Mid-price range Jazz guitar

Pres4Ben_29 · #1 04-23-2011, 10:46 AM

Hello all,
I'm new here so I'm not sure if this has been spoken of before, but I was wondering if there's any really good value hollow or semi-hollow body guitars suited for jazz at around $1500 give or take $500.
I play other genres of music as well as jazz and I have a Strat so I'm not sure as to whether a hollow or semi-hollow body is the way to go. I like the sound of es-335s so maybe a cheaper version of that, but I'm not sure if that will be good enough for jazz.
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Ben.

kris · #2 04-23-2011, 10:56 AM

D'Aspiranta model New-Yorker.it is Korean copy of D'Aquisto.I use one for jazz.
Best
kris

kris · #3 04-23-2011, 10:59 AM

mp3 of D'Aspiranta.

fumblefingers · #4 04-23-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pres4Ben_29

Hello all,
I'm new here so I'm not sure if this has been spoken of before, but I was wondering if there's any really good value hollow or semi-hollow body guitars suited for jazz at around $1500 give or take $500.
I play other genres of music as well as jazz and I have a Strat so I'm not sure as to whether a hollow or semi-hollow body is the way to go. I like the sound of es-335s so maybe a cheaper version of that, but I'm not sure if that will be good enough for jazz.
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Ben.

i don't mean to be argumentative, but a "jazz guitar" is (with a few exceptions), an archtop guitar. you can play jazz with almost any guitar, as has been expounded upon here, ad nauseum. but that doen't mean that people will refer to such instruments as "jazz guitars".

what's my point? $1,500 is probably not mid-price for an archtop guitar.
i believe that folks should look at it more like the following where decent jazz/archtop guitars are concerned, and plan their financing accordingly. Prices assume new instruments:

affordable: $1,200 - $3,200
mid-price: $3,200 - $5,000
expensive - $5,000 - $10,000
"custom/fine/luxury" - $10K - $50K

Pres4Ben_29 · #5 04-23-2011, 11:22 AM

That sounds beautiful thanks mate

Pres4Ben_29 · #6 04-23-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

i don't mean to be argumentative, but a "jazz guitar" is (with a few exceptions), an archtop guitar. you can play jazz with almost any guitar, as has been expounded upon here, ad nauseum. but that doen't mean that people will refer to such instruments as "jazz guitars".

what's my point? $1,500 is probably not mid-price for an archtop guitar.
i believe that folks should look at it more like the following where decent jazz/archtop guitars are concerned, and plan their financing accordingly. Prices assume new instruments:

affordable: $1,200 - $3,200
mid-price: $3,200 - $5,000
expensive - $5,000 - $10,000
"custom/fine/luxury" - $10K - $50K

Yeah that is a fair enough insight so I'll be more specific: $1500 is mid-range for what I would be willing to pay for a guitar based on my income. I wouldn't pay anything more than $5000 for anything at my age. So I guess the questions now are is $1500 enough money to purchase a guitar that plays well and sounds good in a jazz context? If yes what guitar would be the best option?
Also, I think you're technically right about what a "jazz guitar" is, but I'm wondering if one can get a suitable "jazz tone" from a semi-hollow body.
Thanks for your help.

Pres4Ben_29 · #7 04-23-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris

D'Aspiranta model New-Yorker.it is Korean copy of D'Aquisto.I use one for jazz.
Best
kris

That sounds great but do you think you could get one or order one from Western Australia?

M-ster · #8 04-23-2011, 11:50 AM

Sounds nice, kris!

fumblefingers · #9 04-23-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pres4Ben_29

Yeah that is a fair enough insight so I'll be more specific: $1500 is mid-range for what I would be willing to pay for a guitar based on my income. I wouldn't pay anything more than $5000 for anything at my age. So I guess the questions now are is $1500 enough money to purchase a guitar that plays well and sounds good in a jazz context? If yes what guitar would be the best option?
Also, I think you're technically right about what a "jazz guitar" is, but I'm wondering if one can get a suitable "jazz tone" from a semi-hollow body.
Thanks for your help.

probably so. this may interest you.

D'Angelico Guitars from J Hale Music

Pres4Ben_29 · #10 04-23-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

probably so. this may interest you.

D'Angelico Guitars from J Hale Music

Thanks for that, looks good.

Jabberwocky · #11 04-23-2011, 12:19 PM

$2000 or lower could get you a nice used Gibson Herb Ellis single routed-in humbucker ES 165 or an ES-137. It could also get you a used Heritage H575 or a new Eastman T165 (that jzucker likes). You could get an Epiphone Casino Elitist (MIJapan) or a MIJ Tokai ES135, ES155, ES160 or an Edwards. Also, Guild X-150, X-170, X-180.

