affordable acoustic arch top guitars

**neatomic** · 01-01-2020, 05:32 PM

yes, i wasn't so much speaking to your specific needs (which i'm sure you are secure with), but to op's... the fact that the string type is important in the overall acoustic qualities of an arch...the savoy has a solid spruce top (probably pressed) and an arched maple lam back..that should be plenty loud acoustically with the right strings!!

tho apparently op wants non cutaway..so subject is moot anyways..hah

cheers

**lammie200** · 01-01-2020, 05:39 PM

Yeah, the top is solid and probably pressed. And, yes it would loud enough to play acoustically. It's a decent sized box.

**silvertonebetty** · 01-01-2020, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by neatomic

yes, i wasn't so much speaking to your specific needs (which i'm sure you are secure with), but to op's... the fact that the string type is important in the overall acoustic qualities of an arch...the savoy has a solid spruce top (probably pressed) and an arched maple lam back..that should be plenty loud acoustically with the right strings!!

tho apparently op wants non cutaway..so subject is moot anyways..hah

cheers

If it was like a big l5 I’d probably go for it . My dream jazz box is an l5 . It’s why I’m so partial to a full size arch top . The es 150 was super nice and they are a nice clean look . But ultimately it’s playability and sounds that maters overs looks .

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**radiofm74** · 01-03-2020, 04:54 PM

I have a Loar LH700 that I got used for a very low price – about 2/3 of your budget. Nothing but very good things to say about it, and you can always add a floater pickup and have a killer acoustic and electric. FWIW GHS Vintage Bronze strings work well both acoustically and electrically. Monels to if you like a brasher acoustic sound.

Be mindful of one thing: true to form, the Loars have HUGE V necks. No guitar I’ve ever played even comes close, and I like big necks! It’s great for 4-to-bar comping, and I have no problems soloing on it, but not everyone thinks as I do. In fact, the best source for used Loars at budget prices are people who liked the idea of a budget 1920s L-5 but hated the neck.

Miscellaneous thoughts:
- I tried the Guild Savoy and thought it sounded and looked very nice, while not having the same acoustic voice of the Loar. But if you like a mid-sized “C” neck and a reissue DeArmond it could be a good alternative.
- On the European market, there are old Höfners to be had at good prices. You have to do your homework to sift through the models. My current #1 is a 1953 model 465, carved top, which I really like. I got it for little more than the Loar.
- There are vintage Epiphones not too far from your price range. The Zenith I tried was not better than either of my guitars, but there may be great ones around. If I could get my paws on a Triumph I’d be happy indeed. But that’s more than 2x your budget.

Enjoy the hunt! Try a few if you can!

**silvertonebetty** · 01-03-2020, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by radiofm74

I have a Loar LH700 that I got used for a very low price – about 2/3 of your budget. Nothing but very good things to say about it, and you can always add a floater pickup and have a killer acoustic and electric. FWIW GHS Vintage Bronze strings work well both acoustically and electrically. Monels to if you like a brasher acoustic sound.

Be mindful of one thing: true to form, the Loars have HUGE V necks. No guitar I’ve ever played even comes close, and I like big necks! It’s great for 4-to-bar comping, and I have no problems soloing on it, but not everyone thinks as I do. In fact, the best source for used Loars at budget prices are people who liked the idea of a budget 1920s L-5 but hated the neck.

Miscellaneous thoughts:
- I tried the Guild Savoy and thought it sounded and looked very nice, while not having the same acoustic voice of the Loar. But if you like a mid-sized “C” neck and a reissue DeArmond it could be a good alternative.
- On the European market, there are old Höfners to be had at good prices. You have to do your homework to sift through the models. My current #1 is a 1953 model 465, carved top, which I really like. I got it for little more than the Loar.
- There are vintage Epiphones not too far from your price range. The Zenith I tried was not better than either of my guitars, but there may be great ones around. If I could get my paws on a Triumph I’d be happy indeed. But that’s more than 2x your budget.

Enjoy the hunt! Try a few if you can!

I have actually been looking at reverb lately and there is a lot of old epiphones and Gibson around $1200-$1500 most common is the Gibson l48. I have found an attraction to those 50s German made arch tops “ framus, hopnfers , Horner? Ect” also musoo guitars have my attention and some of them are around $1000 cad

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**silvertonebetty** · 01-03-2020, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by radiofm74

I have a Loar LH700 that I got used for a very low price – about 2/3 of your budget. Nothing but very good things to say about it, and you can always add a floater pickup and have a killer acoustic and electric. FWIW GHS Vintage Bronze strings work well both acoustically and electrically. Monels to if you like a brasher acoustic sound.

Be mindful of one thing: true to form, the Loars have HUGE V necks. No guitar I’ve ever played even comes close, and I like big necks! It’s great for 4-to-bar comping, and I have no problems soloing on it, but not everyone thinks as I do. In fact, the best source for used Loars at budget prices are people who liked the idea of a budget 1920s L-5 but hated the neck.

Miscellaneous thoughts:
- I tried the Guild Savoy and thought it sounded and looked very nice, while not having the same acoustic voice of the Loar. But if you like a mid-sized “C” neck and a reissue DeArmond it could be a good alternative.
- On the European market, there are old Höfners to be had at good prices. You have to do your homework to sift through the models. My current #1 is a 1953 model 465, carved top, which I really like. I got it for little more than the Loar.
- There are vintage Epiphones not too far from your price range. The Zenith I tried was not better than either of my guitars, but there may be great ones around. If I could get my paws on a Triumph I’d be happy indeed. But that’s more than 2x your budget.

Enjoy the hunt! Try a few if you can!

And I have always been one for a big old blonde.

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**silvertonebetty** · 01-03-2020, 07:15 PM

I find myself looking at this more and more

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**silvertonebetty** · 01-03-2020, 11:18 PM

Wow the Eastman ar 610 is a beautiful looking and sounding guitar

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**entresz** · 01-08-2020, 07:14 PM

I'm a bit late to the party but some of the old Swedish made "Levin" guitars are good value - I recently bought a 1960 Levin "335" model acoustic archtop. Solid carved top, laminated maple back/sides. It's a great sounding guitar, loud, has a very contemporary feeling neck (slim, fairly flat fingerboard radius).

They have unusual bracing in that the top has a single diagonal brace sort of like a Stromberg.

**silvertonebetty** · 01-08-2020, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by entresz

I'm a bit late to the party but some of the old Swedish made "Levin" guitars are good value - I recently bought a 1960 Levin "335" model acoustic archtop. Solid carved top, laminated maple back/sides. It's a great sounding guitar, loud, has a very contemporary feeling neck (slim, fairly flat fingerboard radius).

They have unusual bracing in that the top has a single diagonal brace sort of like a Stromberg.

I have an old espana hanging on the wall I think they where levin made . The also made Goya and hagstom

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