small body jazz box

kris · #1 04-20-2011, 03:28 AM

What is the best sounding small body jazz guitar?

oldane · #2 04-20-2011, 04:44 AM

That depends entirely on which sound you are after. There is no such thing as "the best sound". Besides the sound af guitars varies somewhat, even within the same brand and model.

As we say in Denmark: "One man wants the daughter, another man wants the mother - and both get married."

But others can likely chime in with various suggestions for a good small bodied instrument - "best sound" or not.

woyvel · #3 04-20-2011, 06:10 AM

The Epi Emperor Joe Pass was designed to be just that. Whether it is to you or not is up to you.

kris · #4 04-20-2011, 07:03 AM

Yes..best sound.This is most important.
I saw few small body guitars...very expesive hand made works.
best
kris

NiAg · #5 04-20-2011, 07:27 AM

>>> There is no such thing as "the best sound".

then,...

>>> Yes..best sound.This is most important.

No wonder those Danish mothers and daughters are marrying each other.

I'm am recently pretty interested in the small bodies made from a solid mahogany back and sides with an x-braced carved top. A seemingly odd combination that sounds pretty good to me. With any decent amount of free time I'll make one this summer.

goshawk · #6 04-20-2011, 08:38 AM

Part of the problem of trying to recommend a guitar is that what's easily available and affordable here in the states often seems to be much more expensive and hard to find in Europe, but here are some thoughts.

The Eastman El Rey series should be on your list: 14-in. (35.5cm) lower bout, 2-in. (5cm) thick, light, available in several different versions. I have the ER-1, which has a mahogany back and sides with a spruce top and a single humbucker. In the US, these sell for about US$1600 new, but can often be found much cheaper used.

Benedetto makes a similar guitar, the Bambino. You can sometimes find one used on eBay for ~US$1600 or so.

Your best bet may be the Ibanez Artcore AG-xx guitars. I believe they are 15-in. (38cm) across the lower bout. The AG-75 sells new here for US$400. Going up the line, the Ibanez GB-10 George Benson signature model is about the same size, but of course is much more expensive.

If I were to rank these in terms of tone, my preferences would be:

The Bambino. This is a real Benedetto. I found that it plays beautifully and sounds wonderful. It also has coil-tapping, so it provides a little more tonal variation.

The El Rey. You can read several other reviews on the forum about this surprising little guitar. It provides a real jazz tone that's much bigger than its size.

AG-75: I've been disappointed in the Artcores I've demo'd in store, but I know that's in part because the factory set-up is surprisingly poor.

The GB-10 is a great, great guitar, of course, but I don't include it because of the price.

NSJ · #7 04-20-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiAg

I'm am recently pretty interested in the small bodies made from a solid mahogany back and sides with an x-braced carved top. A seemingly odd combination that sounds pretty good to me. With any decent amount of free time I'll make one this summer.

Hmm don't know about the bracing but the Eastman El Rey otherwise fits that description- light small bodied with mahogany backs and sides and a carved spruce top. Plus-- a "Johnny Smih " scale (25") and slightly wider nut (1.75").

I have a 7 string El Rey coming soon -ER1--that should complete my small stable of guitars. Really looking forward to it-under 6 bs, too

goshawk · #8 04-20-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

Hmm don't know about the bracing but the Eastman El Rey otherwise fits that description- light small bodied with mahogany backs and sides and a carved spruce top. Plus-- a "Johnny Smih " scale (25") and slightly wider nut (1.75").

I have a 7 string El Rey coming soon -ER1--that should complete my small stable of guitars. Really looking forward to it-under 6 bs, too

Actually, woods depend on the model. The ER-1 is mahogany/spruce, but the ER-2 is maple/spruce and the ER-3 is maple/maple.

kelmad2006 · #9 04-20-2011, 11:09 AM

Hey Kris,

I agree whole heartedly with oldane.

IMHO I think you just have to test the waters. Check out the 15inch archtop we have by The Phoenix Guitar Company.

They make great handmade instruments (all high end) and american. With standard configs.

This is a 15inch, Sitka spruce top with maple back and sides and kent armstrong bridge pu with stealth knobs under the ebony pick guard.

Very traditional and very robust.

docbop · #10 04-20-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris

Yes..best sound.This is most important.
I saw few small body guitars...very expesive hand made works.
best
kris

every ones idea of best is different some like dark, some bright, some woody, others more <fill in the blank>.

