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cheap Jazz Box?

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- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 12:37 a.m. do not be afraid:

well, i'll try to keep this short: i've been wanting a Jazz guitar for a while, and i'm thinking now is about the right time. i'm not at all a serious Jazz player (well, not yet), and i couldn't really afford a “serious” Jazz guitar even if i was, so i'm looking for a decent entry-level Jazz box, and i'd like it to be good enough to grow with me for a little while should i decide to save up for a “real” Jazz guitar.

i'm looking for a guitar that looks and sounds real dark, warm, and rich, elegant without being stuffy, and can even get a bit nasty from time to time — just like the best Jazz! i can't say i have any real Jazz guitar idols, except for maybe Django (but i've already decided against getting a “Gyspy Jazz” guitar, so…) i'm leaning towards something that's almost more of an acoustic than an electric, like these:

but, those are both towards the high-end of my budget — i'm hoping for something in the $500-600 range (maybe even less, if i can get away with it!), and can't really spend more than $750, or so. these are probably more likely candidates:

gosh that's a lot of Epiphones! but, there's not really a huge amount of selection out there…

so, has anyone out there played any of these? or anything else they think might fit the bill? or should i just get that SG, and start yet another Black Sabbath wanna-be Doom / Sludge / whatever band, like i was about to the last time i started a topic like this? or maybe i could do both with something like this:

or maybe not…

i've never been very good at making decisions!
- Rated: 38 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 12:49 a.m. bobbyrivera:

Check out S101. They make guitars for tons of companies. I bought one new on ebay ($300.00 shipped) to mod the crap out of and was amazed at how good the guitar actually is. It's definately a good canvas for me to play around with mods on. The p/u's sound OK, but for a couple bucks that you save from an Epi, you could slap in whatever p/u's you wanted and have your own "Custom" jazzbox for under $500.00. I won't vouch for S101's consistancy as this is only one I've ever played however. It does get good reviews but I usually don't trust Harmony Central.

s101 jazzbox
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 12:58 a.m. jaysmith:

this is a really nice jazz box. its one of the original versions too. if i was right handed, i'd jump on it.

agile cool cat
- Rated: 20 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 1:01 a.m. TwangOmatic:

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xpmjgZFSY
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 1:33 a.m. do not be afraid:

TwangOmatic:
check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xpmjgZFSY
well, i was about to complain that it was an acoustic, and i'm looking for an electric, but then i saw this: a P-90? well, that's just heaven right there!

jaysmith:
this is a really nice jazz box. its one of the original versions too. if i was right handed, i'd jump on it.
that doesn't look too bad, although it definitely has a bit of that Agile misshapenness that always turns me off, and i'm not quite ready to jump on anything yet…

bobbyrivera:
Check out S101. They make guitars for tons of companies. I bought one new on ebay ($300.00 shipped) to mod the crap out of and was amazed at how good the guitar actually is. It's definately a good canvas for me to play around with mods on. The p/u's sound OK, but for a couple bucks that you save from an Epi, you could slap in whatever p/u's you wanted and have your own "Custom" jazzbox for under $500.00. I won't vouch for S101's consistancy as this is only one I've ever played however. It does get good reviews but I usually don't trust Harmony Central.
i'll definitely look into them, but i'd like to make something clear: i'm really not looking for a platform for modifications! i just want something to play when i want a darker, richer, warmer, Jazzier, more acoustic, sound — sort of an anti-Tele, if you will…

actually, if i don't get a Jazz box, i'll probably be getting another Telecaster — i think i may be addicted! at least it's cheaper than Gretsch addiction…
- Rated: 20 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 1:48 a.m. TAG4:

What about a Gretsch G100? It's an acoustic archtop, but you could mount a DeArmond style floating pickup on it. I'm not sure if those are still made, but they're probably on ebay from time to time. A G100 is $599 at Muscician's Friend.

TAG4
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 1:50 a.m. do not be afraid:

is anybody actually selling the Godin with the P-90?! i can't find one anywhere!

edit:
TAG4:

What about a Gretsch G100? It's an acoustic archtop, but you could mount a DeArmond style floating pickup on it. I'm not sure if those are still made, but they're probably on ebay from time to time. A G100 is $599 at Muscician's Friend.
i'm definitely considering the G100CE (it was in my first post!), which is basically a G100 with electronics already added on. of course, i could buy one without electronics and install whatever kind i'd want, but, again, i'm not really looking for something to modify.
- Rated: 16 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 5:24 a.m. Gigatron:

Check out Yamaha and Ibanez guitars. I have a Yamaha AES 620, not a jazz guitar, but very well-made. A friend of mine has an Ibanez jazz guitar, and it gets a good sound. Check out some clips on his website:

http://www.samosalamon.com/
- Rated: 45 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 5:41 a.m. Tsar Nicholas :

I'd have thought the Godin 5th Avenue would be right up your alley. I think it looks great for the money.
- Rated: 38 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 6:10 a.m. bobbyrivera:

Gigatron- The Ibanez that guy's playing is a George Benson model (the GB10 I think, but they make a single pickup version also). That particular guitar is about $2600.00.
- Rated: 20 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 6:45 a.m. Mark G:

