Archtop recommendations
I am for a new archtop, as it is guitar I have not.
There seem two options, 1. Go for a new one - seems a lot available brand new archtops in good price. 2. Go for a vintage old one - there seem a few old archtops from 1940s - 1950s with repairs and restorations on ebay and local news paper for sale colums and gumtree ads. If the price were same, which option is better? I am learning to play Blues and maybe later, Jazz. Thanks |
There is also the option to buy a very lightly used guitar that the original purchaser did not connect with.
There are several options listed for sale on the AGF site. TLJ |
Grab a nice cold beverage of your choice, take a deep breath, and sit back - this is going to take some time...
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agree
I agree with Steve
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Thank you for very comprehensive information about the point.
I am glad that I didn't go for the vintage archtops on eBay with headstock break repairs. Although it is cheap, it could be just buying an old lemon with a lot of hidden problems. My budget is not big, as a newbie. I am looking for a low budget one, but which plays nice with good action and intonation. |
My short answer: 1950s Gibson ES-125 for about $1200. Check that the neck angle is sound. Check that the arch in the top has not caved in. A re-fret with brand-new frets runs about $300 to $350.
You will always get your money back if you take good care of it. A 1992 Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis with a single pick-up for $1500. I would take a serious look at this one. https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/m...439236214.html It is Craigslist with its own set of caveat emptor and caveat venditor. Old guitars are fraught with dangers if you do not know what to look out for. Be warned. Don't let it turn into a money-pit. Some folk think that old means vintage means $$$$$. Not necessarily so. |
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Caveat emptor, indeed... :hmm: |
If you're looking at used instruments, archtop.com has a good reputation and usually a good selection. Much safer than buying from eBay or craigslist.
What Steve said about adjusting your expectations when coming from the world of flattops is really important. You'll have to change your technique to coax the best sound out of an accosting archtop. The standard campfire strum just doesn't usually work well. As a starting point, I suggest trying one of those small, heavy, teardrop shaped jazz picks. I like the Pro-Plec 1.5mm picks. It will help you focus on individual strings, even when chording. |
Dang that spell check! What's an accosting archtop anyway, you wonder?
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That Godin 5th Avenue is an amazing guitar for the money. I was playing one while waiting for my partner to try out some guitars and I got lost for 15 minutes. When I saw the price, I almost bought it on the spot (until I remembered that I really don't have a use for it).
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Good list, Steve. I don't intend to cover any of those styles.
The closest would be jazz chord-melody soloing, which is why it was interesting. My duo has a few songs that lean that way. Hmm, I think I'm starting to talk myself into checking them out again... |
The Godin 5th Avenue Jazz model can be found used for around $1k or less, and might be what you want. Check out the YouTube videos of it. Some pro's are seen using it, too. It sounds great acoustically if it has round-wounds or half-round strings on it.
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I'm quite pleased with my 5th Ave I bought it before the pickup versions became available I fitted a Kent Armstrong neck fit non adjustable pick up, replaced the flimsy fingerplate and fitted thumb wheel controls to the new plate and strung it with Thomastik tape wound strings. It may not be the ultimate in jazz boxes but I doubt I can better it for less than 1K.
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