D'aquisto Jazzline- worth the price?

**feloniousmonk** · 06-17-2014, 08:45 PM

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a D'aquisto Jazzline. I've searched through other threads on this forum about this guitar, but I would value some fresh perspectives from anyone who has owned/played these guitars.

The price I am looking at is £2000 new. Is it justified at its price? I live in the UK, so I can't really get hold of Guild, Heritage, Samick, Sadowsky etc. etc. easily, and if I wanted to import I would be paying a substantial amount in VAT on top of the price.

I've heard from others that although the build quality and acoustic sound are good, the stock pickup is naff. Any comments from those who have tried it with the stock pickup? Would it perhaps be worth getting a lollar CC in humbucker size and dropping it in?

So, is this a good deal? Can I do better?

**Arnesto** · 06-17-2014, 10:20 PM

I love mine, the pickup its great with a little amp tweaking, buy it if you can.

**Chimera1to1** · 06-18-2014, 07:59 AM

Hi felonious,

I nearly bought one about a year ago but I realised that I was only considering one because I got my fingers burnt trying to buy a new ES175. What I really wanted was the 175. I bought a Guild X170 instead but sold it at a loss because after the initial new guitar buzz wore off I just kept thinking, "Yeah it's nice but its not a Gibson."

I'm sure the Jazzlines are great guitars and I don't want to insult or upset the guys that play them but £2,000 is a lot of money for a guitar that isn't the real deal. I for one never sit day-dreaming about owning an Aria but that's not to say I wouldn't enjoy owning one if I came across one at a give away price.

A used Gibson ES175 sells for around £1,300 and there are plenty about so you can be choosy and make sure that you buy a "good-un". Getting one isn't as easy as getting the D'aquisto but £700 change goes a long way. Maybe a nice amp?

**feloniousmonk** · 06-18-2014, 09:17 AM

Chimera, I can sympathise with your line of thinking and see the sense in getting something good second-hand.

But it's never been important that the Aquisto measure up to the handmade guitars of their namesake; I just want to know if they are built well-enough, sound good enough, relative to the price they are offered at. Personally, I've had some nasty experiences with modern Gibsons and I would sooner trust companies like Tokai and others when buying without trying.

I think Aria made a mistake in naming these guitars after a respected luthier; they will inevitably be compared to guitars ten times their worth (at least) and come off the worse for it. If they had launched it as their own product, they would escape being seen as cheap, knock-off versions of a far superior instrument, which seems a common enough opinion.

I don't doubt for a second that the Jazz Line can't hold a candle to a master-built, handmade archtop. What I'm interested in is its performance within its price range as a production guitar.

**mangotango** · 06-18-2014, 09:53 AM

Chimera, if you can find a 175 for £1,300, please let me know where!! I'd have thought that you'd be looking at nearer £1,700 at the very least.

**Franz 1997** · 06-18-2014, 10:39 AM

It does seem expensive at £2k; there may well be very similar asian laminates that are as/ nearly as good for much less, particularly used.

Re 175s in the UK, I've found that because they don't come up that often, asking prices vary a lot. I'd have thought if you are prepared to wait, you can get one for £1.5 - £1.6K from a private seller. And, ES 165's often stick on ebay at £1.3 K - the set-in pickup ones are essentially the same guitar

**2bornot2bop** · 06-18-2014, 11:06 AM

There are many Jazz Line threads if you search the forum.

Users appear to be very fond of them. 2k bps, about $3500 in the US puts a new purchase in a different light, for dare I say it, many as new 175's can be found for $2500.

There's been a mint Jazz Line available on feebay for almost a month now at $1700. I've seen them sit for some time at $2k. I suspect that used price range of $2k is simply too close to the purchase cost of a used carved top. For example, I know of an '07 all carved Golden Eagle acoustic available at the moment for $2800. That fact makes any consideration of a Jazz Line moot, for many.