If you define jazz tone as flatwound, 0.012 to 0.014 gauge, rolled-off treble into an amp, you are really spoilt for choice. One may even throw the Telecaster-style guitar into the mix although it is not an archtop nor a semi-hollow.

i would buy used Gibson, Heritage or Guild from a vendor like archtop.com, wildwood guitars, dave's guitars, willcutt guitars or jeff hale.

fep · #12 04-23-2011, 12:25 PM

You should learn the pro and cons of:

Solid top vs. laminate (solid carved tops in general are more expensive but that doesn't mean they're better, just different.)

Floating pick up vs. mounted pick up.

One pick up vs. two.

Neck length.

String gauge.

All of the above affect the way the guitar will sound. It's all subjective and up to your ear. You've got to try them in a controlled enviornment and let your ear and fingers decide... Yes, your fingers, it's also important that the guitar feels good to you.

Pres4Ben_29 · #13 04-23-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fep

You should learn the pro and cons of:

Solid top vs. laminate (solid carved tops in general are more expensive but that doesn't mean they're better, just different.)

Floating pick up vs. mounted pick up.

One pick up vs. two.

Neck length.

String gauge.

All of the above affect the way the guitar will sound. It's all subjective and up to your ear. You've got to try them in a controlled enviornment and let your ear and fingers decide... Yes, your fingers, it's also important that the guitar feels good to you.

I agree very much with this. Unfortunately I live in a smallish city and isolated city. Perth is the most isolated state capital in the world haha. So going with your advice, I wouldn't buy anything off the internet, but because of where I live my choices are a bit limited.
I've had a look on some of the Perth guitar store sites and there's a guitar called the Ibanez Artcore AF105-NT for $1500. I was wondering if anyone had played this guitar and if so what their opinions were on it and would it suit what I'm looking for?
Thanks guys

coolvinny · #14 04-25-2011, 03:45 PM

I've played the Artcore Custom 125, which is almost identical (wood binding rather than ivoroid; different pickups), and it was fantastic. All those Ibanez Artcore guitars are very good. They are well made and are easy to play (short scale length, slim neck, body not too deep). I wasn't happy with the pickups (too 'hot' and harsh) but you only really need a decent neck pickup, so you could always upgrade that down the road for a modest cost. They are great guitars. The fit/finish of my Artcore was on par with my (mega bucks jazz box, which I've since sold).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pres4Ben_29

...........I've had a look on some of the Perth guitar store sites and there's a guitar called the Ibanez Artcore AF105-NT for $1500. I was wondering if anyone had played this guitar and if so what their opinions were on it and would it suit what I'm looking for?
Thanks guys

Pres4Ben_29 · #15 04-26-2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolvinny

I've played the Artcore Custom 125, which is almost identical (wood binding rather than ivoroid; different pickups), and it was fantastic. All those Ibanez Artcore guitars are very good. They are well made and are easy to play (short scale length, slim neck, body not too deep). I wasn't happy with the pickups (too 'hot' and harsh) but you only really need a decent neck pickup, so you could always upgrade that down the road for a modest cost. They are great guitars. The fit/finish of my Artcore was on par with my (mega bucks jazz box, which I've since sold).

That sounds really good, thank you sir. I'll go to the music store and check it out.

AlohaJoe · #16 04-26-2011, 03:14 AM

I've played an AF105 and for a new guitar I thought they were very impressive for the price. I agree that you may choose to replace the neck hummer at some point. Try it if you can and see what you think. In that same price range (perhaps less) a used Guild (X150, X170) in good shape may be an even better choice. They tend to be under-priced and they're remarkably well made, and the stock pickups sound pretty darn good.

Here's what they sound like:
YouTube - ‪Fever by Alicia on Guitar‬&rlm;

kris · #17 04-26-2011, 05:11 AM

YouTube - ‪Maciej Strzelczyk Krzysztof Woli?ski Pawe? Puszcza?o‬&rlm;

D'Aspiranta plues Peavey Classic 30

Regards
Kris

nado64 · #18 04-26-2011, 05:47 AM

heritage h535.
gibson es333.
eastman semi-hollow

mangotango · #19 04-26-2011, 07:40 AM

Without disrespecting anyone's suggestions, the one thing that many people don't seem to be getting is that there just aren't that many used Gibsons, Guilds, etc. in places outside of the USA as there are local to you in the States; and if the OP doesn't want to buy off the 'Net, then there's really not much point telling him to look around for them - they'll be rarer than hens' teeth where he is..

I recently had a look on eBay.com to check out archtops and was astonished by the number and quality of guitars available. Many, many more than on the UK site. Searching under "archtop", there were 40 Gibson guitars in the USA, 8 in the UK. Guilds: 9 in the US, just 1 in the UK. Many of those on ebay.co.uk were from the US anyway. And as for lesser-known brands......

