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I've been looking for a while to add a guitar to my quiver, and I've tried all kinds from cheap to expensive, but nothing really does it for me, beyond what I already have. It doesn't help that most music stores, it's either acoustic or solidbody, chocolate or vanilla.
Ergonomic comfort is just as high a priority as tone in my search. Size, weight, and neck comfort are important.
I have a couple of archtops already, both full-size, one is too heavy, the other is light but the wider neck width I can't quite get used to.
I've had Epi Joe Pass Emperor's, but didn't like the shorter Gibson scale and so-so quality.
The Jazzmaster and Tele copy I have, both are too heavy for comfort and not quite right tone wise. The JM neck is a little long, frets are too fat. Les Paul's and Strats don't work for me
Acoustics, I gave up on dreads as too bulky and hard to play jazz on, though the light weight of a D-18 is nice. I've tried a couple of gypsy jazz guitars and acoustic archtops, too. The tone of both, for different reasons, didn't do it for me.
So please, recommend me something I haven't thought of, or tried!
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04-07-2022 11:02 AM
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Well...that's kind of all over the place...can't even tell if you want an acoustic or an electric.
I can say on the acoustic front, I never cared for flat tops much until I started playing a 000.
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Here are 3 that pops in mind.
335 style, solid woods, 25" scale:
T184MX - Eastman Guitars
Headless, fully hollow, 25" or 25,6" scale:
Zaletelj Guitars | Amelia
Acoustic archtop with nylon strings, 25,6" scale:
Hahl Guitars - Supreme Nylon String
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My ibanez af105f archtop is a really nice depth which makes it very comfortable to play. The neck is Gibson scale but nicely shaped. It has a floating pickup and the acoustic sound is OK. You wouldn't do an acoustic gig with it. As a guitar to play around the house or plugged in out if the house, you could do much worse.
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Sounds like a custom build is in order. Or perhaps an assembly of after-market goodies: bodies, necks, etc. Such a project could help you to refine your search, at least.
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Well my goto recommendation is always the Godin Kingpin. Reasonably slim neck, very light, nice acoustic AND electric tone. And still well under $1000 ($700 at Sweetwater, though can be had for quite a bit cheaper used).
On a somewhat related note, my son is looking for a cheap acoustic. (He's actually a keyboardist and percussionist, but does record and doodle around a bit on the guitar.) Jeff B, didn't you post recently about a really cheap flattop that you thought was very nice to play?
I am thinking a Luna might not be a bad choice. Certainly looks cool--I have bought Luna ukes for several of my kids. Nicely made.
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Let's sum up..
- Don't like the 25.5" scale length of a Jazzmaster
- Don't like the 24.75" scale length of the Epiphone
- Don't like an unspecified wide neck on an archtop. Assuming it was 1.75"
- Don't like acoustic archtops
- Don't like a Tele, Strat, Les Paul, Jazzmaster, Epiphone, flat top, or gypsy jazz style
- Weight is a concern as is 'neck comfort'. Nothing specific noted.
That's pretty much the entire guitar market. Looks like you'll have to adapt based on the sound you want and the music you play rather than on the spec's.
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No wonder I'm having such a hard time! It turns out I just don't like guitars!
Originally Posted by Spook410
Like I said, it's a Goldilocks problem.
To be more specific, the 8#+ weight of many solidbodies ( and my D'A Excel) is uncomfortable.
I like the nut width on the D'A, the JM, and their neck profiles. My martin CF-1 is nice and light, but has a wider neck (though it's scale length is very comfortable in between Gibson & Fender lengths.
I don't care for the "baseball bat" fat neck on many vintage archtops, or the fat neck on some Tele's.
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Sounds like a 25.5" scale ES-330 with a narrower neck to me.. Not sure who makes one though.
In general fully hollow thinline with a P90 that is not overbuilt would tend to be light and comfy.
I like my Guild T-50, very light and slim/slightly narrow neck, but it's Gibson scale too.
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Ukulele?
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It's good to have a sense of humor about the way guitars drive us crazy. It's not just you..
I think Korean D' Angelico's have great necks. I like my EX-SS quite a lot though could do without the headstock design.
Most Tele necks are pretty slim. And some body woods are light. If you construct your own (Warmoth and others) you can choose the neck profile, frets, and to a degree the overall weight. Not sure if you can tweak scale length.
You might consider the Eastman Romeo. 1 11/16" nut. Don't think it's that heavy. It's a step up in quality based on what I've seen of other Eastman guitars.
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Take up piano. Problem solved!