You should give a reference to what you think is best to you.

kris · #11 04-20-2011, 12:30 PM

woody arch-top sound with good sustain....;-)

carlescountry · #12 04-20-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goshawk

Actually, woods depend on the model. The ER-1 is mahogany/spruce, but the ER-2 is maple/spruce and the ER-3 is maple/maple.

ER-3 is mahogany/mapple.

Moreover, now Benedetto only offers their guitars in direct sales. According to its price list, the Bambino is worth $4,000

jzucker · #13 04-20-2011, 01:26 PM

The eastman T165 and 184,185,186 series are also nice. I have demos in the showcase area of the El Rey and the 165. Eastman also makes the 15" 803 which is cool. All of these are hand made out of solid woods (no plywood)

kris · #14 04-20-2011, 01:49 PM

Thanks for infos.
I heard about Elferink guitars from Holland...new model Performer is interesting.

carlescountry · #15 04-20-2011, 02:05 PM

Very rare in Europe. Preowned. D'Angelico Vestax NYS-2, small body 15 1/2"

D'Angelico NYS-2 Sunburst 15" Body New Yorker Jazz Guitar

oldane · #16 04-20-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiAg

No wonder those Danish mothers and daughters are marrying each other..

Don't call us Danes no kind of mother.

John Link · #17 04-20-2011, 04:01 PM

I am pleased with the sound of my Benedetto Bambino. It's so much more comfortable to play, especially when standing than a full size guitar. But, although it sounds darn good, it does not sound as good as my Benedetto Bravo which is a laminated 16" x 2.5" instrument. And if you really want that archtop vibe I don't think the smaller guitars have it.

jzucker · #18 04-20-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Link

I am pleased with the sound of my Benedetto Bambino. It's so much more comfortable to play, especially when standing than a full size guitar. But, although it sounds darn good, it does not sound as good as my Benedetto Bravo which is a laminated 16" x 2.5" instrument. And if you really want that archtop vibe I don't think the smaller guitars have it.

agreed. You can't beat physics.

NiAg · #19 04-20-2011, 04:14 PM

Hi John (Link),

I likewise love the Bravo and think the size seems to be about the best balance of playing ease and resonance in a laminated box.

But I played a Collings CL Jazz a while back and was surprised by the configuration. It sounds nothing like a Bravo, but it also does not sound like a plinky little hunk of something. It works, and you get a remarkably balanced resonance all over the FB. Go figure.

I suspect that the Bambino could benefit from a mahogany neck (assuming one considers a larger box resonance as a benefit - arguable at best).

I have not tried an SS-15, but it looks promising as a small box with some resonance.

jzucker · #20 04-20-2011, 04:19 PM

i dunno NIAg, maple neck sounds great on my GB10 and on the El Rey and my Heritage guitars

NiAg · #21 04-20-2011, 06:06 PM

Very nice that you are happy with your guitars.

jzucker · #22 04-20-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiAg

Very nice that you are happy with your guitars.

happy that you're happy

Pierrot · #23 04-23-2011, 03:27 PM

Don't know which is "the best sounding small body jazz guitar"...It is probable that MY concept of what is the best (of anything, say...cheese, cars, guitars, sound, wine or philosophy) would differ from YOUR ideal...

Now, this small body jazz guitar is close from MY paradigm of small bodied jazz guitars:

NiAg · #24 04-23-2011, 05:55 PM

A Jazz 12-string?

OK, really a nice design in my opinion. What are you running for strings (6, I know,...)?

I am struggling to come up with a headstock shape for a new guitar I am doing - maybe a sort of asymmetrical "wave" along the lines of your Eastman could work.

cosmic gumbo · #25 04-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris

woody arch-top sound with good sustain....;-)

Why won't a Les Paul do the trick? If you're looking for good sustain, you're not talking about a hollow body.

kris · #26 04-24-2011, 12:37 AM

right

pollysurfs · #27 04-24-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierrot

Don't know which is "the best sounding small body jazz guitar"...It is probable that MY concept of what is the best (of anything, say...cheese, cars, guitars, sound, wine or philosophy) would differ from YOUR ideal...

Now, this small body jazz guitar is close from MY paradigm of small bodied jazz guitars:

did you install the pickguard or was it installed? i have mine laying in the case and was wondering the ease of installing it, hate to take a drill to that lovely wood. mine is a f hole set in hummy, eastman's are delicately sweet

Pierrot · #28 04-25-2011, 02:37 AM

It came with its pg already installed.

kris · #29 04-25-2011, 02:46 AM

any mp3 of this jazz box?

Pierrot · #30 04-25-2011, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris

any mp3 of this jazz box?

http://snd.sc/gnmz8I

Thanks for listening