Please note: All instruments that have stock numbers followed by an asterisk (*) are in stock at our San Diego store. Please call Tom @ (619) 280-9035 for further information.
JUST IN!! New! Eastman AR605 Classic-Sunburst: Premium tonewoods and meticulous craftsmanship form a harmonious relationship that has made Eastman's name in the archtop guitar market. The choice of woods and the time honored processes followed to craft these guitars create an organically acoustic tone that is unrivaled. Chords are full and complex while single notes are crisp and well defined. The gold and ebony fittings provide form and function and the traditional finish is as beautiful as it is functional. Each Jim Fisch Archtop Guitar is handcrafted with a solid spruce and mahogany. This guitar features rosewood fingerboard and fittings, Jinho tuners and a classic-sunburst finishe. Hardshell case included. (MSRP $1695) $CALL FOR BUFFALO BROS PRICE! Stock #NGB32646.
JUST IN!! New! Eastman AR810CE Sunburst: The Uptown series of guitars put Eastman on the archtop map. Gotoh tuners with ebony buttons, gold Kent Armstrong pickups with adjustable pole pieces, and volume and tone controls are standard on Uptown guitars. Each guitar is handcrafted of solid spruce and flamed maple. Hardshell case included. (MSRP $2495) $CALL FOR BUFFALO BROS PRICE! Stock #NGB32641.
Used! Eastman T184MX-LTD Classic Finish: You'd be hard pressed to find a better value for a high-quality hand-crafted semi-hollow archtop guitar than the Eastman T184MX. This limited production version features 14" semi-hollow body with solid maple top, solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, curly maple binding, chrome hardware including a pair of humbucking pickups, tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece. The small center block resides only under the bridge area allowing for jazz appropriate resonance while maintaining enough tonal control for louder blues and rock sounds. Versatile and affordable! With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $1450 Stock #UGB28947. photo
Eastman acoustic guitars are here...
JUST IN!! 1957 Gibson ES-125 Sunburst: If there's a Gibson archtop model that's stood the test of time and continues to gain popularity among players it's the ES-125. The simplicity of design and affordability make for a highly desireable instrument indeed; 16" full hollow body with maple top and back, mahogany sides, one-piece mahogany neck with comfortably rounded profile, rosewood fingerboard, adjustable rosewood bridge, nickel trapeze tailpiece and single P-90 pickup. This ES-125 has definitely been someone's workhorse instrument for many years and does show a few signs of use (some scratches and dings here and there, replaced tuning machines and pickguard and the pickup cover is missing) but rest assured this is a great player with tone to spare! After all, it's the best instruments that get played the most. With chipboard case. Buffalo Bros price: $1250 Stock #UGB32516. photo
1935 Gibson L-5 Sunburst: For many players, the 17" Advanced body was the beginning of the modern Gibson L-5. This exquisite example is one of the very early examples of this new body size and not only offered more projection and volume, it also added warmth and a deep roundness to the overall tone. Hand-carved solid spruce top with early-'30s small f-holes and X-bracing, splendid figured solid flamed maple for the back and sides, quilted maple neck with ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlay, multi-layer binding on the body, neck, headstock and pickguard, adjustable Brazilian rosewood bridge, and gold trapeze tailpiece. The tuners were professionally replaced, apparently a long time ago, with vintage '30s Grover Imperial tuning machines. The guitar may also have been treated to a light overspray to protect the original finish (checking and dings included) and give it a gorgeous luster.....speaking of luster and shine...the tone of this baby is simply magnificent. It's big, round, woody and warm with all the character and feel that these incredible guitars have come to be known for. Couple that with the comfortably rounded neck profile and you've got a classic combination that's tough to beat. With original hard case. $12,500 Stock #UGB28909. photo
JUST IN!! 1937 Gibson L-5 Sunburst: Right now Buffalo Brothers is most likely the home of the largest selection of vintage Gibson L-5 archtops around....and here's another one! Solid carved spruce top with X-bracing, beautifully figured maple for the back and sides maple neck with ebony fingerboard and pearl block inlay, original trapeze tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with gold buttons and original pickguard. The bridge is an adjustable rosewood replacement. There is a stress crack at the neck heel, but this appears to be stable and does not affect the instrument's tone or playability. This fine example also appear to have been treated to a professionally applied and meticulously buffed-out top coat over the original finish making it shine like new while retaining that warm glow of age. Luscious! With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $9500 Stock #UGB32556. photo