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Ditto on EX-SS, great guitar. Originally Posted by Spook410
It's good to have a sense of humor about the way guitars drive us crazy. It's not just you..
I think Korean D' Angelico's have great necks. I like my EX-SS quite a lot though could do without the headstock design.
Most Tele necks are pretty slim. And some body woods are light. If you construct your own (Warmoth and others) you can choose the neck profile, frets, and to a degree the overall weight. Not sure if you can tweak scale length.
You might consider the Eastman Romeo. 1 11/16" nut. Don't think it's that heavy. It's a step up in quality based on what I've seen of other Eastman guitars.
Tried Romeo but was not that impressed, their 330 style was much nicer.
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I found a strap made a huge difference.
in fact it was a Rich Severson YouTube video that tipped me off (thanks Rich)
Adjusting the guitar position off my knee, with neck toward my shoulder instead meant that I no longer was battling neck dive, body weight, neck shape, body depth etc nearly as much as when unsupported.
Straps choice is pretty personal- some like skinny, some wide, some smooth, some suede etc. But next time you are in your local, take your $5 Ernie Ball strap along and retry some of those guitars you have discounted, in different postures.
For what it is worth, I find myself playing mine like a classical guitar- bout supported between the knees, neck up. Free up my strumming and fretting hands from having to hold the guitar at the same time.
I have never found playing like Jimmy Page remotely comfortable or practical but that’s just me.
eMike
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Bottom Line! Get one guitar and play it for awhile! You can always change later!
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To me it's as clear as water... change your musical instrument...
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nylon string flat top crossover jazz guitar.
if money is no object: something like a lowden S-50J Nylon.
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ok this one is really cool, and it looks like it's 1/3 off!
Strandberg Salen Jazz NX Electric Guitar - Burgundy | Sweetwater
And for those of you who have suggested other musical instruments....yeah, i get it. I play trumpet, dabbling with trombone lately. That gear is much easier, at least ergo wise.
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Build yourself a (3, 4 or 6-string) CBG? Originally Posted by JGinNJ
Signature 3-String Shovel Guitar
– Justin Johnson Official Store or just get a diddley bow?
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Actually JJ is a monster blues player on WHATEVER he picks up. I have never met him, but he is good friends with an acquaintance of mine in the Omaha area who makes cigar box guitars and sells them at craft shows. Originally Posted by RJVB
Build yourself a (3, 4 or 6-string) CBG?
Signature 3-String Shovel Guitar
– Justin Johnson Official Store or just get a diddley bow?]
I have put off making a CGB guitar because it looks too easy LOL...making it sound like real music, though, takes a lot of effort.
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He is, and not just blues. He must have incredible chops (and hands, btw) but with him I rarely notice the technical aspect before I get carried away by the music. Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
Usually I quite like the numberplate guitars, with true CBGs "sold" as traditional roots instruments I never can help but wonder how they'd sound acoustically (which is of course how they'd have been used traditionally).
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Originally Posted by JGinNJ
Originally Posted by Spook410
The answer is obvious:
-has a 25 1/4" scale - shorter than 25 1/2", longer than 24 3/4"
-detailed specs on neck included in description
-not an acoustic archtop - has a spruce block
-not a Tele, Strat, Les Paul, Jazzmaster, Epiphone, flat top, or gypsy jazz style
-light - one is 6.44 pounds | 2.93kg and the other is 6.8123 lbs | 3.09 kg
Here are two for sale on this very forum - you get a choice of colours!:
Hofner Verythin Standard - made in Germany
Last edited by Hammertone; 04-10-2022 at 02:13 PM.
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I second the Godin, another option with 25 » scale is the PRS Hollow, SE or not depends budget.
How about a semi hollow Tele Thinline?
I still think the Gibson ES 235 is the sexiest guitar there is but changing the neck to a long scale seems a bit extreme. I’m making a kinda copy with a 25.5 neck, a quiet p90 and a Tele Bridge pickup.
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I second the Godin, another option with 25 » scale is the PRS Hollow, SE or not depends budget.
How about a semi hollow Tele Thinline?
I still think the Gibson ES 235 is the sexiest guitar there is but changing the neck to a long scale seems a bit extreme. I’m making a kinda copy with a 25.5 neck, a quiet p90 and a Tele Bridge pickup.
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. Originally Posted by Spook410
I think this person is looking for a player piano. Or, he’s about to re-invent/update a millennial version of the guit-organ. Something interesting will come of all this, I am most certain. Just hope it runs on solar power.
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Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
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