Peerless Imperial

**Carloscepinha** · 08-01-2018, 09:47 AM

I've been almost closing deal on so many "great guitars" that I never had the chance to test because they are almost never available, hard to find them or hard to find someone owning them.

Tested many 335s, 330s, 175s, one 165 and 175 Herb Ellis, etc... some Framus AZs... some Luthier made archtops, one of wich I really liked was a 16" 2.5" build buy a guy that was established builder of classical guitars and bought the Benedetto book. It had all the "classic" features you would expect, and I really liked the sound a lot more than any other guitar ever tested.

I wasn't very much into this brand, I've been looking into so many expensive instruments for a while...

But then had the chance to try the Peerless from a guy that represents them I think, he also got a Peerless Carved Monarch 40th year limited edition wich I forgot to take some pictures, it was a nice looking instrument and played really well, just not the power acoustically.

Strumming the first chord on the Imperial and I was shocked. I went back and forth bettween the 2 guitars trying to understand it: the Monarch40 had a soundpost. Still I was astonished at the quality at this price point and over the first few days I've searched for problems: I couldn't wrap my head around how much guitar I was getting, there had to be a catch.
(maybe the unique measure on the scale lenght or radious could be a compromise, or the finish, etc)

The guitar is very sturdy despite being light. The finish might not be the most vintage looking but the instrument is very well protected. The Top is 5mm and the neck is a medium C (I believe) that feels very well balanced overall, I really liked it. Getting used to the 15.75" radius it starts to feel extremely confortable. The sound is incredible I've been able to comp acoustically for a Trumpet.

Peerless Imperial-20180730_234348-jpg

**Carloscepinha** · 08-01-2018, 09:49 AM

**docdosco** · 08-01-2018, 10:29 AM

Couldn't see any pictures...... however I have one with Carlos and his Imperial.

He looked very happy with his Peerless and when I heard how well he played I made him an offer to be an endorsee. My job is really to name endorsers and promote Peerless in the US market but I have several players in Italy and now Carlos from Portugal in my Peerless Artist roster. You must admit, Carlos does look great with the Peerless Imperial. I play one too. I would never give it up. My Imperial or my left nut? Hmmmmmm.... dunno..... I'd give up the nut on the Imperial as that nut I can replace. I don't currently use my left nut much these days, but I think I'd rather keep it anyway I guess... just in case.... : )

**Woody Sound** · 08-01-2018, 11:21 AM

Carlos must be a tall guy. That 17" guitar looks small in his arms.

**Carloscepinha** · 08-01-2018, 11:50 AM

Thank you very much Doc, I am really happy and most honoured.

The guitar surprised me, I spent almost 1 week in denial of what I had picked up. My GF was angry at my meditative state. I thought I had to spend at least 3k to get a guitar that sounded like this, after all the ones I tried.

Woody Sound, I'm 6 and half feet, wich is close to 2 meters.

I wouldn't mind getting a 18" x 4" sized Peerless Imperial. Or even 19" x 4"3/8 maybe something along those lines would make me look/feel the same way many people feel about the size of most archtops.

**Rob MacKillop** · 08-01-2018, 12:03 PM

Congratulations, Carlos. It looks stunning!

**citizenk74** · 08-01-2018, 12:10 PM

What a lovely instrument. Congratulations, and play it in good health!

**docdosco** · 08-01-2018, 12:16 PM

Mark Elf is a small man.... odd that his name is Elf.... however he plays a gigantic guitar..... (very well too)

**guido5** · 08-01-2018, 12:36 PM

Looks great Carlos! Play it in good health!

**Carloscepinha** · 08-01-2018, 12:44 PM

some pictures I got in a jam I found another Peerless guitar there!

thank you very much for all the support, very appreciated guys
I've been allways a bit shy here, the forum comunity is terrific, very knowledgeable and full of talented musicians

Peerless Imperial-img_8061-jpg

**Carloscepinha** · 08-06-2018, 09:26 PM

Just a little quick demo I got with the cellphone

**Max405** · 08-07-2018, 08:58 AM

Carlos,
You did really good!
I was also amazed at the excellent build quality of all the Peerless guitars that I checked out at a local shop here in NJ.
I love the pictures you took of the inside of the guitar.
Your enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. Keep it up.
And enjoy your new guitar. It is beautiful.
Joe D

**Greentone** · 08-07-2018, 09:39 AM

Sounds good, Carlos

**Carloscepinha** · 08-10-2018, 11:55 AM

Thank you very much guys. I forget to take measurements and pictures everytime I pickup any guitar... I wish I would do so since it helps our "research?".

Just changed strings 12chromes to 12rounds... I'm still getting used and usualy I find major improvement on any guitar I take to setup by the luthier I usualy go, (during winter). Even if I have all the info and all the "right measurements", rulers and tools, his expertise plays the major role.

