Perfect Jazz guitar?

[Hurricane Ramon]

Excerpt :

Originally Posted by ggman

Oh boy, can I relate to this! I've got a Godin LGX-SA that I have played exclusively for the last ten years (almost). High quality, versatile guitar, SD Jazz Neck, SD Custom Custom bridge, sounds great, etc. I have the same problem though, I've never found my comfort zone with it. I can only get it sitting with it propped like a classical guitar. I can't sit like that playing with the band. I can't find my comfort zone standing with a strap!

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I love my LGXSA I sit , have to now after one car accident to many . It's a bit of a monster ( so is a Les Paul ) to be sure but what a tone giant . Straight into a little Gibson Skylark 15watt tube and wow it's unreal for the 50's sound and plugged into my old Gretsch class A tube and it's a time machine to Charlie Christian's era's sound .

I have a Carvin X60 tube hybrid 60 watt and it sounds really great there to for Jazz , Blues and Rock and it's many permutations .

When I use a multiple voiced sound like adding a electric piano to a jazz guitar or rock guitar's sound it's really astural at times really When I realized I had sounds the likes of Pat Matheny when I did this I said :

OH WOW thats how he got that !

Yeah synthesizer sounds meshed and blended with traditional jazz / blues / and or rock is where it's at for me . My LGXSA do deliva when hooked to my Roland GR33 guitar synthesizer and Digitech GNX4 .

I use :

Peavy single folded horns ( X2 ) with Black Widow 15" full range woofers and Altec big ass state of the art horns ( X2 ) these suckers are huge , the driver elements on it to replace cost me over $100.00 each and that was 13 years ago !

Pump them up with a generic 500 watt solid state stereo amp and it can handle a really big room no problem . I have a 8" JBL system for small venues .

Also I use a Yamaha 50 watt solid state guitar amp in stereo with my Carvin X60 tube amp ,the stereo FX I get when I use my Digitech GNX4 on this set up is fantastic . I can also go directly to both guitar amps and the 500 watt amp all from my GNX4 including ( with full FX and RVB ) my vocal XLR mic .

Life is good

Sincerely :

Hurricane Ramon

[Hurricane Ramon]

Mine is sexier heh heh heh same model with a nicer quilted top , mine looks like you could reach into it and touch it like a cloud heh heh .



Sincerely :

Hurricane Ramon

[Hurricane Ramon]

These and the other pics make up my system for Jazz and much more

Sincerely :

HR

[hubert54]

hi,

what about not harming Django to play even on a broken guitar?
I read this somewhere.
Made me a lot of thinking, why and what and certainly because.
A friend of mine makes every guitar "sound", and he doesn't mind, seems
as he's got the sound from his "ears". Amazing and frustrating.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by jaxson50

I was just curious, I see them for sale on the local craigslist often. If your interested I would keep you posted if I see one that is in good shape.
My dad played Honkytonks in the 40's and 50's and always had a Harmony archtop. I have a soft spot for them to. PS, Those are some great looking old guitars!

Thanks for the offer but I keep my eyes peeled on eBay where I have bought most of my Harmonys. I'm kinda flush with guitars right now too so I have sworn an oath of "no more guitars in 2009". LOL

Any pics of your Dad with the Harmonys back in "the day"? I'd love to see that.

[Lester]

"Use the Warp knob to Morph amp and cabinet models together to create your own Hypermodels."

Man that is one serious rig! I'm too old for that sh$t. I'm still trying to figure out what the middle switch position on my Tele does.

[Hurricane Ramon]

Originally Posted by Lester

"Use the Warp knob to Morph amp and cabinet models together to create your own Hypermodels."

Man that is one serious rig! I'm too old for that sh$t. I'm still trying to figure out what the middle switch position on my Tele does.

