#1
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Recommendations for sub $1K Acoustic Archtop?
I'm thinking about adding a new flavor of acoustic and have gotten the itch for an archtop. I am looking to spend less than $1K (or close) and don't need an electric/jazz style pickup as I am more interested in strumming/singing with it rather than jazz. I've come across the following new guitars in my price range:
-Epiphone Masterbilt Century Deluxe Classic -Godin 5th Avenue -Gretsch New Yorker G9550 -The Loar LH-600 At the higher end or somewhat over my budget, I've found: The Loar LH-700 Vintage Gibson L-48 or L-50 in decent shape. Any thoughts on any of these? Recommendations otherwise? Anyone got one they are looking to unload? Brian |
#2
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As an acoustic guitar, you need to hear it to tell if you like it. Some people love the sound of a Godin 5th Avenue, but to me it sounds quite dead, no depth of tone, no shimmer. I've played (and own, frankly) vintage archtops that aren't much better, but I also have a wonderful acoustic archtop that sounds great. The problem is I had to make it to get it, an equivalent guitar would be $5K from a luthier. My recommendation is always this: try really hard to find a good acoustic archtop to hear and learn what one sounds like, then decide what you like about it, and try to find that sound. I have heard that Eastmans are hand carved solid top, and on an archtop a hand carved solid back is also very important to the tone. I would try the best one of those I could find, then work through what is available to you.
Brian
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#3
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For a "new" purely acoustic instrument, under 1k, the Loar is the choice. They're very good "raw materials" guitars, expect that you might need to put a little work into them to make them as playable as you want. The one I owned had a few high frets and a poorly cut nut, for example.
Also bear in mind the non-cutaway, purely acoustic models have a "V" shaped neck, which you'll either love or NOT. I could never get used to it, which was a bummer, as I really liked the way the guitar sounded. |
#4
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A Godin 5th Avenue is the only acoustic archtop currently in my stable, and I can be perfectly happy with my little $500 comp box until I find exactly what I'm looking for; I've tried all the others you list, so I'll give you my impressions:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#5
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Thanks for all of the great info!
There's a place nearby that has a 5th Avenue - will plan to check it out this week. I cannot find any of the others anywhere near me, so will see how the 5th Avenue sounds and then go from there! Brian |
#6
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Voice of Experience here with a PSA: 5th Avenues come from the factory with light-gauge strings - 11-52 TMK - so unless you're strictly playing Gypsy jazz you're going to be losing a lot of tone/volume; if you're seriously considering it, install a set of mediums on your own nickel (pun intended) so you can fairly assess the capabilities...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#7
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Just a small note: I have a Loar 700 which I picked up used for under $1K - I love it but I had to do a fair bit of tweaking. Also the nut, even though spec'd at 1 3/4" is actually 1 11/16", at least on mine. I would much prefer the slightly wider nut but to some it's not an issue.
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National Resophonic NRP 12 Fret Loar LH-700-VS Archtop Eastman E8-OM Herrmann Weissenborn Recording King RP-10 Recording King RG-35-SN Lapsteel Maton 425 12-string ESP 400 series telecaster Eastman T485 Deering Americana Banjo My Youtube |
#8
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As an acoustic guitar, you need to hear it to tell if you like it. Some people love the sound of a Godin 5th Avenue, but to me it sounds quite dead, no depth of tone, no shimmer. I've played (and own, frankly) vintage archtops that aren't much better, but I also have a wonderful acoustic archtop that sounds great. The problem is I had to make it to get it, an equivalent guitar would be $5K from a luthier. My recommendation is always this: try really hard to find a good acoustic archtop to hear and learn what one sounds like, then decide what you like about it, and try to find that sound. I have heard that Eastmans are hand carved solid top, and on an archtop a hand carved solid back is also very important to the tone. I would try the best one of those I could find, then work through what is available to you.
Brian
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#9
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The Godin 5th Avenue is a proper affordable jazz instrument made in Canada and assembled in U.S.A. It is also used by working musicians.
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#10
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I've got the non cutaway Kingpin with the neck P90 and I love it. It's a very good modern take on a ES125 type low to middle end plywood every-man's archtop of 65 years ago. Is it a good jazz guitar? - I don't know I can't play that stuff. But I do know it can for sure dance around that Memphis Sun Records sound.
Like Steve said above these need heavier strings to do them justice (I use 0.13 Monel Retros on mine). For unplugged playing around the house or with another that has a flat top the Kingpin works well. The P90, wiring and pots does not really degrade the unplugged sound IMHO. I plug this into an Excelsior Pro (6v6 tube set with a 15" Eminence Legend) and it has a great ballsy voice in the mic channel and sounds beautiful along with a Telecaster in the guitar channel when plugged into this amp at the same time. These can be had for 5 bills these days and I think you can't go wrong with a Kingpin if you want an archtop in that price range. While we are on the subject, I searched for a vintage Gibson ES125 for several years. What I found is that since they are all close to my age - and like me time has taken it's toll on most of them. The ones that are in great shape go for 3 or 4 times the money we are talking above. I got my Kingpin used like new (great action and no problems). |
#11
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I have very little experience with archtops but also wanted to diversify the stable a bit a few years ago and, FWIW, I am happy with my Godin 5th Avenue, although I do play it mostly amplified and did have a rosewood bridge put on it...
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.[SIZE="2"] - Sean Debut album Time Will Tell now available on all the usual platforms -- visit SeanLewisMusic |
#12
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I've owned the 5th avenue (several times) and I liked it, but if you are looking for jazz oriented archtop sound you may want to look at the Loars or Eastmans. Maybe even the new Epiphones (but I have no experience with them).
While the all acoustic 5th is a nice guitar it seemed to have more of a flattop sound in an archtop package. As mentioned, heavier strings and a new bridge are a plus for the 5th. At a minimum make sure that the stock bridge is seated well to the body. This may take a bit of sand paper. |
#13
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Quote:
__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#14
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Archtop
Brian - sent you a pm.
Bill |
#15
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Of the guitars you mentioned, the only "real" acoustic archtop - i.e. fully carved top and back - is the Loar LH-600/700. Sure a vintage L50 (pre-war ones are way better) would be great but, it's super hard to find one that cheap worth playing.
I've played any number of LH-600's and several LH-700, and with a proper setup, they will sound great. The QC is commensurate to a sub $1000 asian factory-made guitar. But the wood is solid and carved, and none of the new options can hold a candle to it acoustically. Steve, I'm not sure the distinction you're making between the 600/700 as one being "early 30's" and the other being "Mother Maybelle/Eddie Lang". Both are modeled on a dot-neck '28-'29 16" L-5, with the 700 being the nicer version - i.e. nicer wood, gold hardware, extra headstock inlay, better QC. Other than those things, they're identical. If you can find an Eastman 605, 610 or 805 or 810 for under a grand, that would also be nice choice - probably better sounding, but more modern looking.
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