Is peerless the closest we have to a Gibson ES-175 clone?

**jazz.fred** · 08-12-2016, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

i have tried some of the korean guilds and thought they sounded amazing.

Are Guilds made in Korea? I thought they were made in China.

**Greentone** · 08-12-2016, 08:25 PM

Some of the Fender-era Guilds were made in China. They sound and play pretty good, to me. I played a D-50 flattop from China that was wonderful. It didn't sound anything like my 1970 D-50, at all, but it sounded at least as good--in its own way. Two different, but excellent guitars. The Chinese D-50 was much brighter.

**agentsmith** · 08-12-2016, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Top of the Arch!

Yes, you are correct, I may have made a mistake with the model #s. If I can ever move my long scale Byrdland, Ill be getting that 50s burst single p90 350 he has. Bob

have you compared a real 350 to the Tribute model? Those 350s look great. Always wanted one but not for $6k

**2bornot2bop** · 08-12-2016, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

For what it's worth, the Cremona has a scarf-jointed neck as well.

As does the $6k plus Gibson Solid Formed

**skykomishone** · 08-12-2016, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

As does the $6k plus Gibson Solid Formed

Johnny would be proud of Joe for that. No doubt about it. Gets a sweet sound out of that guitar for sure. I've often heard the comment that such and such icon could get a tree limb to sound good. That's not true. I've not seen many of them playing tree limbs. A nice sounding and playing guitar is what most masters play, and what you hear is their enjoyment of the sound coming together with their energy, knowledge, and love of the music expressed through a nice guitar. I've played a lot of guitars, pianos, etc., and you don't want the instrument to be the constraint.

**Cunamara** · 08-12-2016, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

you might have missed it. I already have a real, vintage 175. Looking for a cheaper guitar in the $1k range to use for air travel.

If you're going to insist that it sound like a "real" ES-175, it doesn't exist. Simple as that. The only thing that sounds like a Gibson ES-175 is a Gibson ES-175. And half of those don't sound like that.

**abelljo** · 08-13-2016, 12:12 AM

Get a vintage Greco or Burny copy. The go between 700 and 900 on ebay and reverb.

**va3ux** · 08-13-2016, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

you might have missed it. I already have a real, vintage 175. Looking for a cheaper guitar in the $1k range to use for air travel.

Your posts remind me a lot of Jack Zucker. A lot!

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-13-2016, 08:06 AM

I have a Peerless Sunset. Very well made, nice ergonomics, and a real looker to boot. Great gigging guitar. It has Epi Classic 57's which I think work well with the guitar. It has a surprisingly loud acoustic sound and a real mellow tone--I would describe it as Grant Greenish. I wouldn't say it has the airiness of the fuller-bodied 175, but it's a good guitar in its own right.

I will second what others have said about the Godin Kingpin 2 and Composer. Also great guitars for the money.

**339 in june** · 08-13-2016, 08:30 AM

And what about a real 175, with broken and (well) repaired neck ?
Still thunky enough ?
Below 1 000 $ ?

**jazz.fred** · 08-13-2016, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

Never been much of a fan of peerless but given the poor gibson 175 style guitars from eastman, heritage, d'angelico, etc., i was listening to some peerless 175 style guitars and I think they are the closest I've heard.

Can anyone recommend some good clips that perhaps I have not seen/heard?

Which Peerless models have you played? Gigmaster 175 Jazz?

I played a Gigmaster Jazz as well as an Eastman AR371 at GuitarsnJazz and liked them both. I finally decided on a Peerless Monarch 16. Each had its own unique feel and tone.

If you really want an ES175, nothing else will suffice. Pull out that credit card and buy your heart's desire.

P.S. I would hardly describe my Heritage H575 Custom as "poor".

**Naquat** · 08-13-2016, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

wow, that sounds amazing. Possibly the best 175 copy I've heard. Do you have a link to where I could purchase?

They Japanese guy in the first video(the one you didn't like) is also playing the same brand guitar but it looks smaller and thinner than a 175. Perhaps a GB10 type clone?

**agentsmith** · 08-13-2016, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by jazz.fred

Which Peerless models have you played? Gigmaster 175 Jazz?

I played a Gigmaster Jazz as well as an Eastman AR371 at GuitarsnJazz and liked them both. I finally decided on a Peerless Monarch 16. Each had its own unique feel and tone.

If you really want an ES175, nothing else will suffice. Pull out that credit card and buy your heart's desire.

P.S. I would hardly describe my Heritage H575 Custom as "poor".

i haven't played one in person. that's why I was asking about clips. I already have a 175 (as I've said several times) . I'm looking for a $1k option for air travel. And the 575 doesn't have thunk like a 175

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-13-2016, 10:12 AM

Agentsmith I might be interested in selling my Peerless. Not that I don't like it, au contraire, but last winter I got a Gibson 135 which is now my main guitar, and I have a few too many instruments. (I know, you can never have too many, right?) We're thinking of moving in the next year to a smaller place.

