Want To Buy Or Trade: Modest acoustic archtop

[devellis]

I've been toying with the idea of getting an acoustic archtop guitar for something a little different and thought I'd see what people might have to offer.

My interests are decidedly acoustic and I really wouldn't want anything with a pickup. An oval hole might be preferable but I'd entertain f-hole options that sounded good acoustically. I prefer a voice with a strong, clear fundamental and reasonable balance across the strings that sounds good fingerpicked. I'll use this guitar for Piedmont-style blues and rags primarily, so a purely jazzy tone that might work well for vamping chords probably wouldn't be a good fit. Something closer to the tone of old Gibson, oval-hole, acoustic archtops would be more what I'm after, although I don't want to spend as much as those typically cost and I think I'd prefer something newer. Loud enough to be heard when played with a couple of other acoustic guitars is nice but ear-shattering volume isn't a requirement by any means.

One model in particular that's caught my eye is the now-discontinued Eastman El Rey 0. Some of the other Eastman models, like the 800 or 804, might also be interesting.

I'm not interested in a Godin 5th Avenue, as I used to have one and didn't really bond with it. I'd prefer carved to pressed top and back. Also, although there are lots of high-end, high-dollar archtops that are wonderful instruments, that's not what I'm after either.

My budget is probably around $1400 or so, perhaps slightly higher if a trade is involved. I'm not looking for a primary guitar but something different from the flattops that I have now to add some diversity. Good condition and excellent playability are a must. Also, I prefer a nut width around 1 3/4" (or perhaps more). A chunky round or "V" neck is fine and preferable to a really shallow, low-oval profile.

Trade possibilities exist. I'm really not looking to move anything I have now but would consider trades on a case-by-case (no pun intended) basis if I had something the other party wanted and all the planets fell into alignment. If you have something you think I might like and are looking to acquire a flattop to replace it, we could certainly discuss the possibilities. I also have some mandolins and banjos that are possible trade candidates.

If you have something along these lines that you might part with, especially an El Rey 0, let's talk.

[twocorgis]

Originally Posted by devellis

I've been toying with the idea of getting an acoustic archtop guitar for something a little different and thought I'd see what people might have to offer.

My interests are decidedly acoustic and I really wouldn't want anything with a pickup. An oval hole might be preferable but I'd entertain f-hole options that sounded good acoustically. I prefer a voice with a strong, clear fundamental and reasonable balance across the strings that sounds good fingerpicked. I'll use this guitar for Piedmont-style blues and rags primarily, so a purely jazzy tone that might work well for vamping chords probably wouldn't be a good fit. Something closer to the tone of old Gibson, oval-hole, acoustic archtops would be more what I'm after, although I don't want to spend as much as those typically cost and I think I'd prefer something newer. Loud enough to be heard when played with a couple of other acoustic guitars is nice but ear-shattering volume isn't a requirement by any means.

One model in particular that's caught my eye is the now-discontinued Eastman El Rey 0. Some of the other Eastman models, like the 800 or 804, might also be interesting.

I'm not interested in a Godin 5th Avenue, as I used to have one and didn't really bond with it. I'd prefer carved to pressed top and back. Also, although there are lots of high-end, high-dollar archtops that are wonderful instruments, that's not what I'm after either.

My budget is probably around $1400 or so, perhaps slightly higher if a trade is involved. I'm not looking for a primary guitar but something different from the flattops that I have now to add some diversity. Good condition and excellent playability are a must. Also, I prefer a nut width around 1 3/4" (or perhaps more). A chunky round or "V" neck is fine and preferable to a really shallow, low-oval profile.

Trade possibilities exist. I'm really not looking to move anything I have now but would consider trades on a case-by-case (no pun intended) basis if I had something the other party wanted and all the planets fell into alignment. If you have something you think I might like and are looking to acquire a flattop to replace it, we could certainly discuss the possibilities. I also have some mandolins and banjos that are possible trade candidates.

If you have something along these lines that you might part with, especially an El Rey 0, let's talk.

Bob, I'd seriously consider a Guild Newark Street A150. Yes, they have a pickup, but it's a floating DeArmond that you don't have to use, and can even remove if you feel like it. I've played one, and they sound pretty good unplugged as well. I came very close to pulling the rigger on this one recently that went for stupid cheap, but I can't really rationalize having more than one archtop.

[Mark L]

Interested in my exc+ Eastman 904 ce? I've been thinking about selling it. It's their highest quality build, oval hole archtop, cutaway with Kent Armstrong floating pickup. Beautiful natural blonde, carved spruce/maple.

PM if you'd like to discuss.

Thx, Mark.

[sayheyjeff]

Sent a PM. Jeff

[devellis]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Nothing quite like what I'm looking for but I do appreciate the responses and the guitars mentioned are definitely very nice.

[devellis]

Bump up in case someone with something nice missed it.