#1
Ibanez AF75 Artcore
Budget full-hollow thinline archtop · Full hollow thinline, spruce top, maple back/sides, 2 Ibanez ACH single-coil pickups, bound body, 25.5-inch scale$320–$380 new / $220–$290 usedBest for: Best budget hollowbody archtop, Artcore quality at entry price, versatile jazz and blues character
The Ibanez AF75 is the most recommended budget archtop guitar — the Artcore series is Ibanez's hollowbody line, and the AF75 provides full-hollow thinline construction with ACH single-coil pickups at an accessible price. The Artcore quality consistently exceeds expectations for the price tier. For beginners or players exploring the archtop format for jazz, blues, or rockabilly, the AF75 is the entry point with genuine quality. Used at $220–$290.
What to check used: The AF75 uses laminate (not solid) top — the spruce top is plywood-construction rather than carved or solid wood. Laminate tops are more stable (less humidity-sensitive) and more affordable but produce less acoustic resonance than solid carved tops. At this price, laminate is appropriate; players who want carved solid tops should look at the Eastman AR371CE or higher.
#2
Ibanez AS73 Artcore Semi-Hollow
Semi-hollow with center block (feedback resistant) · Semi-hollow with solid center block, maple body, 2 Ibanez Classic Elite humbuckers, bound body, thinline$350–$420 new / $240–$320 usedBest for: Archtop versatility with feedback resistance, humbucker tone, ES-335 style at budget price, rock and blues
The Ibanez AS73 is the semi-hollow alternative to the AF75 — the solid center block prevents feedback at higher gain levels, making the AS73 the more versatile choice for players who want archtop aesthetics but also play rock or blues at louder volumes. The Classic Elite humbuckers produce warm, full tone for jazz and blues. The ES-335-inspired design is proven across many playing styles. Used at $240–$320.
What to check used: Semi-hollow instruments are distinct from fully hollow instruments in feedback characteristics — the AS73 can handle more gain and volume than the AF75 before feedback occurs. If pure hollow jazz tone is the goal, the AF75's full hollow construction sounds more open and acoustic. If versatility across jazz to rock is the goal, the AS73 is the better choice.
#3
Eastman AR371CE
Hand-carved solid top professional archtop · Hand-carved solid Sitka spruce top, maple back/sides, Seymour Duncan jazz pickups, ebony fretboard, bound body$1,100–$1,300 new / $800–$1,000 usedBest for: Best mid-range archtop with hand-carved solid top, Eastman craftsmanship, Seymour Duncan pickups, professional quality
The Eastman AR371CE is the recommended professional archtop — Eastman's workshop produces hand-graduated carved tops to quality standards that compete with American guitars at significantly lower prices. The solid Sitka spruce carved top produces genuine acoustic resonance that contributes to the electric tone. Seymour Duncan jazz pickups provide professional-quality output. For jazz guitarists who want a serious archtop at reasonable prices, the Eastman AR371CE is the recommendation. Used at $800–$1,000.
What to check used: Hand-carved solid tops require humidity management (45-55% RH) — the acoustic resonance that makes the Eastman better than laminate alternatives also requires careful humidity control to prevent cracking. A guitar humidifier is recommended for any solid-top instrument.
#4
Epiphone Casino Thinline
Fully hollow thinline (P-90 pickups) · Fully hollow thinline, 2 P-90 Dogear pickups, laminate maple, single-ply binding, dot inlays$450–$550 new / $300–$420 usedBest for: Beatles tone (Lennon and McCartney's instrument), P-90 bite and character, hollow construction resonance, versatile
The Epiphone Casino is the most historically significant thinline archtop — John Lennon and Paul McCartney both played Casinos on late Beatles recordings. The P-90 Dogear pickups provide a brighter, more biting tone than humbuckers, which suits jazz chord playing, bluesy leads, and indie rock. The Casino's fully hollow construction gives it a more acoustic character than semi-hollow alternatives. Used at $300–$420.
What to check used: P-90 pickups produce more 60-cycle hum than humbuckers — in environments with fluorescent lighting or close to electrical interference, the hum is noticeable. The Casino's fully hollow construction also limits its use with high-gain distortion (feedback at high gain levels). The Casino is specifically appropriate for clean to light-overdrive playing.
