Why I Chose a Strandberg Jazz Salen for My Jazz Journey

[DanJazzJourney]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been learning jazz guitar for about a year and a half now, and something I get asked a lot is: why a headless Strandberg instead of a traditional archtop?
I know archtops are the classic sound and look of jazz guitar — and I love them too. But for my own practice and playing, I ended up choosing the Strandberg Jazz Salen, and I recently made a short video explaining why.
It’s not a review or a promo, just me sharing my experience.

I’d love to hear your thoughts — do you stick with the traditional archtop approach, or have any of you found modern guitars that work better for your playing?

[GuyBoden]

They sound thin compared to most traditional Jazz Archtops. Even, thinner sounding than a 335.

I tried swapping the pickups for PAFs, but it still sounded thin.

[DanJazzJourney]

They sound thin compared to most traditional Jazz Archtops. Even, thinner sounding than a 335.

I tried swapping the pickups for PAFs, but it still sounded thin.

I will agree my first Strandberg (boden standard NX6) did feel thin. I really like the pickups and tone on the Salen.

[GuyBoden]

I will agree my first Strandberg (boden standard NX6) did feel thin. I really like the pickups and tone on the Salen.

The Salen still sounds thin compared to a traditional Archtop.

Obviously, I had to get a Boden.

[DanJazzJourney]

The Salen still sounds thin compared to a traditional Archtop.

Obviously, I had to get a Boden.

Oh for sure, directly compared to a tradition Archtop it's hard to beat. Strandberg's are such great couch guitars too.

[John A.]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been learning jazz guitar for about a year and a half now, and something I get asked a lot is: why a headless Strandberg instead of a traditional archtop?
I know archtops are the classic sound and look of jazz guitar — and I love them too. But for my own practice and playing, I ended up choosing the Strandberg Jazz Salen, and I recently made a short video explaining why.
It’s not a review or a promo, just me sharing my experience.

I’d love to hear your thoughts — do you stick with the traditional archtop approach, or have any of you found modern guitars that work better for your playing?

I don't think the style of guitar matters. I have an archtop, a semi hollow, a strat, and a les paul with P90s. They all work fine for jazz. Each emphasizes something different in the sonic spectrum, but they're all tasty flavors. From an ergonomics and compactness standpoint, I see the appeal of headless guitars. I have even looked into getting a headless guitar with a bolt-on neck as a travel guitar, but the thing that has always stopped me is that they all seem to have 24 frets, which is a deal-breaker for me.

On 24-fret guitars, the neck pickup is positioned about an inch further back toward the bridge than on the typical 19-22 fret guitar. This gives it a thinner, slightly hollowed out and twangy tone (which I hear in your videos). Some people are cool with this, especially with overdriven tones. But for clean tones, it bugs me. I actually had a 24 fret guitar for a long time, and I was always frustrated by its neck pickup tone. If Strandberg made a 22-fret guitar, I'd definitely take a close look, but 24 frets are off the table for me.

[DanJazzJourney]

I don't think the style of guitar matters. I have an archtop, a semi hollow, a strat, and a les paul with P90s. They all work fine for jazz. Each emphasizes something different in the sonic spectrum, but they're all tasty flavors. From an ergonomics and compactness standpoint, I see the appeal of headless guitars. I have even looked into getting a headless guitar with a bolt-on neck as a travel guitar, but the thing that has always stopped me is that they all seem to have 24 frets, which is a deal-breaker for me.

On 24-fret guitars, the neck pickup is positioned about an inch further back toward the bridge than on the typical 19-22 fret guitar. This gives it a thinner, slightly hollowed out and twangy tone (which I hear in your videos). Some people are cool with this, especially with overdriven tones. But for clean tones, it bugs me. I actually had a 24 fret guitar for a long time, and I was always frustrated by its neck pickup tone. If Strandberg made a 22-fret guitar, I'd definitely take a close look, but 24 frets are off the table for me.

Yeah this is a bug bear I do see alot. I am surprised they dont make a 22-fret guitar to have that neck pickup closer.

