent or even go to unless they have something of interest. You must make an appointment... and as you noted the pharmacy is a mess.
But....in the 2k price point, and in his geographical area, that still might be the best place to sample a variety of affordable archtops.
Ive also been to John Reynolds place a few times, but I always found too many guitars with terrible set ups, bowed necks......and I just never felt comfortable buying anything.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

**Max405** · 05-28-2016, 11:14 AM

You are dead on Steve.
Like I said, I went there once. And the guitars were not setup right.
but that Halfling was nice. Just too expensive I thought.
JD

**jasaco** · 05-28-2016, 02:47 PM

Glad you guys mentioned the shop in Westfield, NJ. I've never been there but I have a gig coming up there in August (part of their summer jazz festival; I'll be playing pedal steel jazz). I may just try to come into town early enough to visit the shop first.

**QAman** · 05-28-2016, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

You are dead on Steve.
Like I said, I went there once. And the guitars were not setup right.
but that Halfling was nice. Just too expensive I thought.
JD

Joe,
I may have played that particular Halfling, it was several years ago - and I agree - it was overpriced. I found the Halfling to be ergonomically off balance - not sure why - but an interesting concept. They seem to sell in the 4's used.
Wishing you and other forum members an enjoyable and peaceful Memorial Day. Just got back from Pattys Italian bakery with a box of Pinoli cookies.....can't wait to dig in.

**2bornot2bop** · 05-29-2016, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

agreed, probably worth the extra drive

any good cheese steak or hoagie dealers near Philly?

Oh man, I still miss 'em to this day!

**richpiv** · 05-29-2016, 07:00 PM

If Amazon gets that drone thing working, you've got it made!

**Max405** · 05-29-2016, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

any good cheese steak or hoagie dealers near Philly?

Oh man, I still miss 'em to this day!

Cheese steak? I never heard of that 2b? What is it? A steak made out cheese? I prefer cheese wiz myself.. Tony Luke's. Yeah baby.

Originally Posted by Steve Longobardi

Joe,
I may have played that particular Halfling, it was several years ago - and I agree - it was overpriced. I found the Halfling to be ergonomically off balance - not sure why - but an interesting concept. They seem to sell in the 4's used.
Wishing you and other forum members an enjoyable and peaceful Memorial Day. Just got back from Pattys Italian bakery with a box of Pinoli cookies.....can't wait to dig in.

Stevie, that halfling was unlike anything I ever heard before. I don't think it generates more bass overall, I think it just projected more of it into your face. I thought it was cool. I always wanted one and I've never owned one. That says it all.
I could smell and taste the cookies. They would go perfectly with this last bag of Casi Cielo I just opened.
i hope you and every one else having a great Memorial Day weekend.
Joe D

**neatomic** · 05-29-2016, 09:11 PM

this halfling don't sound half bad at all

fellow forum member runnin some philadelphias own -coltrane

great playin and tone

cheers

**Alexander Price** · 07-22-2016, 02:37 PM

Hey all-
I just wanted to stop back here and thank you all for the help. Last week I drove up to Guitars n Jazz and made a couple trips around the block before I remembered I'd have to enter through the pharmacy

. Lou was super cool and extremely helpful. He obviously knows a ton about archtops and I felt comfortable that I made the right choice in guitars.
Here's my new Eastman AR810:
Archtop dealers near Philadelphia?-photo-jul-13-4-36-34-pm-jpg

Archtop dealers near Philadelphia?-photo-jul-13-4-36-34-pm-jpg

Archtop dealers near Philadelphia?-photo-jul-13-4-38-33-pm-jpg

I played a lot of guitars while I was there, but I found that I really preferred the sound of the 17" guitars over the 16" ones. This guitar in particular is one of the first Eastman made with a hand rubbed varnish instead of a sprayed lacquer coating and that could be the reason this one stood out so much. Compared to the others, it's a very dynamic guitar. I've got a Kent Armstrong PAF floater to put on yet but acoustically the guitar is wonderful. Thank you everyone for the help!
And yes, I did make a new account. Unfortunately the email I've had for over a decade has been compromised.