Quote Originally Posted by Grigoris
Have you tried the Archtop Tribure AT105? I'm thinking of getting one of those, instead of this second hand Epiphone which is good but I don't really know if it's such a step up from my Ibanez AF120...
Unfortunately I never have, they are hard to find locally anywhere except in Japan. I did do some research on them and they seem to be a little more lightly built (i.e. ~6lb or so) similar to '50s models. They are apparently wonderful instruments rivaling Gibson. I have had a couple Japanese guitar, Fenders and Yamahas, and I can say the reputation for Japanese quality is 100% true, all those guitars knocked me out.

Of course with import duties and shipping the AT105 will run you quite a bit more money than the Epiphone. At the same time, the Epiphone is a unique instrument given the back and sides are mahogany, which is uncommon.