jazz

[Praetorian]

I haven't heard this talked about yet. What would you guys recommend as a jazz guitar? I've been looking at everything, from Gibson to Ibanez to Gretsch, and I just don't really know. I've always liked Gibson jazz guitars but I really like the Gretsch White Falcon and I even like the Ibanez AK85, the one with the wooden bridge. I just want something that will give that fat jazzy punch and look cool at the same time. Let's hear it!

[jim777]

Wow, how much are you looking to spend? There are hundreds of guitars that fit the jazz bill. You should also check out rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz for their insights, as they live and breathe it.

For what it's worth, I have a 70's Ibanez archtop and a tele-like RG580 I use for jazz boxes. The most important aspect of getting the jazz sound down isn't the instrument though, it's the lessons. Consider not buying a guitar at all and spending your money on a jazz teacher instead; it's a far better investment. (And you can always just set your tone knob to 1 anyway )

jim

[sitting duck]

I recently got an Ibanez Ak85 and LOVE it. I had some struggles getting used to it at first because it is just so different from the solid bodies that I play regularly. But now that I've spent some time with her, she's a keeper! For that price range it can't be beat.

For a little more I think that the Epiphone hollow bodies are nice - the Joe Pass models that I played were very good.

Got more cash to spend? The Hofners are exceptional as are the new reissue D'Angelico New Yorkers. I've played both and they are fabulous. My dream jazz box has to be the Gibson L5 though. Ridiculously expensive but so gorgeous.........

[hobz]

I have an Ibanez RG1077XL. It is a rock guitar, but I can play Jazz with it better than with any Gibson I know of. It all depends on what works best for you and what you are comfortable with.

[Two hands31]

Soloway?

[Praetorian]

well, Jim has a point of course, you should learn to play jazz before getting a jazz guitar! Lol. But really, I was just looking for a guitar to get the jazz kind of sound, not necessarily the actual playing skills that jazz guitarists have. I mean, being like George Benson, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, or Stanley Jordan is just like trying to be like Steve Vai. It's like a specialty area, and I must say, I bet some of the best jazz guitarists are just as fast as (and better sounding than) Vai himself. They're all absolute masters of their instrument, and it takes a lot of chops to play real jazz. Try playing some old Django Reinhardt...even the more basic ones are freaking hard. If you ever get ahold of his song called, "Paris Blues" (a universal jazz song for many instruments), you would be absolutely amazed at how well he handles his electric guitar, and we're talking one the size of an acoustic and a half with only three fingers. That guys was great. But like I said before, I'm just looking for the overall sound I can get from a jazz box. So the AK85 is a nice guitar, huh? Because I was looking for an old school-looking archtop like it, and it looks as though it may be a good candidate. Either than or I'd like to check out one of the Gretsch Electromatics because those are all old school jazz guitars. all very helpful stuff.

[Praetorian]

speaking of George Benson and John Scofield, how are their signature models, anyone try them? I'd sure like to check both of them out.

[GuitarPlayerShaun]

Ibanez John Scofield model, RULES!

[babahi]

I have the Pat Metheny PM120 which plays and sounds like a dream. I also played the George Benson model a lot, but found it a bit too robust for my taste.

[The Eristic]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

and we're talking one the size of an acoustic and a half with only three fingers.

Two and 1/3...

The Artcores are fairly impressive for the money, I must say.

Gretsches are fantastic, but I'm not too impressed with the modern Gibsons. They cost waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much for the quality you get, compared to what you could have built for the same money. Try www.victorbaker.com or www.laguitarfactory.com (soon to be www.lehtelaguitarcraft.com) for phenomenal custom guitars in the range of most of Gibson's entry solid wood archtops. Oh! The Epi Elitist Broadway is worth a look, too!

[ScottB]

I've been drooling over the Gibson Johnny A. signature model since i saw him playing at a show earlier this year. The only thing stopping me from buying one of these beauties is about $3500. If you haven't heard him, you're missing some great music.

[sitting duck]

[quote="ScreamJem7"]I've been drooling over the Gibson Johnny A. signature model since i saw him playing at a show earlier this year. The only thing stopping me from buying one of these beauties is about $3500. If you haven't heard him, you're missing some great music.

I'll second this on both the guitar and Johnny A.'s music. Incredible stuff.