New to Jazz - Guitar Choice Opinions?

[Laurence Finston]

However, I think electric guitars sound better with amplification.

What I meant was, leaving out the case of amplifying acoustic guitars in order to make them audible in larger rooms, I think when using amplification, electric guitars are more suitable and generally sound better than acoustic guitars.

Whether electric guitars sound better with amplification or not depends on the player.

[RyanM]

For best sound, small budget - Ibanez, Epiphone or Godin or old Aria. If you can afford more, Gibson.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

This one guy has an Eastman with a transducer pickup, that thing sounds AWFUL!!

All pickups are transducers. Do you know what kind it was? I’ve not seen any Eastman’s sound described as awful before. What was so awful about it - tone? intonation? something else?

Like all the Eastman owners I know and almost all who participate on JGO, I love both of mine (16” Elite and 17” 810CE7 - both carved solid wood with KA, set on 16 & floating on 17). Workmanship is excellent, sound and feel are tops, both are gorgeous to see, and they’re great value. My bandmates love the 16’s sound (I play the 17 only at home).

I’ve played serious guitars for years - my first 3 were a ‘59 345 and a ‘60 175 bought in the early ‘60s, and a ‘70 L5C w/ Rhythm Chief (bought new). The next 30+ years brought Guilds, Gretsch, Martins, Ibanez, etc. And I’ve played Eastmans (Eastmen?) of all styles from the least expensive to my top line carved archtops. I think the Eastman line offers more guitar for the price than any other maker. I strongly recommend that the OP at least try one before writing them off.

For best sound, small budget - Ibanez, Epiphone or Godin or old Aria.

I agree with this. I’ve had at least 6 Ibanez guitars since the mid-‘70s, two of which are still with me. My AF207 was my only archtop for over 20 years before I got my first Eastman, and it’s as good as new after hundreds of gigs. My working blues guitar for close to 30 years has been an early Epiphone LP that I got new for $175, as I recall. And I’ve used it on many jazz gigs when I was too lazy or rushed to pack up a “better” guitar.

[EastwoodMike]

Hi folks,

like many, I’ve played rock, blues and other styles of music but now have finally been bitten by the Jazz bug.

Looking for thoughts on a new arch top that won’t Brest the bank but is nice enough to be a keeper.

Right now I’m leaning in the direction of a Fujigen, Comins or Eastman.
all arch tops and 2.5 to 3.0 plus at rims and all with single neck pickup.

Anyone have knowledge of these guitars and advise?
Set pickup or floating?

thanks for the add!

Hi Grady.
how do you want to play Jazz? By that I mean as a soloist, Duet, Small ensemble, large Ensemble, stage band?

Jazz archtop designs are broad and varied in size, pickup style and construction design. A lot of this is a compromise between acoustic clarity (carved acoustic archtop) to feedback resistant (heavier laminated fronts).

I take it that the rim depth you are looking at rules out semihollows.

floaters tend to get paired with carved tops. There are exceptions (George bensons and other Ibanez models)

some question the point of set in humbuckers on solid carved tops since the framework to hold the pickups and their weight would negate any acoustic vibration benefit.

I found the Eastman Ar380 to strike the right balance for me. Laminated, 2.75 rim, Ed-175 body shape, short scale, twin buckers, floating bridge & trapeze tailpiece. And not too stiff in price. They have recently released a single pickup version of the same.

Good luck on your search!
EMike

[DawgBone]

Hi Grady.
how do you want to play Jazz? By that I mean as a soloist, Duet, Small ensemble, large Ensemble, stage band?

Jazz archtop designs are broad and varied in size, pickup style and construction design. A lot of this is a compromise between acoustic clarity (carved acoustic archtop) to feedback resistant (heavier laminated fronts).

I take it that the rim depth you are looking at rules out semihollows.

floaters tend to get paired with carved tops. There are exceptions (George bensons and other Ibanez models)

some question the point of set in humbuckers on solid carved tops since the framework to hold the pickups and their weight would negate any acoustic vibration benefit.

I found the Eastman Ar380 to strike the right balance for me. Laminated, 2.75 rim, Ed-175 body shape, short scale, twin buckers, floating bridge & trapeze tailpiece. And not too stiff in price. They have recently released a single pickup version of the same.

Good luck on your search!
EMike

How do you like that AR380? I looked very hard at that guitar before ultimately buying something else because there weren't very many solid reviews of the guitar online and most of the better ones were straight jazz guys without any edge of breakup or drive tones demonstrated (just bad ones were all I found). That was part of the deal for my purchase as I am not a jazz player.

[Christian Miller]

I suppose this is a bit like asking ‘what’s a good guitar for rock?’

depends on a few things

[Lionelsax]

I suppose this is a bit like asking ‘what’s a good guitar for rock?’

depends on a few things

Ted Nugent is the one to ask !

[Christian Miller]

Ted Nugent is the one to ask !

Sure Gibson Byrdland. Let's Goooooooo

[EastwoodMike]

How do you like that AR380? I looked very hard at that guitar before ultimately buying something else because there weren't very many solid reviews of the guitar online and most of the better ones were straight jazz guys without any edge of breakup or drive tones demonstrated (just bad ones were all I found). That was part of the deal for my purchase as I am not a jazz player.

Hi DawgBone
The AR380 is first and foremost a guitar built for playing straight ahead Jazz and not drive or edge of breakup tones. By all means give that style a go- I would suspect you will enjoy lots of resonant feedback at even moderate volume. Especially when playing B on the D string at fret 9. That’s not to say it hasn’t been done before. The ar380 is a lighter build than the Gibson Es175 and is a livelier instrument.
cheers
Emike

[AaronMColeman]

I suppose this is a bit like asking ‘what’s a good guitar for rock?’

depends on a few things

Yeah, it's funny I think "jazz guitar" but never think "rock guitar". But the answer to each question is ES175 and Tele respectively But what do I know, I play a semi-hollow for both.

[Christian Miller]

Yeah, it's funny I think "jazz guitar" but never think "rock guitar". But the answer to each question is ES175 and Tele respectively But what do I know, I play a semi-hollow for both.

Well, it might be tough to Djent on a Tele etc etc

Jens doesn't like the 175 because it doesn't have enough sustain for his voicings

And so on. It depends. I mean a Tele or a 335 will do for most situations, but not all.

[TF]

A guitar that you like the look of, plays easily, and makes a sound you like, is the guitar to play jazz on.

For me this is a Telecaster.

[Liarspoker]

Tonewise I find my tele with a Lollar CC in the neck a little bright.

Out of my two ibanez's I prefer the tone of the AFJ85 over the AS93.

Playability wise I prefer the Ibanez over the Tele too. The AS93 could be easier to play but I've been playing the AFJ85 so long that it's what I'm used too.

Try them all and once you have the right guitar in your hands you'll know it.

[MrCoconut]

This guitar.

Or:
I love the sound of my Fender Squier classic vibe thru my Fender Super Champ XD.
paid @ $650 (7 years ago)
I also love my Gretsch Panther thru my Mesa Lonestar special.
paid @ $5,000 (9 years ago)
But mostly I play my Peerless Gigmaster thru any amp.
paid @ $1,250 (2 years old)
They all have TI swing strings.
It's all subjective so YMMV.

[Lionelsax]

[alltunes]

As often happens much advice offered but unknown if OP is reading any of it.