I appreciate that the USA is a much larger country & therefore market, but the lack of availability of these guitars over here is plain to see. By extrapolation, it seems reasonable to assume that the off-line second-hand market in the USA is comparably greater than here. And because it's a specialised market, those few second-hand guitars in the UK are in the hands of collectors/dealers and are correspondigly (much) more expensive.

So if we're struggling for choice in the UK, how much worse will the situation be in Perth, Australia, which as the OP admits is a tad remote?

That said, Pres4Ben_29, I hope that you find yourself the bargain that we're all looking for!!

Flyin' Brian · #20 04-26-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pres4Ben_29

but I'm wondering if one can get a suitable "jazz tone" from a semi-hollow body.
Thanks for your help.

Here you go jazz tone on a semi hollow and on a solid body

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

Pres4Ben_29 · #21 04-26-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangotango

Without disrespecting anyone's suggestions, the one thing that many people don't seem to be getting is that there just aren't that many used Gibsons, Guilds, etc. in places outside of the USA as there are local to you in the States; and if the OP doesn't want to buy off the 'Net, then there's really not much point telling him to look around for them - they'll be rarer than hens' teeth where he is..

I recently had a look on eBay.com to check out archtops and was astonished by the number and quality of guitars available. Many, many more than on the UK site. Searching under "archtop", there were 40 Gibson guitars in the USA, 8 in the UK. Guilds: 9 in the US, just 1 in the UK. Many of those on ebay.co.uk were from the US anyway. And as for lesser-known brands......

I appreciate that the USA is a much larger country & therefore market, but the lack of availability of these guitars over here is plain to see. By extrapolation, it seems reasonable to assume that the off-line second-hand market in the USA is comparably greater than here. And because it's a specialised market, those few second-hand guitars in the UK are in the hands of collectors/dealers and are correspondigly (much) more expensive.

So if we're struggling for choice in the UK, how much worse will the situation be in Perth, Australia, which as the OP admits is a tad remote?

That said, Pres4Ben_29, I hope that you find yourself the bargain that we're all looking for!!

You're right about that one, that's why I've been asking about the Artcore guitars as they're quite common here.
Also, my guitar teacher tells me there's a shop that sells the the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin for about $1200.
Has anyone played this guitar, and how would you think it compares to the Ibanez Af105 NT from the Artcore series. Where I live the the Godin is about $200-300 cheaper, but has only one pickup and no cutaway. but what about sound and feel? opinions as always would be appreciated.

ps. Semi-hollow bodies are ubiquitous here but I'm starting to think a hollow-body would be more worth it because of the bigger tonal difference from my Strat, as well as a fuller jazz tone.

Archie · #22 04-26-2011, 09:03 AM

I've tried a few of the Godin Kingpins; I found them to be solidly built and good-sounding, but the necks were a bit too thick for me. The local shop here has a bunch of Ibanezes, and I've tried some and quite liked them. They're very different-feeling guitars, but both good in their own way.

Flyin' Brian · #23 04-26-2011, 10:02 AM

This is an absolute steal. I owned one of these and it's a wonderful instrument. Even with the cost of shipping it to you it's within your budget.

The Gear Page

GuitarGed · #24 04-26-2011, 10:10 AM

Hi Everyone, First time poster here but thought I had something to say on this thread. Been playing guitar for a long time but mainly classical and flattops but I've played about with loads of archtops - owned two lovely ES175s (1967 and 1955) and an Andersen Streamline which I sold as their value was beyond my playing ability. Anyway, I recently bought an Ibanez Artcore AF75 as a bit of a beater (leave out of case in the living room etc.). I had it professionally set up, replaced the neck pickup with a Seymour Duncan SH1, changed the ToM bridge for an ebony one and put on a set of Thomastik-Infield George Benson flatwounds. The results were genuinely astounding. The whole thing cost me less than £450 and it sounds as good and plays as well as anything I've played (all kinds of US guitars as well as Eastmans, Peerless etc..). Obviously subjective but several of my guitar playing (and teaching) pals have been similarly impressed.
May have just been lucky but worth thinking about for an affordable jazz instrument on a budget. You learn a bit in the process of modifying the thing as well !

keith · #25 04-26-2011, 10:24 AM

I have a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin and the first thing I'd say is that you should not pay $1200 for this ( US dollars ) This is around $600-700 guitar and can be ordered online as such. It has a P90 pickup so the sound is different from what you would see in the $1500-2000 range archtop guitars. It's a cherrywood laminate so again the sound is different from a hand carved guitar. I would suggest you go locally and try to find this and play it. I think it's a great guitar for the money although tonewise doesn't hold a candle to the Eastman I own but may be worth it to you and save you some money. I've found that there is a great variation in verbal descriptions of guitars and when you get them in your hands and play them they can be quite different from what you had expected. Ideally we would all play the guitars we buy before purchase but being isolated that may not happen for you. Even locally though there may be some that may speak to you despite others descriptions of the model. Go try out the Kingpin for yourself and be the judge but don't pay 1200US.