MusicRadar

In the 1930s and 1940s archtop 'jazz'-style guitars were the pinnacle of the luthier's art and the likes of Gibson, Stromberg and Epiphone vied to make the biggest, flashiest and most fantastic models.

Many pundits say that with the New Yorker, John D'Angelico outdid them all. With an 18-inch body, 'stairstep' pickguard and Empire State Building peghead inlay, the New Yorker is certainly no shrinking violet.

At one time, a 'teardrop' shaped New Yorker was the world's most expensive guitar - at $500,000!

Price: from £15,000 skywards

Mid-price choice: Peerless Manhattan (£699)

Budget buy: not really anything for under £400