Still...the Jazz Line is a great guitar...it's simply not a carved guitar. I've nearly bought one 3 or 4 times, before eventually coming down to reality. But in the end, what matters is what suits you, not whether its a carved archtop, or not.

**jzucker** · 06-18-2014, 11:22 AM

I've owned a couple of them. They are a good, ibanez level jazz guitar. Not in the same league with a good 175 IMO.

My '88 175 blows away the jazzline in almost every way. The jazzline doesn't have the thunk of a 175.

**pubylakeg** · 06-18-2014, 12:02 PM

Peerless Jazz City or Cremona ?

**jzucker** · 06-18-2014, 01:30 PM

i would put the peerless in a league below the d'aquisto frankly...

**feloniousmonk** · 06-18-2014, 01:51 PM

So zucker, what do you mean when you say Ibanez-tier or whatever? Like GB signature models/ Artstar AF200?

**jzucker** · 06-18-2014, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by feloniousmonk

So zucker, what do you mean when you say Ibanez-tier or whatever? Like GB signature models/ Artstar AF200?

I think the Japanese GB and PM series and the AS200/Scofield are the top tier instruments. The jazzline is comparable to those instruments. There are some older instruments like the FG-100 which are also at that same level.

To me, the lawsuit instruments are slightly lower quality although many here will disagree with me. I think the AF series is roughly comparable to the lawsuit guitars.

**Woody Sound** · 06-18-2014, 02:18 PM

I own a D'A New Yorker Jr. Different animal, 15" small bodied solid top. The fit and finish are impeccable. I replaced the small floater with a KA handmade floating paf for a huge improvement. Even though it measures a full 1-11/16, the neck has a pretty slender feel to it especially down by the nut, if that bothers you. I don't know if the 16" Jazzline has the same neck profile or not.

**2bornot2bop** · 06-18-2014, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

*snip

To me, the lawsuit instruments are slightly lower quality although many here will disagree with me. I think the AF series is roughly comparable to the lawsuit guitars.

That's debatable, but what's not debatable is the lawsuit's look possesses more 70's mojo. Here's a Greco I just bought from a dealer in Japan over the internet today.

**wintermoon** · 06-18-2014, 04:52 PM

I've seen Grecos which were actually Aria PE-180's but haven't seen one like this w/ a maple top.

**2bornot2bop** · 06-18-2014, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I've seen Grecos which were actually Aria PE-180's but haven't seen one like this w/ a maple top.

Neither had I seen a full sized 17" lawsuit in maple....fig'd it was worth a roll of the dice.

**Arnesto** · 06-18-2014, 07:04 PM

The aria/d'aquistos are hand-built by a small group of Japanese luthiers trained by the master himself (fender/d'aquisto). It is true they are not carved top, but Jim Hall did not like the solid top guitars. Its true that they are similar in terms of quality to the pm100 for example.

**mangotango** · 06-19-2014, 05:22 AM

Felonius, if the Jazzline that you're looking at is the one in Mairants, please note that they are advertising a secondhand Guild X150 Savoy for £1,499. Admittedly, the Jazzline that they are selling for £2k has the bridge pickup and that might be what you want; but if not, the Guild would be what I'd go for.

Heck, if I had the money spare, I'd be heading down there myself today.

**feloniousmonk** · 06-19-2014, 12:03 PM

Hi, thanks for the replies so far.

I've put down a deposit on the single-pickup version of the jazz line at Ivor Mairants, and I hope I'll get a decent, well-built guitar relative to others within those price range. If I can get something on par with a GB or PM ibanez, then I'm content.

I'd like to know for future reference about laminated vs carved tops. My understanding is that carved tops contribute to the acoustic projection of an instrument vs laminate, and add a lot to the manufacture/build cost because of the additional work required.

My question is whether the difference between these methods is nearly so striking when considering amplified sound- I play through a blackstar 1w valve amp, and use the line out into my computer. I play as a hobby and for my satisfaction, and use headphones. Given that the acoustic sound is almost inaudible through isolating headphones, and I'll be playing in such a way for the foreseeable future, is the acoustic distinction between laminate and carved worth paying much attention to in future purchases I may make?

