You're given $2500 to buy an archtop. Which one?

**helios** · 07-28-2017, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Used Heritage Eagle would fit nicely...or how about a NEW Ibanez AF200 Prestige?
$,2,299 incl. case.
Hollow Bodies ARTSTAR - AF200 Artstar | Ibanez guitars

I like mine a lot. Plays and sounds very nice!

**vinlander** · 07-28-2017, 07:08 AM

While I adore my Tal and think it is the best Archtop value at Gibson, it is a laminated and the OP excluded those and I doubt it *still* can be found for 2500$ nowadays; but maybe with a lot of luck. These days they are most likely 3K and over.
At that price point and looking for a carved top L5ish type of instrument, being biased for American made instrument, I would look for an Heritage Eagle

**whiskey02** · 07-28-2017, 07:42 AM

Tell us your 3 most favorite guitar recordings and players and if those represent "the tone" in your head that you want to aim for. Also, where are you located; if you're close to a major city you have a better chance of playing it before buying.

**Doublea A** · 07-28-2017, 08:00 AM

I would say either a Gibson 175, a Kenny Burrell signature from Heritage or a D'Angelico SS -Deluxe

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**Woody Sound** · 07-28-2017, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Richard Luther

I've got a bonus coming in December.

I'm looking for a carved solid (not laminate) archtop. Electric.

Which one would you buy and why? $2500 budget.

Will you be playing at home for enjoyment and maybe small quiet gigs? Or will you be playing out loudly?

How tall are you? Have you tried a full-sized 17 archtop? Is it comfy, or too big? Do you care about having full scale 25.5 neck, or is the shorter 24.75 scale more to your liking?

**Papawooly** · 07-28-2017, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

If you are not in a rush, a Gibson L-7, Gibson L-4 or a Gibson L4CES can be found at that price point.

IMO, the only guitar that can beat a carved Gibson archtop is a Carved D'Angelico archtop, and those start at about $7500.

Great suggestions. Also,since you are waiting until December, Keep the 90's L5 Studio in mind.
I got mine for less than your price, it's a fantastic professional quality gigging guitar...and it's not green!

**Jabberwocky** · 07-28-2017, 01:42 PM

Heritage Sweet 16 comes to mind. $2000 to $2400 used. Gibson L4CES for a little more, $2699 to $2999 used

. Then you may well look at the Heritage Golden Eagle or Super Eagle, $2700 to $2900.

PRS JA-15, $2100 to $2750 used. $2100 is for one with a few playing marks or "signs of ownership". Low $2000s for solid colour ones. High $2000s for ones with nice curly maple and in pristine condition. Not a true archtop as it has a blocky soundpost connecting the top and the back. It is also a wonder of CNC machining. But nice! Its unamped sound is nothing to write home about.

The new Eastman Frank Vignola: $2399 from dealers; $2499 from Ryan Thorell himself. Any other carved Eastman, below $2000.

One thing you got to watch out for is scale length. The Heritage Sweet 16, GE and SE have 25.5" SL usually. The Gibson L4CES has 24.75" SL. The PRS JA-15 has 25" SL.

PS Yeah, Gibson L5 Studio as suggested by Papawooly.

**mr. beaumont** · 07-28-2017, 02:01 PM

What kind of sound do you like? Like, name some players.

I just ask, because folks always recommend Eastman, but it seems most people aren't actually chasing that type of sound.

**docbop** · 07-28-2017, 02:26 PM

Take your time and play a lot of guitars first so you know exactly what you want. For that money there is a lot available on the used market.

Also patience pays. I thought I'd never be able to get a guitar from my favorite luthier, but right before a milestone birthday I was at his website and looked at the available guitars. There was a special priced guitar ,the model I wanted. that was ordered and never picked up and it was in the price range I could afford. I bought the guitar and it's been my #1 ever since, patience is rewarded.

**Thelonious1** · 07-28-2017, 02:39 PM

Im selling my eastman ar 810ce-sb for 1700 with a 12 pole k.a. pickup... Lmk if youre interested.

**DanielleOM** · 07-28-2017, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

What kind of sound do you like? Like, name some players.

I just ask, because folks always recommend Eastman, but it seems most people aren't actually chasing that type of sound.

I am not sure if there is an Eastman sound. I have an AR371CE, AR503CE, AR805CE and the new FV680CE. They all sound very different to me. Out of the bunch, I play the AR503CE, with La Bella 11 50 jazz flats and Benedetto A6 pickup the most. I think there's a lot to be said for finding something that's physically comfortable. For me the AR503CE works. I am still getting to know the Vignola guitar. I am really not sure how that guitar is going to fit in with what I do. I brought it out to an acoustic song circle (no mics or amps). It was really nice for that. It sounds so good with round wound strings I do not yet want to try flats on it. The AR371CE does not get much use at all anymore. Although I like the sound I do not like switching back forth between the 24 3/4 scale length and longer scale lengths.

**339 in june** · 07-28-2017, 04:17 PM

+1 for The Heritage Sweet 16
At least, when you have one, you are allowed to contribute to these "ugly headstock" threads.

