Anyone have experience with the Peerless Contessa?

**chris32895** · 07-12-2023, 02:46 PM

I've seen lots of good talk on Peerless guitars but typically related to the Cremona or Imperial. I like the Contessa because it has a 16" body, traditional/minimal styling, plain (for the most part) fretboard, floating pickup, and is all carved. Don't see a lot of talk about the model, though, so I'm wondering if anyone here has one and/or has any thoughts on this specific model?

Link Below:
PEERLESS GUITAR

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-12-2023, 06:01 PM

If it’s by Peerless, it will be well made. The specs are good and their build quality can be first rate, so it should be a safe option for a carved archtop with a floater. I’d like to know what the nut width is, as the Cremona and Imperial differ considerably there, with the latter being too narrow for some players.

Edit: the Peerless website states that they all have the same nut with: 43mm. I don’t know why I read a few times that the Imperial was narrow. My Cremona - 43mm - is perfect in width and depth.

2nd edit: The Martin Taylor Maestro by Peerless has a nut width of 44.68mm which will better-suit Martin’s fingerstyle playing.

**lammie200** · 07-12-2023, 06:18 PM

I could be wrong but I think that all Peerless models have sound posts under their bridges so there is that to consider. I had a Monarch and a Jazz City. Both of them did.

**deacon Mark** · 07-12-2023, 06:29 PM

A soundpost under the bridge renders the guitar worthless as a true acoustic archtop, it will inhibit the top from moving to it full potential.

**chris32895** · 07-12-2023, 07:57 PM

Dang I don't like hearing that. I wonder why they would put in a soundpost in the first place

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-13-2023, 02:12 AM

Hold on. We haven’t ascertained if it is true or not that ALL the Peerless models have a sound post, plus a sound post does not render an acoustic instrument ‘useless’ - Violin? Cello? Viola? I’ve played a classical guitar with a sound post, and it sounded great.

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-13-2023, 03:56 AM

After careful observance, I’m happy to report my Peerless Cremona has no sound post.

**deacon Mark** · 07-13-2023, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

After careful observance, I’m happy to report my Peerless Cremona has no sound post.

Violins are bowed and top and back work together. Archtop guitars not made at all on this principle. Top vibrates and back is to throw sound out. Sound post in acoustic guitar go against all of this. The sound post is for deadening sound and avoiding top from collapsing. Well made spruce top souls not do any collapsing. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-13-2023, 06:10 AM

Of course. Meanwhile, the Cremona doesn't have one. As for the Contessa, it's unlikely, but you should email the company, Chris.

**chris32895** · 07-13-2023, 08:21 AM

I think I'll do that, thanks a bunch Rob. How do you like the Cremona? I have to say, all the Peerless models are attractive and direct quite well with Eastman in cost and features.

**Rob MacKillop** · 07-13-2023, 08:27 AM

Well, we are lucky in that both companies make good jazz guitars. Of the three that I have - Eastman AR910C all acoustic, Ibanez PM100, - the Peerless Cremona is the one I find myself picking up the most. I can play it acoustically or plugged it, and be happy. So if I could only keep one, that would be it. I luckily bought it a couple of weeks ago for only £1300 in excellent condition. You have to decide if you want a floater or inset pickup, though. That’s a big decision.

**st.bede** · 07-13-2023, 01:42 PM

I have no problem with a sound post, but I always play plugged in. I worry more about feedback.

In my limited experiences, there is still a tonal difference between a sound post and even a semi. I would venture to say, that there is a little more ring and air to a guitar with a sound post then a simi.

I have three guitars with sound post: PRS Hollowbody II, Eastman Romeo LA, and a Peerless Monarch.

The Monarch is guitar that plays well above its’ price. I do think about “stepping up” to an Eastman FV880.

**lammie200** · 07-13-2023, 08:34 PM

I know that there is a reluctance to compare Guilds to other Korean makers such as Peerless for some reason. I have nothing against any of them but I liked the Korean Guild A-150 Savoy more than the Peerless Monarch or Jazz City. But all three are all great guitars, IMHO. The Guild was lighter and the neck was three piece mahogany versus scarf joined maple. I also liked the DeArmond pickup. Single coil but zero hum. Another thing that I liked about the Guild was the fretboard radius which is 9.5". The Peerless' were flatter.