A bit frustrated - need suggestions on a new cheap/mid-level jazz box

[Cunamara]

That looks just fine to me. What's important is that it sounds good and plays well. The rest of your setup seems fine too: Quilter SBUS or SBUK and Toob Metro. You've got all the makings of great jazz tone there. Enjoy and happy holidays!

[chris32895]

That looks just fine to me. What's important is that it sounds good and plays well. The rest of your setup seems fine too: Quilter SBUS or SBUK and Toob Metro. You've got all the makings of great jazz tone there. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Thank you and yes, the amp is a Quilter SBUS w/ a Toob Metro 6.5GP. It's the best amp setup I've personally had.

[Bob_Ross]

• Ibanez AF75: I've played a bunch of artcores and they are pretty good but do seem to vary. I had a PM35 a while back so know the body shape would be comfortable. Not sure on the neck? Would probably replace the pickups.
  

My wife gave me an Ibanez AF75 for my birthday ~20 years ago, and I have to say, it is one of the most comfortable guitars I have ever played. Neck feels great: Not too thin, not too thick, it's the Goldilocks shape, and so it's fast enough that I can really rip (ha! as if...) but chunky enough that my hand never feels cramped when executing tight clusters.

But yes, you should probably replace the pickups. With what, I'm not sure; I created this thread about my issue with the electronics back in February, still haven't acted on any of the suggestions. That's been my one beef with the AF75, it feels amazing to play and sounds lovely when played acoustically, but there's something missing sonically when I plug it into an amp.

[Llewlyn]

I bought an AF45 last week and omg - cannot believe the quality for the money! I had it set up with 13 flat and plays like butter bc of the small scale.

It's a keeper - and, if not, it's $300

Ll.

[garybaldy]

I bought an AF45 last week and omg - cannot believe the quality for the money! I had it set up with 13 flat and plays like butter bc of the small scale.

It's a keeper - and, if not, it's $300

Ll.

I guess you mean a 55.

[jaymen]

Nice to know that removing one pickup did the trick for you.
I myself am a fan of 'floating" pickups attached to the neck, and /or pickguard.
The later model of the ES 165 is an excellent example.

However, you have also created another sound hole, in the middle, like Orville's original guitar.
This therefore creates more tones, as the top is less encumbered, and can now breath more.
Makes sense it would be better acoustically as well.

[Cobra5]

A quick search revealed this $209 Grote similar to an ES-125T.

https://www.amazon.com/GROTE-Electric-Hardware-Vintage-Sunburst/dp/B092HWZKW6/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_3/141-8244102-6857160?pd_rd_w=DQXO9&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=Z3CK58XPTSJCRAQ4WGCB&pd_rd_wg =PwfMu&pd_rd_r=6d6cebfb-286e-48d0-af03-73f7806cc884&pd_rd_i=B092HWZKW6&th=https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--djrtVMMa--/f_auto,t_large/v1729027816/https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--djrtVMMa--/f_auto,t_large/v1729027816/p3hyfavxprmwn6dyglel

[garybaldy]

A quick search revealed this $209 Grote similar to an ES-125T.

https://www.amazon.com/GROTE-Electric-Hardware-Vintage-Sunburst/dp/B092HWZKW6/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_3/141-8244102-6857160?pd_rd_w=DQXO9&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=Z3CK58XPTSJCRAQ4WGCB&pd_rd_wg =PwfMu&pd_rd_r=6d6cebfb-286e-48d0-af03-73f7806cc884&pd_rd_i=B092HWZKW6&th=https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--djrtVMMa--/f_auto,t_large/v1729027816/https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--djrtVMMa--/f_auto,t_large/v1729027816/p3hyfavxprmwn6dyglel

I don't have a grote but I bought a 125 copy ( fat bodied) by Alden during covid for 300. I found out at the end of last year when I bought a Gibson 125 that apart from may be the look, they have nothing in common. But I expect you knew that would be the case. The Alden:

[Cobra5]

I don't have a grote but I bought a 125 copy ( fat bodied) by Alden during covid for 300. I found out at the end of last year when I bought a Gibson 125 that apart from may be the look, they have nothing in common. But I expect you knew that would be the case. The Alden:

How do you like the Alden?