Guitar for New Orleans jazz?

[christianm77]

I play in a small trad combo , the line up is tube, trombone, trumpet and guitar. I have used a banjo, and also use an arch top- usually my Gretsch Synchromatic 400, sometimes (for a purely acoustic sound) my 1958 Hofner Senator. On the Gretsch I have a CC pickup , running that though my Quilter amp gives me a nice rhythm sound, still has an acoustic personality to it though. I EQ the guitar for this band much differently to normal, I cut almost all the bass, leaving me with a sound that doesn't get boomy and is appropriate to its role in the group.

With my Hofner, I generally stick a good mic to it and that's it - not much to do there. It's a great guitar for that style- however I like the Gretsch's electric sound when I'm taking solos.

I have a 58 Senator. I haven't be able to get a sound I like out of it, but I live in hope. I think they are pretty variable being vintage instruments and all...

I have been pretty impressed by the noise the new Gretsch New Yorkers make. The Synchromatic is a nice guitar but much quieter acoustically as far as I can tell.

As mentioned, the Loars are good if you can try one before you buy... The Godin 5th Avenue is popular, but I find it pretty underwhelming as an acoustic box. It should mic or take an acoustic pickup well though. Well balanced and voiced guitar, and very well made, despite it's lack of acoustic punch.

Also 80/20 bronzes are recommended often for archtops - not PB's (as they tarnish quicker)

[Stringswinger]

I have done gigs of this type with an acoustic archtop and with a Gypsy guitar. Acoustically, either guitar is good for accompaniment and even works ok for chord melody solos. For single note solos, amplification is needed. If I had a resonator or 6 string banjo, I would use them instead as they are a bit more " authentic" sounding.

[Jehu]

Not exactly New Orleans style, but you could do like Django did as a young accompanist and use a 6-string banjo with several strings missing, a coat button for a pick, and a newspaper for a case... Does that help?