I saw the new Harmony jazz box yesterday. Looked very well done. Did not have time to play it. single pu, about $500.00 I think.
- Rated: 21 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 7:23 a.m. GentlBen:

I have an Epiphone Emperor Regent that I picked up at a pawn shop cheap because the pickup didn't work. I stripped off the pickguard, controls and floating pickup. Drilled and hacked and mounted 3 Gretsch DeArmond 2K's each with its own volume knob and no tone circuit. Finished it off with a Gibson bridge and Imperial tuners. I play everything from BB King to ZZ Topp on it and it attracts more attention than my Country Gent.
- Rated: 58 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 7:39 a.m. yettoblaster:

I've played Gretsch 5120 with Gretschbuckers on Jazz gigs. Perfect sound, and can get "nasty" when needed. Even has a Bigsby for when nasty meets weird in Jazz (think Johnny A, or Bill Frisell).

Won't feed back as much as the G100CE which, having had a G100 would be my second choice.

However, currently I'm using a Heritage H575 on jobs.

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearList.aspx?GS=Y&SF0=12&SD0=1&SF1=8...
- Rated: 41 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 9:10 a.m. dubkitty:

if you can find a good one, the Epi jazz boxes are keepers, but they're noticeably less consistent than their solid/semi-hollow guitars. i've played one--a Broadway--that i loved, and probably 10 that were "meh." which is to say that buying an archtop is more akin to buying an acoustic guitar in some ways.

I haven't played any of the hollow Ibanez or Yamahas, but they look like a logical possibility. Ibanez has a ton of different models as well, and experience in the field from doing, e.g., the Benson models. but there's something a tad plastic about them.

the Godin looks nice, but i'm a little dubious about the wood used for the top.

you'd be surprised at how jazzy an Epi Les Paul Custom can sound, especially on the neck PU.
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 10:59 a.m. do not be afraid:

Gigatron:
Check out Yamaha and Ibanez guitars. I have a Yamaha AES 620, not a jazz guitar, but very well-made.
Yamaha's hollowbodies are all over $1000 on Musician's Friend! i haven't been too impressed by the Ibanez Artcores i've played, and they always just look “wrong” to me somehow…

Tsar Nicholas:
I'd have thought the Godin 5th Avenue would be right up your alley. I think it looks great for the money.
oh, it definitely is! now, if i can actually find one (with the electronics, that is)… i love P-90s!

Mark G:
I saw the new Harmony jazz box yesterday. Looked very well done. Did not have time to play it. single pu, about $500.00 I think.
you mean this one?

that looks real nice to me, but, again, where can i find one? that seems like it's going to be the problem with a lot of the non-obvious choices!

GentlBen:
I have an Epiphone Emperor Regent that I picked up at a pawn shop cheap because the pickup didn't work. I stripped off the pickguard, controls and floating pickup. Drilled and hacked and mounted 3 Gretsch DeArmond 2K's each with its own volume knob and no tone circuit. Finished it off with a Gibson bridge and Imperial tuners. I play everything from BB King to ZZ Topp on it and it attracts more attention than my Country Gent.
that's because it's got Dyna'Sonics! or, close enough! it sounds look a cool project, but, again, i'm looking for a guitar, not a project.

yettoblaster:
I've played Gretsch 5120 with Gretschbuckers on Jazz gigs. Perfect sound, and can get "nasty" when needed. Even has a Bigsby for when nasty meets weird in Jazz (think Johnny A, or Bill Frisell).
i've considered the 5120, but, in the end i decided it didn't give off enough Jazz “mojo”, and, more importantly, was “too electric.” i mean, i think at least part of this Jazz guitar GAS is a yearning to get back to a more acoustic look/sound/feel, but still be able to play it through an amp, use effects, etc, and, basically, have an electric guitar!

i've never been all that impressed by what i've heard of Johnny A, but i like a lot of Bill Frissell's work; in a way he kind of reminds me of me, actually — i'm not anywhere near his league as a player, and we don't even really sound all that similar, but we both like to draw on the whole range of American musical traditions (and maybe even a few foreign ones!), and we both tend to almost craft soundscapes more than write songs, and during some of Bill Frisell's darker and twangier moments we don't sound all that dissimilar either!
- Rated: 30 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 11:05 a.m. JazzBoxJunky:

I have one of THESE and while it's not super acoustic, it's cheap and built pretty well, I use it mostly on outdoor gigs.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 12:38 p.m. DeArmond:

Did anyone mention this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Guitar-Hollow-Body-New-Douglas-WNO-630-BR_W0QQitemZ32...
- Rated: 41 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 1:17 p.m. dubkitty:

that's the baby brother of the Agile Cool Cat.
- Rated: 25 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 2:10 p.m. Parabar:

The Epiphone jazzboxes are generally quite good --- I'd look for an older Korean one made in the Samick or Peerless factories (serial number beginning with S or R) over one of the newer Chinese-made ones. I'd also rate the Joe Pass Emperor II ahead of either the ES-175 reissue or the Zephyr Regent. All 3 have 16" wide bodies and 24.75" scale, but the JP has a richer tone and nicer construction, and having a bridge pickup available adds to its versatility --- it can to the nasty, snarly thing when you want it to. I've seen the same design guitar with plainer wood and simpler cosmetics branded as Hohner for a few bucks less, too.

