affordable acoustic arch top guitars

**silvertonebetty** · 12-30-2019, 11:52 PM

So I still want an acoustic arch top guitar. I like the idea of bigger is better. I played an 32 Gibson es150 before and I really like that style of guitar . The problem is I don’t have that kind of cash . I don’t really know where to start but I know $1000 cad or a little more is reasonable and is probably goal to go for . Know what companies make this style guitar besides epiphones but they where a joke .

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**arielcee** · 12-31-2019, 12:30 AM

Godin 5th Ave 16"×3 " (assuming you are looking for prewar es-150 dimensions)
You could probably buy two for that much...

You might be able to find a used Eastman AR605 or 805 in that range.

I haven't had a ton of experience with Loars, but enough to know the acoustic qualities weren't the most desirable for my taste.

**Dr_turkey** · 12-31-2019, 12:32 AM

The Loar makes guitars in the Gibson style. The LH600 ($1100ish) or LH700 ($1700ish) are full acoustic arch tops and sound really good imo. The LH309($600) is similar to the es150 with the single p90 in the neck, it's got laminated back and sides though I think which would affect the acoustic tone and the pickup mounted into the top would definitely affect the acoustic sound

**GuitarJay** · 12-31-2019, 12:41 AM

When you refer to Epiphones being junk, are you referring to their Masterbilt line?

**swingtoneman** · 12-31-2019, 05:38 AM

I play a Loar LH600. Quite a good guitar for the money- bought mine second hand. I have read that the Loar's can be good or not so good--mines OK.

**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by GuitarJay

When you refer to Epiphones being junk, are you referring to their Masterbilt line?

Yes

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**tfling** · 12-31-2019, 05:28 PM

Loar LH-700 , you should be able to find a used or B-stock for your budget

Try and buy from a place with a good return policy in-case the V neck isn’t to your liking (or in case of quality issues)

**Greco** · 12-31-2019, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by silvertonebetty

I know $1000 Canadian or a little more is reasonable and is probably goal to go for .

....besides epiphones but they were a joke .

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Just to make it easier for many others in this forum ...your $1,000.00 CDN is about $770.00 USD (at this point in time)

Careful with bashing Epiphones there buddy. I have two of them and I enjoy them both very much.

**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Greco

Just to make it easier for many others in this forum ...your $1,000.00 CDN is about $770.00 USD (at this point in time)

Careful with bashing Epiphones there buddy. I have two of them and I enjoy them both very much.

I was just disappointed with the master built arch tops . I do like the shadow pickups they use lol .

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**John A.** · 12-31-2019, 06:30 PM

I bunch of us have gone on this particular unicorn hunt For $1000 USD you might find one of the acoustic Eastmans or floating pickup models, but they're mostly $1500 and up. I don't think there's much chance of getting one for $1000 CAD.

You might find a Loar used LH 600 for that, but be careful about condition and neck angle. You might find an LH 350 for that, but the one I tried was not much of an acoustic guitar (nice electric, though). Godin 5th Ave is easily within that price, but maybe not enough of an acoustic for your purposes.

If you really truly want a legit acoustic archtop, budget for 2x the amount you're thinking of and save for a while. Then you'll have choices.

Another approach is to rethink the requirement that the guitar be an archtop. If what you really want is an acoustic guitar that works for jazz, all of a sudden there are many more options, e.g, gypsy jazz guitars, some smaller flattops.

John

**neatomic** · 12-31-2019, 06:57 PM

take a look at the new guild savoy A-150...solid spruce top & arched maple back...has floater rhythm chief pup and pickguard controls...electronics can even easily be removed if you are hardcore acoustic! (tho i wouldn't)

cheers

**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

I bunch of us have gone on this particular unicorn hunt For $1000 USD you might find one of the acoustic Eastmans or floating pickup models, but they're mostly $1500 and up. I don't think there's much chance of getting one for $1000 CAD.

You might find a Loar used LH 600 for that, but be careful about condition and neck angle. You might find an LH 350 for that, but the one I tried was not much of an acoustic guitar (nice electric, though). Godin 5th Ave is easily within that price, but maybe not enough of an acoustic for your purposes.

If you really truly want a legit acoustic archtop, budget for 2x the amount you're thinking of and save for a while. Then you'll have choices.

Another approach is to rethink the requirement that the guitar be an archtop. If what you really want is an acoustic guitar that works for jazz, all of a sudden there are many more options, e.g, gypsy jazz guitars, some smaller flattops.

