Acoustic jazz guitar that doesn't break the bank.

**Conman** · 07-19-2011, 11:09 AM

Hey guys I have been continuing my jazz study I have played my les paul classic allot however I recently over the past week or 2 I picked up my Martin orchestra model and found that I really like the acoustic sound it gives off. I seem to be making some solos out of the c scale that sound pretty good. So my question is that is there a good jazz acoustic guitar that is under 1000?

**clem_gael** · 07-19-2011, 11:20 AM

hi Conman

Used Eastman.
you can find an Eastman Fisch series archtop (ar605, ar610,...) under 1000$

**spiral** · 07-19-2011, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Conman

I picked up my Martin orchestra model and found that I really like the acoustic sound it gives off. I seem to be making some solos out of the c scale that sound pretty good.

You can play jazz on anything. If you already like the guitar you have, what do you think is missing?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-19-2011, 11:25 AM

What do you mean by an "acoustic jazz guitar"? Are you specifically referring to an archtop?

**RoyaleT** · 07-19-2011, 11:47 AM

Godin 5th Ave.

**Conman** · 07-19-2011, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the replys but I am thinking one like gene bertoncini plays. However his is 30grand. I was wondering if there was one like his for under 1000.

**spiral** · 07-19-2011, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Conman

Thanks for the replys but I am thinking one like gene bertoncini plays. However his is 30grand. I was wondering if there was one like his for under 1000.

Nylon string cutaway?

**Conman** · 07-19-2011, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by spiral

Nylon string cutaway?

Yeah essentially just wondering if there was one that sounded good and not too expensive.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-19-2011, 02:13 PM

Okay, a nylong string cutaway. Not the first thing that comes to mind with "acoustic jazz guitar", but I'm glad we're clearing that up. What about a Godin Multiac? $1500 street, so you could find a used one for a grand.

**Vihar** · 07-19-2011, 02:32 PM

See how tastes differ: I would love an OM like yours, but I just don't care for those nylon strings.

**spiral** · 07-19-2011, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Okay, a nylong string cutaway. Not the first thing that comes to mind with "acoustic jazz guitar", but I'm glad we're clearing that up. What about a Godin Multiac? $1500 street, so you could find a used one for a grand.

Well-made guitars for sure, but are the Multiacs acoustic at all? I had the Multiac Jazz and it had a very mute acoustic tone, ie wasn't an acoustic. I think they are mainly made to be plugged in. The nylon might be different though.

**Conman** · 07-19-2011, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Vihar

See how tastes differ: I would love an OM like yours, but I just don't care for those nylon strings.

I absolutly love my OM too however I was wondering is it realy good for jazz or is there a better acoustic guitar for relatively cheep. To be honest I have never played nylon strings I was just curious about type type of guitar and if I went to the guitar store I would know what I was looking for. I just love the look and sound of a regular old acoustic guitar.

Sorry for the mix up guys I am a blues and new to jazz so I can understand terms differently.

**ElijahE** · 07-19-2011, 04:03 PM

I had the same problem a few years ago Conman, looked everywhere for a nice archtop that i could afford. My budget was about £500 (not sure in dollars). I tried a few things and broke it down to my two personal favorates:

Epiphone Broadway (Nice guitar good tone and that, inspired from when epiphone was actually epiphone, not a gibson wingman) and the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin (really good price, and sound, north american build and materials)

I went for the Godin... i think its just as good as any 1000+ archtops ive played. Never looked back from that guitar

does the job.

Its all about personal preferance though, like what others have said im sure. Go try out and get your fingers round some differant guitars before you choose though! there is some great bargins out there.

**Vihar** · 07-19-2011, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Conman

I absolutly love my OM too however I was wondering is it realy good for jazz...

Thank you so much for responding with that line, cause that's exactly the reaction I was sneakily trying to squeeze out of you, lol. Yes, it's a perfect guitar for jazz!

**medblues** · 07-19-2011, 07:26 PM

Flat top steel string guitar can be used for jazz one example is Vinny Raniolo from the Frank Vignola Quintet:

**woyvel** · 07-19-2011, 09:02 PM

My issue with the flat top for jazz is the squeaking of strings. I'm not a fan of nylon string guitars. So I guess an archtop is the answer?

