Suggestions for Jazz Guitar - visuals are important

**lumena** · 08-14-2023, 02:34 PM

I am kinda being forced back in to using a 17" guitar for playing certain places. It's becoming more of a performance thing, it looks the right way for the crowd I am trying to cater to.

here is the question.

What I really would like is something that looks very nice and sounds good.
Kinda hate poly finishes. I mostly play my es330 for everything non-rock but for the sake of onstage, we are trying to put a different vibe there.

Not looking for 1 3/4 neck, 1 11/16 is best.
17" body - P90 or Humbucker ---probably best if the pickup is not a floater so set pickup. Cutaway is good.

Ideally I would think something like an es350 would be nice.
They are flatly too expensive to drag around - so in the lower cost range what is out there.
(Used Archtop Tribute es350 would be a great choice but can't seem to find one and Walkin is out, I wrote them and they said fall '24. If you have an Archtop Tribute 350 pm me.)

Any suggestions would be great. Ideally 2k-3K. Pretty much ready to buy so...

**Gitterbug** · 08-14-2023, 03:01 PM

A Tal Farlow is a looker to those who don't think it's corny. But it's above your price range. The new Epi Broadway reissue?

**lumena** · 08-14-2023, 03:17 PM

The Tal is good but like you said a bit high. No poly, so epiphone is not good. thanks.

**skiboyny** · 08-14-2023, 03:22 PM

Maybe a peerless cremona or leela?

**ThatRhythmMan** · 08-14-2023, 03:33 PM

I have this on consignment for a friend.

2023 Kingsnake Two Bone Archtop Electric Guitar (ES-350, ES-5) - Made in Japan | thatrhythmman

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**lumena** · 08-14-2023, 04:08 PM

both are poly

**wintermoon** · 08-14-2023, 04:25 PM

This is in the for sale section of the forum, price reduced to $3200
no affiliation of course

[For Sale] Guild X-700 in Blonde (1993-1994)...... (jazzguitar.be)

**JazzNote** · 08-14-2023, 04:29 PM

the Vestax built d'Angelico New Yorkers are great guitars ..... and in your price range!

**DawgBone** · 08-14-2023, 05:08 PM

Sounds like you are looking for a workhorse so I wouldn't rule out poly finishes. They are actually really good these days and some tough.

I would also second wintermoons suggestion of that Guild x700.

**gitman** · 08-14-2023, 05:46 PM

If your dislike against poly finishes is that strong then you'll very probably have to jack up your budget - finding a playable and adequate guitar with a nitro finish like you are describing it will be difficult and require patience, luck and more luck. But reading that you need it for use on stage (and optics being the major issue) then maybe you could still settle for an Epi Emperor and save a bundle of green .... the crowd surely wouldn't notice the ever so slightly difference in the finish of the guitar !

**lumena** · 08-14-2023, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by gitman

If your dislike against poly finishes is that strong then you'll very probably have to jack up your budget - finding a playable and adequate guitar with a nitro finish like you are describing it will be difficult and require patience, luck and more luck. But reading that you need it for use on stage (and optics being the major issue) then maybe you could still settle for an Epi Emperor and save a bundle of green .... the crowd surely wouldn't notice the ever so slightly difference in the finish of the guitar !

Yeah I guess, but I will still have to touch that poly and I do not like it.
I checked on the Guild and it's close but not quite it. Nice guitar but not the one.

**Cunamara** · 08-14-2023, 07:09 PM

I think you may have painted yourself in a corner here between the price range and the lack of poly. I've played guitars with a nitro finish and guitars with a poly finish and some of them, quite frankly, could not be told apart by look or feel.

Personally, I would keep playing the guitar I like. People who are listening with their eyes instead of their ears can just get over it. Point them to some Grant Green or some Emily Remler for examples of great tone with a thinline semi.

Heck, one of my favorite guitars for playing jazz is a Strat! That would really make their eyeballs fall out of their heads.

**wintermoon** · 08-14-2023, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by lumena

Yeah I guess, but I will still have to touch that poly and I do not like it.
I checked on the Guild and it's close but not quite it. Nice guitar but not the one.

What exactly does "it" constitute so people can filter those "not it" out

**lumena** · 08-14-2023, 07:21 PM

Hey Wintermoon.
so ideally, 17" nitro single pickup - set pickup. P90 or Gibson Humbucker. I think the guild is a nice guitar but not the one for me. It doesn't have to be an old guitar, this guitar is not for a collection. I would get an Eastman as I know they are available like that but I really don't want a 1 3/4 neck. Gibson scale is best for me.
I hope that is clearer. Sorry if my wishes are not in line with everyone else's. I know that there are people on the board who have different likes. The people I am playing with right now are dressing up and making it look like a certain type of Show. Without offense but they are not wanting to have a strat on stage for this.
I don't want to be divisive. I just posted to see if someone had what I am looking for.