JUST IN!! 1949 Gibson L-5 Blonde: Do blondes really have more fun or is it that people have more fun with blondes? Folks will argue that point for years, but there's certainly no argument when it comes to a blonde archtop, especially when it's a '49 Gibson L-5! This beauty features a very fine, straight grained solid spruce top, gorgeous flame maple for the back and sides with some nice bubble figure in the sides, maple neck with bound ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge, gold Kluson Sealfast tuners with catalin buttons and original bound tortoise style pickguard. As you can guess this has a neck that plays like a dream and a tone that's luscious and warm, the kind that just wraps around you in that comforting and welcoming way. More fun?....we think you know the answer. With striped tweed hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $8500 Stock #UGB32503. PHOTO
1945 Gibson L-5 Sunburst: An exceptionally fine sounding version of the Gibson L-5 from the mid-'40s. By this time the Advanced body with 17" lower bout had become the standard and the bracing had returned to the traditional parallel style. The top is solid straight grained spruce, back and sides of solid maple, tiger maple neck with ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge, gold trapeze tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuning machines. The pickguard is an accurate and period correct replica. Tonally this one is balanced and full with a voice that's open and present with nice projection and volume. It's one that just WANTS to be played and needs to be experienced in person. With original hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $9500 Stock #UGB25926. photo
1936 Gibson L-7 Sunburst: It's common knowledge that although the L-5 was the flagship model of Gibson's archtops, it was the L-7 that was the most popular guitar in its heyday. This became the workhorse instrument for professional players across the nation as it offered similar construction specifications at a lower price point as the ornamentation was kept to a minimum. Featuring the 17" Advanced size this is built with a solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, "X" bracing, single ply body binding, mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard and split parallelogram inlay, nickel hardware including trapeze tailpiece and Kluson tuning machines. The neck has been professionally reset at some point restoring the proper neck angle and the bridge is a newer adjustable rosewood replacement. What is surprising is the unusally slim for its age "C" shape neck which offers fabulous playability, a perfect companion to the instrument's punchy tone and bark. This '36 Gibson L-7 is one you won't want to miss. With original hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $3250 Stock #UGB30942. PHOTO
1946 Gibson L-7 Sunburst: This is quite an interesting Gibson L-7. Produced in 1946 this example may have been constructed in a similar way to many wartime instruments. In other words, they may have had to grab whatever was on the shelves! The other possibility being that the guitar was special ordered for a working player. We say this because although it features the 17" Advanced body with large f-holes, the neck specs are more along the lines of a '30s model with 1 3/4" nut width, full and round profile and smaller script logo. The fact that the materials include a nice straight grained spruce top and very nicely figured maple for the back sides and neck allude to this being custom ordered. She also shows a good amount of "age" in the form of finish checking and a smattering of dings as well as some kind of repair at the low E-string tuner and at some point the guitar has been treated to new frets. Whatever the case is with this particular Gibson L-7 one this is perfectly clear. This has tremendous tone, volume, projection and response that can only come from an instrument that has been loving played for decade after decade, a truly wonderful sounding guitar. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $3250 Stock #UGB31834. photo
