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Hey everyone!
I'm new in the world of jazz guitarism even though I've been composing jazz music for already a while. I come from a background of rock / metal so the guitars I've used to playing have been in the style of Premium RGs by Ibanez with low action and very easy playability.
I'm looking for a guitar which could have playability similar to Godin / Ibanez, and soundwise could handle from clean jazz, to jazz fusion with mid-hi gain and fuzz, since the band I'm playing with has a very wide palette of styles. Also in terms of practicing by myself I would like to have a believable bebop tone. My budget would be around 600-1200 euros.
Does this make think of certain guitar? Please recommend me one!
Joonasamuel
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04-07-2017 11:27 AM
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Sounds like a 335 style could fill the bill. Ibanez for example...
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I think you're having to talk about semi hollow models. Not that a 175 can't handle fusion, I just think a semi is a better fit for most.
The Ibanez AS153 will do nicely. The stock S58's to me are nice enough to not change (actually I'm looking for an S58N for another git) but whatever shortcomings the AS153 has, can easily be changed with a neck pup.
Another is a D'Angelico repro the EX-DC or EX-SS. I have an EX-DC and it's a wonderful guitar that easily rivals anything I own or have owned in a semi.
Then there's the Fender Jim Adkins P90 equipped (or standard) thinline and various offerings from Epiphone.
All should be in your budget AND readily available in Europe.
If a lower price point is your goal, the Fenders and Epis are best, the AS153 is getting nearer your limit and the D'A may be right at your pricet, all depending on whether you want new or used.
I'm sure other members will have other good suggestions.
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First: where are you located?
Originally Posted by Joonasamuel
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Hey, I'm located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands! Originally Posted by LtKojak
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first three that came to mind...a tele, d'angelico ex-ss, hofner verithin...
if you were stateside i'd recommend bill comins gcs-1
cheers
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I think that RGs are 25.5" scale guitars. You might want to think about getting an archtop with the same scale length. Most, if not all, of the Ibanez archtops are shorter scaled instruments.
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Godin Montreal Premiere? Might be above your budget. Check the Godin website for a dealer list.
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Godin Premiere.
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Yeah, a telecaster. If you are not wanting a solid body then you should probably go with a semi hollow - a little overdrive isn't a problem for archtop hollowbodies but when I hear fuzz or mid-high gain as a requirement it definitely translates to feedback and not so great sound from
a hollow archtop.
I have an Ibanez Artist 2630 and would highly recommend it as an amazingly versatile guitar that still retains a good jazz voice (similarly to a telecaster but a different sound). I always recommend it but there are not many for sale since they are old guitars but they are in your price range probably. Look for one and maybe you can get lucky and find one.
But yes it basically boils down to some sort of semi hollow or a Tele. Either would serve your purposes really well.
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04-08-2017, 12:24 AM #12joaopaz Guest
+1 for the Ibanez AS153 or maybe the JSM10 - would still fit in your budget.
I have the AS153 and can only say great things about it. The tri-switch is great and may provide several usable tone options. The guitar is very comfortable, feels solid and aside the usual input jack swap it never game any problems. I can get it to a very low action as well.
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I gig, routinely, with a Yamaha Pacifica 012. This is their cheapest model. Mine has replacement tuners and a Seymour Duncan Lil 59. Originally Posted by Joonasamuel
It doesn't sound like an archtop, but I have never gotten a complaint about the tone. If you can play a believable bop line, it will sound believable on this guitar.
It took me a while to get over my prejudice against it for being a bottom of the line instrument. But, eventually, I had to accept that it had my favorite neck and it had adequate tone.
I've had to do some minor repairs to hardware, but nothing that cost any money. Soldering, fixing a stripped screw hole with some glue and toothpicks, that sort of thing. More than I've had to do on a Gibson. But it hasn't let me down yet.
These sell in a kit for $179, last time I checked, including amp, case and strap.
My groups play everything from full big band swing to small combo jazz with some r and b.
