Any advice for 1rst jazz guitar?

newie · #1 04-10-2011, 01:44 PM

Hey!
I'm starting to play guitar and aprecciate jazz,,,
I have a classic beginners guitar and now I would like to move on to a more serious thing. I'm not only looking for a jazz guitar, I also like blues, rock and some other acoustic styles like bossa.
I have checked out a lot of guitars and my teacher mentioned that the Godin kingpinII had a nice vibe....
I'm willing to invest in a nice and good quality instrument that remains with me for a long time.
Any suggestions?

thanks

mr. beaumont · #2 04-10-2011, 02:22 PM

I'm a tele hijacker, but only becasue I think it makes a fine jazz guitar.

What conclusions did you come to in that thread though, Posativek? It seems like you came to the Greco and the Ibanez 175 styles as being best for you, but aren't you also selling those in another thread?

If you do sell 'em, what route will you take?

OP, are you looking to do all those musics that you like on one guitar (well, at least the rock, blues and jazz, you might want something a little more acoustic for bossas, but then, jim hall did fine on a 175 for that "bossa antigua" record with desmond...)

I'd be tempted to steer you towards a 335 style semi-hollow--very versatile guitars...then again, I'm really a "different tools for different jobs" kinda guy--I use a semi hollow as my main gigging axe now, but it's set up with pretty hefty strings that make an evening full of whole step bends a bad idea for my fingers--but being that I'm not called on to do other styles so much (nor do I really care to play them) this isn't an issue...

Anyway, though, there's lots of good ones on the market...if you want a Gibson, consider a 339 as well, smaller bodied, but really nice--I actually like them better than a gibby 335 (and they're cheaper too!)

Greco · #3 04-10-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm a tele hijacker, but only becasue I think it makes a fine jazz guitar.

Anyway, though, there's lots of good ones on the market...if you want a Gibson, consider a 339 as well, smaller bodied, but really nice--I actually like them better than a gibby 335 (and they're cheaper too!)

Two excellent suggestions. Those 339's are certainly VERY nice !!

Good luck in finding a guitar that you enjoy...meant with 100% sincerity.

Enjoy the search/"hunt"...play several guitars...there is one out there with your name on it.

Cheers

Dave

Jabberwocky · #4 04-10-2011, 03:45 PM

Just don't get one with a horrible neck. You will have trouble with those chords and then give up. Yeah, I am going to say go with a f88king Tele.

jazzbow · #5 04-10-2011, 04:11 PM

If you want a guitar for all seasons try something semi-hollow with P90's. Fender Jim Atkins is Tele shaped, semi and P90-ed. I have a Yamaha AEX 502 which is discontinued but come up on ebay, It is a P90-ed semi, this has been modded with new pots and caps and can be tame and mellow or wail like a banshee!

http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/rotate....turalPopup.jpg

jzucker · #6 04-10-2011, 06:56 PM

Here's a demo I did with a 339...

YouTube Video

newie · #7 04-11-2011, 09:49 AM

thanks all!
i've checked out all the ones you mentioned and i liked them a lot
i'm gonna keep looking until i find the one, like Dave said

any more suggestions, please reply!

jzucker · #8 04-11-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

Pickups can really help you,,,I think a big part of why my Ibanez sounds great is the 'super 70's' in it,,,so warm and mellow with great response,,,

disagree. Pickup replacement is the biggest hype in the guitar parts world. If the guitar doesn't sound good, it doesn't sound good.

Jazzpunk · #9 04-11-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newie

Hey!
I'm starting to play guitar and aprecciate jazz,,,
I have a classic beginners guitar and now I would like to move on to a more serious thing. I'm not only looking for a jazz guitar, I also like blues, rock and some other acoustic styles like bossa.
I have checked out a lot of guitars and my teacher mentioned that the Godin kingpinII had a nice vibe....
I'm willing to invest in a nice and good quality instrument that remains with me for a long time.
Any suggestions?

thanks

To cover blues, rock and jazz I would go for a semi hollow or thinline hollow body like the 335, 339 or 330.

That said you can play jazz on a wide variety of guitars. Check this thread for some great examples:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...w-archtop.html

Jazzpunk · #10 04-11-2011, 07:34 PM

Check out the PRS spruce HB as well. It will easily cover rock, blues and jazz!

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

hot ford coupe · #11 04-11-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

Here's a demo I did with a 339...

YouTube Video

Way cool demo. I've always like the sound of the 335 types and the 339 is no exception. You've really shown how versatile it can be.

jzucker · #12 04-11-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

No way,,the tone is flat and hes using buckets of dely and rev to try and get him the fuller note sound of a bigger guitar without a stop tail peice,,,

Ends up sounding too over effects driven and the clarity and great sweet mello tone is lost,,,,,(thats my taist anyway)

well you're an @ss (that's my taist anyway).

GodinFan · #13 04-11-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newie

Hey!
I'm starting to play guitar and aprecciate jazz,,,
I have a classic beginners guitar and now I would like to move on to a more serious thing. I'm not only looking for a jazz guitar, I also like blues, rock and some other acoustic styles like bossa.
I have checked out a lot of guitars and my teacher mentioned that the Godin kingpinII had a nice vibe....
I'm willing to invest in a nice and good quality instrument that remains with me for a long time.
Any suggestions?

thanks

Since your teacher likes it, why not give the Godin a try?

I have the Kingpin II - I traded in my Aria FA71 for it. The Godin has a much more manageable size, and I really like the sound of the P90 pickups. Neck feels great; I have five Godin made guitars and all of them have terrific necks.

wizard3739 · #14 04-11-2011, 08:39 PM

I liked your demo, Jack. I had a 330 TD the first year they came out (long time ago). I wish I still had it.

wiz

NSJ · #15 04-11-2011, 08:58 PM

A 339 is a fantastic guitar! the size factor is huge--so comfortable and easy to play. only word of warning--I had to go to 4 different stores before I found one free of annoying QA issues. When you fond one, though, you get an excellent bargain--relatively speaking--this is Henry's company after all. It's so nice to have a guitar with a clean clear sound AND some actual sustain!!!

The Heritage equivalent is called- Prospect STD--even cheaper than a 339-worth investigating.

GodinFan · #16 04-11-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

I would be careful of P-90's they could give you a pain in your ass,,They can be very noisy when amped,

As opposed to unamplified?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

He switched to a Gordon Smith les paul and now complains his tone is thin and flat...wants to go back to the 335 but cant afford to change out the p-90's yet (upgrade anyway)

Did you find the godin a bit odd at first,,I played a 5th ave but it seemed more like a hofner than a 175 or something?

I already had a 5th Avenue acoustic, so the switch to the Kingpin was fine. Easier to play too, since I could set the action lower and use flats. The 5th has heavy gauge bronze strings.