Hey Lester whats shakin man :

I bet I'm older than you heh heh ( 58 ) and yeah this unit ( GNX4 ) is not for the faint of heart . The fact of the matter for me in this case as a guitarist is I began only 10 years ago after being a performing pro since 1977 as a Blues Harp Blowing maniac with chops that rivaled many a piano - keyboard / guitar player no BS .

So here comes a miracle a real one and I'm making up for lost time . My first 6 years at it was set at 6 to 7 days a week if I could do it , 4 to 6 minimal hours and all day when I could manage it .

I had begun learning keyboard in 93 and knew how to read notation since I was a trumpet player in elementary school in 58 . I started harps ( diatonic harmonicas ) in 54 at 4 yrs of age .

My majority time practicing was with the physical aspect of developing my left forearm and hand's strength and coordination since at 48 your going backwards in the case of muscle development

But I digress ...

My take on what I wanted in an electric guitar and then the peripherals that are available for one to " enhance the guitar's sounds and textures of :

Yesterday - Now - N - Tomorrow .......

My eyes saw my future guitar ( electric after I made a Washburn D46SCE acoustic electric sound real purdee) to be one that was the :

" state of the art electric guitar "

I did not let tradition get in the way .

I did look at every guitar player and rig I liked .

I did not limit the guitar to any one genre .

I did consider what Andres Segovia said :

" The guitar is like an orchestra each sting being a separate and distinct voice "

After all was thought out for over a period of 4 years of researching everything from guitar players I know in the business and the internet's powerful reach of information I settled for the Godin LGXSA with a Roland GR33 guitar synthesizer and then my last piece to complete my dream set up I got the Digitech GNX4 because nothing came close for the $'s with as much bang fo dee buck .

I have to write that the GNX4 really messed up my mind for quite some time as did the Roland GR33 . These units take some studying aside from the actual use !

But - - -

Did not learning to play guitar also mess up your mind for a while ? Was learning how a chord is constructed take only a hour to learn ? What about arm , hand and the coordination trip ?

What takes time to learn is not easily forgotten , worth while projects take their time .

Easy Come Easy Go - -

1st song I tackled on guitar was { Some Where Over The Rainbow } . It kicked my ass ! 4 years !

But

Seems nothing is too difficult now heh heh .

I'm nobody at 10 years at it but , I am light years ahead of many others with more than 10 years at it save some younger guys who are so good I want to shoot them heh heh .

So that's what makes me tick .

Teles I love . The LGXSA can make a really cool Tele like sound too , it was one of the reasons I got it . The Fender Roland ready did not have as much flexibility even though well made and cheaper . The PRS were way out of my price league as was the Parker Fly synth guitar . My expense for the above rig I posted was :

$1700.00 for the LGXSA w/hardshell case and Roland GR33
$500.00 GNX4 no tax or shipping charges .
100.00 empty single folded Peavy horn cabs X2
$200.00 15" Peavy Blackwidows X2
$300.00 Altec horns ( one with a blown element ) X2
$120.00 Horn element
$250.00 New off an internet music store GEM 500 Watt Stereo Power amp
$3170.00 Total .

Now I could have spent the $s on just one Gibson ..............or a Parker Fly

NOT ! ! !


Sincerely :

HR

[peterk1]

Hey Hurricane,

Do you have any demos up? Would love to hear what that stuff sounds like.

[jaxson50]

Originally Posted by Lester

Thanks for the offer but I keep my eyes peeled on eBay where I have bought most of my Harmonys. I'm kinda flush with guitars right now too so I have sworn an oath of "no more guitars in 2009". LOL

Any pics of your Dad with the Harmonys back in "the day"? I'd love to see that.

