Favorite arch top guitar

[Hardbopjazz]

Any guitarists on this board? Which arch top guitar to you like playing or wish you could play? Me, I played for years on a Guild X-500 and artist award.

[Sundog]

I've got a Guild Manhattan X-170. This is my main gigging guitar. It's a great guitar, capable of a variety of sounds which is key. My favorite archtop that I've had the pleasure of playing is a Gibson L-5 Johnny Smith model. Not sure of the vintage, maybe early 70's? Probably should of payed more attention to the details since I've never played anything that I've enjoyed as much. I recently played a new Wes Montgomery L-5. Not impressed. Granted, it was brand spanking new but you can keep that one.

Guild makes very nice archtops. When I decide to step up to the next level some of their models including the artist award will be on my short list to audition.

[Uncle Skid]

I picked up a '93 Heritage H-575 used a few years back. I was just starting to get in to this jazz thing, and it just didn't sound or feel right on a Strat.

Before I bought it, I had read that it is one of the more popular jazz guitar models, but after had I tried at least 20 others, it was a pretty easy decision. It just "felt" right, and I loved the nice, mellow tone. I liked it even more when I replaced the strings with some flat wounds.

I also liked that fact that it was made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the old Gibson factory.

[Joe G]

Heritage Eagles are nice. Is that what you have Mark? Or some other model?

I've never played a Guild that I felt comfortable with. That could simply be poor setup at the store, though.

Last April I bought a Hofner Jazzica Custom. It gets a gorgeous tone through a nice amp. I used it for some studio recording we did last fall, and I couldn't get over how rich it sounded. I've been less successful adapting it to live situations, however. Hard to play funk rhythm with just the neck pickup, and I often miss the sustain that I get with my Ibanez Artist semi-hollow body. Plus, I get nervous letting a $2000 intstrument out of my sight for any length of time. I guess it might end up primarily being my home and recording guitar.

It shore is purty:

Edited March 22, 2004 by Joe G

[Uncle Skid]

Joe -- sho' nuff, that Hofner is a beauty. I just love the simplicity -- just one pickup; no frills, clean design. It's funny how the most expensive hollow-body guitars are usually the ones without all the extra gagdets and gimmicks.

I got my Heritage in your "neck of the woods" -- at Elderly in Lansing. Here's a picture:

This isn't mine, but it looks identical. Heritage fans might notice that the tail piece doesn't have the fancy "H" like the newer models.

[7/4]

Last April I bought a Hofner Jazzica Custom.

I played one of those a few years ago, the dealer still has it hanging on the wall.

I really dug it. Did yours come with foam inserts for the "F" holes to cut down on feedback? The ones I saw were mounted on wood strips that matched the top.

Plus, I get nervous letting a $2000 intstrument out of my sight for any length of time.

I know all about that trip! I stopped using the fretless on solo gigs so I could carry the JI guitar in a gig bag. You know...to the bathroom. Those double gtr gig bags are pain to haul around!

I'd love to own an arch top, but I don't play Jazz in public (and not very well!) so I don't have any plans to buy one soon.

I do use my mid-'70's Gibson L6-S (solid body) with flatwounds for everyday playing around the apt. and when I do get the itch for some chord melody. And to check out my newly purchased copy of Slonimsky's Theasaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns.

[Jim R]

First of all, let me say that I consider myself lucky, for a couple of reasons. I've been able to afford some nice guitars, and I started "collecting" (although I've never owned more than a few at any given time) back in the 70's, before vintage archtops became major investments and museum pieces on an international level). I've always had a serious "thing" for vintage Gibson archtops, and I've bought/sold/traded a few dozen over the past 30 years. I was also very fortunate to own an old noncutaway D'Angelico New Yorker back in the 80's (eventually decided to trade it away). To me, every archtop guitar has it's own personality, especially if you experiment with different models. I love that about them. I also love the way they sound, feel, look, and yes, even smell (okay, I'm odd).

Anyway, it's hard to choose a favorite, because each model has it's own design factors that make it special. I love the sound of 18" guitars like the Super 400 and the D'A NY, but they're not as comfortable to hold and play. The Johnny Smith model is great, with its wider fingerboard, slightly shorter scale, and that great mini-humbucking pickup. And speaking of pickups, it's pretty hard (IMO) to beat the sound of the old Charlie Christian pickup. The ES-175 is probably the quintessential affordable/reliable/workhorse type Gibson archtop, but for an axe with a P90 (single coil) pickup, I always liked the ES-350.

