My First Jazz Guitar - Help!

**mambosun** · 11-21-2011, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Aaaai.... I am afraid that Gramps put his finger on the sore spot: you are looking for something that your current guitar is not.... to walk the path of modding and changing the guitar in search for your Holy Grail might cost more in the end then to just sell it and find something more to your likings..... (I can know: been there, done that....).

Well as stated before, I'm happy with my gear and don't want to change it so far, the GAS not being in my agenda.
I just want to explore a way to fine-tune my tone, without spending much, beside the necessary luthier hand work; the HB expense should be covered by the floater resell.

**ronjazz** · 11-21-2011, 08:45 PM

It took me forty years to find the right archtop, and it turned out to be a Phillips Nouveau 16, made in the Samick factory. I also own a Greg Bennett Royale 3, and I actually got a call from him because he heard I liked it so much. Both instruments thoroughly pro-level with a little work, with licensed Dunlop-designed pups, ebony fingerboard, very handsome looks, playability forever. What is best for you is what lets you play best. If it's too big or too small, if it's too dark or too bright, either tinker (easier to do on a $500 box like the Royale, which is now fully MIDI-ed up and Buzz Feiten-ed and a joy to paly commercial swing and pop gigs on, as well as a passable jazz axe for early sets) or know you'll have to move on. One other idea which may have been covered earlier is modeling technology. My Digitech box, maybe $50, has all of the EQ capabilities of a high-end amp, great reverbs, speaker models, etc. When I go direct into the system, it sounds like it's going through a great amp. Just an idea.

**mambosun** · 11-22-2011, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by ronjazz

It took me forty years to find the right archtop,

Thanks, very interesting feedback.
So I ought to be a little more patient to get the holly grail...

**andershp** · 03-27-2012, 04:01 PM

Hello

I'm new at this forum and I'm quite new at jazz guitar as well. I have two electric guitars, a Fender Stratocaster and a Fender Jaguar, which I use for playing alternative (something like that) rock (which I also do). However, I'm getting pretty interested in playing jazz guitar and therefore I want to get a guitar more suitable for jazz.

I have been very unsure of whether to get a full or semi hollow body guitar, but I think if reached the decision that I'd like to try buying a full hollow since I liked the ones that I've played and I like that sound. And why not try it out? It isn't that expensive and I have to figure out somehow if archtops are really something for me.

I've looked at the Ibanez Artcore series, of which I've read a lot of great reviews and, more specifically, I have thought about the Ibanez AFJ81.
I'm not able to try out any of the Artcore guitars at the moment, except for the semi hollow AS series, so I have to ask the local store if they can get it so I can try it before buying it. Therefore I think I'm settling with the Ibanez Artcores since I know the are good for the money and that I like the ones I've tried and I'm not really able to try out other brands than Epiphone since they aren't available here (Denmark) and I would like to try the one I'm going to buy.

Any opinions on this idea and this guitar?

Thanks

**cosmic gumbo** · 03-27-2012, 09:36 PM

I think you are on the right track.

**SamBooka** · 03-27-2012, 09:52 PM

For an ibanez that looks surprisingly unhideous.

If you have played similar archtops and think it is the next logical step I will say go for it. I have a very strong bias against Ibanez Artcores because I have a)found them so ugly even their mothers would try to drown them and b) the ones I play in the shop are very poorly set up (which is not fair to the guitar, no matter how much of an esthetic abomination it reallys is).

Ok ok.. serious (actually I am being serious above but I digress). It looks good and PROPERLY SETUP they hold their own with the Epis in the same price range. Which you prefer is truly a matter of YOUR preference..

best of luck!

**monkmiles** · 03-27-2012, 10:12 PM

I'd go for one of the Ibanez Artcores like the AFJ81, AFJ85, AK95 or AF95. I find the Artcores significantly better than comparative Epiphones myself.

**pghguitar** · 03-27-2012, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by martinopass

I'd go for one of the Ibanez Artcores like the AFJ81, AFJ85, AK95 or AF95. I find the Artcores significantly better than comparative Epiphones myself.

+1 to that, although i am biased... i have a very good AK-95
which i have had no problems with. ive tried some epis and i didnt think
they had the quality of the ibanezs

**Norman931** · 03-27-2012, 11:53 PM

I own an Eastman and a Godin Kingpin, both of which I heartily recommend, but I also have an Ibanez AK80 that I can't bring myself to part with. We really have a lot of good choices these days.

**Retroman1969** · 03-28-2012, 02:00 AM

Yes, it's a golden age of inexpensive yet great archtops.
If they're accessible for you, I'd check out the new line of entry-level Eastmans (371, 403, 503). Best in class IMHO.