**sgosnell** · 07-28-2017, 04:30 PM

An Eastman with a solid carved top doesn't sound like a Gibson with a laminated top, no doubt. But if someone asks for recommendations for a guitar with a solid top, I don't recommend one with a laminated top. The Gibson sound is not the end-all and be-all of guitar sound.

**Longways to Go** · 07-28-2017, 05:33 PM

I love my Eastman AR810ce and it gets a lot of play. It sounds great, not the least bit thin or too trebly, and it has more in common sonically with my '34 L7 than I would have ever expected.

But I didn't pay $2,500 for my Eastman (though the original owner did back in 2005!) and I wouldn't, mostly because I don't think Eastmans hold their value long term as well as something like a Gibson. IMO an old Gibson is a great bet.

I know it's not carved top, but I'd be on the hunt for an ES 165. Or perhaps I already am and I don't know I have gas yet!

**Max405** · 07-28-2017, 07:03 PM

Jabbs, you are amazing. Your knowledge is incredible. I appreciate you buddy.

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Heritage Sweet 16 comes to mind. $2000 to $2400 used. Gibson L4CES for a little more, $2699 to $2999 used

. Then you may well look at the Heritage Golden Eagle or Super Eagle, $2700 to $2900.

PRS JA-15, $2100 to $2750 used. $2100 is for one with a few playing marks or "signs of ownership". Low $2000s for solid colour ones. High $2000s for ones with nice curly maple and in pristine condition. Not a true archtop as it has a blocky soundpost connecting the top and the back. It is also a wonder of CNC machining. But nice! Its unamped sound is nothing to write home about.

The new Eastman Frank Vignola: $2399 from dealers; $2499 from Ryan Thorell himself. Any other carved Eastman, below $2000.

One thing you got to watch out for is scale length. The Heritage Sweet 16, GE and SE have 25.5" SL usually. The Gibson L4CES has 24.75" SL. The PRS JA-15 has 25" SL.

PS Yeah, Gibson L5 Studio as suggested by Papawooly.

**ThatRhythmMan** · 07-28-2017, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by vinlander

While I adore my Tal and think it is the best Archtop value at Gibson, it is a laminated and the OP excluded those and I doubt it *still* can be found for 2500$ nowadays; but maybe with a lot of luck. These days they are most likely 3K and over.
At that price point and looking for a carved top L5ish type of instrument, being biased for American made instrument, I would look for an Heritage Eagle

If you're patient and have the negotiating skills, Tals can still be had for even less than $2500.

**Richard Luther** · 07-28-2017, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

What kind of sound do you like? Like, name some players.

3 examples of what I would like to hear coming from my rig. I play on a Polytone Minibrute IV. I prefer heavy punchy mids and bass, treble dailed down. I like the percussive pop without too much bass (aka Pat Martino).

Peter Bernstein. Listen here at 2:18

Ed Bickert

Martjin van Iterson

**LeGrand** · 07-28-2017, 07:55 PM

The Ed Bickert video uses a solid body Telecaster. The Peter Beets video uses a single pick up at the neck position. Very different guitars.

**Hammertone** · 07-28-2017, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Cavalier

They look angry, better get strings on them so they can find some good vibrations!

Good point. Here's a crappy quickie shot, but this one is a bit happier.

**rio** · 07-29-2017, 09:34 AM

I would also be looking at Eastman. If I was not looking for a carved archtop then I'd be looking at an Ibanez PM-100 or Gibson ES165 or 175. But at that price range you will get the most carved bang for your buck with Eastman and you just have to decide if you want a floater or not. I disagree that a carved guitar with set pickups is not worth it - the acoustic sound is still good and it affects the electric tone. You can't get the same amplified tone from a laminate guitar then you can from a carved one and then a floating pickup carved guitar will sound different than a set pickup carved one.

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**Cavalier** · 07-29-2017, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

Good point. This one is a bit happier.

Yes, the tailpiece adds a smile.

**Thumpalumpacus** · 07-30-2017, 05:00 AM

Right under this thread on "new posts" just now:

1956 Gibson ES -175 $2500

If I had the dough I'd be all over that like white on rice.

TH · 08-01-2017, 06:53 AM

Well this is not going to be around for your Christmas bonus, but it's an excellent example of the kind of amazing bargains you can get if you think outside of the Gibson box and keep your eyes, ears and mind open. I consider these excellent guitars along with the occasional Fender D'Aquistos that appear on the used market.
This is for sale by a forum member on another thread
Yamaha AE2000 1978 | Andrew's | Reverb

David

**Doublea A** · 08-01-2017, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by LeGrand

The Ed Bickert video uses a solid body Telecaster. The Peter Beets video uses a single pick up at the neck position. Very different guitars.

12th Fret in Toronto is selling the Ed Bickert Tele.

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**2bornot2bop** · 08-02-2017, 07:22 PM

This nice single humbucker Heritage Eagle Mahogany just sold for $1300.

Heritage Eagle archtop jazz guitar | eBay

Gotta keep an eye on eBay and Reverb. There are good buys to be had.

I'd agree with buying a Tal Farlow for $3k or under if that fits your budget. No brainer acquisition and you won't lose a penny if you later choose to upgrade, or if like many you find something else that catches your eye that you can't resist.