Considering a Chinese build

[ah.clem]

I would appreciate some help, please. I've not been on the forum regularly for some years but this was always the place for information on Wu and Yunzhi builds and I'm considering one for my 70th.

I'm thinking of an acoustic blonde Eastman es905ce, Peerless Leela 16 or even a Gretsch G100 Syncromatic body style, no fret markers, clean and simple. 16" lower bout, maybe around 2.75" rims.

I'll probably play it as an acoustic but eventually I'll add a DeArmond, thumbwheels and a Switchcraft end pin plug.

I read a thread from 2021 about a build and the was some concern about Yunzhi over Wu, but there was never any clear recommendation.

As I was thinking along the Eastman lines, Wu came to mind first, but as I'll never do this again, I'd like to get it as right as I can.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[ah.clem]

EDIT: This comment looks weird out of context. I wrote it as a reply to someone asking some questions, then they deleted their post. I really hope they didn't feel offended by my response, I was just answering questions, politely, I thought.
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Specifically, I'm just looking for a clean looking blonde 16" acoustic custom build and there was some question re. The Chinese luthiers.

I own quite a few archtops, including an Imperial (which is a great guitar, imo) but I thought it would be nice to have a custom build. I really like the Peerless and Eastman guitars but if I was going to purchase a factory guitar at this point (and I can't get a 905ce) I'd probably go for the Leela.

Thanks for your thoughts though.

[Jimmy blue note]

I've had good luck with both factories, and similar reservations. Why don't you write to Lora, who acts as an intermediary/rep for both and see what she says.
In short, I'd feel comfortable getting a guitar built by either. Can you articulate a little bit about why a custom build appeals to you? Are there specific points about which you can't get from an existing guitar, besides the thought of your VERY own guitar (which is a valid reason, by the way)? The more specific you are, the greater your chance at getting something that will be worth everyone's efforts.
As a luthier, I'll occasionally get someone who'll want something they'd always fantasized about, a picture from a book or magazine and couldn't afford. If they can't tell me what they want, it raises doubts as to whether I can give them something they'd like. That's all.
From both factories, I have seen wood that spans a pretty wide spectrum (as is to be expected) and they certainly have the crafting chops to make the best of what they've got but know that not all wood is uniform, nor will you know what cut nor luthier you'll be paired with. I have seen variations in their neck angles that have resulted in slightly different bridge height and break over angle with differences in feelings of attack and sustain; not better, not worse but very present. Just keeping it real. And your guitar will be build for you but know that there will not be a guarantee if it doesn't live up to your fantasies.

Be prepared to do work on your own after you've got the guitar. The more exacting your needs are, the more you'll value the work of a luthier post purchase. Personally, I don't like their stock pickups, that's not an issue with you. Personally, I don't like their stock tuning machines, but you might. Personally, I don't like the settling time they give an instrument to cure and for frets to be dressed after the fingerboad settles, but you might not see this as an issue at all.

You can get an amazing and fantastic guitar, or you can get something that walks, and looks, and quacks but isn't the duck that your teacher had that got you started in jazz. That's not something that can be assured by a posting on a forum.
See what Lora says, and consider build time, how each choice will honor the things YOU want, and honestly, I think you can really do well with either, especially since you'll put your own pickup on it.

Of course I'll assume you are well versed in the build philosophies of Benedetto vs Gibson design, and that the lighter build of the Chinese shops will give you a response that's different from, say, the voicing, thickness and archings of someone like Campellone. Love them both but there are different ballparks you play in, so find the fit that will keep you making the music you play, the way you want.

I hope you're really happy with your very special guitar!

[ah.clem]

I've had good luck with both factories, and similar reservations. Why don't you write to Lora, who acts as an intermediary/rep for both and see what she says.
In short, I'd feel comfortable getting a guitar built by either.

Hi, Jimmy. Thank you for the helpful, considered reply. This is what I was looking for from the forum. I value your opinion as a builder and long-time member. I was planning on contacting Lora once I had done a little research.

Can you articulate a little bit about why a custom build appeals to you? Are there specific points about which you can't get from an existing guitar, besides the thought of your VERY own guitar (which is a valid reason, by the way)?

