best 16" archtop that is 2.5" to 2.75" deep for under $3,000

[don_oz]

Like the title says!

I'm interested in what the forum has to recommend.

Thank you in advance!

[Tal_175]

That's my favorite size spec, I'm interested in hearing suggestions as well. I'm assuming you mean electric archtop. Does carved or laminate construction matter?

[339 in june]

Heritage Sweet 16 ?

Eastman AR 503 CE ?

[Jabberwocky]

If you wait long enough you can sometimes find a used Borys B120 for $3000 to $3500. My other recommendation is the Sadowsky Jim Hall used.

Ned Whittemore and Stephen Holst makes new laminate jazz guitars in this price range.

Of course, the venerable Gibson ES-125 has come back into vogue for well under $2000. You'd be looking for the 1960s ES-125 Thinline then.

[don_oz]

If you wait long enough you can sometimes find a used Borys B120 for $3000 to $3500. My other recommendation is the Sadowsky Jim Hall used.

Ned Whittemore and Stephen Holst makes new laminate jazz guitars in this price range.

Of course, the venerable Gibson ES-125 has come back into vogue for well under $2000. You'd be looking for the 1960s ES-125 Thinline then.

Es-125 did cross my mind but I much prefer having a cutaway!

Thank you for throwing those names my way. I will definitely check those luthiers out!

[don_oz]

Heritage Sweet 16 ?

Eastman AR 503 CE ?

I'm yet to find a heritage sweet 16 for under $3k!

[don_oz]

That's my favorite size spec, I'm interested in hearing suggestions as well. I'm assuming you mean electric archtop. Does carved or laminate construction matter?

I'd prefer carved, I wouldn't mind laminate either. It would depend on how it would sound, plugged in and acoustic.

[Gitfiddler]

Used Heritage H-575 can get you a great solid carved archtop near your price point. Shop around and you might even find one that has factory custom upgrades.

[sgosnell]

The best I've played is my Wu. I've put my Benedettos in the closet since I got it.

[Hammertone]

Hofner's original version of the Thin President is a very nice guitar. They were made @2004-2006. They pop up used every once in awhile for well under $3,000.
-15 7/8" wide
-2 1/2" deep rims
-25 1/4" scale
-neck meets body at 16th fret
-carved spruce top, laminated rims & back
-ebony fretboard & bridge
-Schaller hardware
-OEM 4-conductor mini-humbucking pickups provided by Schaller

[don_oz]

The best I've played is my Wu. I've put my Benedettos in the closet since I got it.

How does a Wu differ from an Eastman?

It just seems like a customized Eastman to me.

[D.G.]

Comins GCS-16-1 has ended my archtop search. Yes, it's laminate and a factory guitar, but it does exactly what I want and has the looks and dimensions I want.




Home | Comins Guitars

[ccroft]

My arch tops are all 2.75: Eastman Pisano 880, Lehmann Session 16 and Godin Kingpin. Love them all. That's the sweet spot for me when it comes to thickness.

[sgosnell]

Eastmans are built in the Eastman factory. Wu builds his in his own shop. He started out with Eastman, eventually moved to Yunzhi when that split from Eastman, but has been building on his own for some years. It's probably analogous to Gibson and Campellone, at least to some extent. Wu has come a long way in the past few years. His first efforts were somewhat rough in some areas, specifically electronics, fretting, and nut setup, but the one I have needed only minor nut work to be one of the most playable guitars I've had the pleasure of playing. I didn't get any electronics in it, so I can't comment on his current output in that area, but the guitar plays and sounds as good as any I've ever tried. All for $1500 shipped to my house. My only regret is that I didn't order a 17" non-cut, but that's entirely my fault. I got exactly what I ordered, and it's worth a lot more than I paid for it, IMO.

[MHoranzy]

Eastmans are built in the Eastman factory. Wu builds his in his own shop. He started out with Eastman, eventually moved to Yunzhi when that split from Eastman, but has been building on his own for some years. It's probably analogous to Gibson and Campellone, at least to some extent. Wu has come a long way in the past few years. His first efforts were somewhat rough in some areas, specifically electronics, fretting, and nut setup, but the one I have needed only minor nut work to be one of the most playable guitars I've had the pleasure of playing. I didn't get any electronics in it, so I can't comment on his current output in that area, but the guitar plays and sounds as good as any I've ever tried. All for $1500 shipped to my house. My only regret is that I didn't order a 17" non-cut, but that's entirely my fault. I got exactly what I ordered, and it's worth a lot more than I paid for it, IMO.

is that what his prices are like today? What’s the turnaround time?

[don_oz]

Comins GCS-16-1 has ended my archtop search. Yes, it's laminate and a factory guitar, but it does exactly what I want and has the looks and dimensions I want.