Despite what you see in my avatar, I guess if I had to pick an all-time favorite, it would be my L5CT(ES), or "George Gobel" model. It's an L5 with a thinner body (about an inch thinner than a standard L5), and a cherry red finish. Mine was modified with humbuckers before I got it, but even unplugged it just sings, and it practically plays itself. 24 3/4" scale, and so comfortable to play. Adrian Ingram, who wrote "The Gibson L5: It's History And Players" (as well as Wes Montgomery's bio) asked me for photos, so it actually ended up being included in his book (b&w, unfortunately, although the color photos in that book were generally screwed up somehow).

[7/4]

I never met an ES-175 I didn't like!

What do folks think of the new D Angelicos? I think they're ok, but those headstocks are huge!

[Hardbopjazz]

Back in 1988, I sold a vintage Gibson, Charlie Christian model (lefty). I had no idea of the value. I got 400 dollars for it. Thinking I made out well sinec it was old and really used. Three weeks later while walking down 48 street in NYC, which is the music center, I saw the same guitar in the window of a used guitar store selling for $3000. That was the biggest, dumnest, or what ever you want to call it mistake I ever made.

Mine was a left handed model, so add about 20% to the $3000 grand for the right handed model.

Live and learn.

[jazzbo]

I haven't handled many archtops. From recordings, I think I'd like to have one like Jimmy Gourley and a few other cats played. . . sort of a Charlie Christian like model. . . . Jim R knows what I mean. I like the rich and thick sound that they make. . . . I love the players that use them.

The only guitar I've owned since the early eighties though is an Ovation Breadwinner, a heavy solid bodied guitar with a weird finish that I love the neck of and the sound. . . but no archtop!

Edited March 22, 2004 by jazzbo

[Jim R]

I never met an ES-175 I didn't like!

I never met a Gibson I didn't like. B)

What do folks think of the new D Angelicos? I think they're ok, but those headstocks are huge!

I haven't had the pleasure yet, but I've heard nothing but good reviews.

[Joe G]

Last April I bought a Hofner Jazzica Custom.

I really dug it. Did yours come with foam inserts for the "F" holes to cut down on feedback? The ones I saw were mounted on wood strips that matched the top.

Yes. That's a very nice feature, too.

[Jim R]

hbj,

I think $3K might have been a little ambitious for an ES150 (unless it had been really clean) back at that time. Of course, it was probably worth a little more than $400! (sorry ). At any rate, we've all done things like that, I'm sure. I once traded 2 guitars plus some cash to George Gruhn for an ES250, and when I saw the prices he put on my guitars I almost fell down. Live and learn indeed. I also think back to some guitars I sold for lower-market value, which are now worth ten times what I sold them for. Ah well...

Lon,

As far as I know, Gourley has used an ES150 for most of his career. There were so many players that used those (or other models with that pickup added) due to Christian's influence. Charlie used the 150 and the 250, BTW). I still say you should try out the Tiny Grimes 4-string version (ETG150). Every bit as loveable as a digital piano!

[Hardbopjazz]

hbj,

I think $3K might have been a little ambitious for an ES150 (unless it had been really clean) back at that time. Of course, it was probably worth a little more than $400! (sorry ). At any rate, we've all done things like that, I'm sure. I once traded 2 guitars plus some cash to George Gruhn for an ES250, and when I saw the prices he put on my guitars I almost fell down. Live and learn indeed. I also think back to some guitars I sold for lower-market value, which are now worth ten times what I sold them for. Ah well...

Lon,

As far as I know, Gourley has used an ES150 for most of his career. There were so many players that used those (or other models with that pickup added) due to Christian's influence. Charlie used the 150 and the 250, BTW). I still say you should try out the Tiny Grimes 4-string version (ETG150). Every bit as loveable as a digital piano!

I'm glad to hear from someone that the ES150 wasn't woth 3k. What do you think I shuld have gotten for it?

I sold a Gibson ES165 for $1700. The guitar didn't sing. It was so flat when I played it. I had paid $1200 when I bought originally. But my guild X-500 had the best tone I ever heard from a guitar.

[jazzbo]

Thanks for the info Jim. I am not up on my model numbers, but I could probably identify it in the dark! Especially if it was plugged in!

I really like guitars. . . I have tried a few four string models . . . I just always miss the other two strings. My heart is with pianos though. . . . Maybe those keyboards are in my blood; I have organ builders in my family history.

[AfricaBrass]

I'm more of a twangy/roots/country guitarist than a jazz player, but my favorite guitar when I'm playing jazz is my American made Epiphone Casino (top photo - guitar in photo isn't mine, but is the same model). I dig this guitar because I love the P-90 pickups in it and it is completely hollow. It's also cool because it's (in essence) the same guitar as the Gibson 330 that Grant Green played.

One of my newest additions is my Gretsch 6118 (bottom photo - guitar in photo isn't mine, but is the same model), I know it's more of a rockabilly guitar than a jazz guitar, but the filtertron pickups are great for that Chet Atkins sounds.

