Which Archtop?

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blackscot

blackscot

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I've been thinking for awhile about getting my first archtop, about the only addition to the current collection I've got serious interest in or need for.

A little background: I've casually banged around on acoustics for about the past 35 years, and currently have a Martin DM and Guild 12-string that cover me there. I also spent several years with a very handsome wine-red Les Paul. Sounded as wonderful as it looked, but I always had trouble with the feel.....way heavy, and the neck really fatter than I like. I've mostly used a Strat for electric work (see avatar). A lot easier handling, and with a slinky-slim neck that suits my tastes. Also very versatile -- more so than the Les Paul was -- but it still can't reach some of the country and jazz sounds I'd like to make. Some of the tunes I'm thinking of trying are recorded originally with archtops, so that would seem the way to go.

I'd like something traditional that's been around awhile. A tried-and-true model with enough versatility to cover both country and light jazz. Gretsch and Gibson are names that come to mind, but I really don't know enough about the various models, strengths and weaknesses, etc.

Any steers either toward or away would be greatly appreciated.
 
Check out an old Gibson ES-125. They show up on ebay a lot and usually go for around a grand for one from the 50s or 60s. Would be a great 1st archtop.
 
You may want to look at the Heritage brand. They're made in the old Gibson Kalamazoo factory using some of the same molds. I understand the QC has fallen off in recent years but they still make some fine guitars. Gibson's QC isn't any better. They are less expensive than their Gibson counterparts.

I have a Heritage H-555 that I've been very happy with for about 4 years. It would be the equivalent of a Gibson 335 series. In my opinion it's a better guitar.
 
Heritage is in the midst of restructuring and, from what I can tell from their web site, is not currently producing anything although they say they have a backlog to fill.

I'm not sure how many are out there in existing stock in music stores.
 
Another brand worth looking at is Eastman Strings.
 
I bought this thing last year. It's a Gretsch Historic Streamliner G3161. It's a lower end model, and guitar isn't my primary instrument, but I think it kicks ass.
 

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Another vote for Heritage. I've had a 575 for a couple years and I love it - great jazz tone (although I am considering swapping out the pickups for a more balanced tone, as the current ones are designed to give that precise, smooth, rolled-off-high end sound).

You can find em on ebay for about 1k-1500, depending on the direction of the wind that day. Of course, you wouldn't be able to play it first, but I liked the look of the one I bought so much I went for it, and it was definitely worth it.

New, they run about 2500-3k, which I would still consider paying for a new one. I'm sure whatever Heritage dealer is closest to you will have at least a few in stock, as they aren't very well-known guitars. Hell, the closest dealer to me is a store about the size of my cubicle, and they have 5 hangin on the wall :)
 
I play on an Aria archtop. A 335/dot type copy. Got it super cheap. It beats every dot I have ever played, and really is as good a quality as a lower end Gibson. The pickups smoke for a cheapo guitar, but it is heavy, with mine weighing in at about as much as a LP Studio.
 
Well

I've looked at Grestchs, Ibanez Artcores and the Epiphone Dot. I liked the Dot plenty, but there's another guitar that's really just like it for a lot cheaper.

I own a Washburn Oscar Schmidt OE30, I got everything I want from it, and I saved about 300$. They're a copy of the Gibson ES-335, like the Dot. They're not making them anymore, but they're a nice guitar for the price. I've read some stuff about issues during delivery and QC issues, but I've never had any problems with mine besides the loose outside bolt on the jack input, which really doesn't do anything. I bet if I actually got a wrench or something it'd go away.

It's got that Clapton-Cream sound with a little distortion, it's got rich Jazz with mid and bass in the fore, and it plays electric blues like B.B. King great. It's not really a country guitar, but then I don't really play country music, so it's tough to say. It's got enough versatility, I think, that you could probably get some country styles out of it.

I'd suggest you at least try it. It's only 150$.
 
Consider an older Epiphone Casino, the quintessential Beatles guitar. No center block, dog eared P-90's, perfect for your application. Some of the new reissues ar OK, but the old USA built models are to die for.-Richie
 
Heritage are great, but at the moment you will not get anything better for the money than an Eastman. I've got friends who build hand made archtops who are scared shitless by these things.

No, it is not one of Bill Moll's or Bob Benedetto's guitars, but it is about 90% of the way there for about 10% of the cost. Gibson's can't come close. Heritage are just as good, but more expensive. And Eastman's keep getting better. Their dealers have been telling me that they are very responsive to suggestions from dealers.

Apparently, when they first started coming over, they were pretty mediocre at best, but the dealers made suggestions and criticisms, and Eastman improved their designs. And each time they would send over a batch of guitars, they would be better, until I first heard of them about 2-4 years when one of my friends was telling me how scared he was of these things. This is a guy making world class archtops, and they really are so good that he is worried about them. I don't think they will ever get all the way there, and I think they have kind of leveled out quality wise, but they are truly killer guitars.

Now, the Eastman's are made in China, so if that is a problem for you, look at a Heritage, but otherwise you can't do poorly by getting an Eastman.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Richard Monroe said:
Consider an older Epiphone Casino, the quintessential Beatles guitar. No center block, dog eared P-90's, perfect for your application. Some of the new reissues ar OK, but the old USA built models are to die for.-Richie
Click to expand...

i would look into the Casino Elite if you can't find the old USA models.I love mine:Dmade in Japan
 
Another vote for Eastman...I have an 810CE.

An important thing to consider is how you intend to use your archtop. If you are going to be amplified at fairly high volumes then you might consider a lamenate top rather than solid or carved.....something like a used Gibson ES 175 or ES 150D (got one of them too).
 
I am in the same City as the National sales manager for Eastman, so when he brought some guitars and mandolins into the shop, I got to cherry pick the model that I wanted.... I am in love with mine, although it is a flat top... The arch tops are killer for sure! I gave some of my knits to Eastman and within a week they called me back and said the changes had been made!

These are not slave built guitars, no sweat shop labor here... My guitar is as good as anything I played all over town, beating out some pretty tough stuff to compare with.... I carry a torch for Eastman now, just wish they would carry one for me :D
 
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