Doing research on Arch Top guitars, I discovered that Elderly music is offering a Gretch solid-top arch-top at a closeout price:
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/G9550.htmIf you've read many of my buyers' guides, you know I'm not a huge fan of Chinese instruments, especially when they come all the way from the factory to your front porch in the same box. Between quality control, shipping damage, and sometimes just getting the wrong item, I've scored about 50% success rate on getting the right item, properly made, in good condition the first time.
In THIS case, the nice people at Elderly have opened the box, got it out, checked it out, and done any required setup, so you know you're getting a playable instrument on your first try. I don't know how many they have or how long the sale will last, but if I didn't aready have TOO many guitars in the house, I'd get one myself.
The G9550 is patterned somewhat after the Loar designed Gibson L-5 that Mother Maybelle Carter played most of her adult life. No, it's not a $3000 vintage instrument, but with the solid top it should grow richer in tone as it ages. Also, being, loud but tight in the lower registers, it should be a good complement for the treble-rich instruments that otherwise dominate "Old-Timey" or "Mountain Music."
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Just an FYI. If they're all gone before you see this, my apologies.