Vantage 670, Es-150D Archtop Tribute w Case, 1993, X-clnt!

* * This ad has no affiliation with any random ads just above. Please read on to learn about the Vantage 670 jazz guitar from our page header...

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For offer from MarinGuitars is a handsome archtop-electric tribute built by Samick! Please see our updates below as noted.* *

This instrument may have its roots in the ‘jazz-box’ ecosystem, but its clearer pickups and extraordinary range of tones make it a great choice for an ‘all around gigger‘! To our ears it seems to capture the tones of several familiar models... On the right settings, it nails some of the 335‘s, 150D’s, and 175’s palettes... We would also put the Vantage 670 in a class of its own versus other ‘full depth’ hollow bodies... Its uncommon design and brighter voicing make it a significantly different animal than much of the import competition. We’ve added a deluxe molded hardcase, to the deal to protect your investment.

About the Vantage ‘670’:

=> The dual humbuckers were so good that we actually pulled the neck unit to check for markings... * * From what can be seen, they are just the house wound units - as made by Samick in 1993… However - Samick had long since become one of the highest volume guitar makers you may never have heard of... In common with Gibson or Fender - the leading Korean builder had been ‘winding their own’ for years! ‘Vantage’ - was a limited line of very cool ‘budget giggers’ that had evolved through the best years of Japanese vintage at Masumoku... After the legendary plant’s sudden 1987 closure - a new, limited release line of Vantage models was briefly re-introduced - coming from the Incheon, South Korea maker... Please see the “History of Samick and Vantage Guitars” below (to know more)…

* * This instrument shows meticulous care over its 31 years. It has also just received some minor fret work and a new ‘set up’. * * Given the high level of workmanship and unusual design - it is easy to see why production of these was so limited!

Sounds and styles of the guitar:

We found the Vantage ‘670’ tribute to have an amazingly wide tone palette! The two pickups deliver a clear and well defined tonality - which dials easily to those darker jazz tones, but to other stylings as well.

* * We‘ve identified it as a 1993 build, so “condition is great“ seems appropriate. But while the ‘670’ is a finely made 'jazz axe' it could credibly be used by players of funk; pop; r&b; American standards; and maybe more... In a ‘one guitar to the gig’ scenario - this one might do well - given material leaning into the styles above.

We noticed right away that the fretboard access goes unusually high for an archtop. Nineteen clear of the body! Like an ‘ES335’ - which in many ways, it does resemble… Better still - the low action and accurate intonation make these additional upper frets useful… So this expands solo access in your third register… Players of fusion, hard bop, funk, and the like may find themselves going deep into ‘uncharted territory’ (pun intended!)... It feels like there are miles of frets to ‘stretch out‘ on… (22 in total!).

The ‘670’s unique pickups:

These Samick wound units are distinctly not the usual PAF clones we find on similar guitars. Many of those include poorly tuned alnicos with huge midrange bumps that overshadow the other frequencies on board. The ceramics mounted offer an expected pairing of warmer and bassy-er from the front, and slightly higher focused tones from the rear - but that is where conventionality ends… Beyond that, we will note that upper mids through top end response is much stronger on the ‘670! Consistent with the rest of its innovative design - the house wound ceramics on board are their own thing (musically speaking!)… But their breadth and clarity do remind us a little of Duncan ‘59 alnicos… Along with more ‘defined’ trebles - these units still provide plenty of bass (as you ‘roll off’ the tone knobs)! The 'trad jazz tones‘ are there as needed. But there is so much more to discover as you mix and match settings.

This full depth model is full of surprises - and defies expectations in a really good way! We’ve adjusted the front to back pickup balance so that the neck and bridge outputs are about even - and either pickup can also stand on its own.

To sum up, the ‘smoky jazz’ tones are still there at your front humbucker - while the rear can easily be dialed into country blues; Rock-a-billy or the like. The 'middle' does offer up good ‘chime‘ and crisp chording options - suggesting alt-country and pop stylings... On all settings - there is plenty of ‘meat on the bone'! Jazz humbuckers can be dark and ‘wooly’, but these stay defined and full - never muddy… With settings 'wide open', there is nearly as much“sparkle” and “cut" as from an ‘ES335’. The four pots give you plenty of range, and reasonable tapers... Everything works.

Playing feel and important specs:

The player’s cockpit is very comfy. Our photos seem to exaggerate the 670’s width, but it's really only 16”. That’s about the same as an ‘ES175'; or Emperor/ JP - i.e., narrower than a Broadway; Excel Ex1; or ES335... It's also lighter than it looks - despite the solid feel and construction.

We’ve set the guitar up with DR Pure Nickel 11-50s... This deepens the tone slightly, for jazz - but enhances string-flex for some other styles... 100% nickel strings are ‘lower tension’ when tuned to pitch. So they require less effort to 'fret'… With the action set low (as it is), the playing feel is more like fretting a 10-46 gauge string set…

The only possible downside of ‘pure nickel’ strings is that tuning tends to be a bit more frequent... But they do get great tonality from every archtop we’ve mounted them on. Fyi, you are welcome to request a standard steel core set (for the ‘extra strings’ included). We have many gauges - flat or round wound (as you may prefer).