Truth be told, I find I can pretty much get any sound I want on my various Telecasters, especially my Tele with the mini neck humbucker.

Guitars are fun!

I just wish I could afford a nice Gibson L5 or something like that.

[Jim Alfredson]

I also love the way they sound, feel, look, and yes, even smell (okay, I'm odd).

I feel the same way about Hammonds.

[AfricaBrass]

I also love the way they sound, feel, look, and yes, even smell (okay, I'm odd). 

I feel the same way about Hammonds.

I know what you guys are talking about...

My wife wants me to find a 12-step program for my guitar addiction.

[Jim Alfredson]

My dream organ was on Ebay a couple weeks ago... A 1954 Hammond B2 with a Leslie 21H and a Leslie 31H... all for an opening bid of $1995. It closed at $2155. That is a damn steal for a Hammond and two Leslies. I wanted to bid on it so badly, but my wife said, "You already have four organs. What do you need another for?"

Oh well.

[Jim R]

I'm glad to hear from someone that the ES150 wasn't worth 3k. What do you think I should have gotten for it?

Well, 1988 was a long time ago, and I don't have the greatest memory in the world, but I would think more like $2000 (maybe $2500 for an exceptional specimen) at that time. Of course, we ARE talking about NYC- the "mecca" of high prices.

People are always talking about how rare 150's are (the notes on the LP cover of Rene Thomas' "Guitar Groove" stated that only a few existed in the world), but that's a misconception. You can almost always find one for sale if you know where to look. The truly rare model was the ES250, of which only a few dozen were ever made. Those are well into 5 figures now (and yes, I sold mine for a lot less ).

[Jim R]

I'm more of a twangy/roots/country guitarist than a jazz player, but my favorite guitar when I'm playing jazz is my American made Epiphone Casino (top photo - guitar in photo isn't mine, but is the same model). I dig this guitar because I love the P-90 pickups in it and it is completely hollow. It's also cool because it's (in essence) the same guitar as the Gibson 330 that Grant Green played.

SWEET! Those are wonderful, comfortable guitars. They may be light, but they bite! I used to have a 1960 ES330, which I found locally via an ad in the paper for (drumroll...) $200. Clean, with the original brown Lifton case. I sold it a couple of years later for $450 (circa '83 or so), and was so proud of myself. Now those go for about $3K.

I might add that I've always kind of shared Duke Robillard's philosophy (as stated in a Guitar Player magazine interview years ago). He likes to enjoy a guitar for awhile, and then try something different and let other people enjoy the ones he's played. The only problem with that is, you sometimes allow yourself to let go of something that you really regret later.

[Sundog]

Truth be told, I find I can pretty much get any sound I want on my various Telecasters, especially my Tele with the mini neck humbucker.

That's what I used to think until I seriously started auditioning archtops. Up until then I was perfectly happy with my telecasters. I could get fairly nice authentic jazz sounds from my mahagony, chambered telesonic. As good as they are, it's just not the same as a hollow body. Great guitars though, I still own two. A 52' reissue and the above mentioned telesonic. Probably won't sell either anytime soon, although they really need to be played more often.

On a side note what are you all playing through? I've got a 65' Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue. Don't use any pedals or anything else "pre" amp. I can easily get that fat Kenny Burrell sound with my current rig which is kind of my default tone. Just nice tube tone with natural overdrive. I can't think of a better all round amp, although I am toying with the idea of getting a 80 watt Roland Jazz Chorus. I need a backup.

[AfricaBrass]

I'm like you Jim, I've never stuck with one guitar exclusively. I've found that as I've been involved in different groups, I like to play a "fresh" guitar. So my guitars are like markers from my musical life.

I've really been on a buying, selling, trading spree the last couple years. I now have a collection of guitars that I LOVE.

One thing that I have done in the past is given away guitars. Not my best guitars, but ones that I never really bonded with and weren't too expensive. Doing this has brought me a lot of joy. I'd love to start a program to equip kids/teenagers with guitars.

[AfricaBrass]

Sundog,

The truth is, I've never had the chance to play really nice jazz guitars, so I'd probably change my tune after some time with them. I've always been impressed when I see jazz cats like Ed Bickert play Teles.

As for amps, since I'm not in any kind of working group right now, I mainly play through my brown '62 Fender Princeton (which has a tremelo from beyond) or through a silverface Champ. When I need more watts, I'll probably get what you have, the Deluxe Reverb reissue. I LOVE Deluxe's. I just wish I could afford a tweed 50's model. I used to play through Fender Twins, but that's just overkill for me nowadays. I'd love one of the Fender Custom Shop or boutique amps, but they're waaaay out of my price range.

[AfricaBrass]

and...

Those Telesonics are sweet!