Pt. 2: Are Expensive Archtops Worth it? - Why Guitars Are Like Wine | Cheap vs. High-End Guitars

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This is part 2 of a topic that my son Wes and I have been debating as we try to figure out whether buying an expensive archtop is really worth it. With all the low-end archtops out there these days, sometimes it can be hard to justify buying a top-of-the-line archtop. But there are some clear advantages to buying higher-end gear. Join the debate! Please leave me a comment, and thanks so much for watching my channel!
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#ExpensiveGuitars #ExpensiveArchtops #Gibson #HeritageGuitars #EastmanGuitars #cheapVsExpensive #CheapGuitars #Guitars #Guitar #Archtop #CheapArchtop #IBanez #IbanezArtCore #SamickGuitars #SamickJazzGuitars #SamickJZ4 #SamickLaSalle #SamickARchtops #JohnnySmithPickups #Jazz #JazzGuitars #VintageGuitars #VintageJazzGuitars #JazzArchtops #ArchtopGuitars

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15 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 54

@JB-xe1nm Год назад

I think the wine comparison is spot on. If you can afford a 10G guitar without breaking the bank, it’s a solid buy. If all you can muster up financially is an Ibanez AF75, it’s also a solid buy.

@clarencevickrot3531 Год назад

It's not just the sound, it's the feel.

@slapthatplank Год назад

I'd also throw it out there that playing a nice guitar brings out more of the player. The ability to play with feel and nuance is sometimes tougher to do with a cheaper guitar. I also think that if you spend a lot of money, it's easier to get a great guitar. You might have to play through 50 Squiers before you get a great one, vs a couple of Fender CS strats or whatever.

@chicopm Год назад

Rich Severson Blindfold test, I would dig that!!

@jackdwyer4584 Год назад

Instrument appreciation is wild. I know someone who bought a Lloyd Loar mandolin in the 80s for $1000. Apparently Chris Thile bought a Lloyd Loar in the 2000s for $200,000.

@bobrich1950 Год назад

Wes is on to something i think. I'm an old Gibson archtop guy. But check out a very recent video on Jens Larsen's youtube channel where he delves into this very thing. Comparing an old Gibson ES175 to 4 other guitars for tone. The results were eye opening to say the least.

@patyak1133 Год назад

huge difference between a $6 bottle of wine and a $12 bottle-both from COSTCO-huge difference!!!I just played my Heritage Sweet 16 after using my 66 Johnny Smith-now can't stand the Sweet 16-it would be nice to get a $3,000 guitar that is playable for club -

@bradmalinowski Год назад

Gentlemen, I could not agree more. Over the last 50+ years, I've found that it is like a bottle of wine or my comparison is a Toyota Camry vs. a Mercedes or even Rolls Royce. The Toyota will get you to your destination with comfort and extreme reliability. I can deal with any guitar cheap or not as long as it has a decent fret job, intonates well and stays in tune. You have to have a good amp too. I loved your talk about recording. I did a demo recording of my jazz trio using MXL mics, my XR18 mixer and Garage Band. It is on my RU-vid Channel. It was my FIRST time doing this and I got a ton of positive comments about the sound and quality. The only problem with video is that when you load up to RU-vid, it can knock it out of sync, but not badly. I have a 1976 Gibson Byrdland and I don't take it out a lot because it is so valuable. On one gig, the singer spilled wine on it and it cost me $120.00 to get the original volume pot changed out, so now, I've lost some vintage value. What a mess that was and it was one of the reasons I quit that band. I also notice that a lot of great players play guitars like Eastman, Ibanez, etc... Doctors, lawyers and CEO's buy 5k to 10k or more guitars and can't even play but a few chords. This entire guitar culture is upside down. On a final note, I almost sold my Eastman 503 in order to save money to buy a Benedetto. Upon listening to my Eastman on my recordings, I decided to stay with my ol' relable Eastman and forget about the Benedetto that would have cost me a minimum of $7500 for the entry level model. Surely, I'd love to have a Heritage, Sadowsky, or Benedetto, but at age 67, I'm not playing at the Hollywood Bowl. BTW, I just saw one for $40,000! C'mon! You gotta be kidding me!!!

@Dodgerm1cbo Год назад

I couldn't afford a premium guitar so a Chinese made guitar is all I could buy but it sounds ok.iwould still cry if that fell and broke, the fingers do the talking and eq helps the sound

@gilcarlson2 Год назад

Love what you guys are doing. Great discussion. This is where the rubber hits the road. I think the 'blind fold' test is a great next video. I want to score a 175 some day, but until then, I'ved looked at alternate approaches that don't require that cash outlay, like Hofner hollow bodies, Yamaha Martin Taylor and others.

