First (well technically second) archtop recommendation - jazz and fingerstyle

[jondom22]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Had an Epiphone Joe Pass years ago when I played more jazz but sold it a long time ago. These days I mostly play fingerstyle, punk/noise rock, but getting back into jazz again. Mostly play my jazzmaster, a tele and a cheapo takamine acoustic, and my 335 doesn't get much use anymore.

Is there a good archtop that can do everything from Wes to Chet Atkins to delta blues, or am I looking at a master of none type guitar situation and should just use different guitars for different situations?

Tried an Epiphone Broadway which nailed that Wes tone, but it's a bit too jazzy and dark and stiff feeling to do the fingerstyle stuff. Also, for some reason the G string was a lot lower in volume than the B and E strings (it had a flatwound set with a wound G). Wasn't sure if that was due to pickup pole pieces, or the compensated saddles, or strings, or just something with a budget guitar like that)?

Then I was looking into ES-125 style archtops that have a single p90 and a bit more of an acoustic tone, maybe something like the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin. On paper it seems like the way to go, but every demo of the Godins and 125s sound a bit flat for lack of a better word (doesn't have the sweet punchy jazz mids, nor the open resonant acoustic properties). But I haven't been able to play one in person.

Then was considering a floater like the Epiphone Emperor Regent or D'aneglico EXL or Guild A-150 as it seemingly has the acoustic properties for both jazz and fingerstyle, but then again a lot of people seem to think it's kind of a compromise that doesn't get you that 60s L5 sound nor the fingerstyle/folk/blues thing.

Finally, was thinking maybe an ES-330 type that's thinline but fully hollow with P90s since it will have a bit more of an open woody/hollow tone compared to the 335, and will obviously be able to do rock stuff more (I like single coils for rock)?

EDIT: Picked up the Epi Broadway for now to evaluate (resolved the string volume balance by jacking up the G string's pole piece). Still would love to try out a Godin 5th Ave Kingpin with either the single or dual p90s.

[marcwhy]

Hi @jon - welcome to the Forum! First, I'm very curious to learn what "fingerstyle punk/noise rock" is! Please share a reference/vid! Also, if you lurk long enough here, you'll probably find people will tell you the guitars you already own are likely "fine" for the variety of uses you're describing - no "need" to buy more right now! I'd also wonder what amps/effects you have, since they, too, contribute to the overall sound you're looking for. Either way, happy hunting, and have fun playing jazz again!Marc

[RJVB]

You say delta blues, I suppose you'd at least play that acoustically?! Not that you're likely to find an archtop that sounds like a resonator ...

[Degranulator]

You say delta blues, I suppose you'd at least play that acoustically?! Not that you're likely to find an archtop that sounds like a resonator ...

Delta Blues is not a strictly acoustic style. Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L.Burnside (more North Hill Country actually) and others used electric guitars or pickups on their guitars.

@Jon As to the question, I think you would do well to just use that 335. Otherwise I can recommend the Reverend PA-1, which I reckon is pretty much exactly what you describe. It will do it all, and very well. Except acoustic of course. Mine is the original version with P90s but there are humbucker versions too. Very well made guitars.

That said, I don't think the guitar itself is that key. The strings, amp, picks, or lack there of, combine with technique to have at least as much, and probably more, influence on your sound. And then, what is your taste telling you? What do you really like? A seemingly trite question but can take a lifetime to discover. I'd trust to that before following some imagined jazz guitar tone. Just $.02 from the peanut gallery.

[jondom22]

Hi @jon - welcome to the Forum! First, I'm very curious to learn what "fingerstyle punk/noise rock" is! Please share a reference/vid! Also, if you lurk long enough here, you'll probably find people will tell you the guitars you already own are likely "fine" for the variety of uses you're describing - no "need" to buy more right now! I'd also wonder what amps/effects you have, since they, too, contribute to the overall sound you're looking for. Either way, happy hunting, and have fun playing jazz again!Marc

I think you forgot the comma between "fingerstyle" and "punk/noise." Buttttt if you insist i guess this works if you're into noisy atonal stuff.

I did grab that used Epi Broadway at guitar center cos it sounded great, was cheap, and comes with return policy. Still interested in that Godin 5th ave kingpin with roundwounds tho.

Planned to just use clean/edge of breakup with my SFDR and Bassman RI for fingerstyle and rock/indie type of stuff, but I guess it kinda works with fuzz and what not.

[jondom22]

You say delta blues, I suppose you'd at least play that acoustically?! Not that you're likely to find an archtop that sounds like a resonator ...

Per my OP "Mostly play my jazzmaster, a tele and a cheapo takamine acoustic,"

Not looking for a resonator sound. Also didn't say Delta Blues, tho I do love that too, but don't play it.
Edit: Wait I did say Delta blues, my bad. Misnomer on my part.

[Webby]

I feel like you might enjoy a Gretsch, maybe one of the cheaper Electromatics. Those won't break the bank, and can be kinda jazzy, while at the same time nailing the Chet Atkins thing.

Paul

[jondom22]

Delta Blues is not a strictly acoustic style. Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L.Burnside (more North Hill Country actually) and others used electric guitars or pickups on their guitars.

@Jon As to the question, I think you would do well to just use that 335. Otherwise I can recommend the Reverend PA-1, which I reckon is pretty much exactly what you describe. It will do it all, and very well. Except acoustic of course. Mine is the original version with P90s but there are humbucker versions too. Very well made guitars.

