the standard plea for help

ProstoTak · #1 04-23-2010, 01:07 PM

Hey guys, I am new here and was driven to posting because of a question that i have about guitars for jazz. Here's the situation:
I am a college student with limited funds (looking to spend around $300 to $400). I have several acoustic guitars, but have never had an electric. I am looking to buy a semi-hollow guitar to use in my school's jazz band. From what I've seen on the internet there aren't too many options available for my budget, but I have seen the Epiphone Dot Studio and Dot guitars, and from Ibanez the Artcore AG75 and AS73 Guitars. How do these rate? Any of you have any experience with these guitars or recommendations out of these or any other guitars?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

gadjo · #2 04-23-2010, 01:39 PM

Hey, man. I've got the AG95 and i'm very pleased with it. It sits somewhere between a semi and a full hollow. Unfortunately, it does start to feedback if the volume is too loud. Test your guitar for feedback at the levels you plan to use it before buying.

Ibanez uses decent material on the wood side of things but keeps the price low by using a bit lesser hardware. Luckily you can change what does not satisfy you rather easily.. starting with the pickups. You might also have to take your guitar to the shop for some fret leveling but that can happen with any guitar in this price range.

I'd say go for Ibanez but note that i never played the Epis myself. From youtube videos the AS sound better imo.

Good luck!

millman · #3 04-23-2010, 01:52 PM

Ibanez AS73. I've had mine for two years and its wonderful. At the time that I got it it was $300.00 out the door. To me, it's an excellent value for the money. More than than price, you should get something that feels and sounds good to you. Lots of luck in your search.

RoyaleT · #4 04-23-2010, 01:53 PM

ProstoTak, I have a Epi Dot, to which I did extensive upgrading because I liked the feel of the 335 shape. It was a learning project, so the cost was worth it to me. I have a post somewhere here in the gear section on the work I did. I would advise, given limited funds, to seriously consider the Artcore series instead. Poor electronics in the stock Dots and the Studio is somewhat limiting. A lot of folks here love their Artcores for good reason, I would not mind getting their AK95 myself.

mr. beaumont · #5 04-23-2010, 02:12 PM

I had an AS-73 for about 6 months a few years back...never bonded with it, but there was nothing wrong with that instrument at all--a pretty good value, i'd say. Seemed well made, sounded good...sometimes I just think I'm not a semi-hollow guy...I've never played a cheaper epiphone that didn't have some "deal-breaker" issues like sharp fret ends, bad electronics, etc. Epiphone's quality makes a big jump once you go into their "over $500 range" IMHO.

82Benedetto · #6 04-23-2010, 02:15 PM

A used "over $500" epiphone may end up to be right in your price range, so why not look there?

mr. beaumont · #7 04-23-2010, 02:27 PM

a good idea. A used sheraton is nicer (again, IMO) than any dot or ibanez 335 style...

ProstoTak · #8 04-23-2010, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the responses... as for used guitars, where would be the best place to find one? The music stores where I'm at don't really have much selection for electric guitars. Anywhere online to look at?

Steve Z · #9 04-23-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProstoTak

Thanks for the responses... as for used guitars, where would be the best place to find one? The music stores where I'm at don't really have much selection for electric guitars. Anywhere online to look at?

Where are you located? Just curious.

The Gear Page - Powered by vBulletin has a great flow of used guitars, amps, pedals, etc. in the section called the Emporium. I have bought several items from there.

Also, Craigslist is a great resource as long as you know what you are looking for in a guitar and what a realistic price is on that used item.
Music Instruments | Craigslist Search ... just type in what you are looking for in the top search bar and press enter!

Cheers,
Steve

82Benedetto · #10 04-23-2010, 07:09 PM

I just remembered...these are a phenomenal bang for the buck.

Agile AS-820 Natural at RondoMusic.com
Agile AS-820 Nat Flame Trap Toast at RondoMusic.com

Made in Korea.

JimBobWay · #11 04-23-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProstoTak

Thanks for the responses... as for used guitars, where would be the best place to find one? The music stores where I'm at don't really have much selection for electric guitars. Anywhere online to look at?

As terrible as it sounds (and is!), pawn shops are overflowing with guitars these days, at least in my area. Having tried many semi-hollowbodys I chose the Sheraton and it has served me well for nearly a decade. Good sound, no feedback, durable, and cheap. I saw one (Korean era) at a pawn shop last week for 400$, I'm sure you could get it for less if you walked in with cash. Times are tough.