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

**gator811** · 08-02-2017, 07:45 PM

Play as many as possible and if its in your budget , buy the one that feels and sounds the best.
Archtops (especially solid wood) are as varied and pernickety as the people who play them - some of the lower cost ones are dreadful - all cosmetics, poor fretwork, feedback issues, dead notes and horrible mid range zingers. But I recently tried a $900 D"Angelico Premier XL1 that felt and sounded better than any archtop I have ever played in the -$3000 range - a bit rough in the finish but light , responsive, even and ultimately a better intrument to play music on.

**Richard Luther** · 08-09-2017, 10:37 PM

Thanks everyone for the input.

I've played a bunch of guitars based on the recommendations and did tons of research.

The winner is...

Heritage. I played a 575. Plays like butter. Solid carved top, back and sides. I'm seeing them on Reverb for $1350 and up. Great value. American made. Kalamazoo watch makers. A beast of a guitar.

My very first guitar was a Gibson 330. Second (and the one I took with me to GIT in 1987) was a Gibson 350. Thereafter, all Japanese Ibanez (late 70s and early 80s).

The Heritage is unlike any other. Great feel. Great sound. Awesome price points.

Thanks again for helping me (was close to pulling the trigger on a late 70s Ibanez). Can't wait to get my bonus and find my Heritage.

Still undecided on a 575 or an Eagle. Life is so hard....

**blackcat** · 08-10-2017, 08:11 AM

Perhaps something completely different?

https://www.facebook.com/FibonacciGu...5822605673034/

Will post clips/pics of mine on NGD after the end of the month, meantime: Fibonacci Diablo Sienna Sunburst - Guitar Village

Exactly on budget at current exchange rates.

**Frank67** · 08-10-2017, 08:13 AM

Good choice Richard! Between the 575 and the Eagle it is only a matter of preference. The eagle will be a bit more L5'ish and the 575 likely a bit brighter, but you can't go far astray with either.

Good luck with the final decision and finding a good one at the right price point!

**Gitfiddler** · 08-10-2017, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

Good choice Richard! Between the 575 and the Eagle it is only a matter of preference. The eagle will be a bit more L5'ish and the 575 likely a bit brighter, but you can't go far astray with either.

Good luck with the final decision and finding a good one at the right price point!

Agree!!

**pingu** · 08-10-2017, 08:34 PM

A nice es150 ...

**rhoadsscholar** · 08-10-2017, 10:56 PM

You might like the sweet 16 and they can be had in your price range. Built like the eagle, shaped like the 575 / 175 with a 25 1/2"" scale. Higher end appointments too. 575, Eagle Classic, Sweet 16, all great Heritage choices. Come join the club.

**DanielleOM** · 08-11-2017, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by rhoadsscholar

You might like the sweet 16 and they can be had in your price range. Built like the eagle, shaped like the 575 / 175 with a 25 1/2"" scale. Higher end appointments too. 575, Eagle Classic, Sweet 16, all great Heritage choices. Come join the club.

Ever see any these around with a 1 3/4 nut?

**Richard Luther** · 08-11-2017, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by rhoadsscholar

You might like the sweet 16 and they can be had in your price range. Built like the eagle, shaped like the 575 / 175 with a 25 1/2"" scale. Higher end appointments too. 575, Eagle Classic, Sweet 16, all great Heritage choices. Come join the club.

Like this one on New Jersey craigslist? Damn beautiful guitar...

2008 Heritage Sweet 16 Jazz Guitar - musical instruments - by owner - sale

**Richard Luther** · 08-13-2017, 11:09 AM

I'm embarrassed to admit how little I knew about Heritage Guitars. Thanks again guys for the recommendation. Amazing company...

**Gitfiddler** · 08-13-2017, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Luther

I'm embarrassed to admit how little I knew about Heritage Guitars. Thanks again guys for the recommendation. Amazing company...

Don't be embarrassed. Many folks still don't know about Heritage Guitars. I consider myself lucky to have learned about them early in their history, and got the bug.

Hand made. High quality. Habit forming. That's Heritage!

Here's a few that have passed through my hands. Still have the Golden Eagle and 575 Custom.

**rio** · 08-13-2017, 10:29 PM

I would get an Ibanez PM100 or an ES-175 used. I have both and both are good and if I had to choose one...I would probably choose the Ibanez. For carved archtops I might go with a Heritage or Eastman but I would have to play them first to be 100% sure. For the laminates less so, at least with detailed pictures. Carved archtops can just vary so much in how they sound, and I know that there are great, good, so so and poor 175s but I do think that the variance in carved guitars is higher.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**sandal90** · 08-25-2017, 01:48 PM

it would probably be one of these
Gretsch G5623 Electromatic Center-Block Bono Red Electric Guitar
Godin Montreal Premiere TriplePlay - Sunburst High Gloss | Sweetwater

**lawson-stone** · 08-25-2017, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Don't be embarrassed. Many folks still don't know about Heritage Guitars. I consider myself lucky to have learned about them early in their history, and got the bug.

Hand made. High quality. Habit forming. That's Heritage!

Here's a few that have passed through my hands. Still have the Golden Eagle and 575 Custom.

A great regret in my life is that I sold my natural finish 1990's Heritage Golden Eagle. I am haunted every day by the memory of that guitar.