Suggestions for a good guitar in the $1,000-2,000 range -- w/ a versatile sound

**gitarsam312** · 07-19-2013, 09:23 PM

I want a guitar that can get a good jazz sound, but also I like to play rock/fusion as well. I guess I'm looking for a solid body or maybe a semi-hollow. Pickup type, I'm thinking about one humbucker and one single coil (HS), but I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas? Preferably 1,500 or less....

**Bflat** · 07-19-2013, 09:53 PM

Check comins gcs. Great semi hollow with humbuckers than can be switched to single coil.

**RyanM** · 07-19-2013, 09:57 PM

Tele with neck humbucker

**Flat** · 07-19-2013, 10:15 PM

The Comins and the humbucker Tele (like maybe a second-hand G&L Bluesboy) are both brilliant options.

Another option is a second-hand Heritage 535 or 575 on eBay. (In case you are not familiar with the brand, these guitars are pretty close copies of the Gibson ES-335 and ES-175, respectively. I have one of each I bought through eBay for under 1400, and each one is more amazing than the other.)

You can make some world-class jazz noise with any of these instruments, imho.

**docbop** · 07-19-2013, 10:24 PM

335 or a tele both very versatile guitars.

**Clamps** · 07-20-2013, 12:15 AM

Fender jag stang has the pickup combo you're looking for. Plus, I think it's pretty kick ass

**xuoham** · 07-20-2013, 01:30 AM

I'd try the new Ibanez semi-hollow, fantastic and versatile, with the Super58custom pickups and the tri-sound switch.

Hollow Bodies AS - AS153 Artstar | Ibanez guitars

Suggestions for a good guitar in the alt=,000-2,000 range -- w/ a versatile sound-as153_ays_12_01-png

Suggestions for a good guitar in the alt=,000-2,000 range -- w/ a versatile sound-as153_ays_12_01-png

edit: those pickguards ... so tacky ... plain ebony pg would look so much cooler

**Frank67** · 07-20-2013, 02:19 AM

... Many many choices ... Godin Montreal is another. Mahogany semihollow, carved top, 24.75 scale, humbuckers that can be split (sweet on the neck, powerful on the bridge), piezo bridge, can take a lot of distortion before feeding back.

**gitarsam312** · 07-20-2013, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to try as many of these as possible. I learned that I need to play the specific instrument before I buy, so unfortunately that rules out ordering online.

**bwashabaugh** · 07-20-2013, 09:01 PM

Benedetto Bambino...you'll never look back!

Used $1600-2000

Good luck.

**lpdeluxe** · 07-22-2013, 07:52 PM

I just bought a used Carvin SH550. Unlike ordering online, I was able to try it out first. Great feel, great sound (with Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster Antiquity II pickups, certainly different from the standard humbucker model, which I have played in the past). And it was at the low end of your budget.

**Greentone** · 07-23-2013, 11:57 AM

Telecaster or Stratocaster

**docbop** · 07-23-2013, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Telecaster or Stratocaster

I agree with half of what you said. <grin>

**Greentone** · 07-23-2013, 01:49 PM

Docbop,

I hear you. I have played a Telecaster for jazz for over 30 years. Ed Bickert was a big influence. Curiously, I have played a Stratocaster for 45 years and a Telecaster for 40 years. For the longest time, it never occurred to me to take the Stratocaster out for a jazz gig. Then, one day, it just did. I was surprised. Maybe it was just the particular instrument--60s vintage, rosewood board--but the guitar is a great bebop machine. Head-to-head, it is a little bit better than either of the Telecasters I play--maple board or rosewood board. I can't compare it to a humbucker neck pickup Telecaster because I don't own one. However, I used to play a Barden-equipped Telecaster 20 years ago. The Stratocaster is the equal of that guitar. Amp selection is critical, though. Early Tweed Fender amps are best for this application, IMO.

**docbop** · 07-23-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Docbop,

I hear you. I have played a Telecaster for jazz for over 30 years. Ed Bickert was a big influence. Curiously, I have played a Stratocaster for 45 years and a Telecaster for 40 years. For the longest time, it never occurred to me to take the Stratocaster out for a jazz gig. Then, one day, it just did. I was surprised. Maybe it was just the particular instrument--60s vintage, rosewood board--but the guitar is a great bebop machine. Head-to-head, it is a little bit better than either of the Telecasters I play--maple board or rosewood board. I can't compare it to a humbucker neck pickup Telecaster because I don't own one. However, I used to play a Barden-equipped Telecaster 20 years ago. The Stratocaster is the equal of that guitar. Amp selection is critical, though. Early Tweed Fender amps are best for this application, IMO.

I've been playing Tele's almost as long as I've played guitar. Strat's I've had a love-hate relationship with for various reasons and most the time I get one, I sell it a few months later. About a year ago because it was one of those deals too good to pass on, I got a Fender Road Worn 50's strat with the soft V neck, I am loving that guitar. I constantly think about putting a full size humbucker in my tele, but haven't yet. I do have two strat pickups in the tele for neck and middle, with wiring to eliminate the middle pickup for tele sounds or bring it in for strat. That setup on the tele made for a very versatile guitar when I was in music school I could cover all styles with it.