[Cunamara]

"More modern" guitars? I'm not sure what that means exactly. I have a Tele and a Strat, a semi hollow Tele shaped object, a Rick Turner Renaissance RN-6 (which might be my most modern guitar). Are those more modern than an archtop? Those are in addition to an ES-175, a 17" archtop and a GB10.

Which one works the best for jazz for me? Arguably the Tele and a tossup between the ES-175 and the GB10. But they're all different and have their strengths.

[John A.]

Yeah this is a bug bear I do see alot. I am surprised they dont make a 22-fret guitar to have that neck pickup closer.

It strikes as odd, but I guess they know their target market.

[DanJazzJourney]

"More modern" guitars? I'm not sure what that means exactly. I have a Tele and a Strat, a semi hollow Tele shaped object, a Rick Turner Renaissance RN-6 (which might be my most modern guitar). Are those more modern than an archtop? Those are in addition to an ES-175, a 17" archtop and a GB10.

Which one works the best for jazz for me? Arguably the Tele and a tossup between the ES-175 and the GB10. But they're all different and have their strengths.

Yeah, good point — ‘modern’ can mean a lot of different things. For me I guess I was thinking more in terms of design ergonomics (headless, EndurNeck, fan frets) compared to the classic hollowbody builds.
Totally agree though — so many guitars can work for jazz. I’ve always loved the sound of a Tele in the right hands (Big fan of Cecil Alexander and seen him play amazing jazz on it), and of course the ES-175/GB10 are absolute classics.
For me the Salen just makes practicing more comfortable and fun, which means I actually pick it up every day.

[DanJazzJourney]

It strikes as odd, but I guess they know they target market.

Yeah im part of their facebook group and I see that question get asked alot.

[GuyBoden]

I'd use a headless for more modern stuff.

This video recording was me playing a headless about 5 years ago, it's a more modern style, not Jazz.

[DanJazzJourney]

I'd use a headless for more modern stuff.

This video recording was me playing a headless about 5 years ago, it's a more modern style, not Jazz.

Great playing. Love the fingerstyle too. Do you still play a headless?

[John A.]

Yeah im part of their facebook group and I see that question get asked alot.

Also, looking at the details of the body design (e.g. the size and shape of the cutaway and upper “horn”), it seems like it’s designed around a 24-fret neck. I don’t think it would be a simple matter to re-work it for a shorter neck. It would be a different guitar altogether.

For a low-volume builder like Strandberg, it might be impractical to tool up for that. It might be a matter of being able to build 22 or 24, but not both. If it were me, I’d assume 22 is the more popular choice and build that, but that’s probably one of many reasons I’m not in the guitar-building business.

[GuyBoden]

Great playing. Love the fingerstyle too. Do you still play a headless?

I've sold my Boden, but I still have one headless guitar. They are great ergonomically, I play my headless sitting with the neck up high, it's a very relaxed position. That's exactly what Ola Strandberg intended when he was part of the 'Ergonomic Guitar Design Group' many, many years ago at "https://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/" alas long since gone.

I think Rick Toone helped to design the Endura Neck:


Ola Strandberg had a ongoing blog describing his progress with his original designs, it was at "http://strandbergs.spaces.live.com/", alas long since gone.

Edit: If you're interested, you can still see some of Ola Strandberg's original guitar designs on web.Archive.com:
Strandberg Guitarworks >> 2007 >> December

Strandberg Guitarworks >> Gallery




Below: Strandberg headless guitar builds 1 and 3 by Ola Strandberg. 2009 and 2010?

[jads57]

So I’ve been using some different Carvin Holdsworth models both headless chambered, and a Fat Boy Hollow. And the 24 fret neck displacement has been a challenge.
One solution is to use single coil size Humbucker which only reads the area closest to the end of the fretboard.

Di Marzio Tone Zone, as well as Lace Sensor Blue/ Gold Dually. And this not a direct comparison,it is way better and closer to the 22 fret version. This along with adjusting your amps tonal settings a bit darker as well.

[DanJazzJourney]

Also, looking at the details of the body design (e.g. the size and shape of the cutaway and upper “horn”), it seems like it’s designed around a 24-fret neck. I don’t think it would be a simple matter to re-work it for a shorter neck. It would be a different guitar altogether.