That said, I don't think the guitar itself is that key. The strings, amp, picks, or lack there of, combine with technique to have at least as much, and probably more, influence on your sound. And then, what is your taste telling you? What do you really like? A seemingly trite question but can take a lifetime to discover. I'd trust to that before following some imagined jazz guitar tone. Just $.02 from the peanut gallery.

Hey ya I've had the 335 for almost 20 years, but it's not really my thing anymore.

But to answer your questions, here's some quick videos of the epi broadway doing some basic fingerstyle (still learning), some jazz noodling (sorry i'm not very good at jazz and very rusty), and some chord strumming to get a sense of some of the sounds/techniques i like.

[jondom22]

I feel like you might enjoy a Gretsch, maybe one of the cheaper Electromatics. Those won't break the bank, and can be kinda jazzy, while at the same time nailing the Chet Atkins thing.

Paul

Hey Paul. On paper they definitely fit the bill, but every time I've played a Gretsch hollow body they just felt a bit plunky for lack of a better word. I guess I'm looking for more of a woody/reedy/sweet and open type sound, but maybe I should take a peak at them again next time I swing by a guitar shop.

[st.bede]

I play in a lot of bags. The only thing I do not do is the super distorted stuff. Once we get past, Hendrix, Cream, and 60s bay area stuff, it is going to be out distortion zone. For example JCM 800 cool, JCM 900 not for me. It is difficult to find a guitar to really cover all ground, but I do have a strange suggestion. I think I could probably play anything on my Parker Fly Deluxe. I certainly would not look right, but tonally I think it would work. The blues thing might not have enough quack.

Another suggestion would be a PRS Swamp Ash Special. I have played everything on that. Mine is old and it became even more flexible with Lollars (normal wind Imperials). The newer ones are a little different with the strange looking PUs.

Everytime I play a Casino, I feel like it could be really flexible. I have never bought one so?

I am not a fan of the PUs on Gretsch Electromatics, but my higher end Gretsch seems really useful. I have not played any Jazz gigs on mine but I have seen it done a number of times.

At the same time amp, PUs, strings all make a difference. The thing that probably makes the biggest difference is approach. If you get a guitar half way there, your fingers should be able to do the rest. The only issue is what people expect. I have yet to try a flying V at any type of Jazz thing. Blues cool, jazz … who knows. I do believe If people were blind, there would be no issues. However presentation is part of the game: being a performance art.

[jondom22]

I play in a lot of bags. The only thing I do not do is the super distorted stuff. Once we get past, Hendrix, Cream, and 60s bay area stuff, it is going to be out distortion zone. For example JCM 800 cool, JCM 900 not for me. It is difficult to find a guitar to really cover all ground, but I do have a strange suggestion. I think I could probably play anything on my Parker Fly Deluxe. I certainly would not look right, but tonally I think it would work. The blues thing might not have enough quack.

Another suggestion would be a PRS Swamp Ash Special. I have played everything on that. Mine is old and it became even more flexible with Lollars (normal wind Imperials). The newer ones are a little different with the strange looking PUs.

Everytime I play a Casino, I feel like it could be really flexible. I have never bought one so?

I am not a fan of the PUs on Gretsch Electromatics, but my higher end Gretsch seems really useful. I have not played any Jazz gigs on mine but I have seen it done a number of times.

At the same time amp, PUs, strings all make a difference. The thing that probably makes the biggest difference is approach. If you get a guitar half way there, your fingers should be able to do the rest. The only issue is what people expect. I have yet to try a flying V at any type of Jazz thing. Blues cool, jazz … who knows. I do believe If people were blind, there would be no issues. However presentation is part of the game: being a performance art.

Thanks for the response. I'm not looking for a single guitar to do everything though, just an archtop for a mix of jazz, fingerstyle and maybe some edge of breakup indie/rock to get that hollow body/woody type sound (I use my jazzmaster for any of the punk/noise and heavier stuff).

[RJVB]

How about an Eastman AR605ce or the 17" version (AR610ce)? I've seen the Eastmans described as bright, closer to a flat-top in sound than many arcthops, and the mahogany B&S on this model should make it sound a bit darker. You can always replace the PU with whatever floats your boat.

[Jimmy Mack]

Epiphone Casino. Esp a '61 ReIssue,

[jondom22]

picked up a used epi regent and Godin kingpin 5th ave single p90 to spend time with against the used epi Broadway I recently got. Broadway sounds like Smokin at the half note, Regent sounds like Virtuoso (I guess he played a 175 and the recording is the close mic on the guitar with maybe a lil bleed from the amp in the room), kingpin sounds like its own thing.

Currently leaning towards the regent. Seems like the hollow body floater has a more open/acoustic sound than the Broadway, while the 5th ave is most open sounding. The regent still retains some of that mid-range sweetness of the Broadway, whereas the 5th ave is more flat/scooped in comparison. I guess the regent kinda sits between the Broadway and 5th ave, and since I don’t need more than 1 archtop now it seems like the logical choice. Plus my ears were gravitating towards it the most.

gonna throw some flat wounds on the Godin so it’s a proper comparison before I make a decision. If I do end up liking the regent the best, I’ll likely be returning this one cos it needs some serious fretwork and is a factory second, neither of which was advertised prior to purchase. In that case, I’d likely be looking for either another regent, or another floater like the D’angelico EXL-1 (way too many versions), Guild A-150 Savoy, or something similar preferably around $500-800 used but could spend more for the right guitar.