First jazz guitar?

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 09:47 AM

Hi all, as the thread title states. I am looking to buy my first jazz guitar. Ive been playing and gigging for a long time, pretty much Texas swing, old country, and some 40s music. Im NOT a pro player, I cant read, and 80% self taught learning as I go along. Dad was a telecaster player so I followed his footsteps. Teles for 30 plus yrs. is all ive used. Im 67 yrs old and ive never really felt the need to buy a true jazz guitar. A few nites ago I went to see a friend of mine play. He called me on stage to sit in for a couple of songs. I used his Gibson ES 175 and I really enjoyed playing it and enjoyed myself as well. So here I am on the hunt for my first jazz guitar. At my age I don't feel the need to buy a high end guitar. Something middle of the road or a good beginners jazz guitar that might get me the joy of the 175. I know I haven't much time left so spending 2k on up really doesn't make much sense. Thank you all so much for your time and input!

**pingu** · 06-27-2016, 10:10 AM

theres plenty of good cheap jazz guitars
out there .....

I like the Ibanez AF models ....but hey
you'll get lots of suggestions
where you located ? it would be best to find
a good outlet and spend a bit of time trying
a few guitars out .....
budget for a proper setup with fat strings

**EarlBrother** · 06-27-2016, 10:19 AM

Hi and welcome.Sweetwater is sealing Epiphone 175 premiums for 700.00.Never played one but it might be close to the Gibson.I am sure you will get some much wiser and more experienced responses.

**ronjazz** · 06-27-2016, 10:37 AM

I am thinking of selling my fully pro (I am a 50-year veteran of the jazz wars) Phillips Nouveau 16, similar to a 175 but with an ebony fingerboard and a single mini-humbucker. Price will be $600, in perfect condition, with case. I will put it in the For Sale section soon, but send me a personal message if interested.

**targuit** · 06-27-2016, 11:33 AM

I think there are some very decent Eastman models that one could consider as well.

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 01:49 PM

Thanks for your reply pingu! I live in a very small town pop 2,000 or so in Ariz. No guitar stores to speak of around here. Phx is about 3 hrs. out. I know I shouldn't, but I was thinking mail order? Again, not the right to do, but take the chance.

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 02:36 PM

Can anyone tell me about a Washburn J600?

**Artpulis** · 06-27-2016, 02:40 PM

Not sure exactly where in AZ you are, but if you are at all close to Wickenburg, I have an Ibanez AFJ95 that you can play, and possibly talk me out of.

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Artpulis

Not sure exactly where in AZ you are, but if you are at all close to Wickenburg, I have an Ibanez AFJ95 that you can play, and possibly talk me out of.

Im in Ajo! That may work. Thank you!

**Boston Joe** · 06-27-2016, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Cnote

Thanks for your reply pingu! I live in a very small town pop 2,000 or so in Ariz. No guitar stores to speak of around here. Phx is about 3 hrs. out. I know I shouldn't, but I was thinking mail order? Again, not the right to do, but take the chance.

Mail order is OK provided that the seller has a no-questions-asked return policy. I bought my Ibanez that way, and am very happy with it.

I would suggest, however, that you take that 3hr trip to Phoenix and spend a day rummaging around the music stores. You might discover that you really like something other than the 175. You might prefer the Epi Joe Pass or a Godin. I can think of worse ways to spend a day.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-27-2016, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Boston Joe

I would suggest, however, that you take that 3hr trip to Phoenix and spend a day rummaging around the music stores. You might discover that you really like something other than the 175. You might prefer the Epi Joe Pass or a Godin.

Or a Tele

**Boston Joe** · 06-27-2016, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Or a Tele

Let's not open that can of worms. :P

**EarlBrother** · 06-27-2016, 05:00 PM

That ronjazz offer looks great.Hey CNOTE this place only gets better!The Washburn never gets to much mention as far as i know.that might a red flag.A few years ago i was in a music store and saw a hollow body WB but another model and i was so dissappointed with it that i never looked at another.Id spend some time with that before buying.

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 05:01 PM

I have enough teles, thanks for your suggestion anyway BigDaddy!

**lammie200** · 06-27-2016, 05:01 PM

You might want to look at what Godin has to offer. Also, not totally comparable to Godin, but Peerless also makes some nice guitars for that amount of money. Or buy the Furch that someone is offering in the classifieds here. That looks like it would be a great guitar for the money.

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 05:09 PM

Yes! I will look into ronjazz! A tip to Phx is in order, once the temp comes down a few degrees! Its dang hot outside!

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the goodin tip 200, didn't know they even made a jazz guitar!

**TheGrandWazoo** · 06-27-2016, 05:53 PM

I'd consider the ronjazz offer. He has a great rep here as well so you know you're getting a fair deal.

**mercosound** · 06-27-2016, 07:01 PM

There are two guitars that I feel like I should never have sold; one was a 1951 Martin D18 (the year I was born) and the other was an Eastman 805CE. Now I own several higher end archtops, but that Eastman was a very nice guitar, considering the cost. I'd take a serious look at Eastman - there are quite a few used ones around, and I'd wager you could find a nice one that wouldn't break the bank.

Whichever guitar you end up with, I hope you have a lot of fun with it!

**Cnote** · 06-27-2016, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by mercosound

There are two guitars that I feel like I should never have sold; one was a 1951 Martin D18 (the year I was born) and the other was an Eastman 805CE. Now I own several higher end archtops, but that Eastman was a very nice guitar, considering the cost. I'd take a serious look at Eastman - there are quite a few used ones around, and I'd wager you could find a nice one that wouldn't break the bank.

Whichever guitar you end up with, I hope you have a lot of fun with it!

Thank you for the tip mercosound! I will look them up. You guys fantastic!

**Alastair** · 07-02-2016, 11:56 AM

After owning several high end Gibsons (335, L4, L5, SGs), all I play now are my Epiphone Sheraton lls. Put George Benson flat wound 12s on one of the new "Pro" models and it's a great jazz guitar. Inexpensive, and far better made than the Gibsons (go figure!).

**christianm77** · 07-02-2016, 05:18 PM

Telecaster is an excellent jazz guitar.

I string one with .13 flatwounds (TI's.)

**rlrhett** · 07-02-2016, 06:09 PM

Tele, PRS 22, Ibanez RG, etc... sure they all can be Jazz guitars. Great fun too. But I understand wanting a jazz box to play jazz. After all, it's a perfectly acceptable excuse for getting a new guitar

.

Get yourself a full hollow-body jazz box. If for no other reason than they are beautiful and not just another electric guitar. RonJazz's offer is not to be missed. Otherwise you can't go wrong with the Ibanez AF/AFJ, the Eastman 800 series, Peerless Imperial, Epiphone 175, etc. All these guitars are made in Asia, have good build quality, and can be had for reasonable prices.

Heck, there is a thread over in the gear sub-forum talking about the new Epiphone Masterbuilt De Luxe Classic and its siblings. They sure are head turners. Don't know about the sound or playability, but excellent marketing! If I was in the market for a sub- $1000 guitar, I would sure want to at least check them out.