Solid (semi) jazz guitar ideal?

[md54]

The Gibson ES135 is getting close to my perfect jazz guitar. That is it looks jazz but the centre block allows for more feed back resistant playing. However the neck join is at the 18th fret (I think) and i would prefer a 15th join. Does anyone make a conservative looking thinline with centre block and better still floating neck PU only?

[Hammertone]

This will do the job nicely. You can read about the luthier here:
Welcome To Yanuziello Stringed Instruments




It has a carved maple top, carved antique Cuban mahogany back, 15th fret neck/body joint, and a mahogany inertia block glued under the top but free of the back, allowing for very feedback resistant playing. 24 3/4" scale. A gorgeous guitar. And it's for sale on this very forum!

[eddy b.]

Maybe check out the gibson 137 it's center block is mahogony. I' ve been plaing one for about 8 years. It took a while for me to bond with but now I really really like it alot. I see them on ebay around $1,700.

[Moonray]

Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion 111.......covers pretty much any style you might play.

I'm on my third one......I love this model.
Apologies for the photo quality....it's the only one I could find in a hurry.

http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-Custom-...ges/B000CSNY8U

[marcwhy]

Price range??

[fumblefingers]

anybody tried one of these? it looks really nice - and it's customizable.

i think i'll have mine with wood binding and some subtle abalone touches, maybe a pickguard but will have to think about that.



GA-35? | Benedetto Guitars

[entresz]

Not really sure why you'd be after a floating neck pickup when there's a solid block running through the guitar. The main advantage is to add the option of amplified use on an acoustic arch top. Tonally I don't think there would be any advantage of using a floating pickup on a semi-hollow guitar.

[fritz jones]

[Woody Sound]

Not really sure why you'd be after a floating neck pickup when there's a solid block running through the guitar. The main advantage is to add the option of amplified use on an acoustic arch top. Tonally I don't think there would be any advantage of using a floating pickup on a semi-hollow guitar.

Yes it is not important on a semi, but some folks like the look of the floater.

[mr. beaumont]

Yes it is not important on a semi, but some folks like the look of the floater.

If we're selecting pickups on looks, we're in trouble

[Max405]

The Gibson ES135 is getting close to my perfect jazz guitar. That is it looks jazz but the centre block allows for more feed back resistant playing. However the neck join is at the 18th fret (I think) and i would prefer a 15th join. Does anyone make a conservative looking thinline with centre block and better still floating neck PU only?

MD,
Ahhh, the Sleeper of the Gibson line, the ES135.
I owned a 135 for a while and I miss it. It played amazingly well, and sounded great.
It is a very versatile guitar. The neck was a little chunky but not too much. The neck seemed impervious to seasonal changes, unlike my other guitars. The 135 is really stripped down. No Neck binding which may not be important to you, but to me, it was sort of incomplete. I like the look of the 137 better, but the one I played had an even chunkier neck that was borderline to much for my little hands.

The floater idea sounds good on paper but in the real world doesn't make an appreciable difference in the sound and its because of the center block.

You should play a 135 and make sure its right for you.

I have a couple videos on Youtube of me playing a my old 135. Just go on Youtube and search Joe DeNisco ES135 and you can hear/see it.

Good Luck to you,
Joe D

[ESCC]

MD,
Ahhh, the Sleeper of the Gibson line, the ES135.
I owned a 135 for a while and I miss it. It played amazingly well, and sounded great.
It is a very versatile guitar. The neck was a little chunky but not too much. The neck seemed impervious to seasonal changes, unlike my other guitars. The 135 is really stripped down. No Neck binding which may not be important to you, but to me, it was sort of incomplete. I like the look of the 137 better, but the one I played had an even chunkier neck that was borderline to much for my little hands.

The floater idea sounds good on paper but in the real world doesn't make an appreciable difference in the sound and its because of the center block.

You should play a 135 and make sure its right for you.

I have a couple videos on Youtube of me playing a my old 135. Just go on Youtube and search Joe DeNisco ES135 and you can hear/see it.

Good Luck to you,
Joe D

Joe, checked out your 135 recordings on UTube, excellent, loved Tenderly, yes very Bensonian. Makes a good case for the 135 for jazz.

[Max405]

That's about the nicest thing anyone can hear about their playing.
That's great to hear Buddy. Thanks Joe D.

[Jabberwocky]

Seventy-seven Guitars Hawk or Hawk Jazz. http://lastguitar.com/wp/wp-content/...T-1020x680.jpg .

