Why I Chose a Strandberg Jazz Salen for My Jazz Journey

[DanJazzJourney]

Honestly, when I tried it in the music store I didn’t think the comfort factor matters that much. One has to try it on the couch in the laid-back posture you do at home to actually feel the beauty of it.

I still play my other archtops once in a while. The Salen taught me how to appreciate the archtop airy, woody warm tone even more than before. Got kinda numb and took it for granted when I used to play archtop everyday

Indeed. What archtop do you have?

[andreshum]

Indeed. What archtop do you have?

I've collected a few over the years, Gibson 175-cc, 175 RI, 165, 330, Slaman 150-style, Godin 5th Ave, Lawsuit 175, Epi 175, Ibanez PM3C, AF55. I used to play the last few on a daily basis

[DanJazzJourney]

I've collected a few over the years, Gibson 175-cc, 175 RI, 165, 330, Slaman 150-style carved, Godin 5th Ave, Lawsuit 175, Epi 175, Ibanez PM3C, AF55. I used to play the last few on a daily basis

What was/is your favourite?

[GuyBoden]

I've never seen this before :O

Yes, Ola Strandberg owned a Crucianelli guitar, so you can see what inspired his own Strandberg body shape design.

Below: Ola Strandberg had a guitar similar to this Crucianelli guitar made in Italy in the 1960's.


This is a pic of Ola Strandberg's actual guitar:

[andreshum]

What was/is your favourite?

Hmmm that’s a tough one. I really don’t know the answer… not the 175 copies, not 330, the AF55 is only for hardware experiment, PM3C is not bad but I find the neck a bit thin to my taste… if I really had to pick 2 I would say the Slaman (made to measures with cc pu) and the 175cc. I’m more a single coil guy if I must choose

But I can tell you this if I had to abscond and pick only one guitar on the run, I would without a doubt grab the Strandberg and a Fender Mustang Micro+. They are by far the most handy combo lol

[DanJazzJourney]

Yes, Ola Strandberg owned a Crucianelli guitar, so you can see what inspired his own Strandberg body shape design.

Below: Ola Strandberg had a guitar similar to this Crucianelli guitar made in Italy in the 1960's.


This is a pic of Ola Strandberg's actual guitar:

Oh wow, there yiy can see the similarities in design.

[DanJazzJourney]

Hmmm that’s a tough one. I really don’t know the answer… not the 175 copies, not 330, the AF55 is only for hardware experiment, PM3C is not bad but I find the neck a bit thin to my taste… if I really had to pick 2 I would say the Slaman (made to measures with cc pu) and the 175cc. I’m more a single coil guy if I must choose

But I can tell you this if I had to abscond and pick only one guitar on the run, I would without a doubt grab the Strandberg and a Fender Mustang Micro+. They are by far the most handy combo lol

Awesome, you have had a lot of beatuiful guitars. I am considering getting another Strandberg but with single coil in the neck. I bet the 175cc sounded amazing

[andreshum]

Awesome, you have had a lot of beatuiful guitars. I am considering getting another Strandberg but with single coil in the neck. I bet the 175cc sounded amazing

I use position 4 switching on my Salen Jazz most of the time. It splits the neck humbucker and the resistor controls volume load from 500k to approx 250k. Essentially functions as single coil. It tames and soften the tone quite a bit. I’d use position 5 if I need more volume or fuller sound. With this option, the Strandberg easily replaces my so to speak Jazz build Teles as my go-to couch guitar.

That’s another thing I like about this Strandberg. You don’t find split coil switching on traditional archtops or even on the newer ones. And I wouldn’t want to perform such mod on an archtop, that’s just me maybe

[DanJazzJourney]

I use position 4 switching on my Salen Jazz most of the time. It splits the neck humbucker and the resistor controls volume load from 500k to approx 250k. Essentially functions as single coil. It tames and soften the tone quite a bit. I’d use position 5 if I need more volume or fuller sound. With this option, the Strandberg easily replaces my so to speak Jazz build Teles as my go-to couch guitar.

That’s another thing I like about this Strandberg. You don’t find split coil switching on traditional archtops or even on the newer ones. And I wouldn’t want to mod an archtop, that just me maybe

True, I used to use the single coil split exclusively on my previous NX6 standard. I actually forgot about that on the Jazz.

[GuyBoden]

This was the best tone I ever got from my Headless guitar, it was drenched in multiple multi-Tap delays and covered over by reverb, but it had nice deep sound IMHO.

[DanJazzJourney]

This was the best tone I ever got from my Headless guitar, it was drenched in multiple multi-Tap delays and covered over by reverb, but it had nice deep sound IMHO.

Very nice

[jazzloverfat]

I always disliked the design of headless guitars... to me they look not unlike a decapitated quadruple amputee for some reason (yes, i have a very vivid imagination ) buuut lately I've been thinking about getting one to mess around with when I'm gaming - u know, waiting for a match, in-between rounds or just wasting time in front of the PC. Plus, I've been VERY tempted to try Rocksmith out, would kinda make full circle given I got into guitar thanks to Rockband and an old PS3.

My question for those of u who own one - preferably one w Strandberg shape - can you comfortably play them while sitting in a gaming chair (back hugging, arm rests, etc) since looking at the design they are much smaller and with the cutout on the bottom part they could be held almost like a classical. I can't play my Tele and H150 like this...

ty

[DanJazzJourney]

I always disliked the design of headless guitars... to me they look not unlike a decapitated quadruple amputee for some reason (yes, i have a very vivid imagination ) buuut lately I've been thinking about getting one to mess around with when I'm gaming - u know, waiting for a match, in-between rounds or just wasting time in front of the PC. Plus, I've been VERY tempted to try Rocksmith out, would kinda make full circle given I got into guitar thanks to Rockband and an old PS3.