**wintermoon** · 08-14-2023, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by lumena

Hey Wintermoon.
so ideally, 17" nitro single pickup - set pickup. P90 or Gibson Humbucker. I think the guild is a nice guitar but not the one for me. It doesn't have to be an old guitar, this guitar is not for a collection. I would get an Eastman as I know they are available like that but I really don't want a 1 3/4 neck. Gibson scale is best for me.
I hope that is clearer. Sorry if my wishes are not in line with everyone else's. I know that there are people on the board who have different likes. The people I am playing with right now are dressing up and making it look like a certain type of Show. Without offense but they are not wanting to have a strat on stage for this.
I don't want to be divisive. I just posted to see if someone had what I am looking for.

No divisiveness detected, and no offense on the Guild, it's not mine anyway. Just trying to weed out non candidates. That's a little clearer, I had a couple other twin pu guitars in mind but in a nitro finish it's limiting options even more in that price range.
best of luck in the search....

**omphalopsychos** · 08-14-2023, 07:58 PM

Does your audience have any requirements about cutaways?

If you can live without a cutaway get a 50s es 150. It'll sound about the same as an es 350 at half the cost.

**Stringswinger** · 08-14-2023, 08:22 PM

The guitar that meets all of your needs in your price range is a Heritage H-550. 17 inch cutaway archtop with a nitro finish and a 1 11/16 nut. Two built in Humbuckers and a 25.5 scale.

I know a guitar dealer here in San Francisco that just acquired one in a trade. PM me for his contact info.

**Woody Sound** · 08-14-2023, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

A Tal Farlow is a looker to those who don't think it's corny.

But the inlays are upside down!

**Jimmy blue note** · 08-15-2023, 06:37 AM

Eastman doesn't use poly and it looks like a classic violin finish. In your budget. There are many models. Old style. Sounds great. High quality and fit.
Why not Eastman? For that budget, you can get quite a bit, even within the price range where you can get a custom built that has the body specs of an old American classic.

**John A.** · 08-15-2023, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note

Eastman doesn't use poly and it looks like a classic violin finish. In your budget. There are many models. Old style. Sounds great. High quality and fit.
Why not Eastman? For that budget, you can get quite a bit, even within the price range where you can get a custom built that has the body specs of an old American classic.

Eastman switched finishes on most of their guitars from nitro to what the call “TrueTone", which is a catalyzed polyurethane, in 2021. Their only current production 17” set pickup guitar (ar810ce) has this finish. So probably best for the OP to look at used ones and pay attention to the year.

FWIW, my Eastman flattop has the Trutone finish. I can’t find anything wrong with it. Feels the same as my nitro guitar to me.

**skiboyny** · 08-15-2023, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by lumena

both are poly

Sorry, just another example of seeing things thru my own eyes. The type of finished used just wouldn't be a show stopper for me. We are all different.

**Jimmy blue note** · 08-15-2023, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by John A.

Eastman switched finishes on most of their guitars from nitro to what the call “TrueTone", which is a catalyzed polyurethane, in 2021. Their only current production 17” set pickup guitar (ar810ce) has this finish. So probably best for the OP to look at used ones and pay attention to the year.

FWIW, my Eastman flattop has the Trutone finish. I can’t find anything wrong with it. Feels the same as my nitro guitar to me.

Yeah I've used some poly finishes that I really like. It changed my opinions about the poly vs lacquer argument. I was surprised with the look and feel. But maybe the OP has a more discerning eye and it's his eye that's doing the beholding.
Oh well.
I like your advice about the used market.

**v281** · 08-15-2023, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

The guitar that meets all of your needs in your price range is a Heritage H-550. 17 inch cutaway archtop with a nitro finish and a 1 11/16 nut. Two built in Humbuckers and a 25.5 scale.

Came here to say that. First thing that came to mind when I read lumena’s description/list of requirements. I have one and it’s not for sale.
There is one listed on Reverb, however, that may be worth consideration (no affiliation):
Heritage H550 1996 Amber | Reverb

**John A.** · 08-15-2023, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy blue note

Yeah I've used some poly finishes that I really like. It changed my opinions about the poly vs lacquer argument. I was surprised with the look and feel. But maybe the OP has a more discerning eye and it's his eye that's doing the beholding.
Oh well.
I like your advice about the used market.

I’m happily undiscerning about this particular aspect of guitars. I have enough things to obsess about already. Heaven forfend I should add to that and thereby cut myself off from the guitars I can actually afford.