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I've been waiting to get my hands on one of these for years. I've owned or played almost all of the Ibanez Archtops from this era, so I was really keen to finally try this one.
Firstly the guitar its lighter and more resonant than I expected and although the back and sides are laminate, the body feels fairly vibrant. The neck and neck block, are likely adding most of the weight overall.
The guitar has a reasonably convincing, vintage L5C, look and when you place the guitar under your arm and look down the neck in the playing position, it all looks and feels very 'on form'.
The 2471 has an arched spruce that sounds very mellow, with a laid back attack.
So is the 2471 worth the hype? Well It's still not a Gibson L5C but it's 70-80% of the way there and a very nice Archtop in its own right.
It's likely still the best L5 copy you'll find for a reasonable price, with true vintage appeal.
It has more convincing vintage L5 feel and sound than say the later FA800 but perhaps it's not quite as refined.
Simply put, for the price, I wouldn't know what I would replace it with.
Attachment 88440
Last edited by Archie; 04-05-2022 at 07:39 AM.
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02-01-2022 04:27 PM
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It looks like a great find and play it out all over the place. I assume the top is solid.
My Vestex D'angelico NY4 is an 18 inch and while it is not one of the custom carved ones ( they are rare) this one sounds wonderful and lots of volume. Mine is from 2000 blond and by far one of best guitars to play and own. It compares better than some carved archtops easily.
My guess is this one is really going to be fun because you can take it anywhere and play it out no worries and still have the nearness of an L5.
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Looks like the green flags outweighed the reds when you got to see the guitar in person.
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Yes it does have a solid arched top, like the D'A reissues.
Originally Posted by deacon Mark
I have little doubt that in a live situation, the 2471 would sound almost no different to a vintage L5C with a De'armond.
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Nice! I'd get a tortoise guard for that baby. (What are those 3 knobs for, anyway?)
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Unfortunately Allan my fears were correct. After nearly 15 years of buying, I can pretty much predict these things like clockwork now. Originally Posted by AllanAllen
Looks like the green flags outweighed the reds when you got to see the guitar in person.
The guitar has 12's but the rod is maxed out. Usually I wouldn't have taken it but the seller and I came to a reasonable renegotiation on the price and greed, envy, lust etc.. got the better of me.
It plays ok with a reasonably low action with 12's but the end of the neck needs to be stoned, or some magic done with the neck, to get it to straighten up maybe a 1/4 turn more.
I don't think the guitar will ever suit 13's but I don't use them anyway.
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Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven
I've been waiting to get my hands on one of these for years. I've never seen one come up for sale in the UK, although I'm sure one or two have, whilst my back was turned.
I've owned or played almost all of the Ibanez Archtops from this era, so I was really keen to finally try this one and compare it.
Firstly the guitar its lighter and more resonant than I expected and although the back and sides are laminate, the body feels playful and vibrant. The neck and neck block are likely heavier than the body shell.
The guitar has a very convincing vintage L5C look too. That impression is only cemented the moment you put it under your arm and look down the neck from the playing position. The feel of the neck, the radius of the fingerboard, all feels very on form.
The 2471 has an arched spruce top like the D'Angelico/D'Aquisto reissues but unlike the D'A reissues, which can sound a little bright and snappy, the 2471 sounds very mellow, with a laid back attack. No doubt this has a lot to do with age.
So is the 2471 worth the hype? Well It's still not a Gibson L5C but it's 80% of the way there and a bloody good archtop in its own right. Likely still the best one you'll find, if you can't afford the real thing. Or at least non that would give you the mojo you get with a vintage instrument.
Simply put, for the price, I wouldn't know what I would replace it with.
Hello, what are the 3 controls? Thanks
PS, beautiful instrument btw.
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1 is for volume, 1 is for tone and 1 is for speed Originally Posted by Woody Sound
Don't worry, that pick guard is already history. I'll take an image online for a truss rod cover from that model and CNC a new one. Might also make the pick guard myself although easier to buy.
Me being a bit slow, I thought the De'armond was attached to the current pick guard but it's actually been stuck to the top!!!! Interesting!
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Can’t you slip a washer between the truss rod and nut to get a little more? I think I remember seeing that on a stew-Mac video.
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I think that depends on what the issue is. There isn't any thread past the nut so you would assume the lack of thread isn't the problem. Originally Posted by AllanAllen
The whole rod is stiff. It doesn't even want to loosen off.
I'll get it loosened off tomorrow and put it in a back bow and tighten it all back up.
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Simply gorgeous! Congratulations, and play it in good health!.
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Wow, just wow. Looks great. It's a winner. Congrats.
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i have owned a few guitars with similar nut issues in my experience........... didnt end well.
A problem if an archtop cant hold 13 gauge tension, often the truss rod compresses the wood at body/neck pocket area, resulting in too much thread showing.. maxed out.
This is the reverse, rare situation possibly when the truss rod is fitted not deep enough, and hard to see ( very difficult )
only one can see the nut/end of rod how far it is from bottom of the neck ( underneath)
this can appear ( uncommon ) as little crack/fissure exactly where a volute would be, if it had one.
again tricky/difficult to spot. May look discoloured or ever so slight hand wear on the neck.
you actually say hell no problem only because you cant see it, BUT it is definitely there. This only delays the thinking thoughts action.
Many problems are fixable but uneconomical planning necks, removing necks, refinishing, refretting blah blah.
I nearly bought one of these from a big band player about 8 years ago. not this one, it looks great.
Sorry to be a spoil sport. I hope im wrong.
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Not at all and thanks for your input. Originally Posted by Durban
Your thoughts on the truss rod not being installed deep enough is quite enlightening and could well turn out to be true. The guitar is being used for R&D anyway and the price I bought it for makes it worthwhile for this research. As I said, it plays ok with 12's. It could play a little better with some fettling about, so the guitar is not unusable by any means. I don't play with 13's anyway so not an issue.
I am a bit of a perfectionist however so getting it as right as possible will definitely be on the cards.
Who knows, I may take the fingerboard off and see what's going on.
Would be a fun mission, until of course you find yourself attempting to do it lol
Perhaps it would be better to encourage a back bow through re-fretting? Perhaps if given a head start the rod might be able to add some room for adjustment on heavier strings.
Of course I'll run through the usual checks first and see what happens.
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I did not mean that not installed deep enough - was your problem but can be quite difficult to actually spot that if it is the case. I have had several good guys EXCELLENT, only after exhaustive inspection. my one Gibson was referred to Gibson Nashville Repairs division, who agreed the guitar had i been first owner the Warrantee would apply and Gibson would have replaced it ( no such luck, i purchased it SH it was 20 years old then. Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven
If you are able to take finger board off yourself even refret then yeah its worth looking/doing etc its just that labour costs are £$£$£$£$£$£$
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