**andershp** · 03-28-2012, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Yes, it's a golden age of inexpensive yet great archtops.
If they're accessible for you, I'd check out the new line of entry-level Eastmans (371, 403, 503). Best in class IMHO.

Yes, I would want to try out one of those, however they're not easily accessible for me at all, unfortunately. And I don't think it is a good idea to just order something online that looks good.

**oldane** · 03-28-2012, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by andershp

Yes, I would want to try out one of those, however they're not easily accessible for me at all, unfortunately.

Living in Denamrk myself, I know a shop in Holbæk - with a show room located within a few minutes walking distance from the railway station and with parking places nearby - which has a larger selection of jazz guitars. It might be worth it taking a day off from work to go there and check it out:

Jazzisten

I figure he doesn't have all the gear shown on his web site in stock in the physical shop, but you could call or e-mail him about it before going there.

If you are prepared to buy on line, you can also check out Thomann in Germany. In addition to guitars, they also have everything else you need -as well as everything you never knew you needed and things you don't need at all but end up buying anyway

:

Hjertelig velkommen - Thomann danske Cyberstore

**nado64** · 03-28-2012, 04:51 AM

I don't know the AFj81, but if I must choose an Ibanez, I'd get the PM35.
Godin 5th is very old school for a first jazz guitar, imo.
I liked the Gretsch G100, too.

**mangotango** · 03-28-2012, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

For an ibanez that looks surprisingly unhideous.

....except for the colour.

As has been said here, it's become a good time for "entry level" archtops of pretty good quality. Good luck.

**mambosun** · 03-28-2012, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by andershp

Hello

I'm new at this forum and I'm quite new at jazz guitar as well. I have two electric guitars, a Fender Stratocaster and a Fender Jaguar, which I use for playing alternative (something like that) rock (which I also do). However, I'm getting pretty interested in playing jazz guitar and therefore I want to get a guitar more suitable for jazz.

I have been very unsure of whether to get a full or semi hollow body guitar, but I think if reached the decision that I'd like to try buying a full hollow since I liked the ones that I've played and I like that sound. And why not try it out? It isn't that expensive and I have to figure out somehow if archtops are really something for me.

I've looked at the Ibanez Artcore series, of which I've read a lot of great reviews and, more specifically, I have thought about the Ibanez AFJ81.
I'm not able to try out any of the Artcore guitars at the moment, except for the semi hollow AS series, so I have to ask the local store if they can get it so I can try it before buying it. Therefore I think I'm settling with the Ibanez Artcores since I know the are good for the money and that I like the ones I've tried and I'm not really able to try out other brands than Epiphone since they aren't available here (Denmark) and I would like to try the one I'm going to buy.

Any opinions on this idea and this guitar?

Thanks

As afordable archtop alternatives, don't overlook Aria, Samick-Greg Benett, Hagstrom or Cort.

**andershp** · 03-28-2012, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

Living in Denamrk myself, I know a shop in Holbæk - with a show room located within a few minutes walking distance from the railway station and with parking places nearby - which has a larger selection of jazz guitars. It might be worth it taking a day off from work to go there and check it out:

Jazzisten

I figure he doesn't have all the gear shown on his web site in stock in the physical shop, but you could call or e-mail him about it before going there.

If you are prepared to buy on line, you can also check out Thomann in Germany. In addition to guitars, they also have everything else you need -as well as everything you never knew you needed and things you don't need at all but end up buying anyway

:

Hjertelig velkommen - Thomann danske Cyberstore

Yes it looks like a fine store, but I live in Aalborg so that makes it a little difficult since I have to pay the gas/train ticket as well. Anyhow it looks like most of their guitars are a little over my price range except for a couple of the Ibanez's. Well maybe..

**jasonmi3** · 03-28-2012, 09:47 AM

I would also recomend the PM35. I've had it for several months now, play it for several hours a day and love it. It looks and plays great. I don't think I could have done much better for the money (I bought mine used). Whatever you get make sure that you have it professionally set up as it does make a huge difference if things are not quite right and usually they are not set up properly upon arrival (new or used).

**teleman3726** · 03-28-2012, 11:37 AM

Hi
For a new jazzbox, why don't you have a look at the D'Angelico I've posted for sale. It's below and under the heading "D'Angelico EXL-1DP."
Let me know if you have any questions. You'd like it.
Chris

**KB_Blues** · 03-28-2012, 11:47 AM

My first jazz guitar was an Ibanez AF75 that I bought online (unseen). I was in a similar position to you, nowhere nearby to try out.

When I first received it I was really disappointed - it sounded awful.

However, I changed the strings (to D'Addario flatwounds), gave it a proper setup and it is now fantastic! It's wierd what a difference it made; I was all ready to return it.

I appreciate that buying online is a shot in the dark, and I may have just got lucky, but I think for a first guitar they're great!