JUST IN!! 1936 Gibson L-10 Sunburst: The 17" Gibson L-10 was instroduced in 1934 and discontinued a mere 5 years later making it the rarest of the Advanced body archtop models. Built on the same platform as the L-5, this model features the responsive and highly sought after X-braced top which was available only during the mid to late-'30s. What sets this model apart from its L-7 and L-5 siblings is the ornate checkerboard binding and opposing arrow inlay which makes the L-10 unique and instantly recognizeable. The tuners have been changed at some point and the finish on the sides and binding have been "touched up" but the playability and tone are everything you could imagine. Grab this while you can because you aren't likely to find another any time soon. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $3000 Stock #UGB32481. photo
2002 Gibson Le Grande Sunburst: From the graceful Venetian cutaway to pearl and abalone inlays on an inky ebony fretboard, this awesome archtop is truly a sight to behold. Features a gold-plated, individually fingered jazz tailpiece and a fully adjustable saddle with a pearl-inlaid ebony bridge base. The BJB floating pickup with gold cover is mounted to the pickguard rather than the neck for a smooth, mellow tone without feedback. The sleek, lightweight peghead design results in a remarkably well-balanced instrument. These appointments, coupled with unbelievably lush and sophisticated tone, make this among the finest production carved tops available. With original hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $5900 Stock #UGC32475. photo
New! Gretsch G100CE Natural: Jazzalicious… now with more flavors!! Take a ride uptown in style and plug it in! Reminiscent of the early Synchromatics of the 1940’s, the new G100CE hollow body archtop features a spruce top, maple back & sides, Gretsch floating pickup, separate volume and tone controls, Gretsch Chromatic tailpiece, Gretsch Synchronized bridge, pearloid block inlays, and vintage headstock logo. (MSRP $1050) $CALL NOW! Stock #NGB31772. photo
JUST IN!! New! Gretsch G5120 Electromatic Hollowbody Orange Stain: Get ready for some serious Twangin’ up ahead, because this stylish guitar has the vibe and tone that will make you dancing the Twist until 2 a.m. Don't let the price fool you, because these are serious professional guitars with such features as newly designed Gretsch dual-coil pickups, adjustable bridge, chrome-plated die cast tuners and wicked orange stain color! (MSRP $1000) $CALL NOW! Stock #NGB32417. photo
1972 Gretsch 6117 Double Anniversary Sunburst: Been jonesin' for a cool Gretsch? Then snap up this Double Anniversary model before it disappears from the shop! Classic Sunburst finish with twin pickups and if you're looking for one in great condition ~ this is a superb choice. With hardcase. $3250 Stock#UGB31401. photo
1964 Gretsch 6120 Orange: The Gretsch Model 6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody made its debut in 1954 and continues to be one of the most desired guitars. The model began as a 15 1/2" wide and 2 2/3" deep archtop with single cutaway with the body depth being gradually slimmed over the next few years until 1962. This marked the introduction of the Electrotone hollowbody design with double cutaway body and 2" depth. Designed to be as "modern as tomorrow" this '64 Model 6120 feautures gold hardware including the original Filter'Tron humbucking pickups with 3-way toggle selector swith, 3-way tone switch, individual volume controls and master volume at the upper cutaway bout, "standby" or mute switch as well as string-damping mute, ebony fingerboard with neo-classic thumbnail inlay, "Actionflo fret nut" or zero fret, simulated f-holes, a design that Chet Atkins came up with to accent the electrtic qualities of Gretsch guitars over the more traditional acoustic properties, and back pad which conceals the instrument's access panel. At some point the original tailpiece and bridge were converted to a Bigsby vibrato and bar bridge. After all, Bigsby and Gretsch go together like peanut butter and jelly. This Gretsch Model 6120 is a killer player with striking good looks and of course the sound to go with it! With the original hardcase. Buffalo Bros price: $4500 Stock #UGB30340. photo
JUST IN!! New! Gretsch G6120 Chet Atkins Hollowbody Deep Orange Stain: This modern version of the classic 6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body guitar features a 16"-wide, 2.5"-deep full hollow body, rock maple neck, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic™ "thumbnail" inlays, dual High Sensitive Filter'Tron™ pickups, Grover® Rotomatic® machine heads, Adjusto-Matic™ bridge, and Bigsby® B6G vibrato tailpiece. With hard shell case. (MSRP $3250) $CALL NOW! Stock #NGB32371. photo