Lester,
I know a local collector of Harmonys and Stellas and Silvertons etc., he also has a shop, the point is he has a warehouse full of stuff, parts etc. and ton's of old US tube amps from the 40's 50's and 60's. So if you need parts let me know I'll send you his e-mail address.
Jim AKA Jaxson50

[jaxson50]

Hurricane
The best Jazz guitar is the one that fit's your needs and speaks to you.
I play acoustic, I have amps but seldom use them as I never play outside the house.
In fact the last time I played with anyone pluged into a amp was in your front room!!!!!
Love Ya Bro

[Hurricane Ramon]

Originally Posted by jaxson50

Hurricane
The best Jazz guitar is the one that fit's your needs and speaks to you.
I play acoustic, I have amps but seldom use them as I never play outside the house.
In fact the last time I played with anyone pluged into a amp was in your front room!!!!!
Love Ya Bro

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Hey Blood Brother !

Yes that was really fun only nearly not enough time ! The best moments in music are sometimes the impromptu times in a living room with a good friend .

Yesterday with my neighbor and an other two friends the acoustic steel strings were humming to the sounds if Latin America , Tangos , Cumbias , Latin 60's pop/rock .

After a few hours I was asked to play some Jazz and really helped some seasoned guitar players sit up and take notice of something quite new and different to them , the best of these two guitarists asked after wards if I would show him " Satin Doll " cool huh !

That guitarist who learned Satin Doll was stoked on learning something Jazz for the first time , he thought it would be impossible heh heh .

Easy man

Hurricane Ramon

[Oldguy]

I can tell you what NOT to buy...Canvas CFC 70. Sounded very tinny unplugged (it's a full hollow), pup's were weak and without any depth, the neck had a wave in it. Maybe I expected too much for a cheap jazz box. At least the seller promised to refund my money.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by Oldguy

I can tell you what NOT to buy...Canvas CFC 70. Sounded very tinny unplugged (it's a full hollow), pup's were weak and without any depth, the neck had a wave in it. Maybe I expected too much for a cheap jazz box. At least the seller promised to refund my money.

These Canvas things are made in Korea by this company...... Welcome to ASC and from what I understand (I could be wrong) they make the so-called "new" Harmony guitars and one of the eBay sellers says his Canvas' are made by the same company that make many well known brand names. I took this to mean things like Epiphones, Gretsches, Ibanez, etc..... who knows what else. A lot of this Asian guitar stuff is all smoke and mirrors. I don't give them a second glance. IMHO

[jaxson50]

There are many South Korean guitar makers, Samick being the largest, (maybe the largest in the world in volume). The companies will build to spec. and differ the design and details to the buyers request.
Some of the guitars are pretty good some,, not so much. It all comes down to what the customer is willing to spend per unit.

[Oldguy]

This pig had a "Made In China" sticker on it.

[jaxson50]

Whats Bobby playing in this video?
YouTube - Jazz Guitar Robert Conti 8 String Guitar
It has too many strings!!!!

[jaxson50]

Satin Doll,

YouTube - Jazz Guitar Improv Sample Robert Conti

[jaxson50]

Keven Eubanks is awesome....Great jazz player.
Sonny Rawlins can't be overlooked.

[elprofe777]

Nobody mentioned the Epiphone ES-175 reissue. I have it. It's a dream
guitar! No problems with feedback and a terrific Barney Kessel type
sound. On the Musician's frend website, the Epiphone reissue is getting
higher praise than the $2600 Gibson "original."

El Profe

[Scotto]

Man, that's a wide open question... kinda like what kind of woman do you like? First off, I'm one that believes every guitar has it's own vibe. Also, it depends what kind of jazz your playing and your style. I think Tele's are cool and they play great but I wouldn't buy one just because that guitar isn't my style even though it's a great guitar. I prefer something big like the L5 or Super that could almost sound like a Hammond B3. Love Gibson because I like the way they look and sound. Also, once you get your hands on something you like, once you have it set up, it starts to take on a personality of it's own. Also, my first jazz guitar was an Epiphone Sheraton. I had the frets polished down a bit and had some nice flatwounds put on and changed the pickups to Gibson 57 classics... I still have it and is one of my favorite guitars in my collection.

[Bluesguy]

Makes me think about how a Sheraton might do with P-90s--really get that old 175 sound.