If you like the 17" width and 25.5" scale, either the Epi Broadway or Emperor Regent would be a fine choice --- used ones show up regularly on eBay in your price range. You might also conside the Samick JZ-4 (single floating minibucker), JZ-2 (2 mounted humbuckers, rounded cutaway) or JZ-3 (mounted humbuckers, sharp cutaway). I've played several and all had very nice tone and action.

Washburn also makes (actually I believe they're also made by Samick) 2 inexpensive jazzboxes --- a 16" sharp cutaway and a 17" rounded cutaway --- that sound and play quite nicely.
- Rated: 212 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 2:28 p.m. Proteus:

A Gretsch Synchro or the Godin 5th Avenue.

Come on, man, you know you want that look. They're the right price, and they both give you too much for the money.

Don't submit to the Epiphone machine!
- Rated: 20 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 3:02 p.m. TwangOmatic:

Im totaly in agreement with Proteus on this one. Those 2 geetars are works of art and i would wager they sound equally impressive. My brother has a cherry top simon & patrick acoustic and the sound is to die for, warm yet very articulate. My brother tried many guitars before he got the S & P many of which were way out his price range and nothing came close to it. The P-90 is the icing on the cake. I hope you can find a place to play them both side by side.
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 3:36 p.m. do not be afraid:

Parabar:
I'd also rate the Joe Pass Emperor II ahead of either the ES-175 reissue or the Zephyr Regent. All 3 have 16" wide bodies and 24.75" scale, but the JP has a richer tone and nicer construction, and having a bridge pickup available adds to its versatility --- it can to the nasty, snarly thing when you want it to.
Parabar:

If you like the 17" width and 25.5" scale, either the Epi Broadway or Emperor Regent would be a fine choice --- used ones show up regularly on eBay in your price range.
yeah, i've pretty much taken the ES-175 off the table — i mean, if the 5120 is “too electric”, then so is the ES-175! and, besides, the idea of buying a “cheap” ES-175 doesn't really appeal to me (even if the other guitars are just as cheap, at least they're their own thing! well, mostly…)

the Zephyr Regent, though, is 25.5" scale (which i usually prefer, but, on a Jazz box? i honestly just don't know…), and it's got a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, etc, so it's still quite “acoustic-esque”, and i happen to prefer the look of the ES-175-style cutaway and tailpeice, so i'm not quite ready to take that off the table, even though the sight of that metal bridge still annoys me! i'm honestly not sure whether not having a bridge pickup is a good or a bad thing... hmm...

The Joe Pass Emperor is actually one of the few guitars brought up here that i've played, and, there's at least one thing i know i love about it: the neck! it's real comfortable, which i imagine is even more important in Jazz than usual (considering all the painful fingerings you have to pull off!) it's probably the ugliest of Epiphone's Jazz guitars, and certainly doesn't have the “coolness” of the Gretsch, but it's not too bad. i can't remember how it sounded at all, though, but i do remember thinking it sounded nice (well, in a muddy / Jazzy sort of way!)

i've also had a chance to play the Broadway and Zephyr Regent, and i really liked both of them too! i especially liked the Broadway, but a new one is a bit out of my price range (but, you're probably right that i could get one used!) i actually had a chance to A/B the Broadway with a Gibson Tal Farlow (not an exact comparison, i know, but it's the best i could do!), and i actually liked the Broadway better! more, uh, woody sounding (thanks to the spruce top?)

Proteus: A Gretsch Synchro or the Godin 5th Avenue.

Come on, man, you know you want that look. They're the right price, and they both give you too much for the money.

Don't submit to the Epiphone machine!
well, those are probably my top choices right now, and they're definitely the best looking (to my eyes, at least!), but, i don't know how they sound/play, and i don't even know where to get the Godin (Musician's Friend has the acoustic, but not the electric! maybe it isn't out yet? i don't know…) i also really like the looks of that Harmony…
- Rated: 9 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 3:40 p.m. Rock Lajoint:

Ooh baby! I do like that Godin 5th Ave a LOT. For quite some time the need has been upon me for a non-cutaway f-hole acoustic. That looks to be one that fits the bill exactly. It's at a good price in the UK too, substantially cheaper than a G100 and is apparently available to try in real stores.
- Rated: 10 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 3:55 p.m. Daddy-O:

any of the guitars that have been mentioned can make a great jazz box. Get the one that feels the best and try different strings and amp settings and you will come up with a nice sound. Yes pickups, bridges and tops all make a difference but the sound comes from you hands. I am a gearhead but the bottom line pratice. You have a Tele listen to Ed Bickert on You Tube he gets on of the best tones in the business. Good luck on your search for a jazz box
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 4:04 p.m. do not be afraid:

you mean just buying a new guitar won't turn me into the next Charlie Christian?

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