New! Heritage H-575 Custom Vintage Sunburst: The H-575 continues to be one our most popular models and features include a body of solid maple for the top, back and sides with binding on the top and back, Florentine cutaway allowing easy access to the upper register notes, one-piece mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard. This example is the Custom version with the addition of pearl block inlay and gold hardware, including a pair of Heritage HRW humbucking pickups with 3-way toggle selector switch, individual volume and tone controls. Players continue to be drawn to this body size for it's comfortable feel and it's versatility as it blends nicely into many styles of music. Jazz and blues, rock and R&B, even rockabilly and country can be coaxed from this great instrument. With hard shell case. (MSRP $4800) CALL FOR BUFFALO BROS PRICE! Stock #NGB26980 photo
Used! Benedetto Benny Claret Red: Benedetto’s beautifully compact solid body electric guitar is designed for the player looking for a solid body Benedetto. Providing a wide spectrum of classic and modern tones, it features a select carved spruce top and chambered mahogany body with a Florentine cutaway. A warm and responsive guitar, with twin A–6 humbucking pickups and custom switching system, its tone replicates our carved top instruments. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $3550 Stock #UGB22127. photo
1990s Custom Built "Barney K": Custom built for a swing player by James Hood and Marty Bell, this hollow body double cutaway, based on the Gibson Barney Kessel signature model, is a gigging pro's dream. Finished in a deep "Cadillac green" finish, the neck is fast but not too slim, the pickups are a pair of '90s Gibson Humbuckers with gold plated hardware throughout. This guitar can cover it all, from hard rock to easy swing. Even the country boys and girls will love it! With custom deluxe hard case. $1800 Stock#UGC31852 photo
Used! Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II Vintage Sunburst: Here's an excellent value for a great playing and excellent sounding hollowbody archtop jazz guitar. Single cutaway body made with a spruce top and maple back and sides, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and block inlays, adjustable rosewood bridge, gold hardware including a pair of humbucking pickups. All at a price that's just too good to pass up! With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $500 Stock #UGB31804. photo
JUST IN!! 1946 Epiphone Triumph Sunburst: It has become widely known that vintage Epiphone models have been and continue to be very highly regarded and popular among players around the world. They have a distinct "bark" to their sound that is unparalleled. Of all the models produced by the original Epiphone factory, the Triumph is still the stand out as the model offers top-notch tone and workmanship at a price the every day working player can afford. In today's vintage archtop market this still holds true. This triumph from 1946 features a 17 3/8" wide body with spruce top and maple back and sides, maple neck with bound rosewood fingerboard and soft "V" shape, adjustable rosewood bridge, nickel trapeze tailpiece and original Epiphone Epsilon tuning machines. As is expected, this was someone's longtime trusted workhorse and shows a good amount of thumb wear on the back of the neck, a repaired top crack and back center seam and a neck reset. Of course we all know that it's the ones that show these very typical signs of age that offer superb tone and playability with a full, robust tone with loads of volume and projection, something that can only be produced by aged tone woods that have had music resonating through them for decades. With gig bag. Buffalo Bros price: $2450 Stock #UGB32581. photo
JUST IN!! 1977 Guild Artist Award Sunburst: Initially produced as the Johnny Smith Award between 1956 and 1960, the Guild Artist Award was the company's top-of-line flagship jazz archtop model. This fine example features an extremely fine and straight grained solid spruce top, fabulous figured flame maple for the back and sides, maple neck with comfortably slim "C" shape, ebony fingerboard with block/V pearl and abalone inlay, gold Grover Imperial tuning machines and Guild harp tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge. Although originally outfitted with a floating Dearmond pickup, a former owner had a Gibson humbucking pickup professionally installed. The pickup is date stamped to 1980 so it may have even been the instrument's original owner. With a sound that's lush and warm that wraps around you like a dream, this Guild Artist Award from 1977 exemplifies the companies fine archtop craftsmanship. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $3500 Stock #UGB29113. photo
