The Most Versatile Guitar (Mostly Jazz can stand Feedback)

**Sphereacidburn** · 05-27-2009, 04:50 PM

What do you think is the most versatile guitar mainly for Jazz but can stand Feedback not saying I defiantly want a very versatile guitar but now I don't which direction to go because I feel Like I will be stuck with it the rest of my life but I also really am considering a Archtop Like A Eastman or A Gibson -
ES-175

**JohnW400** · 05-27-2009, 05:03 PM

Something like a Howard Roberts Fusion model should probably do ok. I think it's fatter than a 335. They're probably between $1200 and $1900 used.

**Doctor Jeff** · 05-27-2009, 05:14 PM

Gibson ES-335 or its clone the Epiphone dot (or Sheraton). Hands down. Can do it all, from jazz to hard rock to pop to country.

Larry Carlton, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, the Edge, BB King, John McLaughlin are some of the MANY people who have played this style of guitar.

**Arnesto** · 05-27-2009, 08:44 PM

sadowsky semihollow archtop sound in a semi package

**bkdavidson** · 05-27-2009, 11:20 PM

Gibson ES-135 LE without a doubt. They sell for $1200ish if you find one on ebay. If you go 335-style, I'd recommend a Sheraton over a Dot. It's a bit more pricey, but well worth it. An actual 335, however, is not worth the price difference, at least in my opinion.

**Bill_J** · 05-27-2009, 11:32 PM

Got to second the ES-135.

Bill

**Lester** · 05-28-2009, 12:42 AM

My choice would be...... one of these .

Check out this sound and tell me what more you need!

**rabbit** · 05-28-2009, 12:47 AM

Mr 335 TV

Worth a look.

Best of luck.

zz5555 · 05-28-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Lester

My choice would be...... one of these .

Check out this sound and tell me what more you need!

I agree. If you're looking for the most versatile guitar, it's hard to beat a telecaster.

**Russ Kapp** · 05-29-2009, 06:05 PM

Amen on the Tele for cranking in YOUR sound.....the genius of simplicity with infinite tone colorations.....Leo got it right the FIRST time !

**Herb German** · 05-29-2009, 10:59 PM

hi, my nomination is a tele, second would be a 335 or one of it s clones. happy jazzing. Herb

**Sphereacidburn** · 06-24-2009, 10:14 PM

tele is to twangy

**GodinFan** · 06-24-2009, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sphereacidburn

tele is to twangy

Did you even listen to that Ed Bickert cut?

**perpetualcacophany** · 06-24-2009, 11:07 PM

Parker Fly Mojo.

This guitar can do absolutely anything.

**bluemood** · 06-25-2009, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Sphereacidburn

tele is to twangy

Ed Beckert is play his tele with the telecaster single coil neck pickup and still sound very warm and jazzy...I also have thought about this and Fender telecaster always comes up first...Fender strat for all other styles and even Jazz but need alot of tweaking not my first choice...I use a Hofner Very Thin classic for jazz made in Germany very versatile but some feedback the trade off is tone .

**Russ Kapp** · 06-25-2009, 10:56 AM

I certainly understand the " twang " factor coming from a tele, however, I have discovered it IS possible to de-TWANG this tone monster with patient tweaking on the stock controls and your adjustments on most amps. This with even the STOCK P/U's.

**fast1** · 06-25-2009, 11:30 AM

go for the es 135

**derek** · 06-25-2009, 11:57 AM

I would vote tele #1 (Ted Greene, Ed Bickert, Lorne Lofsky, Bill Frisell, our own Mr. B & Matt Warnock), and 335 type guitars a close #2. Other than classical, can you think of a genre of music these guitars have not showed up in? Even seen Gypsy Jazz guys playing the above before.

**Sphereacidburn** · 06-25-2009, 03:20 PM

Okay we have heard enough about teles I want to hear about something else now ,please

**derek** · 06-25-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sphereacidburn

Okay we have heard enough about teles I want to hear about something else now ,please

Haha. Heard enough about teles? Maybe the reason why is that they are pretty ubiquitous in jazz as THE solidbody. However, you can certainly include the Les Paul. In addition to obviously Les himself, playing weekly in the Iridium Club in your back yard, there are guys like Clint Strong who rip it up on LPs. An example:

Did you miss the comments about 335 type guitars? How about a Strat?

**Sphereacidburn** · 06-25-2009, 07:10 PM

I honestly think Fender's are overpriced for what they are , their price has risen like 40% in the U.S.A in New York Tri State area. They are still a pretty good deal for a guitar, I still like them but that is not he direction I am aiming, if you know what I mean, just not now, no doubt I will have a tele but not know I want something like a 335 175 some kind of heritage or eastman

**gpmedium** · 06-26-2009, 09:23 AM

I have a 1979 ES-175 in my possession. It is an excellent jazz guitar, but far from the most versatile guitar I play.

The ES 335 type guitar is very versatile, and if you are leaning towards semi-hollowbody or true hollowbody is a good choice. As pointed out above, Larry Carlton chose it for it's versatility. I have one and it can play just about anything short of Metal.

I've never played an ES-135, but several forum members believe them to be a good choice and I cannot dispute that.

The reason you are hearing so much about Telecasters is they are extremely versatile and also easy to change pickups to get even closer to your personal sound.

That being said, in my opinion, any solid-body guitar you choose, of any style, will be extremely versatile as long as it is comfortable in your hands and allows you to play well.

Also, my personal opinion, Gibson to be overpriced for what they are and would definitely look at used.

**Arnesto** · 06-26-2009, 12:17 PM

179? tell me more please...

**gpmedium** · 06-26-2009, 12:37 PM

OOPS!

I meant 1979 ES-175
Sorry

**P.J.** · 06-27-2009, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by perpetualcacophany

Parker Fly Mojo.

This guitar can do absolutely anything.

My choices would be either a Parker Nitefly or a Tele. Not what you usually think of when you think "jazz guitars" but extremely versatile nonetheless.

=-) PJ