For a low-volume builder like Strandberg, it might be impractical to tool up for that. It might be a matter of being able to build 22 or 24, but not both. If it were me, I’d assume 22 is the more popular choice and build that, but that’s probably one of many reasons I’m not in the guitar-building business.

That seems correct. Probably quite impractical for both. I guess their audience is driven more towards Rock/Metal. I have seen a few Jazz players use a Strandberg, particularly Marc from youtube's Jazz Guitar Lessons

[DanJazzJourney]

I've sold my Boden, but I still have one headless guitar. They are great ergonomically, I play my headless sitting with the neck up high, it's a very relaxed position. That's exactly what Ola Strandberg intended when he was part of the 'Ergonomic Guitar Design Group' many, many years ago at "https://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/" alas long since gone.

I think Rick Toone helped to design the Endura Neck:


Ola Strandberg had a ongoing blog describing his progress with his original designs, it was at "http://strandbergs.spaces.live.com/", alas long since gone.

Edit: If you're interested, you can still see some of Ola Strandberg's original guitar designs on web.Archive.com:
Strandberg Guitarworks >> 2007 >> December

Strandberg Guitarworks >> Gallery




Below: Strandberg headless guitar builds 1 and 3 by Ola Strandberg. 2009 and 2010?

OOoh wow this is awesome history. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[DanJazzJourney]

So I’ve been using some different Carvin Holdsworth models both headless chambered, and a Fat Boy Hollow. And the 24 fret neck displacement has been a challenge.
One solution is to use single coil size Humbucker which only reads the area closest to the end of the fretboard.

Di Marzio Tone Zone, as well as Lace Sensor Blue/ Gold Dually. And this not a direct comparison,it is way better and closer to the 22 fret version. This along with adjusting your amps tonal settings a bit darker as well.

Interesting, I will have to do some research on those pickups. Yeah I've definitely changed my amp settings to produce a darker tone.

[jads57]

I’ve found it depends on the amp and speaker size as well.I use Quilter Aviator 1x8” and also a 1x 12” combos. These are the earlier versions with the 100 watt capabilities.

Mostly find I need to darken or use a boost tone shaper pedal Xotic Sweet Boost,EQ type of pedal in front of the amps input.
But remember when using a Humbucker neck pickup it’s reading both coils. So the idea is to use a neck pickup that just reads the coil closest to end of the fingerboard only. And also find a darker stronger single coil size humbucker i.e. DiMarzio Tone Zone or Lace Blue

[andreshum]

Yes, it can’t match the sound quality of any arhtop but as OP said it’s the perfect couch guitar! For guys like me only play guitar on the couch it’s the go to!, I put away all my archtops, 330 and Teles in their cases as soon as I got a Salen Jazz. I can play comfily while watching tv and sit closely with my wife on the couch without bumping around. As I daily practice guitar I think it’s in the proximity of “jazz tone” and close enough for me.

Check out Dan’s other video for the tone

[GuyBoden]

Below is a picture of a guitar that inspired the Strandberg body shape, which was designed by Ola Strandberg in Sweden.

It's a CRUCIANELLI Sound cutaway, made in the 1960's in Italy.

CRUCIANELLI Elli Sound, It 1962 – ATYPIC GUITARS

[DanJazzJourney]

Yes, it can’t match the sound quality of any arhtop but as OP said it’s the perfect couch guitar! For guys like me only play guitar on the couch it’s the go to!, I put away all my archtops, 330 and Teles in their cases as soon as I got a Salen Jazz. I can play comfily while watching tv and sit closely with my wife on the couch without bumping around. As I daily practice guitar I think it’s in the proximity of “jazz tone” and close enough for me.

Check out Dan’s other video for the tone

Thanks, you summarised exactly what I was thinking and trying to say.

[DanJazzJourney]

Below is a picture of a guitar that inspired the Strandberg body shape, which was designed by Ola Strandberg in Sweden.

It's a CRUCIANELLI Sound cutaway, made in the 1960's in Italy.

CRUCIANELLI Elli Sound, It 1962 – ATYPIC GUITARS

I've never seen this before :O

[andreshum]

Thanks, you summarised exactly what I was thinking and trying to say.

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