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Another vote for an Ibanez semihollow here. Like you, I come from a rock background and play a variety of styles. My AS-93 sets up like a shredder with low action and a dead-level neck, and does rock, blues, and jazz with no issues.
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Hard to go wrong with a Telecaster. I had one, traded it for a semi-hollow, and wish I had my Tele back. So versatile.
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+1 for the telecaster
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Versatility ?
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G&L Bluesboy 'semi-hollow' gets a great jazz tone. You can upgrade with a few custom options, or even look for a less expensive version from their import 'Tribute' line. Fantastic guitars.
G&L(R) ASAT(R) Classic Bluesboy™ Semi-Hollow
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I come the exact same place as you - metal player with two Prestige RGs and want to get into jazz. Originally Posted by Joonasamuel
You can get a very credible jazz sound out of you RG if your humbuckers are not too hot. On my rg852 the EMGs are too distorted but on my rg752 the neck diMarzio works well if you roll down the volume and tone knobs by quite a bit. A lot of the bebop sound comes down to the amp. I use simulated Fender Deluxe Reverb style amps on either Guitar Rig or AmpliTube.
I ended up getting a tele like some folks on this thread suggested. I tried various teles and ended up with American Standard. I noticed a big difference in the neck and fingerboard feel going down to Mexican teles. My tele has rosewood fingerboard as I just could not get myself to like the feel of the maple Fender uses. The American Standard neck feels very similar to an RG - not quite as flat but thin nevertheless, and has that low-friction sanded feel it. Note that the Mexican teles had more of a poly style finish to the necks which I did not find as comfortable. I bought used and paid well within your price range. The reason I got a tele is that I found fingering jazz chords overwhelming on a 7/8 string, and so far I'm really liking it. Also I find jazz chords easier to play on the tele because the fingerboard has a tighter radius to it.
If you are tempted by hollow or semi-hollows, like I am, I'd stick to Ibby. Someone suggested an AS153 and that might be a great way to go for you if you want f-holes. Ibby jazz guitar necks are an easy transition from an RG but be warned that some that I tried (I think it was AF95??) the neck was super sticky because of the coating and I could not stand it. I am thinking about getting an AS200 or AF200 (which are above your stated budget) once my skills improve, but for now my tele is getting the job done.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by takku; 04-08-2017 at 04:14 PM.
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Personally, why not just stick with your RG? Check out youtube for Chuck Loeb, you see a lot of videos of him playing jazz and fusion with a Sadowsky guitar that is just an expensive version of your RG...just play with pickup heights, strings, and twiddle the knobs on both your guitar and amps. Keep us posted.
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04-09-2017, 01:11 AM #21joaopaz Guest+1 for G&L if you decide to go with a solidbody. Originally Posted by Gitfiddler
G&L Bluesboy 'semi-hollow' gets a great jazz tone. You can upgrade with a few custom options, or even look for a less expensive version from their import 'Tribute' line. Fantastic guitars.
G&L(R) ASAT(R) Classic Bluesboy™ Semi-Hollow
Everybody seems to loved them and yet they may still be one of the most underated guitars around.
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Come again??? Originally Posted by Headshot
Man, by saying that, it just can't be more obvious that you've never ever been in the same room with a Sadowsky... let alone playing one, yet you feel that anyway what you say might be of some value?
***shaking head in disbelief***
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Isn't the Ibanez JSM10 1000-1200 new?
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04-09-2017, 10:37 AM #24joaopaz GuestHere in Europe you can find it online, new, for about 1000 Eur. Originally Posted by Marwin Moody
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One more thing that may play a role for someone coming from low-action RGs is string gauge. I don't want to imply you can't string your axe with whatever gauge you like, but factory stock gauge does give an indication of the feel intended for the guitar. RG players typically use 9s (I tried putting 10s on my RG and the tremolo springs would not even stretch that far and I had to go back to 9s). Ibanez AS ships with 10s and AFs with 11s. I think the Scofield models come with 13s - Sco must have have monster fingers to bend those strings! The reason I bring this up that if you want effortless playability, lighter gauge might make a big difference.
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