Certainly. A custom build is a consideration as I never have found a really comfortable guitar; my best fitting and feeling is an acoustic Godin 5th Ave, but as it's a laminate it doesn't have much projection when played fingerstyle (I'm in the process of adding a DeArmond to it.) I would most likely specify the body dimensions on the 5th Ave.

As a luthier, I'll occasionally get someone who'll want something they'd always fantasized about, a picture from a book or magazine and couldn't afford. If they can't tell me what they want, it raises doubts as to whether I can give them something they'd like. That's all.

I understand. I've been fortunate in many aspects of my life, including being friends with a guitar shop owner who has many guitars I couldn't come close to affording, but I have had the chance to play Benedettos (6&7 string), DeAquistos (6 string), D'Angelicos (6 string), an Unger American 7 string, and vintage Super 400, L5, and an Artist Award (fell in love with the DeArmond). I don't even look at these used as they are much more than I could spend.

I have three favorite archtops in my collection, my blonde Eastman ar905-7es 7 string, my Peerless Imperial 6 string and my acoustic (soon to have a floater attached) Godin 5th Ave. The Imperial is a bit too wide and thick, but my dear mother-in-law purchased it for me so it is a forever guitar. I love the Eastman 7 string, I feel fortunate to own it. The Godin is just right; right size, right fit. So I think I know what I want, it's just nothing fancy. It's basically an acoustic version of an Eastman ar905ce 6 string with the body and rim dimensions of my Kingpin.

From both factories, I have seen wood that spans a pretty wide spectrum (as is to be expected) and they certainly have the crafting chops to make the best of what they've got but know that not all wood is uniform, nor will you know what cut nor luthier you'll be paired with. I have seen variations in their neck angles that have resulted in slightly different bridge height and break over angle with differences in feelings of attack and sustain; not better, not worse but very present. Just keeping it real. And your guitar will be build for you but know that there will not be a guarantee if it doesn't live up to your fantasies.

This is a lot of good information, much that I haven't thought of, and I thank you for it. As far as life not living up to my fantasies, at 70 that a sad lesson I've learned! Except for my marriage, that just seems to get better every day!

Be prepared to do work on your own after you've got the guitar. The more exacting your needs are, the more you'll value the work of a luthier post purchase. Personally, I don't like their stock pickups, that's not an issue with you. Personally, I don't like their stock tuning machines, but you might. Personally, I don't like the settling time they give an instrument to cure and for frets to be dressed after the fingerboad settles, but you might not see this as an issue at all.

Again, this it great information that I hadn't known about but figured I could get from the forum. I was planning on changing tuners right away, before changing strings. I have also considered that I might have to have a new nut made (I seen to recall older discussions where that was an issue) but the rest of this information is going to need consideration.

You can get an amazing and fantastic guitar, or you can get something that walks, and looks, and quacks but isn't the duck that your teacher had that got you started in jazz. That's not something that can be assured by a posting on a forum.

Yeah, agreed. I kinda live that old line from TRHPS between Magenta and Frank:

M: "I expect nothing!"
F: "And you shall receive it in abundance!"

My life is good, I've been fortunate, I'm pretty sure I'm willing to take the gamble.

See what Lora says, and consider build time, how each choice will honor the things YOU want, and honestly, I think you can really do well with either, especially since you'll put your own pickup on it.

Thanks for that. You have given me pause but I appreciate the fact of you sharing your opinion of both builders.

Of course I'll assume you are well versed in the build philosophies of Benedetto vs Gibson design, and that the lighter build of the Chinese shops will give you a response that's different from, say, the voicing, thickness and archings of someone like Campellone. Love them both but there are different ballparks you play in, so find the fit that will keep you making the music you play, the way you want.

I don't know that I'm "well versed" but I've inspected the inside of of the Peerless and Eastman to see the top bracing and I've read Benedetto's book cover to cover at least six times, back when I thought I'd build my own 6 and 7 string archtops in retirement. Fortunately, common sense kicked in and I realized that I'd not be able to build a guitar that I like as much as my Eastman 7 or the Imperial. I also have a few often read books on both building archtops with plates and building flat top guitars. I do know that I am very pleased with the almost delicate sound I get from the Eastman.

I hope you're really happy with your very special guitar!

Thank you for all of this information, Jimmy! It's a ton of stuff to think about and research. I really have to think now, but you gave me more than I asked for and I appreciate it!