Best Archtop under $1500.00
closer 918
top(my first jazz guitar), but now I realize I will never use anything
other than the neck pup and I really desire a better unamplified sound
. In your opinion what are the best arch tops in the under $1500.
range. Most of the instruments that I have read about are not
available locally to play, so your thoughts are very important to me.
rpguitar
D'Angelico Excel line, especially the EXL-1SH (routed) and EXL-1
(floater). $800, and worth every penny of three times that.
Discussions ad nauseum occurred here in rmmgj over the past couple of
months.
Joe Montgomery
> . In your opinion what are the best arch tops in the under $1500.
> range. Most of the instruments that I have read about are not
> available locally to play, so your thoughts are very important to me.
Korean D'Angelico Excels. $800-$1200. Simply great for the money.
JM
RickH
tone.
Max Leggett
>> . In your opinion what are the best arch tops in the under $1500 range
>
>D'Angelico Excel line, especially the EXL-1SH (routed) and EXL-1
>(floater). $800, and worth every penny of three times that.
Yes, but move fast. They've shut the factory and blowing out current
stock. The Excel I got is up there with my Gibson 165. $800. [chortles
with glee as the cockles o' his wee Scottish heart flame brightly]
-------------------------------------------------------
Is it not strange that sheep's guts should hale
souls out of men's bodies?
Willie 'The Lion' Shakespeare
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Martacus
routed pickups better, but you can't go wrong with these. I bought one
(EXL1-DP), and it's now my favorite guitar. (I have more expensive
ones, including boutique luthier guitars that I designed with the
maker, and I prefer the D'A.) If you order, be sure to give a second
and third color choice in case they run out and forget to notify you.
Marty
jazzgeetar
it up there. For acoustics with its solid top I don't know of better
for the price myself.
-Dan
pmfan57
Look for used Guild archtops on Ebay. Excellent guitars for a very
reasonable price.
hotchkisstrio
Guild's answer to the Gibson ES 175. I don't think they make them
anymore, but there should be plenty of them available to get used, and
should be well under $1500.
I play one myself and love it. Wehn I bought it I thoroughly
researched and tried the Gibson ES175 and also the Heritage 575's and
decided on the Guild.
I also like the new Epiphone elitist Broadway. I've played a couple of
them and they were really great looking sounding and playing. Might be
more like $1700.
-Paul
335p...@gmail.com
You might be able to find a used hofner jazzica in that price range.
there's one on the jhale web site ebay store now. (I've got nothing to
do with jhale, just wanted to menton it)
jaz
the ibanez gb10 and pm-120 would have to be in the mix. Heritage also.
Phil
get...@gmail.com
for $1400. It's now my main gigging guitar and sounds and feels great.
It has a floating PU and an excellent acoustic tone. Having a solid
carved top, it is also very lightweight. Also a couple of years ago I
picked up a used Guild X500 for $1350. This has routed PU's and a great
tone when almplified. It's a little on the heavy side with a laminated
top. You can also still find Gibson ES-125's at about $1000. I would
definitely concur with the others regarding the D'Angelicos. Bargain
basement price for a very nice instrument.
Ken Willinger
www.homepage.mac.com/getken/guitar
dunlop212
pickguards, cosmetics don't matter), a used 30s-60s pro level acoustic
noncut archtop can be purchased at that price point. If you are willing
to accept repaired cracks, you could probably get an L-7 or an epi
triumph if you are patient. A beat up Guild CA-100 was on gbase a month
ago for under 1K.
The Eastmans I have played are very comparable in sound to the old
archtops. Then you have no compromises re cosmetics, etc.
I like the idea of having a first rate acoustic guitar, and a first
rate electric guitar, rtaher than trying to find one that does both
well. If you are not playing out in loud venues, get the acoustic
first, and add the electric later.
As noted, the case for an MIK DA has been made repeatedly on this NG. I
have only played one, and it was not my cup of tea, but they are
certainly bargains.
papao...@yahoo.com
If you want a "better unamplified sound" then you probably want a solid
spruce top. Tough to get in your price range - pretty much all guitars
in this range have plywood tops. Eastman comes to mind, as does
Heritage; but in each you'd probably do better (for price) in the used
market. You might also look for a guitar with a suspended pickup
rather than a routed-in pickup.
Why do you want a better unamplified sound? Where are you going to
play the guitar amplified other than your living room?
BTW, IMO you'd do better for a good acoustic tone with a flattop of OM
size than you will with an archtop - archtops were designed to be loud,
not to have good tone.
bradw
on, and I'm just coming along now. Sounds smooth enough plugged in
(though I have only a lousy practice amp), but it lacks the "chunk"
played acoustically- a bit muddy and muted.
Are the the D'Angelico's available to look at in any stores
(somewhere??). Can you return 'em if they don't suit your interests?
They look great, and the price seems great, but I'm reluctant to get
something when I have no idea what it will feel like to me. I have
played some Eastmans I enjoyed, but at twice the price of the EXL's -
I'm not worth it even at $1600 for an Eastman (too many other
instruments I've ordered!!), but the sound and playability are very
good. I may just go with a Larrivee OM as many have suggested...
rpguitar
They do have a retail network. And there's a dealer locater on
dangelicoguitars.com.