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I realize this could turn into an episode of "Antiques Roadshow", or wistful remembrances from the days of the Nixon administration, but what have you got?
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03-16-2019 05:35 AM
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Epiphone ES-175 Premium
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Larry Coryell's Super 400 at one of our last lessons. I told him this is a piece of jazz history. He said "yes, it is". RIP.
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A 2003 Epiphone Zephyr Regent Re-issue which I put a Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickup in. Just superb. A total all-around archtop for about $600 total investment.
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I have had this Ibanez for over 20 years. Originally cost $360. Todays cost should be under $1000.
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I moved over to the Guild Newark St. line because of the 9.5" radius fingerboards. I like a little more curve. Korean quality - vintage design guitars.
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Aria PE-175 HE. Nothing else close.
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This instrument actually cost less than my Eastman (I think I got it on CL for $450 when I was living back east). This photo was a few mods back when I was trying a Benedetto A6, currently it has a Biltoft HCC and I went back to the original rosewood bridge/saddle.
This Hofner model isn't too common, I've seen at least 3 variations with either floating pups and different tail pieces. The neck on this guitar is absolutely superb, the only issue is its 25.5 scale which is just not my personal preference. I tried selling it for more than a year and gave up.
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Eastman T145. Barely under $1k used, but it's a great guitar. Second would be the Epi ES175 Premium. It's not far behind the Eastman, but I don't need the bridge pickup, and it's too deep for my comfort. Those won't bother a lot of people.
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Here is my best archtop <$1,000...does this count? A 1930s Slingerland Songster (the blonde on the left).
Great balanced (and loud) tone. Phosphor bronze strings (it's set up for big band swing) > K&K Definity pickup > Tonebone PZ Pre. Solid spruce top, maple sides, 5-piece maple neck. I had to replace the tuners, otherwise stock...remarkable shape for an 85-year-old. I will eventually route the K&K's wiring through the lower f-hole and install an end jack.
The sunburst one on the right is also 1930s but doesn't sound as good...I got it as a basket case, had to do a neck reset and make a new finger board, and have a pick guard made. The neck and internal bracing is poplar! There's no truss rod so I had to straighten the neck with heat and route two channels for carbon fiber rods before gluing the replacement finger board. Replacement bridge from Stew Mac. It has a K&K Pure Archtop pickup and an end jack.
Slingerland guitars are a bit of a mystery. I've seen "experts" online insist the bodies were made by Gibson, and others insist the bodies came from Regal (much more likely because of the f-holes). I've seen experts claim the necks came from Gibson but I can't see Gibson making poplar necks, either. The guitars were assembled at Slingerland's factory in Chicago for about 10 years.
Regardless, the blonde on the left is awesome.
It's not shown in the photo, but to the right is a Slingerland May Bell mahogany archtop parlor guitar I restored.
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My 1949 or 1950 Gibson ES-125!
That’s right, if you deduct the value of the Hiscox case that was included in the sale, I got it for just a couple of $$ under a 1000 (well, depending on the €/$ exchange rate).
Ok, not completely fair because it had an (incorrect for the model) humbucker cut into the top and a wrong Höfner tailpiece, but if you look carefully and you are willing (and skilled enough) to do some work you can even get a vintage Gibson guitar for under 1000!
For the whole picture: I spent another $315 for a 1947 P90 and a vintage tailpiece (the very early ES-125 didn’t have the raised diamond tailpiece yet). But I really feel it’s a guitar for life now.
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I almost forgot that my early ‘78 GB10nt I got at Guitar Showcase for $700.00, didn’t have a case
Once Dave Tupper worked it over it was great, Guitar Center ordered my case.
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My old Washburn J-10 Orleans. Solid top and laminated sides. I upgraded the pickup and tailpiece. I'm pretty sure it was still <$1,000.
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I played a Peerless Gigmaster Jazz and an Eastman AR371 at Guitars n Jazz around 5 years ago. At that time, they were both $995. Although I finally chose a Peerless Monarch 16 for $1350, I thought they were both great guitars.
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I agree, my Epi ZR was a wonderful guitar. I should have upgraded the pickup as you did, however. Just never got around to it.
Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Eastman AR803ce-16. I had less than $800 in it, via a trade. The 25.5 scale just wasn't for me but it was a gem, otherwise.
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This one: Originally Posted by ugarte
One of the hottest jazz guitar solos in history was recorded on a sub 1k guitar!
I still have my FG 100.
DB
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Would you price it at < 1000 USD even if you needed the money ? I did not think so Originally Posted by DB's Jazz Guitar Blog
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No, you are right there. I bought mine used for 850 euros a few years ago. These days you see them typically for 1200 - 1300 bucks or so. Prices have gone up. But the original retail price for these in the 1980s was well under 1k I think ... I found a few FG 100s on Reverb that were sold around 1000 bucks a year ago. So maybe if you are lucky ... Originally Posted by medblues
Would you price it at < 1000 USD even if you needed the money ? I did not think so
DB
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