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Hello all, Im going on year 12 of my guitar adventure and have become obsessed with jazz in the last year. Nylon string classical guitars have always been my weapon of choice(played with a pick mostly) but recently i have developed the start of arthritis in my thumb(im dealing with it) and i think the big fat neck is part of the problem. So i realized the new classical electric i just bought a few months ago isnt going to work. So i thought how about a jazz archtop with nylon strings? Well as far as i can tell, one luthier in the world does them and they start at 5 grand. If anyone knows of another maker of such a guitar i would be interested.
So i have decided to go full electric and get a big fat hollowbody. I tried the joe pass epiphone today and i thought it sounded and played great but i im not a huge epiphone fan and i'd like something like that guitar but higher quality and a little classier look. not with those hideous huge inlays just simple. My price range is around a 1000. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated! Thanks!
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04-11-2014 09:40 PM
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I would take a look into Godin like the Kingpin. Godins are very well constructed and not into bling at all...
Godin Guitars
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Peerless Monarch or D'Angelico EXL-1.
Or for an all carved instrument Eastman 805's and 810's are found common enough used near your price. Good luck.
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What's your budget? That will help to determin any recommendations. Also, don't dismiss the Epiphones too readily based upon some ill founded perception of poor quality. Some are dirt cheap and, yes . . the overall quality suffers as a result of that. But, some are pretty damned good and a first jazz arch top. However, if you're prepared to spend at or above $2,500 . . . well, we can definitely point you in a better direction. Also, consider the body size you're looking for as well as the scale length. What would be your preferred nut width. Classical guitars a very wide. A typical nut width for a jazz box is 1-11/16". These are all things you need to consider and inform the form members of when asking for recommendations.
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Welcome to the Forum.
For a "jazz newbie looking for a first archtop," I would focus more on basic, inexpensive, and playable, and less on looks/brand name. If you continue being serious with jazz, you're going to sell this first guitar in a year, so don't get bent out of shape finding some "perfect" instrument.
Look at Ibanez, Washburn, etc., buy used, and keep it under your budget.
And have fun!
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2nd line from the bottom...he established a budget of $1k.
Originally Posted by Patrick2
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God in Fifth Avenue Composer.
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Nice. Thank you guys. All of those are right in line with what im looking for. Nut width wasnt something i was thinking about but i do like a bit more string spacing and the joe pass was surprisingly comfortable being used to the classical. I am looking for THE guitar though and i want a professional quality instrument. Also i would like a big fat body to have as much acoustic sound as possible.
Am i biased against epiphones yes, but i have played and heard many over the years and was never really a big fan. As far as looks go i just dont like flash and i cant stand big fat inlays. Thank you to all for your suggestions!!! I will update when i have more information or more questions or pictures of me an my new axe!!!Last edited by JohnnyCC; 04-12-2014 at 04:02 PM.
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I've tried some decent Ibanez archtops lately. You need to try them, quality varies from one instrument to the other. Similarly, I've encountered good playing Washburns and Carlo Robelli's. Any brand Korean or Chinese archtop has the potential to be a good player ... and later when you get a really nice Gibson or Heritage, you'll still have a beater to use on outdoor gigs or cruise ships. Or to leave in the car trunk as a back-up.
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I wrote this big long reply earlier but its not here. Oh well I appreciate all the replies guys thank you! Some great suggestions and things to keep in mind(nut width). I'll be doing some more hands on research this week so ill check back and keep ya'll posted. Thank you again!!!!!
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If you like playing nylon strings, check out some of Godin's Multiac series of guitars. Nylon strings, thinner neck, radiused fingerboard, built in pickup systems and thinline bodies. They also make a model with a narrower nut.
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Try out some Eastman guitars and find the one that suits you!
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A multi-tac was what i was looking at first but i havent seen one in person or played one. On my list though. think im gonna have to go on some field trips to find some of these guitars.
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The whole Godin 5th avenue line is nice. The Jazz is particularly cool. They have a wider nut spacing and short scale which appeal to those used to playing nylon classical guitars. They're not wide-bodied or thick, but they have thin tops and a good acoustic sound.
I have had both Gibsons and Epiphones, and all I will say is that some of the Asian Epis have the general feel of their more expensive cousins for a lot less money. No snob appeal however. I like Broadways and Emperor Regents.
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Look for this one: Originally Posted by JohnnyCC
Godin Guitars
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Ibanez LGB30
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I'm sure Beethoven would agree... ;-) Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
I concur with the Godins. When I got my Kingpin, one fellow I talked to said he got rid of his nylon string and started playing all his fingerstyle stuff on the Godin. It didn't make me get rid of my classical, but it is a very comfortable guitar especially for fingerstyle and maybe the closest feel to a classical guitar among archtop offerings. The fingerboard is relatively broad and gently radiused, and the neck is a medium profile, making it an easy transition from classical.
All the 5th Ave. line have a similar neck, including the Composer, the Premiere and the Jazz.
You might want to think about a hybrid nylon string A/E though. I have an Alvarez AC60--used to have an RC20, but that was a REALLY narrow nut width. I like the Taylor models, also of course the Godin Multiac line. The Sadowsky nylon string hybrid is IMO the best of the lot (but more than $1000).
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I can't say enough about that little Godin. ..I play mine all the time, even though I have "nicer" guitars...well, one of the m's another Godin.
I'd love to try a Composer in person...If it's as light and has the same neck as my one pickup Kingpin, that guitar is a total winner.
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Well gentlemen i am now heavily armed with your advice and suggestions i am heading out to the biggest guitar shop in these parts which is "house of guitars" in Rochester. im in Buffalo so its a day trip for me ill report back with my findings this evening
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Sounds like a great way to spend a day. Good luck.
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Well changed my plans decided to hit the 2 shops in buffalo before heading to the Roch. and I believe i have found it. Gretsch Synchromatic G100CE everything about it is what i wanted(except big fat inlays). Also i was thinking i wanted 2 pickups but the tone knob on the synchromatic gave me a lot room to change the sound. It played fantastic and it had flatwounds which is what it comes with which i really dig. it was going for 750 with no case and he said he'd do it with one for 800. So it was love at first sight but can anyone give me a reason not to go with this one? any bad stories about Gretsch or any knowledge of this guitar?
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Musician's Friend has a used one for 600. You might want to check Guitar Center used inventory, too. They'll ship it to a Guitar Center near you and if you don't like it, don't buy it.
Used Gretsch Guitars G100CE Synchromatic Archtop Electric Guitar Black | Musician's Friend
I almost bought one in Portland for an "outdoors" guitar, but I spent the money on a Les Paul instead. The one I tried was very nice for the price.
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Guitars and convertibles are the only things I buy on impulse--you have to listen to your inner voice, and go for it if the voice says yes!
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Well said dr. Jeff. My last purchase is kind of a funny story. The last few years i have ben playing kind of world music stuff spanish/flamenco and my group was gigging and i needed a new classical electric. I went to my local store and they had one in stock that fit my criteria. It had a broken string on it though so he put a new one on and i started playing. 1 minute into playing a different string broke. I was in a hurry and i had a gig in a few days so i just said ok good enough. I put money down and came back in to pay it off on the day of my gig almost not even remembering what i had bought. Luckily my instinct was good and i loved the guitar but now 6 months later i have stated having these hand issues which is why im here. Also super4 i had no idea musicians friend had used instruments but if the money is close i will buy at my local mom and pop.
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If you like it, you like it -- but did you get to compare it with other contenders? Did you get a chance to try out the Kingpin?
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