**LtKojak** · 03-28-2012, 12:00 PM

The Epiphone Broadway is a fine guitar, based on one of the best Jazzbox designs ever, the Gibson L-5 CES.

As a first Jazzbox, i doesn't get that much better than that, if you ask me.

I own a 1995 MIK Gibson L-5 CES copy, and it sounds outstanding, with its A3 neck, UOA5 bridge Duncan Jazz set.

HTH,

**tele jazz** · 03-28-2012, 01:59 PM

I recently bought an af75. Great guitar but - you need to know how to set up a guitar to get the best out of it. When I got it it was pretty awful - scratchy frets, too light roundwounds, a bit of buzzing and I I didn't care for the neck pickup. So I did a fret dress and polish, put some thomastik flats on, changed the bridge to a full ebony wood job, changed th neck pup to a SD jazz and basically did a full service on it. So if you know how to set up and repair a guitar they are great for the money. But if I was charging for the work I would have been looking for £100 before any materials were added. Another thing about this guitar is that they are a lot less garish than the more pricy models. So if you have the time and the cash you can get a good 175 tone in a £350 guitar that you won't be worrying about as much as a true Gibson or other high end guitar.

**Flint** · 03-28-2012, 09:27 PM

I had a similar experience with the AF75. As delivered, it left a lot to be desired. I moved to heavier flatwound strings, did a full setup (straighten the neck, adjust the bridge location and intonation, correct the pickup heights, etc.), and this was a big improvement - but there were still some buzzing frets which needed to be reseated. Not something everyone should do!

I don't think there is any reason to change out the bridge or either pickup - they are just fine when set right. And when everything was done (only took less than an hour), this ended up being a fine guitar, not too clumsy to hold, easy to play, with a really good sound. Yeah, it's still magenta and black, but I happen to like it.

**mambosun** · 08-18-2012, 04:16 AM

As an update to this quite old post, I finally decided to ask my luthier to swap the Bartolini floater for a routed-in Classic 57 on my Greg Benett with pots upgrades.
I will keep the pickguard as it is with mounted rotary buttons.
Let's check how it sounds when it will get back home ..
Later on, I'll too ask him to change the rather rustic stock tailpiece for an ebony one, but this time, only for cosmetics purpose.

**Villanover** · 08-23-2012, 09:39 PM

Hello!

I have been playing for the last 7 years, mainly blues, rock, etc... And not a long time ago I decided to finally take some jazz lessons (jazz harmony), So now im starting on this loong, great path of music.

I want to buy a new electric guitar, I have one in my hometown (a cheap Peavey Generation Exp, telecaster body that I have been using since I started playing), but now im living abroad so I don't have it and i want to buy a new one: Im not looking for the "most versatile guitar ever" as I want that guitar ONLY for jazz. So I have been searching and reading reviews and opinions on forums about various guitars. After all, and checking for "cheap, starting prices" I found that im interested in these models:

Well, first you may know...
1- I never had a semi-hollow or hollow guitar, so I have no "deep, real, experienced idea of their sound" and so I dont know "whats the sound im looking for" as Im still developing to find my own sound.
2- As many others, I LOVE Wes Montgomery sound, but I dont want to "COPY" his sound; he's just my main influence!

Gretsch Electromatic G5120 (This one was recommended by my teacher)
Price: 700€ (Thomann)
First, as I have read In a lot of forums, this guitar is not intended for jazz. Not only that, people always complaint about the buzzing bridge, the bad quality tuners, etc... And by the way, I don't think im gonna need the tremolo bar for jazz.

Ibanez AG75
Price: 350€ (Thomann)

Ibanez AS73
Pretty much like the AG75, but I prefer the AG75 aspect.

Epiphone Emperor II
Price: 450€ (Thomann)
This one looks beautiful, but my experience with low price solid body Epiphones was horrible (they all looked cheap, action was horrible and sound was so as well) So I don't know if their jazz guitar are the same crap.

I can spend up to 700€, no more. Which one you recommend me? And If you please know of any other guitar/brand that could be more interesting for me, just tell me please!

Thanks in advance, guys!

**jovialspoon** · 08-23-2012, 09:58 PM

Hi Villanover.

I recently purchased an Ibanez Artcore AF125, and am very impressed with the quality of this guitar. Retail prices on-line (from my very brief investigation) look to be over your 700€ limit, but there are often deals to be had, and bargaining to be done that may just bring this guitar into your price range. I’m in Australia, and got mine new, for the equivalent of 800€. I won’t go into detail just now on all the things I like about this guitar, but am happy to give you my thoughts on it if you’re interested. I’m not affiliated with Ibanez (or anyone else for that matter), just a keen enthusiast in Brisbane, Australia.