So if you're at all interested, send me a PM.

**agentsmith** · 08-13-2016, 10:18 AM

and regarding greco, the quality doesn't impress me in the pix. see the misalignment of the 3pc neck heel?

These are not the same guitar. Seems as if there is an issue here. This is one reason I'm not fond of glued on neck heels.

Is peerless the closest we have to a Gibson ES-175 clone?-oo3sgeraqbfejuut6uus-jpg

Is peerless the closest we have to a Gibson ES-175 clone?-oo3sgeraqbfejuut6uus-jpg

Is peerless the closest we have to a Gibson ES-175 clone?-zwc7jkayfn687xcayjev-jpg

**jazz.fred** · 08-13-2016, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

i haven't played one in person. that's why I was asking about clips. I already have a 175 (as I've said several times) . I'm looking for a $1k option for air travel. And the 575 doesn't have thunk like a 175

Sorry about the new 175 comment. A senior moment.

Peerless Gigmaster is a nice guitar as is the Eastman AR371. Not sure if either is what you're looking for.

**agentsmith** · 08-13-2016, 11:57 AM

also on those AT guitars from japan, I found out that the difference between the AT175 and AT101 is that the AT175 series has lacquer finish, solid rims and hand made bridge. The AT101 is poly, all laminate and generic bridge.

**newsense** · 08-13-2016, 01:46 PM

Here is Dan from Foulds playing a Peerless Gigmaster - the nearest Peerless model in spec to a 175.

Does it have thunk ?

I also have a Gigmaster - but dan plays better than I do. I have never played a Gibson, so I cannot compare how my Gigmaster sounds.

**agentsmith** · 08-13-2016, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the clip. I did hear that on youtube. I'm not hearing much thunk on that clip. It sort of has that generic sound, somewhat like the samick guitars I've heard. Definitely not the best peerless clip I've heard.

**Cunamara** · 08-13-2016, 02:04 PM

Maybe what you need is a case that you'd be comfortable using for flying with your ES-175, like the pros use for flying with their $10,000 axes. That's going to be much easier to find.

**carlescountry** · 08-13-2016, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Naquat

They Japanese guy in the first video(the one you didn't like) is also playing the same brand guitar but it looks smaller and thinner than a 175. Perhaps a GB10 type clone?

Archtop Tribute has different types of size 175. A few months ago I bought an AT175 (the most similar model they have to Gibson 175) with only an humbucker in the neck. It has Honduras mahogany neck, Madagascar Rosewood fretboard, Madagascar Rosewood Vintage Handmade Replica Bridge Assembly (made by themselves), all nitro cellulose lacquer finish. That model is now discontinued because it was impossible to keep the price due to price increases Honduras mahogany (on the website there are only stocks of the model with P90). It has been converted to the ATC175, which has solid hard maple sides instead of hard maple plywood of AT175.

This is an old and incomplete catalog of Archtop Tribute
http://www.walkin.co.jp/at-jazzlife.pdf

**zephyrregent** · 08-13-2016, 05:04 PM

Here's a video with a comparison of a Gibson 175, Peerless Gigmaster and Chinese L5 copy. I liked the tone of the 175 best. The other guitars sound thin and bright.

It sounds like what you want is a two pickup laminate guitar for around $1000. For that price range, it might be best to replace the pickups on whatever laminate you buy to give it an acceptable humbucker jazz tone. I have a D'Angelico EX-DH which is a smaller 16" x 2 1/2" body guitar with 2 humbuckers. I plan to eventually replace the pickups but it sounds okay now. The quality and playability is great. Many guitars in the under $1500 price range use cheap import model Kent Armstrong pickups. There is a big selection of pickups available and Kent Armstrong does make higher quality hand wired pickups.

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-13-2016, 06:33 PM

It sounds like there's more reverb and/or chorus or delay with the Gigmaster recording. I agree not as full as the 175, but it is a very nice tone IMO reminiscent of Pat Metheny's early 175 tones. So I personally would not kick the Gigmaster out of bed, as it were.

For much less than a new Gibson, for me it would be a contender.

**agentsmith** · 08-13-2016, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

It sounds like there's more reverb and/or chorus or delay with the Gigmaster recording. I agree not as full as the 175, but it is a very nice tone IMO reminiscent of Pat Metheny's early 175 tones. So I personally would not kick the Gigmaster out of bed, as it were.

For much less than a new Gibson, for me it would be a contender.

i agree!

**2bornot2bop** · 08-13-2016, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

It sounds like there's more reverb and/or chorus or delay with the Gigmaster recording. I agree not as full as the 175, but it is a very nice tone IMO reminiscent of Pat Metheny's early 175 tones. So I personally would not kick the Gigmaster out of bed, as it were.

For much less than a new Gibson, for me it would be a contender.

very poorly recorded. you hear the room more than the guitar!