@TN-D18 Год назад

As you said, many hear the name on the headstock. More expensive and/or vintage instruments can have that mysterious quality that will inspire the player, while at the same time being a decent investment, so I guess it can be a win-win….for those that insist on keeping score.

@ozzie-sk9dh Год назад

My early 80s Yamaha AE1200 was $1000 and is as close to a L5 as I need to be for feel and sound. I gig out with my Epiphone Dot or Ibanez AF75.

@deangranros8493 Год назад

I've had both high end and low end and enjoyed both. In some ways that seems to come down to poly vs nitrocellulose. I like a guitar built for work, if it feels like that I am happy. Sometimes a humble instrument can provide that. I probably should, but never see guitars as investments. I have always sold or traded one for another. I do have a few different guitars now a days (ironically now that I am older and gig less) . A custom Slaman, a Reverend PA-1 that is a workhorse, and a Washburn J3 with tweaks that plays a sounds great. They're all good in their way,

@tdw57 Год назад

Dude--I KNOW you love old Gibson's, etc.., slices of Americana, history, antique, etc. It's what you've lived, and participated in. So of COURSE you love that stuff. Lot's of people do. But it would be quite another thing to say one NEEDS that expensive guitar to have a very fulfilling, amazing jazz guitar practice, performance or general experience. One does NOT need that. You can have a great experience with an Epiphone Broadway reissue. Or a Godin. Or an Eastman. If you're wealthy, or finnicky, yeah, maybe you differ on that, but needs are needs, and wants are wants. Groove on, man! Whichever way your pleasure tends...but, keep this in mind. What kind of guitar player, or prospective guitar player MUST have an EXPENSIVE guitar to 'inspire' playing and learning? Yeah. For real.

@richarde5718 4 месяца назад

No one needs a Gibson. I dont play live or record, but after 30 hard years of working, i WANT a Gibson.

@jazzybeatle2004 Год назад

Join the debate? Well…, okay, just because you asked. Keep in mind that it’s with all due respect. I have nothing against a high quality, top brand archtop, but I do wonder whether some of the prices, especially Gibson’s ones, are truly justifiable. Take the Gibson L-5 for instance, is it really worth 10 grand or more? I have a 2019 Epiphone Broadway with Gibson quality electronic components, including ‘57 classic humbuckers. The only difference is laminate vs solid wood construction. I prefer laminate due to its durability and better feedback resistance. I suspect we all have a tendency to listen with our eyes instead of ears. And when we close them, the images still haunt us. The reality is that differences in sound are not so easily distinguishable. Of course, it’s not just the sound, it’s the feel and playability. Everything matters: the materials, the size, the neck profile, the scale length, the fret work, etc. But you have to know what you like. And don’t just change the strings, learn to do your own setups. These days at a certain price point, usually around a grand or two, you do get the quality paired with the right feel. Don’t deceive yourself thinking that only top quality, top brand name archtop is the way to go. Most larger guitar makers take advantage of technology and precision Plek machines. You can get high quality without the high price tag. To make my point I need to add a little semi-hollow (ES-335) guitar story. Back in 2013 the new D’Angelico line was introduced. I picked the standard series EX-DC for $1,259 street. A few years later I added Epiphone Sheraton-II Pro for $699 mainly because of the included coil-splitting. Then I heard Gibson had moved back to Nashville in order to streamline and improve the production. So what did I do? I went for the headstock. I got myself a 2020 Gibson ES-335 for $2,599. Is my Gibson far superior to the other two? No, it isn’t. Is it much better than the other two in terms of sound, feel, and playability? Not really, but it’s a Gibby - prestige if you will. Don’t get me wrong. I think an expensive archtop is worth it, if it’s custom made to your specifications. But again, you have to know what you want.

@77pearcearrow Год назад

Hearing the instrument is one thing. I agree you’re gonna have trouble noticing the difference between a Gibson and a Samick. But when it comes to consistency and playability. To me that’s more of an issue, especially if you have something shipped to your house. One of my students wanted to buy a jazz box. And we hung out at the store that I teach at. We went through six affordable instruments. And I felt only one of them played and sounded really good. Granted you can always get a guitar set up after you purchase it. But one of the guitars seem to have a twist in the neck and later on was noticed by Luthier. And lo and behold it did have a twist. So if you wanna buy an affordable guitar I suggest trying five or six or seven of them out at a time. I would not get one shipped to your house.

@claygrier4673 Год назад

I'm more interested in finding a good hollow body for not a lot of money vs buying a ton of guitars. I recently missed out on buying a Samick for $300. I did get a Jay Turser (ES-175 copy) for the same amount. How do you feel about the Samick vs Jay Turser.

@bobbycoxjr.2464 Год назад

I have 2 top shelf guitars a Gibson L5 and a Guild Artist Award. They are not going to be gigged with. However I did play Christmas music at my bank 2 year with the L5. I have some lower end things to gig with.