Walkin Japan Archtop Tribute 290406

[va3ux]

This will do the job nicely. You can read about the luthier here:
Welcome To Yanuziello Stringed Instruments




It has a carved maple top, carved antique Cuban mahogany back, 15th fret neck/body joint, and a mahogany inertia block glued under the top but free of the back, allowing for very feedback resistant playing. 24 3/4" scale. A gorgeous guitar. And it's for sale on this very forum!

That appears to be how I would define the perfect jazz guitar for me. Size, shape, depth, scale, appearance - it's got it all. I'm amazed at all the guitar making talent that has come out of Toronto over the years.

[GNAPPI]

Many don't know it but the ES135 was also available with P90's and a trapeze tail piece. With either the P90's or HB's they're great playing and sounding.

Also the Howard Roberts fusion and 137 are good choices as mentioned above. If you like a bit more flash the ES137 custom could fit that bill too.

[boatheelmusic]

I had the 137 Custom for a time, beautiful guitar in tritone sunburst, gold plating, custom headstock inlay, the works!

It was a little heavy, and the nut seemed to be far away. But I do wish I'd kept it.

Sold it for $1,875, in perfect condition......

[md54]

Thanks Guys,

Sorry I haven't replied earlier but I'm on holiday and nowhere near in internet connection!

The 135 is very close to my ideal and the original version with p100s (not p90 I think) and tail piece was a fine model but as I said not keen on the 18th fret join. Howard Roberts, yes great idea but hard to find in the uk now and still not quite my 'ideal.'

On the subject of floating pick up on a semi or even solid guitar. This sends every guitar nut into a spin! The rationale. I like the Johnny Smith sound of a mini bucker fixed at the end of the board. It does sound different. Only with a centre block you get the volume without the dreaded feed back. That is, a clean mellow almost acoustic sound at volume. When I suggest this guitar people think I am nuts. However the GB100 is a floating PU on a tiny laminated body so maybe not so nuts after all?

I might approach a custom maker but I have had some dodgy experiences with custom makers before so I am wary of going down that pathway.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

18th fret access: have you given it a shot? I love the access on my Tele.

floater: try a mounted mini-humbucker. They are typically brighter than regular HBs.

[Hammertone]

Sorry I haven't replied earlier but I'm on holiday and nowhere near in internet connection!

Totally unacceptable. Membership in this forum demands than you not go on holiday unless you can maintain high-speed internet connectivity at all times. You must return immediately or there will be … consequences.

...original version with p100s (not p90 I think) and tail piece was a fine model but as I said not keen on the 18th fret join. …[ ]...

The ES-135 and ES-137 each have the neck/body joint at the 16th fret, not the 18th fret.

[Hammertone]

That {the Yanuziello} appears to be how I would define the perfect jazz guitar for me. Size, shape, depth, scale, appearance - it's got it all. I'm amazed at all the guitar making talent that has come out of Toronto over the years.

It's resting at Joe's shop in scenic Wainfleet ON, right now.
Where shall I deliver it? Cash or IEMT will be fine. :^)

[IbanezAS100]

If the classic looks and 15th fret join are more important and you'd rather avoid a custom build, it might be worth checking out the Eastman T146.
Set in pickup and no centre block but a nice archtop vibe for a thinline,lightweight and pretty feedback resistant. I 've not owned one but I've played a couple and they sound very nice. With a transparent pickup (you could speak to Aaron Armstrong) and a set of f-hole plugs you could get close to your ideal.

The Music Room in Yorkshire currently has 2 in stock for a very good price (no affiliation).

Eastman T146 Jazz Guitar with Natural Finish Top Unique in the UK | eBay

Eastman T146SM Thinline Jazz Guitar | eBay

[va3ux]

It's resting at Joe's shop in scenic Wainfleet ON, right now.
Where shall I deliver it? Cash or IEMT will be fine. :^)

Wainfleet ! That isn't much more than 20 or 25 minutes from here. I too am in the Niagara peninsula.

There's another archtop maker out that way (outskirts of Welland actually) named Paul Saunders.

I'd love to have it but I'm not a $7.5K guitar kinda guy

[Hammertone]

Wainfleet ! That isn't much more than 20 or 25 minutes from here. I too am in the Niagara peninsula. There's another archtop maker out that way (outskirts of Welland actually) named Paul Saunders. I'd love to have it but I'm not a $7.5K guitar kinda guy

There are special Canadian Tire Money discounts available...

[rio]

Telecaster is an easy answer to this question.