**spiral** · 07-19-2011, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by ElijahE

I had the same problem a few years ago Conman, looked everywhere for a nice archtop that i could afford.

OP wants a nylon string cutaway.

**Vihar** · 07-19-2011, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by woyvel

My issue with the flat top for jazz is the squeaking of strings. I'm not a fan of nylon string guitars. So I guess an archtop is the answer?

An acoustic archtop is much more trebly and cutting than either a steel string or a nylon string flattop.

**TheCaffeinatedOne** · 07-19-2011, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by woyvel

My issue with the flat top for jazz is the squeaking of strings. I'm not a fan of nylon string guitars. So I guess an archtop is the answer?

Why not try a set of flat wound strings first? If you string an archtop with ordinary round wound strings, you'll still get the same string squeak. Get a set of flat wound strings; they are not as bright sounding but they are dead silent between chords.

**Retroman1969** · 07-19-2011, 11:00 PM

Archtop: Godin 5th Ave ($520) (the best deal going, and can be strung with flats or semi-flats).
The Cigano and Gitane Gypsys ($400-$700) are a great choice for straight acoustics with more of a Jazz feel, sound, look.
Nylon flat-top acoustic: You really could use any standard Classical Guitar and they're easy to find good and still cheap. I'm currently playing an Epiphone Valencia Classical and it's great for jazz and even blues, played with a medium pick. Around $299 new, and I got mine for $60 used (a bit less than $1000 LOL!)

**fws6** · 07-20-2011, 03:04 AM

If you are looking for a nylon string cutaway, to play amplified jazz, why not go for the Gibson Chet Atkins CEC ?

This one needs a little buffing but matches your price too:
GIBSON CHET ATKINS CEC NATURAL TOP | eBay

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-20-2011, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

If you are looking for a nylon string cutaway, to play amplified jazz, why not go for the Gibson Chet Atkins CEC ?

This one needs a little buffing but matches your price too:
GIBSON CHET ATKINS CEC NATURAL TOP | eBay

I've followed PETOPETERSONs ads for a long time - he always has great stuff - priced a little high but cool stuff. Look to see if he still has a late 60's CHERRY Gibson ES150DC, a very rare beauty.

I owned a lot of nylon strong classic electrics. Had the Chet Atkins CEC, had the Godin ACS SLIM, had a Ovation EA68, even had a Mosrite custom shop nylon (yeah it looked like a Ventures Mosrite). Of all the many guitars and the ones I can't remember off the top of my head the one that FELT best was the Godin, and the sound thru my Deluxe Reverb was sweet. STILL I had trouble getting used to that tele thin body... Have a look around at Kirk Sand guitars - he was the guy that designed Chet Atkins prototype that Gibson then picked up and modified to make the Chet Atkins CE and CEC...

This Mosrite was pretty cool though - check out the lining in the case !!

**Vihar** · 07-20-2011, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by TheCaffeinatedOne

Why not try a set of flat wound strings first? If you string an archtop with ordinary round wound strings, you'll still get the same string squeak. Get a set of flat wound strings; they are not as bright sounding but they are dead silent between chords.

Regular electric flatwounds (tape wounds) sound horrible on an acoustic guitar (on an electric too, but that's just my personal opinion, lol). However, there are so called ground wounds or D'Addario calls them 1/2 rounds that come with bronze windings as well, they might worth a try. Their sound is a bit duller than round wounds, but not as dead as flatwounds.

**Vihar** · 07-20-2011, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

Perfect guitar for a pro drag queen.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-20-2011, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Vihar

Perfect guitar for a pro drag queen.

Joan Jett or Crissy Hind would have looked right at home with that slung over the shoulder. Action and sound were fair - I used a separate EQ box to pump up the volume and fine tune the tone. Still the ACS Slim was the best sounding with that RMC pickup system. There are some real wild guitars out there huh ??

When you do win the lottery check out Kirk Sand's line of instruments

http://www.sandguitars.com/products.htm