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I'm really a solidbody/jazz fusion guy, but I'm drawn more and more into the hollowbody sound. Can you guys help me pick out a guitar?
My favorite guitar ergonomically is a PRS Custom 24, so I'd want a 25" scale, or at least not longer than 25". It's important with a neck that's on the skinny side.
I have no clue about size, construction etc. and what makes a good sounding jazz-box. So any advice is appreciated. I'm thinking neck pickup only, just to keep it simple.
Difficult to set a budget. Not looking for a cheap guitar per se, quality comes first. But I'm not looking for a super botique expensive guitar either. A workhorse guitar first and foremost, that will be played a lot and lugged around.
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12-23-2022 01:01 PM
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How about a PRS hollowbody?
Other than that, maybe an Ibanez PM2 would be a good starting point or an Epiphone ES-175 (there's a version that comes with Gibson Classic 57s which is the best of the Epi versions, the ES-175 Premium).
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We need more information to actually help but here’s my stock suggestions.
The Epiphone casino is a hollow body, thin neck thin body and 24 3/4” scale.
The Epiphone Joe Pass signature is like the casino but it’s a proper thick body archtop.
You don’t need a $5,000 guitar to make jazz, you can make it on any guitar as long as you practice.
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If you are talking about an affordable archtop jazz box I would consider a Guild A-150 Savoy. Every bit as good as any other Korean-built archtop if not better, IMHO.
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A Godin Kingpin 2.
I’m jonesing for one right now.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Maybe the budget is about $3K. There's not a lot popping up on the used market locally, but I'm keeping an eye out.
Are chunky necks common on archtops? I definitely prefer smaller necks.
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If you are fusion player you might prefer something a little closer to an electric rather than an amplified acoustic archtop. Just a thought. Set pickup laminate, maybe on the thick side. So I’m thinking 175 or similar.
$3k probably isn’t quite enough to get a US guitar of this spec (these days), but there’s Japanese options. Ibanez is an obvious shout, fairly skinny necks iirc. I’d investigate Westville though they might be a bit higher than your budget, no idea what the necks are like on those though. Anyone?
my 1968 es175 has a hilariously skinny neck, but might take it too far lol
if you want to go a bit more trad jazz guitar, Eastman is an obvious choice at those price points. Chinese, but nice with carved tops and very nice to play. Big acoustic sound, sometimes a bit woolly plugged.Last edited by Christian Miller; 12-23-2022 at 06:49 PM.
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Or go halfway and get an es335? Love the necks on those, but might be a little chunky boomer for you.
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A much bigger budget than I was thinking of on the lines of. That gives you a lot of flexibility in choice. With that information, I will point you towards my personal favorite electric guitar for jazz: the Ibanez GB10. Specifically one of the ones made in Japan. You can usually readily find one in the used market for below $3000. But there are very many other excellent options in your price range.
Originally Posted by tnipe
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If you love the guitar you have, you could spring for a set of TI flat wounds and get a completely convincing sound with that. Might not sound " hollow" but it can sure sound good. For $3k you should be able to find a used Heritage hollow body. I had a wonderful 575 but got rid of it because, wait for it..... the neck was too thin for me.
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I have one in burgundy. It's a very nice instrument. Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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Someone mentioned a Guild A-150. Guild is an also-ran guitar company so the prices are better cause it doesn't say Gibson on it. That doesn't make it less guitar. The Westerly R.I plant cranked out some seriously nice instruments while it lasted, so 80s-90's Guilds are worth a look. X-170, X-500, X-700. Definitely worth a look. HIgh quality for reasonable money. Originally Posted by tnipe
I just had my Guild X-170 Manhattan delivered today! My first hollow archtop (well, mostly hollow anyways). It's not a fat neck but not a slim taper either. It's a narrower nut than many guitars so that might be a deal breaker for some guys but I'm flexible as long as it's not a louisville slugger with strings. I paid just under 2k with tax. Rich Severson does a bunch of reviews on them on his youtube if you are looking to hear some tones, he is essentially what sold me on that model. I was looking for something Gibson scale with two humbuckers, two vol two tone controls but not to deep (it's 2.5 depth). Something good for blues or jazz. I think this will fit the bill nicely but I need to polish it up, restring, and make a small neck tweak.
