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Originally Posted by Gitpicker
JD
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01-23-2021 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Lobomov
The overall demand for full-bodied archtops just doesn't seem to justify serial manufacturing. Don't have a clue of Höfner's numbers, but AFAIK they are the only industrial maker of archtops with their books in Europe, ever since Furch gave up. Most Höfners come from the Far East, as do all Hagströms, Strombergs etc. The Japanese archtop makers are past their heyday. What is needed is an archtop revival, e.g. demand going up by multiples. Even so, price/quality champions like Ibanez, Epiphone and Godin, would probably stand out as winners.
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Originally Posted by Jim SolowayOriginally Posted by LobomovOriginally Posted by grahambop
Although not as well-known as some of the players mentioned above, Alessio Menconi (my favorite modern player) often uses an L5 (a WesMo or CES, along with a Super 400, a Johnny Smith, a Byrdland and a ES-175):
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
One question that sometimes comes up is whether the quality of the guitar is important for a beginner to learn how to play. In this case quality means playability. I don't see how it couldn't be and if you had to start somewhere Gibson is a choice that I would definitely recommend to a beginner. (Just as an aside I have a nephew and a friend who are beginners. My nephew listened to my advice and got an Epiphone J-45. My friend didn't and got a cheapish Cordoba. Guess which one is making progress.)
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Don't Ted Nugent and George Thorogood still play Gibson archtops?
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Originally Posted by Gitterbug
Oh yeah .. Back around 2014 my local guitar dealer (since gone bankrupt) had one of those .. Absolutely amazing guitar. I was floored ... But price tag said +5000 euro .. Congrats on having snatched one of those!
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Originally Posted by Lobomov
FWIW, I bought my current ES-175 new, at 54, when I had no money but did have good credit. From the same AGD I ordered a new
ES-137 with Varitone which unfortunately never materialized due to the Great Gibson Ebony Emergency, so I grabbed the first ES-137 non-varitone that came along, which is a wonderful instrument in its own right. Point being, some of us buy new (the warranty is a big incentive) because we can. Somebody's got to do it, or there is no used market.
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I thought the Japan made Epiphone Elitist Broadway, Byrdland, and Casino were very stellar.
When they 1st came out I bought a new Broadway for $1600.00. Poly finish and a pressed top but the fit and finish was better than a Gibson. A great archtop that was very affordable.
They also had all Gibson hardware and 57 classics.
Gibson quickly saw them biting into there high end archtop market and stopped production.
If Gibson brought back that Epi Elitist line they would blow away the current Asian offerings IMO. Very close to a Gibson at a very affordable price.
Cost of a Gibson L5 is why they don’t sell. Affordability is the biggest issue.
I never think about driving a Ferrari. When you know you could never afford something it won’t be on your wish list.
Inflation is hitting the Asian market also. When the D’A EXL-1 first came out they were $700 and now they are $1500 and the 1st ones had ebony fretboards and better Korean QC.
My brand new 2008 L5 Wes was $5700. Now $9700. I remember in the mid 90’s they were $3300.
I bought a brand new S400 in 1978 for $1800. Now $16K but you can’t order one.
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Citizen74
With regard to :
Somebody’s got to do it , or there is no used marked.
Well said indeed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
With all the money that has been printed by the world's nations in recent years, I am surprised that inflation hasn't been worseLast edited by Stringswinger; 01-24-2021 at 03:57 PM. Reason: spelling
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I believe this was foreshadowed with the ES-275. A new hollow body arch top that was well received by critics and (mostly) praised by those who purchased them. But within a few years Gibson added a center-block and it became available only as a semi-hollow. I am not aware of another Gibson that could be fully hollow or semi-hollow with the same model number. But apparently sales were not enough to keep it in production in any configuration.
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Before 2000 Gibson was still the main maker of actual Carve Top instruments.
Yes there were a few fine luthiers in the Benedetto style, as well as Mark Campellone making Gibson L-7C and L-5C style Archtops.
But since then the younger players have moved to mainly smaller laminate Archtops like Sadowsky, Westville, and o the Japanese luthiers.
The good news is there are a plethora of used great Jazz Guitars available on the market to choose from. And a lot of great luthiers as well.
Still I will certainly miss the great Gibson Archtops!
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I miss Henry J too. At least he cared about jazz guitar.
I doubt JC even knows what that is other than a money loosing product line.
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Originally Posted by Betz
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
South Korea will be one of ‘hardest hit economies’ if trade war breaks out | South China Morning Post
Looking at Peerless prices there was a price increase shortly after I bought my Sunset 4-5 years ago, but prices have seemed pretty stable after that.
Originally Posted by Betz
It has always bugged me more than a little that Gibson takes a decent idea from the past and then markets it like they reinvented the wheel. And prices it accordingly.
At half the price, they would have sold MANY more. (And at less than 1/4 the price the Sunset is a particular steal btw.)
Peerless Sunset | Guitars 'n Jazz.
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Originally Posted by Max405
I know, you’ve owned some fabulous guitars. I hope you never sell this one!
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
This L5 is one of the ones.. let’s put it that way. It’s a great guitar.
JD
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
John
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Originally Posted by Betz
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Originally Posted by Max405
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Originally Posted by Litterick
Guitarists tend to collectors so they have a different relationship with instruments. But remind me, how many Zeidlers does Peter Bernstein own?
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
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Originally Posted by christianm77
I don’t think one can compare cello playing at a reasonably high level with playing guitar as a hobby though. If as many people played cello (or violin) as a hobby, you bet you could get a decent Chinese-made instrument for $400 at Cello Center.
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Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
But that is not what we're doing .. We're comparing professional grade instruments vs. professional grade instruments ... Cello vs. guitar ... I mean 400 bucks will get you a fine guitar as well ... This one for example
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
Jim, I like that new guitar you just bought too.
JD
Andy Summers Plays Jazz
Today, 06:07 PM in The Players