Guitar choice and playing style

[barrymclark]

hollow body guitar sound/neck pick up position/- is it jazz guitar sound?

Is it?

[rickshapiro]

Very interesting question! I would say what I have in my hands as well as the amp and effects at my disposal definitely drives what and how I play. That being said, I always sound like me I suppose. Whether it is jazz, blues, rock or funk, my licks are kind of my licks. Different guitars lead me in different directions creatively and sonically.

I hate playing jazz on a solid body and I would never do a more distorted rock thing on my Eastman 371.

What for me is the big differentiator is the singing voice of an instrument. Every guitar is like bringing in a different vocalist. They are all unique and they take a bit of a different technique to bring out the best in each.

[oldane]

Well, I suppose that would be the first electric archtop players- Charlie Christian, George Barnes and Floyd... Floyd... somebody help me out with Floyd's last name. He was one of the very first to record with an electric guitar. By definition they originated the sound of electric jazz guitar. The rest of us are all derivative.

Among the first electric guitar players must also be counted Eddie Durham. He played trombone in the Basie band of the late 1930s but also doubled on a Gibson ES 150 (CC model). He can be heard on the famous Kansas City Six and Seven sides from 1938. They also included Lester Young on clarinet and Freddie Green in the unusual role as a singer on one track, "Them There Eyes":

[mad dog]

Among the first electric guitar players must also be counted Eddie Durham.

Thanks for mentioned Eddie. I was lucky enough to see him in the early 70s. Think it was Lauren Schoenberg's band, not sure on that. My father loved big band music, told me the trombone player was a heavy guy, had played with Bennie Moten, Count Basie and so on, I had to check him out. They came to this little nightclub in my home town (Goshen NY). An unforgettable evening. Eddie was hot on the trombone for sure, heavier on guitar. He played 12 string on and off all night. Wild, careening solos. I was kind of expecting "old guy" music. Anything but!
MD

[pingu]

Is it?

it is

[barrymclark]

it is

...and if it is? Is it really that big of a deal if the musician uses it tastefully?

[kris]

...and if it is? Is it really that big of a deal if the musician uses it tastefully?

Look at M.Stern,M.Goodrick,E.Bickert-they use solid body guitars.Are they play jazz music with not "jazz sound"?

[barrymclark]

Look at M.Stern,M.Goodrick,E.Bickert-they use solid body guitars.Are they play jazz music with not "jazz sound"?

I am a bit lost on this one. I said I didn't care if the tone was original or not so long as it is tastefully used. If someone uses a non - traditional tone and they do it tastefully, awesome. If they use a traditional tone and do it tastefully, awesome. In essence, I agree with you so I am not sure where you're going with this.

[kris]

I am a bit lost on this one. I said I didn't care if the tone was original or not so long as it is tastefully used. If someone uses a non - traditional tone and they do it tastefully, awesome. If they use a traditional tone and do it tastefully, awesome. In essence, I agree with you so I am not sure where you're going with this.

I am not sure where I am goinng with this...:-) sorry.

[barrymclark]

I am not sure where I am goinng with this...:-) sorry.

No worries. I was very confused. I may not have been as clear as I wanted to at some point.

[pingu]

...and if it is? Is it really that big of a deal if the musician uses it tastefully?

no not that big of a deal ...

I think experienced players with a nice
touch can get a beautiful sound out of a solid
body guitar

its a bigger deal if you hit the guitar with
more force like me ....I'm clumsey as shit
(if i play a strat or tele it quacks like a duck)

a jazz box with fat strings is a
bit more forgiving (for me anyway)

big Bickert fan here BTW