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Hi there!
I'm new here, I'm looking to purchase a jazz guitar to get back into playing more jazz again. I used to own a Gibson ES-175 which was great at what it did but I never loved the reduced ability to play in the higher registers on the 175, and I think the frets only went up to 20.
I'd be looking more along the lines of a semi-hollow body, or at least something not quite as large and cumbersome as the traditional sized jazz boxes. Also I'd really like something that has ease of playability throughout the entire range of the instrument. Tone wise I love the old "big box" sounds (Barney Kessel, Joe Pass etc.) so anything that can get in that ball park would be great.
Any suggestions? Looking for something that's good value for money, pricey is okay but I'd ideally like to spend less rather than more.
Thank you!!
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06-13-2016 01:40 AM
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From what yu describe Id say the closest would be a 335 ?
https://reverb.com/item/1750495-gibs...ntage-sunburst
cheaper alternatives are the studio model, or the ES339. Or not buying a Gibson of course.Last edited by fws6; 06-13-2016 at 02:44 AM.
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Ever try a Telecaster?
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Most jazz guitars have frets that go up to 20 but would like 24. Short scale length is out. 16" is too large. Hmmm, not much of a choice but to order a custom jobbie from Victor Baker.
» Victor Baker Guitars NYC
I would ordinarily suggest a Sadowsky or a MIJ Ibanez but you wanted a long scale length, more frets than 20 and smaller than 16". Also,Marchione 15-inch Archtop | Marchione Guitars | Handmade in Texas .
The Benedetto Bambino sounds good and I like the twin pup version.
https://reverb.com/item/2174154-bene...mbino-espressoLast edited by Jabberwocky; 06-13-2016 at 06:16 AM.
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Check this out. It's always advertised as a semi-hollow, but it is really completely hollow with a small block beneath the bridge. Extremely versatile, affordable, lightweight (unlike semi-hollows), lovely to look at, very resistant to feedback, and gets a big fat jazz tone. Fit/finish are perfect. I swapped the pickups out for Lollars and it is one of my best guitars.
D'Angelico EX-SS Single Cutaway Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar | SamAsh
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Good recommendations above--i.e., the D'A, the Telecaster, the 335. All great guitars that offer more flexibility than your old 175.
Another way to go is the Ibanez GB-10 George Benson model. It has a small body, two floating pickups, 22-frets, great playability, and a super sound.
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I like my new GB10SE. Easy upper register access with the neck joining the body at 15th rather than the more common 14th fret. But it is a 24.7" scale. The SE suffix means it is made in China not Japan and Ibanez sells them for quite a bit less. It also means they won't hold the resale value like a used MIJ GB10.
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Maybe a less common choice, but as far as semi-hollows go, the Hofner Verythin (go for an actual German made one) is just excellent. Completely satisfied all my semi-hollow needs, does jazz box tones, rock, fusion...very thin (not just a clever name), lightweight, comfortable, and some of the best upper fret access you'll ever see.
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I play duo a lot with a guitar player who plays one of these. Everything Mr. Beaumont said is dead-on!
Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
Here's one: http://rvrb.io/2003-hvc-verythin-dsr
Since the seller has had it listed for 5 months you could probably make an acceptable offer.
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So you'd be interested in an archtop guitar with Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts
- excellent access to the upper register
- comfortable to play, not large and cumbersome
- with the sound of a hollow jazz guitar (that's how I interpreted your "big box" comment)
- pro-quality
Interesting recommendations above, but I recommend a Hofner Jazzica, a hand-made German archtop guitar. It has
- 16th fret neck body joint and 24 fret
- tapered or "wedge" body that is quite shallow at the neck end
- under 16" wide at the lower bout
- hollow, carved top, floating pickup gets you a lovely hollow jazz guitar sound.
- excellent vaue for the money - they range in price (used) from @$1,500 to @$2,000. When I can get new-old-stock ones, I sell them in the $2,500 - $3,000 range as demo or artist models. The Jazzica isn't currently in the catalogue but will probably be back at some point.
Several members here own them and can comment as they see fit.
Last edited by Hammertone; 06-13-2016 at 05:26 PM.
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Those Höfners are nice. The Höfner John Stowell is very nice if you can find it Hofner John Stowell - CR Guitars .
The only problem with Höfner is its pronunciation.
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Herfner? Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Theres a player in my town (total undercover kinda guy who has a monstrous vocabulary for jazz chops) and he gigs one of these (the d'a) at sessions....it sounds bitchin every time he gets on it.
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The Jazzica was my first thought, but I didn't mention it since the OP specified a preference for something along the lines of a thinline.
I recently acquired a Jazzica and love it. One of its coolest features is the body with its graduated depth of 2 3/8" at the neck and 4 3/8" at the tail. Not really a traditional jazz box, but a very ergonomic and comfortable archtop due to the body being thinner at the upper end. You would see what I mean were you to play one. In addition to that, it has 24 frets, with access to the upper register of the instrument being effortless. Also, to hear what it can do, check out Bobby Broom, who plays and records with one almost exclusively. His album, "Stand" would be a great place to start. I highly recommend the Jazzica---very cool and unique design with its own distinctive sound.
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Originally Posted by Thelonious1
Kurt Rosenwinkel used one for a bit, Rez Abassi still does, I think. Pretty good company.
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I would say "excellent" company, in that they produce such quality instruments at a very affordable price. I'm not speaking from any brand loyalty here, even though I have two of them. Having both of these has helped me get over the trauma of selling my Benedetto. That's how excellent they are. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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For Pete' sake I HATE Tapatalk!
Pronounce it in American: Haw-fner. No problem and you don't have to deal with the umlaut that no one but German speakers can get right.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Yeah but sounds kinda loutish though. Like how they say "en route" in America except for POTUS Barack Hussein Obama. Ann Rout? I like my weissbier but am afraid of getting pisswasser when I get it wrong. Hören sie? Originally Posted by Cunamara
It's Erfner, methinks.Last edited by Jabberwocky; 06-13-2016 at 02:12 PM.
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It's like Schoenberg: Schuernberg, or something to that effect Originally Posted by Cunamara
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My grandfather (who was German) used to joke that the key to German pronunciation was to pretend that words were solid objects you needed to get out of your mouth to say.
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My favourite mispronunciation is ….Hohner.
It happens all too often. Sigh.
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It's obviously pronounced as "Høfner"...
Never tried one, although a classmate had a newer verythin which sounded good. He didn't play jazz, but I got the "gist" of its tone.
edit: oops, just remembered that I HAVE tried one, BUT the luthier who I was visiting had made the neck himself, so it wasn't a true Höfner.
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does the block contact the back ? Originally Posted by jbucklin
Check this out. It's always advertised as a semi-hollow, but it is really completely hollow with a small block beneath the bridge. Extremely versatile, affordable, lightweight (unlike semi-hollows), lovely to look at, very resistant to feedback, and gets a big fat jazz tone. Fit/finish are perfect. I swapped the pickups out for Lollars and it is one of my best guitars.
D'Angelico EX-SS Single Cutaway Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar | SamAsh
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If you're looking for something semi hollow that's similar to a 335, but isn't a 335, you could try the Ibanez JSM-10 (Scofield signature model). I have one and absolutely love it.
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