My question for those of u who own one - preferably one w Strandberg shape - can you comfortably play them while sitting in a gaming chair (back hugging, arm rests, etc) since looking at the design they are much smaller and with the cutout on the bottom part they could be held almost like a classical. I can't play my Tele and H150 like this...

ty

I took some photos, I have a office chair and not so much of a gaming chair, but has armrests and full back. The shape makes calssical position very easy. IMO the boden shape is probably better and more comfortable though

[jazzloverfat]

Thank you!

It does look like it could work. I'll have to try one in person then and see how it goes.

[orri]

Cool video mate.

I support your choice to play what feels right to you.
I have been curious about strandbergs but haven't tried one yet, so getting information from a jazz perspective is appreciated.

My best wishes for your continued jazz guitar journey.

I don't know if you care but Sälen is pronounced in Swedish more similar to rhyming with Ellen or Alan, rather than Eileen.

[Cunamara]

I hate neck-heavy guitars and it seems like headless guitars are a great way to not have that happen. I only ever played one, which was a Steinberger about 40 years ago. I remember liking that guitar.

[jads57]

Well for me it’s both my Carvin and Kiesel Alan Holdsworth Headless guitars I mostly play in the last two years. I only bought one as a travel guitar, but I soon became smitten with the concept.

It’s really hard for me to play almost any of my traditional Tele,Archtops, unfortunately! And even though it has a few drawbacks for me like 24 fret vs 22 fret neck which moves the neck pickup closer to the bridge. And away from the natural harmonic tone. I have found a couple workarounds.
I have the chambered versions, all alder,and a alder maple top versions.

Would love to try the Strandberg Solen Jazz model some time. But it also looks like 24 frets? Wonder if the neck pickup sounds Full enough for a Jazz type tone?

[JGinNJ]

To me, the Strandberg design is a great example of why you have to try a guitar out and not just go by specs or looks.

I went through a period where ergonomics were really bothering me. One guitar was too heavy, another the neck was too wide, or the body was too big.

I thought the Strandberg checked all the boxes (except it was too expensive!).
I tried a couple at a local GC- not the Salen, but close enough.

Well, I played some chord melody, the clerk and a customer were amazed, said never heard jazz played on a guitar like that, and with a Fender amp it didn't sound too bad.

As much as I wanted to like it, it was one of the worst guitars I ever played. The neck is like a 2x4, very uncomfortable. Overall, the body is too light and small to get comfortably settled with, it just feels like too much is missing.

[DanJazzJourney]

Cool video mate.

I support your choice to play what feels right to you.
I have been curious about strandbergs but haven't tried one yet, so getting information from a jazz perspective is appreciated.

My best wishes for your continued jazz guitar journey.

I don't know if you care but Sälen is pronounced in Swedish more similar to rhyming with Ellen or Alan, rather than Eileen.

Thanks. Ahhh I didnt know that. Thanks again

[DanJazzJourney]

I hate neck-heavy guitars and it seems like headless guitars are a great way to not have that happen. I only ever played one, which was a Steinberger about 40 years ago. I remember liking that guitar.

Highly recommend checking out a strandberg and having a play.

[DanJazzJourney]

Well for me it’s both my Carvin and Kiesel Alan Holdsworth Headless guitars I mostly play in the last two years. I only bought one as a travel guitar, but I soon became smitten with the concept.

It’s really hard for me to play almost any of my traditional Tele,Archtops, unfortunately! And even though it has a few drawbacks for me like 24 fret vs 22 fret neck which moves the neck pickup closer to the bridge. And away from the natural harmonic tone. I have found a couple workarounds.
I have the chambered versions, all alder,and a alder maple top versions.

Would love to try the Strandberg Solen Jazz model some time. But it also looks like 24 frets? Wonder if the neck pickup sounds Full enough for a Jazz type tone?

Yeah 22 frets would be more ideal.
I try to make two Jazz tones here on a neural DSP.

0:59 Peter Bernstein Preset2:10 Wes Montgomery Preset

[DanJazzJourney]

To me, the Strandberg design is a great example of why you have to try a guitar out and not just go by specs or looks.

I went through a period where ergonomics were really bothering me. One guitar was too heavy, another the neck was too wide, or the body was too big.

I thought the Strandberg checked all the boxes (except it was too expensive!).
I tried a couple at a local GC- not the Salen, but close enough.

Well, I played some chord melody, the clerk and a customer were amazed, said never heard jazz played on a guitar like that, and with a Fender amp it didn't sound too bad.

As much as I wanted to like it, it was one of the worst guitars I ever played. The neck is like a 2x4, very uncomfortable. Overall, the body is too light and small to get comfortably settled with, it just feels like too much is missing.

100% you gotta try them before buying. I have the opposite feel, I love the neck and weight of the body. But thats it hey, each person has a different preference,

[GuyBoden]

I took some photos, I have a office chair and not so much of a gaming chair, but has armrests and full back. The shape makes calssical position very easy. IMO the boden shape is probably better and more comfortable though

I take the arms off my office chairs that I practice on everyday.

They function much better as a guitar practice chair without the arms, most office chair arms simply pull out.