John

Well if I have to save a bit more I will .

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**Little Jay** · 12-31-2019, 07:59 PM

With acoustic archtop you mean without pickups, right? When In Europe it really pays off to look for old 60ies and 70ies Framus acoustic archtops. Even the laminated ones sound good. They are built very well, are stable, play very easy, they are loud and they can be found for little money. What more can you wish for?

**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

With acoustic archtop you mean without pickups, right? When In Europe it really pays off to look for old 60ies and 70ies Framus acoustic archtops. Even the laminated ones sound good. They are built very well, are stable, play very easy, they are loud and they can be found for little money. What more can you wish for?

Yes without pickups . I checked on reverb musoo also has some nice ones but it be more saving . I have all winter to save so that might be another rout

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**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 11:21 PM

I like the look of this . Even has a solid top but laminated back and side . But that’s not all that bad tho .

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**silvertonebetty** · 12-31-2019, 11:22 PM

I guess a picture would help

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**cosmic gumbo** · 01-01-2020, 04:29 AM

An archtop with non-carved solid top and routed mounted pickup is quite faraway from what most of us would call an acoustic archtop. You need to focus on what you really want.

**silvertonebetty** · 01-01-2020, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

An archtop with non-carved solid top and routed mounted pickup is quite faraway from what most of us would call an acoustic archtop. You need to focus on what you really want.

The Eastman isn’t carved top?

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**PaddyBrumson** · 01-01-2020, 01:53 PM

I Played a used Loar LH-600 at a local store. The neck set seemed correct with the action comfortably low with room at the bridge to adjust. Structurally it looked sound with some dings and surface marks, but nothing too bad. Played well and sounded the the way it should. Don't know if they ship to Canada, but they do have a good on site luthier and I imagine he'd be willing to look at it for you. Give them a call in Decatur GA:

Big House Guitars

**silvertonebetty** · 01-01-2020, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by PaddyBrumson

I Played a used Loar LH-600 at a local store. The neck set seemed correct with the action comfortably low with room at the bridge to adjust. Structurally it looked sound with some dings and surface marks, but nothing too bad. Played well and sounded the the way it should. Don't know if they ship to Canada, but they do have a good on site luthier and I imagine he'd be willing to look at it for you. Give them a call in Decatur GA:

Big House Guitars

That’s exactly what I’m looking for.

doing some reviews right now . A little over what I was looking to spend but it is all solid .

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**lammie200** · 01-01-2020, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by neatomic

take a look at the new guild savoy A-150...solid spruce top & arched maple back...has floater rhythm chief pup and pickguard controls...electronics can even easily be removed if you are hardcore acoustic! (tho i wouldn't)

cheers

I have one. I think that it is a sleeper as far as Korean made archtops are concerned and I have owned a few other makes. Used they can be half of the new price. That is how I got mine. Like new condition, too. It would be OK unamplified, but I like the pick up. Unusual that this photo doesn't show the volume knob that is right above the G on the pickguard. It appears to show thumb wheels under the pickguard. I wonder if that is a change in the newest models?
Edit: The thumbwheels seem to be the newest production. Sweetwater shows one with them.

**PaddyBrumson** · 01-01-2020, 04:04 PM

Don't quote me on the price, but I think the used one at Big House was around $700.

**neatomic** · 01-01-2020, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by lammie200

I have one. I think that it is a sleeper as far as Korean made archtops are concerned and I have owned a few other makes. Used they can be half of the new price. That is how I got mine. Like new condition, too. It would be OK unamplified, but I like the pick up....

l-i'm sure you have it strung up for electric use..with electric style ss, nickel or nickel plated strings...but if you were goin for a pure acoustic tone sans the pickup you could use 80/20 bronze acoustic type strings..and increase/better your acoustic volume and tone

tho not great with magnetic pickups!

cheers

**lammie200** · 01-01-2020, 05:23 PM

Yeah, that would help for sure. I have a decent Martin acoustic for that approach though. Ya know, spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides kinda thang.

**powerwagonjohn** · 01-01-2020, 05:30 PM

I would also try the Monel type strings like the Martin retros, I have them on a couple guitars including my 1952 L-4 and my CEO-7. A good all around vintage style string. Also the Guild has a laminated spruce top but I suppose you could call it a solid top just not carved. In spite of that the Guild would be my choice but I am definitely biased toward Guilds.
Thanks John