I forgot to put Peerless Imperial on the thread title and only noticed now that it cannot be edited.

**Carloscepinha** · 08-10-2018, 11:58 AM

someone requested me some back pics on private message I tought it would be nice to share them here
Peerless Imperial-20180810_162836-jpg

**rolijen** · 08-10-2018, 07:31 PM

Very nice, Carlos!

Roli

**Davide _Ibanez** · 08-15-2018, 01:43 PM

What's body length? (without neck)

Inviato dal mio ANE-LX1 utilizzando Tapatalk

**73Fender** · 08-16-2018, 07:18 AM

Congrats. It is beautiful, I will be researching this model at some point.

And the way your first impression confirmed it and your smile playing it says it all. Sometimes we have to listen to our instincts in these matters.

**Carloscepinha** · 08-16-2018, 03:07 PM

Thank you guys

The body lenght is 21" or very close.

I got some videos from a gig.

**Greentone** · 08-16-2018, 03:27 PM

Carlos,

Sounds great. Nica's Dream is one of my favorite charts.

**Carloscepinha** · 08-16-2018, 05:04 PM

Thanks a lot Greentone, it is one of my favourite too, I just learned it recently.

We were jamming more than actually playing rehersed stuff. I forgot to post another video from the gig.

**Max405** · 08-16-2018, 07:29 PM

Now that’s Jazz! Well done Carlos. You are on your way. The guitar covers the right sound. Really really nice.
And im proud of you. There were lots of distractions in that club and you maintained your focus.
I would have told the drummer to start over at least 8 or 9 times..
JD

**rio** · 08-17-2018, 02:33 PM

Very nice looking and sounding guitar! I have only heard good things about Peerless and have been curious to try one some time.

Originally Posted by Max405

Carlos,
You did really good!
I was also amazed at the excellent build quality of all the Peerless guitars that I checked out at a local shop here in NJ.
I love the pictures you took of the inside of the guitar.
Your enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. Keep it up.
And enjoy your new guitar. It is beautiful.
Joe D

Where was it, Guitars N Jazz? I haven’t been up there for a while and I forgot if Lou carries Peerless. Wherever it is, if it’s not too far from central NJ I’ll have to go check it out because I’ve always wanted to see what Peerless guitars were all about.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Max405** · 08-17-2018, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by rio

Very nice looking and sounding guitar! I have only heard good things about Peerless and have been curious to try one some time.

Where was it, Guitars N Jazz? I haven’t been up there for a while and I forgot if Lou carries Peerless. Wherever it is, if it’s not too far from central NJ I’ll have to go check it out because I’ve always wanted to see what Peerless guitars were all about.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hey Rio, Yes GnJ.
It’s in beautiful downtown Summit. The location is a beat up old Pharmacy called List Pharmacy. You walk in, it’s a mess. But there are guitars hanging all over the place. Make an appointment. He’s never there. He pissed me off a while ago. Personally, not a fan.
if you want to buy, order one from Doc Dosco who seems like a complete gentleman.
JD

**Carloscepinha** · 08-17-2018, 10:02 PM

Thanks a lot guys, I'm flattered.

I just checked out your website Max, and wow, it's pretty amazing. I really dig it, the reviews the videos the arrangements and interpretations. The guitars are amazing of course.

I did try some like the 165 Herb Ellis, but I've never tried a Johnny Smith or any Heritage.
I've been close to making the deal on a Heritage Golden Eagle with a floater, but in the Euro zone some guitars are a bit expensive, I had to pay by transfer and wait for it, without having ever tried such guitar. The 25.5" scale scared me a bit, I've allways played 24.75".
I used to have Ibanez RGs with the 25.5" scale and after I while I disliked the feeling. 10s felt as tense as 11s in other guitars.

Anyway cashing over 3k or 4k for a guitar would be very risky for me, and there were almost no cheaper options on carved 17"s when I noticed there was a guy here in Portugal that had some Peerless, and happened to have the Imperial. If there was a 18"x4" version of it with a 25" scale, that would be "in theory" the guitar I would want the most.

I tried a Manhattan once, but the setup had really high action and I wasn't very impressed. The owner sounded really good tho. Then I found a guy playing a Sunset (copy of ES137) that didn't impress me much. Later heard a friend play Monarch in a jam session sounding ok. Trying the Monarch40 I really hated the soundpost killing the acoustic vibe, everything else was perfect. If the Monarch40 had the sound and punch of the Imperial I would have gotten that one.

The Imperial had a nice acoustic power, that made me remember a copy of the Bravo Elite made by a luthier who bought the book. I played 2 diferent copies from diferent guys, 1 of those many times.