#5
Gibson ES-175
Classic full-depth hollowbody (definitive jazz archtop) · Full-depth hollowbody, laminate spruce top, pointed cutaway, 2 humbuckers (or P-90 on vintage models), single cutaway$2,500–$3,500 new / $1,800–$2,800 used (or $800-2,000 for vintage examples depending on era)Best for: The definitive jazz guitar, Charlie Christian/Joe Pass/Pat Metheny instrument, Gibson heritage and quality
The Gibson ES-175 is the most iconic archtop guitar — introduced in 1949, played by Charlie Christian (who defined electric jazz guitar), Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Kenny Burrell, and Pat Metheny. The ES-175 sound is the textbook jazz guitar tone: warm, round, with a clear fundamental and controlled high-end. If there is one archtop that defines the form, it is the ES-175. Used at $1,800–$2,800 for recent examples, less for specific vintage eras.
What to check used: The ES-175 at $1,800+ is a significant investment. Vintage examples (1950s-1960s) command premium prices and require careful evaluation of condition. For players who want ES-175 character at lower cost, the Eastman AR371CE ($800–$1,000 used) provides comparable tone quality from a new instrument.
#6
Heritage H-535
American-made semi-hollow (ES-335 inspired) · Semi-hollow with center block, Kalamazoo Michigan made, Heritage pickups (PAF-voiced), maple top/back/sides$2,200–$2,600 new / $1,500–$2,000 usedBest for: American-made archtop quality, Heritage Guitars craftsmanship, versatile semi-hollow from jazz to rock
Heritage Guitars builds instruments in the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The H-535 is Heritage's semi-hollow equivalent to the Gibson ES-335 — built with the techniques and some of the tooling used on original Gibson instruments. Heritage PAF-style pickups provide warm, dynamic tone. For players who want American craftsmanship from living luthiers in the Gibson tradition, Heritage is a unique option. Used at $1,500–$2,000.
What to check used: Heritage guitars have a devoted following and hold value well — used prices reflect both quality and limited supply. The H-535 is a semi-hollow rather than a full hollowbody; it handles jazz, blues, and rock more versatilely than full archtops but does not produce the fully hollow acoustic openness of the ES-175 or Eastman.
#7
Gretsch G2420 Streamliner
Budget full-hollow thinline (Gretsch aesthetics) · Full hollow thinline, laminate maple, 2 broad-tron humbuckers, single cutaway, vintage Gretsch styling$350–$400 new / $240–$310 usedBest for: Gretsch aesthetics and Broad-tron humbucker tone at budget price, rockabilly and country, vintage styling
The Gretsch G2420 Streamliner is the affordable entry into Gretsch full-hollow guitars — Gretsch is the premier brand for rockabilly, country, and Nashville archtop tone (Brian Setzer, Chet Atkins). The Streamliner series provides the Gretsch visual aesthetic and Broad-tron humbucker tone at significantly lower prices than the Electromatic and Professional series. Used at $240–$310.
What to check used: The Streamliner's Broad-tron pickups are production-quality rather than the vintage Filter-Tron pickups that define the classic Gretsch sound. Players who specifically want the authentic Gretsch twang (Brian Setzer's sound) should invest in the Electromatic series G5420T or higher. The Streamliner captures the Gretsch visual identity and partial tonal character but not the full Filter-Tron vintage sound.
#8
Guild X-175 Manhattan
American-heritage hollowbody archtop · Full hollowbody, laminate maple, Guild professional humbuckers, single cutaway, American Guild tradition$1,100–$1,300 new / $800–$1,000 usedBest for: Guild archtop heritage, American-quality hollowbody, warm Guild humbucker jazz tone, mid-range investment
The Guild X-175 Manhattan is Guild's flagship hollowbody archtop — Guild has been building archtops since the 1950s and the X-175 continues this tradition. The Guild humbuckers produce warm, articulate jazz tone appropriate for a wide range of styles. For players who want American-heritage hollowbody quality at prices below the ES-175, the Guild X-175 is the recommendation. Used at $800–$1,000.
What to check used: Guild production has moved between American and Korean manufacturing over the years — verify the specific production year and location when evaluating used Guild instruments. American-made Guild archtops are particularly well-regarded by vintage guitar players. Current production quality is excellent, but the manufacturing origin history means provenance affects both tone character and value.