[Paul Jerome]

Don't rule out an Epiphone Casino..with flatwounds...I got a great Jazz sound out of it and it's very versatile and easy to handle. Also has P-90's

[Scotto]

I've been very curious about a casino because it is a total hollowbody and you get a warmer sound. Would be very interested in putting 57 classics into one. One of my favorite jazz\funk guitarists plays a Casino but his sound doesn't have the warmth I'm looking for... it may be the P-90's. Look up Eddie Roberts if you get a chance... he's from the UK.

[Paul Jerome]

This is my modded Casino...I also put black covers on the P-90's
It's nice for Jazz or rock...Depends on the strings too.

[The Korux]

Originally Posted by Paul Jerome

This is my modded Casino...I also put black covers on the P-90's
It's nice for Jazz or rock...Depends on the strings too.

woha, really nice
looks like a jazz guitar now.

[Paul Jerome]

I like that Jazzy look even on a R&R guitar. I have a 3rd guitar that I'm selling...An OE40 Oscar Schmidt. It's set up the same for Jazz. A thicker Hollowbody ...here's a picture. Grovers, Ebony knobs and guard #12 flatwound strings D'Addario, and dual Humbuckers.. Only asking $250 for the Guitar and Hard case plus shipping .This one plays amazing and is in beautiful condition. Played very little and never at a gig. If you know anyone that wants a great , inexpensive Jazz guitar, let them know and they can contact me at temptones1@verizon.net or on the forum..I think it is very expensive to ship overseas however. I am in Pennsylvania.
Thanks
Paul

[royswan]

I've tried them all and have come the opinion that Gibson deserved its patents on their humbucker pickups. Yes, there are many other guitars with beautiful workmanship and action, but when you plug them in, they just do not have that incredible warm tone. I have an L5 and ES-175 and actually prefer the less expensive 175.

One piece of advice. Do not buy a new guitar. Guitar makers have long ago run out of their "stockpiles" of aged wood. Everything new is made from "green" wood -- that's why none of them sound as good as a 10 or 20-year old guitar. Guitars made from green wood will "move", no matter how well crafted, and in a year or so, you may end up with problems.

[Bluesguy]

I have guitars with humbuckers and P90s and I tend to prefer the P90s (the original 175 pickup) to get what sounds to my ear like "jazz." But how great that we have so many cool sounds and guitars to choose from.

I would disagree in a minor way with royswan on new wood guitars. My 68 Martin has changed over the years and gets better all the time. The luthiers (hey the spell checker wants to make that "Lutherans") I know understand that wood changes over time, and can create guitars that age in wondrous ways. Perhaps it is true of mass produced guitars, but some of the new hand made guitars are great. In fact, if anyone has a decent "green wood" classical guitar they want to give away, my shipping address is available for a PM .

[eidlyn]

You know, I would really try out a Hagstrom Super Swede or the Swede were I you (the super swede isn't necessarily better than the swede). For $675 (i guess the price has gone up) its worth having a go at it. It has a really dark sound to it, not like Teles or Les Pauls, and its perfect for blues. I believe Hendrix played a Hagstrom Viking, which is also a great guitar. The Super Swede, which is what I have, has a coil tap switch that makes the pickups sound like P-90s. Very versatile, and its a beautiful instrument besides.

Its the only instrument that I've bought that has remained stock, simply because the original parts are sooo damn good.

If you're a tele fan, you should also try out the CIJ Jaguar Special, its comes with Tele humbuckers. I switched those out on mine for P-90s, and that instrument is a great blues guitar.

[bfloyd6969]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

not sure there can be a definitive answer to a question like this, but for solidbodies, it's hard to beat a tele. i have two and i'm always eyeballing a third...

Hello mr. beaumont - sorry to bring back such and old post, but can I ask what pup positions you like to use from your Tele's? Are you mainly using just the neck pup or perhaps the neck and bridge middle position? Been thinking about getting a (traditional two single coil) Tele...