As Christian Miller suggest, a 335/345/355 might be a good option. I have an Edwards ESP E-SA series that makes a great player but the neck is slightly thicker than you might prefer. Gibson made an ES-333 that came standard with the slim taper neck which I think you would like quite a lot. Some of the other ES type guitars can also be had with a slim taper I believe, you just have to look around. You do get better high fret access if that is critical to your style it would make good sense if it will be a main player. The single cuts get pretty tough past the G position on the 15th fret.
Best of fortune with the search, that's the fun part so enjoy it. The dues paying starts when UPS drops it off on your doorstep!
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Keep in mind that he wants a 25" scale, that leaves out a lot of the Gibson style laminates.
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Used Fender D'Aquisto Elite. Neck on the slim side, just a neck pickup. Very high-quality construction, excellent jazz guitar no matter the price in my opinion. Non-structural finish checking appears to be somewhat standard on these, but in no way affects playability. There's a blonde on reverb.com right now for $1850 shipped and the seller (no affiliation, I have one but not currently selling) is taking offers.
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Actually the original post says not longer than 25" so 24 3/4 fits that.
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these look good to me ....
commins gcs 16-1 or 16-2
are 25” scale
GCS-16-2 | Comins Guitars
I play an Ibanez 24.75 scale
archtop , which I do like
for your money you could get
a new Ibanez AF2000 which seem very lovely
Players on here seem to
dig them (and the earlier
similar AF200 too)
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Eastman outperforms in its category. be sure to take a look
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Originally Posted by pingu
I have the Comins 16-1 and love it. They've been selling so good, Bill rased the price $200! Still one of the best bang for the money. Bill goes over every guitar for the final setup and fret dressing. Mine is the picture used for my avitar.
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If you want the sound of a hollow archtop guitar, you're not going to get that from a thinline model along the lines of a Gibson 335.
What you are describing in your original post is a Gibson ES175. I would recommend searches on good quality but less expensive alternatives as this has been a topic kept current and relevant by the continuing rise in price for the Gibson. Or, and what I would recommend, is you can bite the bullet on a Gibson (be patient.. lots of price swings and quality choices) as you'll likely not lose much if any if you choose to resale it.
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After briefly reading the OP: 3k smackeroonies = Ibanez Pat Metheny made in Japan. No brainer, at least pour moi.
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some nice jazz guitars at Guitars N' Jazz
Peerless Cremona 16 or 17in always sound really good and in your price range...Peerless Guitars | Guitars 'n Jazz
D'angelico EXL 1 are also very nice sounding D'Angelico EXL-1DP Archtop Guitar | Guitars 'n Jazz
some thinlines are also avail..
Eatsmans as suggested excellent choice also Eastman Archtop Guitars | Guitars 'n Jazz
as are the Ibanez Japan made .....
S
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Definately an Eastman. A AR 503 or AR 580.
These tick all your boxes
25 inch scale, only one pickup, necks on all Eastman I tried /have are great, kind of standard in size (no to thin nor thick) and very comfortable
Eastman’s are damn impressive in quality, playability, and for the sound have their own thing going (clear and precise) but nonetheless excellent.
under 2k new, you just can’t go wrong. Unbeatable in my opinion
Good luck in your searchLast edited by Jx30510; 12-25-2022 at 04:03 AM.
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Very much appreciate the help! I will be going through all the suggestions.
Regarding the scale length - not longer than 25" is what I meant.
I have already eyed the Fender D'Aquisto Elite, which looks really nice. Definitely on the list!Last edited by tnipe; 12-24-2022 at 07:02 AM.
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I also immediately thought Gibson es175 as I read the original post. Still do.
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The prices for a used ES-175 (regardless of it's vintage) have risen a LOT in the past 2 years, internationally so. I recently picked up a 1983 Ibanez FG100, having looked for a 175 for months before that and I'm glad I didn't jump on one - this FG100 was clearly modeled after a 175 and performs just flawlessly for a fraction of the price. It's also built lighter than most of the 70's/80's Gibsons.
1986 Ibanez FG100 Hollowbody Made in Japan Excellent | Reverb
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