@jamesbaker9539 Год назад

I agree, let's see someone play various guitars while Rich is blind-folded and see if he can tell the difference in different grades of arch tops!

@glennmattison3180 Год назад

i wish you would demo some Hollow Body Yamaha (Made in Japan) archtops. I am curious as to how good they are. I have a Yamaha SA2200 (335 style) semi-hollow and it is a fabulous guitar. I got a mint used one for $1500 which is about half the price of a new base Gibson 335 and it has most the features of a 355. I would put it up against a Gibson anyday.

@TheStrataminor Год назад

Interesting but I think Wes is being a bit overly critical. There is also the aspect of lasting over time and the undeniable pleasure of owning something that is Iconic that you know is a classic and is high quality and will last a lifetime and keep its value

@bobmonagle242 Год назад

If you are a pro it’s worth it to get the high end instrument. I have a Sipe 400 I bought in 1977 for $800. I’ve used it on countless gigs. I want an instrument that plays and sounds great. It does cost a lot to get an instrument 5 to 10% better than one made in Asia or wherever. To me it is worth it. Super 400 sure is worth a lot more than $800. Now.

@PrivateSoyer Год назад

I think in the long run the expensive guitars will last longer and sound better with age, but in my position I think individual skill and talent will ultimately dictate the usefulness or an appretiation of an aged or expensive guitar.

@ralex3697 Год назад

Right on

@glodavhog Год назад

why would you drive a ford focus when you could drive a cadillac

@GrandOld-Parr 5 месяцев назад

Count me in the "Buy just a bit more than you can afford" crowd. Today shops are more than willing to take a few monthly payments for one satisfied customer.

@marklarkinsmusic5543 Год назад

There's NO substitute for high Quality Name brand guitars, Not only do they sound Better and have Much Better resell value, they're also more inspiring For the musician to try & become Better.. Plus you can barely bump a poly Finish and it chips.. Aaarrhhhh..

@reggieperry4606 Год назад

While the sound is important, just as important is the comfort that the guitarist has on the instrument and I think there’s a minimum price point for that comfort.

@jazzguitarneophyte-christo7988 Год назад

IT is because of the review you did on the Samick! I purchased one almost exactly after I saw your review and I am very happy with it! I'm with Wes on this! I am a hobbyist and not a collector but I appreciate good quality guitars at reasonable prices. Thanks to you, you have manage to deliver that! I love my Samick and I will soon string her with your Rich Severson custom strings! Now if I were a musician gigging etc, I would definitely invest in a good Gibson L5.

@PhillipJ Год назад

99% of the people will never ever notice….it’s the 1%, the guitar players will generally notice. Also, I’ve always maintained that 95% of tone comes from the fingers, from technique, the other 5 comes form gear. Case in point the late great Jeff Beck…Beck was all touch!

@Bobby007D Год назад

RIP Jeff Beck.

@jaytea42 Год назад

yes! The nitro-lacquer finish on the neck (rather than the cheap ‘gloss’ finish) makes a huge difference, and you’re Not sending your money to China.

@barrycole Год назад

Prestige doesn`t come cheap. The high end instrument prequalifies the experience it took to get there in the first place. Much like a diploma, they prove the dues have been paid. The finish is most important on solid wood instruments. On laminate guitars each layer is separated by adhesives that don`t breath but they all breath from the inside. Rarity and survivability rule the vintage market. Some day when we are dead and gone only the most choice and well stored will carry the dearest price because of availability. The rest become hand me downs.

@Gk2003m Год назад

Gotta disagree. So many very expensive instruments are purchased by wannabes, by folks who want to flaunt their wealth. The first word in your paragraph, ‘prestige’, is where they live, the high price tag prequalifies nothing but a desire to get attention. It’s like a Rolex watch; do you need vast experience in watch-winding to own one? No - all you need is some money, and a desire to get approval from folks who are impressed by profligate spending.

@barrycole Год назад

@@Gk2003m Disagree, sounds more like jealous or envy. When you get there I doubt you will be much different.

@Gk2003m Год назад

@@barrycole I own a handful of ‘expensive’ guitars and basses. Nothing to do with prestige. In any event, the high end instrument in no way prequalifies anything. Least of all experience. I teach, and I’ve seen 15 year olds to 60 year olds with 10-top PRS or other guitars that cost more than $3K - and these people cannot play. It’s like the factory ‘relic’ instrument. People try to buy the mojo. And in both cases, they are clowns.

@barrycole Год назад

@@Gk2003m People tend to reward themselves with nice things. Who are you to judge who get`s what? Get over your bitterness.