JUST IN!! 2004 Hofner Jazzica Custom Natural: The Jazzica Custom seamlessly blends old-world craftsmanship with contemporary features. For example, the “Contour” body design draws guitarist and instrument closer together, enabling one to seem like a natural extension of the other without compromising structural integrity or tone. And, as Germany’s largest maker of guitars and violins, we freely apply our expertise across the Hofner family of instruments. That is why the Jazzica’s solid German spruce top is hand-carved and graduated, similar to a traditional violin. That is also why the Jazzica’s top is braced with a bass bar — again, like a violin. Quality without compromise - Hofner’s Jazzica Custom is a masterpiece of meticulous craftsmanship that redefines the expectations of what a hand-made archtop guitar should be. The Jazzica’s 24-fret neck is joined to the body at the 16th fret, thereby easing access to the upper registers and encouraging new fingerboard explorations across two full octaves. With original hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $2500 Stock #UGB15405. photo
Used "The Loar" LH-600BK: An elegant and attractive reproduction of the pre- advanced body Gibson L-5. Don't worry, we're not asking $25,000+ as some of the originals have been offered for recently. No, we're asking a much more reasonable price. A price that does not reflect the wonderful tone and playability of this black finished 16" archtop. With gig bag. $750 Stock#UGB32096
1934 Martin C-1 Archtop! We're betting that someone will write "Martin never made an Archtop!" Oh yes they did! In 1931 they introduced the C-Series consisting of the C-1, C-2 and C-3. The C-1 is similar to a 000 body size that's 15" wide at the lower bout and 14 frets to the body. With Mahogany back and sides and a Spruce top, it sported a trapeze tail piece and is one of the more unique Martin models of the 30's. A fun playing, great sounding guitar and has seen a lot of music pour out of it in the past 76 years! $1250 Stock #UGB32501
JUST IN!! 1965 Martin F-55: We're all familiar with the legacy of Martin's flattop acoustic instruments, but they also occasionally delved into the world of archtop instruments and even a few electric models. Case in point, the rarely seen Martin F-55. The model is a thinline hollowbody archtop with single cutaway, mahogany neck, adjustable bridge and trapeze tailpiece. This particular example is definitely a player's piece that's had the pickups changed to a pair of humbuckers and the finish is now a lovely walnut color.....ok, it's brown. That said, this is actually a very cool instrument that plays and sounds great, certainly loads of personality. If you're looking for something that isn't a run-of-the-mill, everyday guitar then this is a killer value for a true vintage instrument. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $900 Stock #UGB32450. photo
JUST IN!! 1939 Recording King Model A Sunburst: For many years Gibson produced more affordable versions of their models under different company names, one of which was Recording King. These instruments were made to be sold at Montgomery Wards. This particular example Model A was the counterpart to the ES-150 of the time period, which is more commonly referred to as the Charlie Christian model, and shares similar specifications; 16" non-cutaway body with solid spruce top, maple back and sides, mahogany neck with very pronounced "V" profile and simple dot inlay, bar pickup with triangle pattern mounting screws and volume and tone controls. The Recording King A is actually quite a rare find, yet it is still a very affordable equivalent of the highly prized ES-150 of the late-'30s. With hard shell case. Buffalo Bros price: $2500 Stock #UGB32509. photo
JUST IN!! 1938 Recording King Model 4 Sunburst: ....and here's another rare beauty. Made by the Gibson factory for Montgomery Wards in 1939, this Recording King Model 4 is a 16" non-cutaway archtop acoustic with solid spruce top, flame maple back and sides, 5-piece maple neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, ornate fan shape inlay and pearl inlaid headstock logo and motif. The tailpiece and bridge have been replaced and the sides have been repaired at the end pin, but this is a fine instrument that would have certainly been ranked among the upper end Gibson and Epiphone models at a more accessible price. With gig bag. Buffalo Bros price: $1500 Stock #UGB32502. photo
1997 Triggs New Yorker Custom: This is master luthier Jim Triggs signature creation. Borrowing design elements from both Stromberg and D'Angelico, this guitar is hand crafted in a beautiful a neo-classic style. The top is hand carved Spruce with Maple back & sides, all done in a see through Walnut stain. The neck is one piece Maple with an Ebony fretboard featuring split parallelogram inlays. The Stromberg style tailpiece is perfectly matched esthetically by the Grover Imperial tuners. Powered electrically by a floating pickup that is not cut into the top. With hard case. $7000 Stock#UGB16980 photo
Looking for something special? We can't possibly list all we have so please ask!