Home | Comins Guitars

This definitely caught my eye... I'm interested now. Turns out there's a dealer near me. Gonna head there this weekend to give it a try.

Do you play yours acoustically at all by any chance?

[don_oz]

Eastmans are built in the Eastman factory. Wu builds his in his own shop. He started out with Eastman, eventually moved to Yunzhi when that split from Eastman, but has been building on his own for some years. It's probably analogous to Gibson and Campellone, at least to some extent. Wu has come a long way in the past few years. His first efforts were somewhat rough in some areas, specifically electronics, fretting, and nut setup, but the one I have needed only minor nut work to be one of the most playable guitars I've had the pleasure of playing. I didn't get any electronics in it, so I can't comment on his current output in that area, but the guitar plays and sounds as good as any I've ever tried. All for $1500 shipped to my house. My only regret is that I didn't order a 17" non-cut, but that's entirely my fault. I got exactly what I ordered, and it's worth a lot more than I paid for it, IMO.

I'm interested.

Do you have any clips where I can hear your guitar in action?

[sgosnell]

I have no recording equipment. I can't say for sure what Wu's prices are today, with the current situation. $1500 was the base price for mine about 2 years ago. It can be more depending on the amount of inlay you want, but it's not much more. Wu's agent is Lora at Yolandateam. You communicate through her, because Wu doesn't speak English. The time from placing the order to receiving the guitar was about 3 months.
[email protected]
410 Gone
She is an agent for other makers, including the Yunzhi factory. She was actively seeking orders in March, but I have no idea about the situation now.

The link displays wonky here, but it's valid.

[Little Jay]

Es-125 did cross my mind but I much prefer having a cutaway!

That can be arranged:

[Ray175]

Es-125 did cross my mind but I much prefer having a cutaway!

Thank you for throwing those names my way. I will definitely check those luthiers out!

Don't forget the ES125 also comes in a cutaway version.....

[mr. beaumont]

Used Heritage H-575 can get you a great solid carved archtop near your price point. Shop around and you might even find one that has factory custom upgrades.

And the used ones are coming up again in price, so act now

[2bornot2bop]

I'm yet to find a heritage sweet 16 for under $3k!

The Sweet 16’s you’ll often find listed for high prices are listing prices. Those aren’t selling prices. I personally can’t recall a single one of those guitars selling for $3500. You should be able to purchase a Sweet 16 for $3k. I’d make offers to all you see listed, or that interest you, and if a seller doesn’t have a make an offer ad make your max offer anyway.

Prices for Sweet 16’s have increased since they’re no longer being produced. But I’m not buying the price increases as high as I’ve seen them. Some are listed for $4500, which is ridiculous for that’s the price of an L4CES. Just 3 years ago one could commonly find Sweet 16’s for $2700. I feel folks are seeking to cash in on the fact they’re no longer being produced and not being realistic because at the end of the day it’s still a used Heritage. And I wouldn’t pay $3k for a 575.

RE a WU I’ve owned a WU. A good guitar yes, a great guitar no. Not even in the discussion with a Sweet 16. Especially for $1500!!!! Get real. Those are $1k guitars max, imo. And btw, I’ve owned 5 Sweet 16’s and am aware of the quality differences between both a WU and a Sweet 16.

[339 in june]

I'm yet to find a heritage sweet 16 for under $3k!

Be patient
I paid mine €2k four years ago, and in Europe ! Of course it has dings here and there, but nothing structural and it plays and sounds good

[Spook410]

RE a WU I’ve owned a WU. A good guitar yes, a great guitar no. Not even in the discussion with a Sweet 16. Especially for $1500!!!! Get real. Those are $1k guitars max, imo. And btw, I’ve owned 5 Sweet 16’s and am aware of the quality differences between both a WU and a Sweet 16.

I must have been more fortunate in my Wu guitar experience or maybe just less so with the Sweet 16 I've played (a friend had one in New Mexico so I have spent a little time with one). Maybe it's because the Heritage necks from back when seem skinny for my taste. Maybe it's because Wu/Yunzhi is what I'm used to. Maybe because my guitars are set up specifically to my ears and hands. But I keep coming back to my Yunzhi and Wu guitars. Of course, there aren't a lot of guitars passing through here. Maybe those who focus on buying and selling a lot of guitars have more experience to draw on. I certainly do see a big difference in good (e.g. Martin, Taylor) and great (Kinscherff, Goodall) guitars in my flat tops.

Someday (guess it better be soon.. not getting any younger) I'll have a custom archtop made here in the US. If it's the same step up in acoustic tone I see in better flat tops, would certainly be worth doing.

[Spook410]

I'm interested.

Do you have any clips where I can hear your guitar in action?

There's a used one in the forum for sale section with a very nice sound clip.

Mr. Wu 16" Archtop