jazz semis

[duds707]

Can anyone offer any views here?...... I am looking for a small-size semi that is primarily for jazz, but needs to be versatile enough for blues/rock/funk etc. The short-list is:

Gibson ES339
Sadowsky semihollow
Carvin SH550 CE
Eastman El Ray ER2
Seventy Seven Albatross jazz

I am looking for a bright, more modern, erring on 'glassy', acoustic-like 'default' tone - exactly like Paul Meyers gets on the 77AJ on the YouTube clip - as opposed to the more trad 'rolled off' and slightly muddy (IMO) tone normally associated with jazz guitars. Maybe something to do with having a carved (although flat) spruce top, as opposed to maple ply?

Anyway, I'd value your opinion(s) if anyone out there has any experience of these guitars.

Many thanks,
Duds

[jmstritt]

It is going to come down to a matter of your personal taste. I will say that altough I have not played the particular Carvin model you have listed here, I have played several of there guitars and I don't feel that the build quality is comparable to that of the other builders you have listed.

Based on your description, the ES-339 seems like the natural choice. My favorite out of that group would probably be the Eastman El Ray, but you should know that the El Ray is not Semi-Hollow it is a Full Hollowbody guitar just with a smaller 14" lower bout and no f holes. Sonically it would probably sound closer to an archtop than a semi hollow. (To my ears anyways.)

[marcwhy]

Good list, and a fairly wide price range (from about $1000 - 4000).

There are several recent posts around here on "versatility," so look around.

I'd add Rob Engel's archtops to your list -- in your price range, and with his design and electronics, you can play blues/jazz/funk, etc.

Happy hunting!

[jmstritt]

You might want to see if you can track down a used Robin Savoy. Robin is no longer in business, but you can still find good deals on used ones. I have a Savoy Classic, but it was a NAMM show model with all figured woods etc, so it is retired from gigging, but I would like to find a plain one to use for gigs.

Check this out...
www.robinguitars.com
www.robinlovers.com

[Tom Karol]

Me too (still)! How about a Heritage Prospect Standard or an Eastman T-185MX (or possibly a T-184MX)? I've already got a great 'Tele', so this will be primarily for jazz, but it needs to be a capable backup for rock as well in case the Tele is temporarily out of commission. As a matter of fact, my 'Tele' is a Hamer T-51; are there any Hamer models I should be looking at?

[Joe Carlson]

Victor Baker makes some pretty sweet semis at a reasonable price.
Plus the entire guitar is made by the guy whose name is on the label.
I own two of his guitars, on is a semi and one is a fully carved 7 string and I love them both.
http://www.victorbakerguitars.com/index2.php

[Kuz]

I would recommend a Heritage guitar 535 or 555. Let your ears and hands guide you.

[John Link]

Originally Posted by duds707

Can anyone offer any views here?...... I am looking for a small-size semi that is primarily for jazz, but needs to be versatile enough for blues/rock/funk etc. The short-list is:

Gibson ES339
Sadowsky semihollow
Carvin SH550 CE
Eastman El Ray ER2
Seventy Seven Albatross jazz

I am looking for a bright, more modern, erring on 'glassy', acoustic-like 'default' tone - exactly like Paul Meyers gets on the 77AJ on the YouTube clip - as opposed to the more trad 'rolled off' and slightly muddy (IMO) tone normally associated with jazz guitars. Maybe something to do with having a carved (although flat) spruce top, as opposed to maple ply?

Anyway, I'd value your opinion(s) if anyone out there has any experience of these guitars.

Many thanks,
Duds

I would ask what gage strings you intend to use. If you are going to use 11's or anything lighter, I would go with a 25.5" scale instrument.

[cosmic gumbo]

Another option for a small bodied semi hollow that will do most anything.

[Tom Karol]

Yes, a Tele Thinline is definitely an option for me!

[lpdeluxe]

Do a search here for SH550 and see if you can find the evaluation several of us participated in. A good friend bought the review sample and is in total love with it. I'd be very tempted to get one if I didn't already own a 335. Here are a couple of photographs:

[NSJ]

Do what I did, and put a Charlie Christian on the neck pickup of my ES-339.


The clarity and richness of the sound is amazing!

[helios]

Hello,
I've never owned one, but I think these semi-hollows by Engel guitars get nice tone:

YouTube Video

[marcwhy]

Originally Posted by helios

Hello,
I've never owned one, but I think these semi-hollows by Engel guitars get nice tone:

Great video of Bob -- thanks for posting it! Engel does a lot of split coil stuff, etc. with pickups (if you want it, of course), so you can go from a single coil, funky sound to the big sound that DeVos is getting in the video. And one of his main design features is: No Feedback!

[Jazz_175]

Originally Posted by John Link

I would ask what gage strings you intend to use. If you are going to use 11's or anything lighter, I would go with a 25.5" scale instrument.

Could you please explain the connection between string gauge and instrument scale

[Al_F]

How about a Gibson 135 or 137 My local CL list has one of each listed right now priced at $800 & $900. I've never played on but this looks like a good deal. I don't need another guitar but its tempting.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Could you please explain the connection between string gauge and instrument scale

Tension. Most jazz players like a bit "stiffer" setup so they're not pushing things out of tune when playing complex chords and stretches...most rock players like to bend strings and do all that rock stuff...so a guitar meant to be so versatile that it can do both has to be a comprimise (one I'm not willing to make)

So my guess is John's suggesting that anything less than an .11 gauge on a Gibson scale instrument is going to be a pretty loose setup for jazz...not that it can't be done...it would not be my ideal setup either though.

[carlescountry]

I own a El Rey3 Custom (semisolid: litlle central block under the bridge) and I'm happy with it. Small body and great sound.

I've found this video

Joe Pass on my new Eastman El Rey er3 (I can't get started) - YouTube

[Soco]

Originally Posted by duds707

Can anyone offer any views here?...... I am looking for a small-size semi that is primarily for jazz, but needs to be versatile enough for blues/rock/funk etc. The short-list is:

Gibson ES339
Sadowsky semihollow
Carvin SH550 CE
Eastman El Ray ER2
Seventy Seven Albatross jazz

I am looking for a bright, more modern, erring on 'glassy', acoustic-like 'default' tone - exactly like Paul Meyers gets on the 77AJ on the YouTube clip - as opposed to the more trad 'rolled off' and slightly muddy (IMO) tone normally associated with jazz guitars. Maybe something to do with having a carved (although flat) spruce top, as opposed to maple ply?

Anyway, I'd value your opinion(s) if anyone out there has any experience of these guitars.

Many thanks,
Duds

I would throw in Collings on the list, both the soco and the 1-35's are worth checking out.

[jazzuki]

I was in the same position.Narrowed down to either a Gibson 335 or Fender Telecaster. As both prohibitive in my price range looked at copies and came across a Vintage 535 s/h which suited me musically and my pocket.But like all guitars choose your amp and string gauge well to suit the capabilities of any guitar you might buy.

[mangotango]

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Me too (still)! How about a Heritage Prospect Standard or an Eastman T-185MX (or possibly a T-184MX)? I've already got a great 'Tele', so this will be primarily for jazz, but it needs to be a capable backup for rock as well in case the Tele is temporarily out of commission. As a matter of fact, my 'Tele' is a Hamer T-51; are there any Hamer models I should be looking at?

Hamer Echotone Semi Acoustic and Hard Case | eBay

There ya go.

[rictroll]

PRS Hollowbody is a very versatile instrument - light, easy to handle, and capable of covering a lot of sonic territory

Even the cheaper SE model.