**GoergeBenson** · 06-19-2014, 02:40 PM

I turned down a jazz line 2 years ago for £1,000 (I'm uk based). I just thought it was really weak sounding, and felt flimsy. The pickup was naf.

I just couldn't see the added value over an average pressed toped £1000 guitar.

Thats not to say they are bad, I just wouldn't pay £2,000 for a new one.

Anyway its all opinions so i hope no one is offended by mine. I think its fair to get a balanced picture and of course this is down to people taste.

If you love it, it will be priceless :-)

**Jabberwocky** · 06-19-2014, 02:59 PM

Anyone who has an arsehole/asshole has an opinion. That makes you, me and all the Homo sapiens flatus out there.

**pubylakeg** · 06-20-2014, 10:33 AM

Hi Felonious,
Interesting that you've decided to pull the trigger on the Jazz Line. I would say your assessment of the ply vs.solid top is spot on. Ply is also less prone to feedback.
My own suggestions above were merely lower priced alternatives, which may or may not have offered a similar vibe.
I would say that all the MIJ guitars that I've played in quite a few years have been very high quality instruments, regardless of which name has been on the headstock. The Jazz Line looks stunning too. Regarding the deal, I don't see many UK shops stocking these, and the few that I do recall having seen in the fairly recent past have been in the same ball park £-wise. A rare bird indeed.
So, best wishes with the new guitar, I'm sure everybody on the forum will be interested to hear your opinions as you become familiar with it. Maybe you'll post in some pics or sound clips for us.
Happy NGD when it arrives.
All the Best.

**DRS** · 06-20-2014, 10:44 AM

2000 pounds is $3700 cdn.
That's a lot for a laminate cosmetic copy of a legendary guitar. You are at the price of a used Sadowsky if you want a quality lam guitar. I would rather have a new D'Angelico laminate EXL1 which is a very nice guitar at $1200 cdn.

**kamlapati** · 06-20-2014, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by feloniousmonk

I'd like to know for future reference about laminated vs carved tops. My understanding is that carved tops contribute to the acoustic projection of an instrument vs laminate, and add a lot to the manufacture/build cost because of the additional work required.

My question is whether the difference between these methods is nearly so striking when considering amplified sound- I play through a blackstar 1w valve amp, and use the line out into my computer. I play as a hobby and for my satisfaction, and use headphones. Given that the acoustic sound is almost inaudible through isolating headphones, and I'll be playing in such a way for the foreseeable future, is the acoustic distinction between laminate and carved worth paying much attention to in future purchases I may make?

Comparing my Sadowsky JH to my carved top, floating PU guitars, I can certainly hear the difference in the DI output, with the carved top instrument always sounding more "acoustic", although I wish I had a better word than that. The way I hear it is that the difference between the carved and laminate guitars is greatest at low volumes. When I am playing quietly at home, either full acoustic or lightly amplified, I always choose a carved top instrument. When I'm playing in a big room or with a loud drummer, not many of my buds can tell the difference when I bring my Sadowsky.

But having said all that, I hope you can sit back and enjoy your new guitar. The trick is to find the sweet spot of the instrument and accent or emphasize it. One day you'll probably want and have a carved top guitar but that in no way changes the amount of good music in your current guitar.

**Bill C** · 06-20-2014, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

2000 pounds is $3700 cdn.
That's a lot for a laminate cosmetic copy of a legendary guitar. You are at the price of a used Sadowsky if you want a quality lam guitar. I would rather have a new D'Angelico laminate EXL1 which is a very nice guitar at $1200 cdn.

You'd be lucky to find a used Sadowsky for 2000 GBP in the European Union. Insured shipping from, say, USA, would cost about 300-400 USD, then you'll have to pay about 25% in taxes and duties on import. If you buy locally in the EU, that cost of initial import is reflected in the price.