Archtop advice

[jzucker]

Thinking about getting something like a '60s 175 or possibly a small luthier 16" or 17" guitar. Not interested in floating pickups.

Looking for suggestions of guitars under $3k if possible.

[HammyD]

Hey Jack. Played a 50's 175 some years back and always wanted one Here's one I just spotted on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=230313218993

[dkaplowitz]

I'm wanting to step back into one myself. Doing research now. I'd be tempted to snap this one up, but I just bought an LP Custom:

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...px?Item=819529

P.S. Another recent thread about 175s: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=477257

[TwoTubMan]

How about a Heritage H-575?

Here's an example...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-Heritage-H-...mZ120347590697

[jzucker]

Those look great but I'm not sure I want to deal with a single coil pickup in terms of noise, etc.

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by TwoTubMan

How about a Heritage H-575?

Here's an example...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-Heritage-H-575-ASB-Electric-Guitar-Hard-Case_W0QQitemZ120347590697

never liked the 575. Not really looking for heritage or eastman.

[derekd]

Have you looked at the Moll Working Man's Hero? I would also contact Jim Triggs, who ran Gibson's custom shop for years, and now has his own shop. He will do whatever you want, and does a great 175 or L-5 version. I have owned a couple of his guitars in the past. Top notch, and good guy. Here is his site.

http://www.triggsguitars.com/

[nmiller]

Guild X-150, X-170 or X-500 - all within your price range.

[jads57]

Check out The Eastman John Pisano model 16" all handcarved , built in sgl h/b 2&3/4 deep. Wonderful guitar!

[Bryan T]

Another Sadowsky Jim Hall?

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by shihanderek

Have you looked at the Moll Working Man's Hero? I would also contact Jim Triggs, who ran Gibson's custom shop for years, and now has his own shop. He will do whatever you want, and does a great 175 or L-5 version. I have owned a couple of his guitars in the past. Top notch, and good guy. Here is his site.

http://www.triggsguitars.com/

The triggs are way over my budget. There is a local guy who is a rep for triggs and had an L5 or super 400 thingy. I never cared for it. The working man's hero is $3500 with a fairly long wait.

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by jads57

Check out The Eastman John Pisano model 16" all handcarved , built in sgl h/b 2&3/4 deep. Wonderful guitar!

I've had quite a few eastmans. They are nice but none of them really sounded like a 175 or L5 after all was said and done. They also all had finish and/or quality problems. Some of them have cheap appointments like the plastic inlays on the El Rey.

[Tag]

I love the Gibson L4s or Guild X 500s. Why someone would buy a 175 for jazz when an L4 has a solid Spruce top and the neck pup flush against the neck instead of the 175s shifted down pup I can never figure. Here are 2 beautys. The Guilds have the Benson sound from the "Billies bounce" / Blue Benson period. Very deep/big sounding guitars.

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1956785




http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1934658



Both great guitars IMO.

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by Bryan T

Another Sadowsky Jim Hall?

I love the sadowsky. I wish he'd either made a version with a mahogany neck and rosewood board or make one with a spruce top. The maple neck/ebony board is a little too bright for what I'm looking for in a laminate top.

[jzucker]

Originally Posted by Tag

I love the Gibson L4s or Guild X 500s. Why someone would buy a 175 for jazz when an L4 has a solid Spruce top and the neck pup flush against the neck instead of the 175s shifted down pup I can never figure.

The 175 is a classic tone though. Guys like Jim Hall, Joe Pass and even Pat Metheny get gorgeous tones out of their 175s. I do like the Guilds though. I'm trying to get my old X700 back. I do like the L4. Thanks for the links. I'll check them out.

Here are 2 beautys.

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1956785




http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1934658



Both great guitars IMO.