The build and components:

It's a standard 1 and 10/16th” nut, with a slinky ‘D’ * * neck carve. In fact this modern taper also reminds us of a later era '335'... The guitar is unexpectedly fast and playable (all the way up!). Its medium frets are still in very good condition... The rosewood board has a very modest curve (with a flat-ish, high number radius) - all of which makes chording effort minimal - even well up the neck… The scale is a traditional 24 and 3/4” * * (or the common ‘Gibson short scale’). So again - the design defers toward ease of play - extra frets and all!

The maple lam body is a work of guitar art - showing off lots of figuring under a finely polished clear finish... Fit and joinery are first rate - and the guitar feels solid and expertly built. All of the hardware is shiny and chromed to match - showing only a small amount of tarnish on the tailpiece... Some fine scratches are visible on the pickup covers - but all of the wood surfaces look great. The neck and contact points feel clean, and smooth to the touch. The larger bridge assembly is a less common choice (for a full depth jazz box), but it is anchored into the maple ‘tone bar‘ beneath - thus enhancing sustain! Again - a riff on the ‘335’, and it works… * * The tuners are high ratio and very plush. They are also engraved with the Vantage name.

The full depth rim to back measurement is a common 3 and 3/8”, while the body itself is mostly (but not completely) hollow! Instead - a partially routed internal ‘sustain bar‘ runs from the larg-ish neck block; and surrounds both pickups - finally anchoring the tun-a-matic style bridge up on top... This does stiffen the 670's top - while likely adding some degree of feedback resistance. The less common archtop design owes much more to a semi-hollow’s dna, than to the classic ‘floating bridge jazzbeaux‘ out there. The later ‘Es125 CD‘ (’Es175‘ look alike with p90s) comes to mind... It is now a rare model, from the Kalamazoo days - but with similar dimensions to this guitar… The earliest of these shipped as ‘floating bridge’ guitars... But within just a few years - the ‘125 CD’s were shipping with full tun-a-matic bridges that anchored to (feedback reducing) internal bridge plates.

=> The Vantage 670 carries ceramic pickups, per info that we’ve found, but very full of character and responsive! Alnico types might have overly darkened the ‘670’s tone (and diminished its cool hybrid vibe!). But this original design by Samick reflects their deep experience in making instruments of many genres. The 670's performance easily transcends one's typical 'jazzbox' expectations with it's broader range of usable tones and the unusually slender neck to riff on.

Samick of Korea, and some ‘Vantage’ guitar history:

Founded in the 1960s, Samick Musical Instruments might be the biggest guitar maker that you’ve never heard of! Though I do appreciate that some of you are 'deep in the lore'!

Basically - Samick have obtained build contracts that shipped instruments under different brand names for many decades. Much of their earlier output was going to Asia and Europe - as the US market was already well served by makers in Japan.

Interestingly, luthiers from Samick even trained and studied at the legendary Matsumoku factory shop in Matsumoto prefecture, Japan... Early 'Vantage' production there did overlapped this 'exchange student' relationship between companies... So the eventual migration of the Vantage brand to Samick (of Korea) was actually a well grounded progression.

Founded by MTI/Unicord, in 1977 - the original Vantage catalog was mostly built at Matsumoku manufacturing. But after a massive fire devastated their plant - fabrication ceased entirely (circa 1987)...

Already past one million guitars per year by 1979 - Matsumoku’s Korean ally (Samick) finally acquired the full Vantage label rights (circa 1990). So eventually, a new line of Vantage models emerged - retaining many legacy design elements (and continuing a few original models). For perspective - the new limited release Vantages came back into production just a few years after Samick had acquired the primary Epiphone contract from Gibson! No wonder they went out of production again only a few years later!

But in 2006 - Gibson moved their massive contract yet again - and this time to China. The end of this story finds the now senior Samick (and former Vantage) builders organizing, and buying out their own factory - now reopened under the trade name, ‘SPG’ - or Special Guitar Products (of Incheon, Korea)... Very much parallel to a certain company from Kalamzoo, Michigan (so many years before)... Their new builds that you can find include the Guild HB electric reissues; and many of the new Gretsch midline designs... But sadly - it would appear that the last of the Vantages were shipped from that same build-shop all the way back between 1996 to '98... To my eyes and ears - this '93 model shows a natural evolution from guitars built during the Matsumoku era. The Vantage ‘670’ is a 'player’s axe' all the way - featuring both traditional and non-traditional elements. It's addictive fretboard and updated tone palette show the culmination of many years of guitar artistry.

Case and extras:

There’s a very nice Road Runner hard case in the deal, and we’ll include an extra set of strings (as usual).

The takeaway:

A fine playing ES tribute that handles well, sounds great, and can do way more than just your ‘classic palette’! The extra high fret access will create opportunities for the adventurous! Punches well above its weight, and brings its own look and feel!

Shipping from the west coast:

If you’re closer to the SF Bay Area than Denver - please let us know - and we’ll adjust the shipping. The averaged ship charge includes our layered pack, and full value signature delivery insurance. At current rates - some eastern seaboard locations will receive a modest discount.

Thanks for stopping by!

🤠

David @ MarinGuitars