@richarde5718 4 месяца назад

This other guys argument would mean that Brent Mason should just use a Squier...come on man. There is a reason that pros dont use a lot of Chinese copies

@davidmilton9616 Год назад

less expensive (cheap) guitars don't go up in value from new, they go down in value

@Tweneboah Год назад

Agreed, but exception if it's a limited run and/or discontinued model in some cases

@michaelk5507 Год назад

I hope this doesn't sound like sacrilege or heresy, but guitar technology has been around for a long time, is well-known, and isn't exactly 'rocket science' or magic voodoo. The massive difference in price between a US made guitar and one made in the Far East, isn't really justified, if one just concentrates on the sound and not the legendary status of Gibson compared to a guitar made in China. I've played both. One feels a bit better than another in the hand. There's a sound differnce for sure, but, I can compensate for that with my fingers and my amp. I'm not a guitar collector and I don't invest in guitars,, I don't invest at all. I'd rather be playing than investing! Hardly anyone I know, listeners, can't really hear a difference, especially in a live context, where so many other things affect the acoustics. I kinda think it's fun to play 'cheap' guitars and make them sound really cool. It's my playiing and my music I want people to hear first and foremost, not the subtle difference in the perceived sound quality. When I play for friends I don't want to turn it into a hi-fi show.

@caseysongs Год назад

After testing a cheap guitar at a gig my opinion is that I prefer the L5 or super 400 by a mile. Here’s the gig I did on a cheap guitar ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TJsNVb-nohc.html

@Tweneboah Год назад

Great playing brother! Honestly this goes to show it's all in the fingers, player's touch, practice, and skills developed over time which you all have. Only listening to the audio, I wouldn't think it was a "cheap Les Paul Special" . I'm sure the build quality of L5 or Super 400 makes a more pleasurable playing experience. No different from a vintage classic car vs economy sedan. Still can get you from point a to point b, gets the job done. What you wanted conveyed musically was received as a listener. Keep it up, God Bless!

@caseysongs Год назад

@@Tweneboah thank you! compare it to my L5- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Aywr9exY6a0.html I'd say the L5 really brings out all the nuances I am trying to create. And this is all recorded on an iphone with the built in iPhone mic, nothing fancy. The player matters more than the guitar of course. I put flat wound 14s on that Les Paul Special, which helped get that tone. To me a LP gets closer to the classic jazz tone than a Tele or Strat would. LP specials are out there for under $1000, the L5 is at least 8K so that's a huge difference.

@rolandmueller7218 Год назад

I have played and owned vintage Gibson archtops and prefer them over newer Gibson and cheaper other brands. I can hear, feel, and see the difference. It does matter to me, even in my house. But, it is scary to leave a good instrument out on stage at a gig. A $5,000 guitar sounds expensive. But, a saxophonist or violinist or flautist could easily spend the same amount. There are lots of cheap guitars out there, thanks to mass production. The more expensive instruments tend hold or increase in value. A 1956 ES-175 has better tone than a 1980 ES-175. I wish I had purchased a $2000 Super 400 instead of a $800 ES-175 in 1980. If you love playing, professional or amateur, at some point you will probably upgrade to a better instrument. $5000 isn’t much to spend on countless hours of enjoyment. A beginner probably should only spend $1000. But, an advanced player should probably spend more money, depending on his/her budget.

@ralex3697 Год назад

Completely agree

@anthonyegan59 Месяц назад

Ya just get comfortable with a guitar.. it has to be of a certain standard, sure and you know this , by the previous crap you played...but that plateau is where u rest...its good enough for me..

@toblue7451 Год назад

GUYs ! 13years ago I bought My first (and I thought only) Martin Jumbo, with ALL the trimmings ($1,200.00 and sent it to Martin HQ to be fixed up perfectand Now Martin tells Me its replacement is: $8,500.00. A year later I bought a 2008, Martin Aura (also with All the trimmings it comes with) for $1400.00 and then Its Duplicate Aura in even better condition. for $1300.00 ! Again, Martin tells Me its replacement is $9,700.00 for each one ! hahahahaha.....They all are locked up in a cool - dry place ! Ol West

@hamiltonburger4574 Год назад

Why don't people GET that's it's not just the sound.

@ralex3697 Год назад

It’s the ability not the guitar

@laurencehaynes1321 Год назад

Please be honest you Eastman shows you greats at have the price . Your really buying the American brands but those Asian putting out greats quality at fraction of the price . Example Eastman and sire

@patrickevelyn8028 Год назад

Instruments are made for man, not man for instruments

@toblue7451 Год назад

Guys ??? Wait ! No guitar, Or only one or 3 guitars is EVER going to be 60K or 50k ! ! ! ! And.... (Again) "Asian" Guitar Luthiers (using many different types of woods) ARE Catching Up to American guitar makers ! Ol West Mr. Severson: UR only racializing based on 40's-50's-60's based times ! Those Times "Are GONE" !