WTB: Good jazz box

smigeon

I have a bit of cash burning a hole and would like a good jazz box. I'm thinking probably a Gibson - maybe an ES-175 (a 'vintage' one ideally - I tried one from 2010 the other day and it was frankly poor) - or even an L5.

Any takers?

ESchap

PM sent

smigeon

Replied...

jellyroll

PM'd

smigeon

@ESchap - replied again...

Jalapeno

If that ^^^^ doesn't work out, look at Eastman, Peerless, Ibanez Artcore archtops.

I went to NYC for my 50th with the intention of blagging a s/h ES175, ended up getting a Roger Sadowsky Jim Hall Special.

smigeon

Yes, archtops are a whole 'nother world, aren't they? I first felt drawn when I started playing more harmony-focused and jazzy music on my 335. I had a thought that an ES-175 might be good for this and played a couple that I really liked - I was initially surprised that they could actually be light and resonant rather than heavy and dark as I think I'd unconsciously assumed. And one that I played I really liked - so expressive. But after I started thinking more seriously about getting one, I have played (what I thought were) some very poor ones as well - a horrible modern one from 2010 and a sixties one with a laughably thin neck. Probably typical Gibson variety, eh? But the previous ones I liked kept me hankering after one. Did you get disillusioned with the 175s you tried on your NY trip? Or did the Sadowsky come at you as a surprise and trump them? I'm sure I know almost nothing about archtops, but my feeling is that an ES-175 seems a good place to start.

ArchtopDave

Heritage make some nice Archtops - the equivalent to a 175 is a Heritage 575. I bought one secondhand for very reasonable money.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_7Gj1tGYVk/T8zhNx6GiTI/AAAAAAAAA0U/KnsxyrzqMNU/s800/DSC_1064.jpg

ToneControl

I was going to buy a 175, until I tried one.  A neck like a baseball bat, and didn't feel right for me

When I realised that Pat Metheny gave up playing his 175, and has since then only played an Ibanez Pm120 or Pm100, I thought.... I don't normally buy signature guitars but.. he's played them as his main instrument for at least 25 years I think

I got a PM120, it is excellent, and I have never been much interested in a 175 since

smigeon

ArchtopDave said:

Heritage make some nice Archtops - the equivalent to a 175 is a Heritage 575. I bought one secondhand for very reasonable money.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_7Gj1tGYVk/T8zhNx6GiTI/AAAAAAAAA0U/KnsxyrzqMNU/s800/DSC_1064.jpg

That's certainly a beauty!

streethawk

A bit of cash!?

>:D<

ToneControl

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Pat-Metheny-Series-Electric-Guitar-PM120-NT-RARE-/171300709930?pt=Gitarren&hash=item27e251662a

Jalapeno

Those Heritage H575s are lovely - carved top rather than laminated

GuyBoden

If you're a new Jazz player, an inexpensive used Ibanez Artcore or the Ibanez Joe Pass will be fine. If you want a high quality Jazz box, buy my 1949 L4C or Benedetto Guild for £4000.

ToneControl

saw a Joe pass JP20 at sounds great for £750 odd, sold a while back

GuyBoden

Alternatively, try playing a new Epiphone Joe Pass in a shop, they're less expensive, but still good guitars for the money.

I'm only recommending Guitars that I've owned or played extensively.

equalsql

The new Aria range of D'Aquisto are nice

Jalapeno

For what they are, they are very expensive. Nice though.

A new Aria D'Aquisto costs over £2k, in comparison a new Benedetto Bravo (from Bob direct) is £3k ($4.5k) - these D'Aquistos are a lot of money for a handmade Chinese copy.

I have a Wayne's World "One Day it WILL be mine. Oh yes ! It will be mine" fixation about getting an original D'Aquisto - mainly the dream involves winning the lottery or kidney donation !