Its a mugs game, after years of playing different guitars i think your tone is in the fingers (right hand and left hand), technique, the amp, then the guitar
I'm primarily a solid body player, and over the decades I've owned several '70s vintage guitars. They sounded good, but (being late '70s Strats & Les Pauls) they were really heavy, and some were sloppily built. I now have just one electric 6 left. It's a 2010 US Standard Strat that I bought 11 years ago for about £500, and it's a really good one. One piece maple neck, two piece ash body. It weighs a hair under 7lb (3Kg), is really resonant, and it stays in tune perfectly. I've always preferred the look and feel of Fenders, but the sound of humbuckers, so I just put two humbuckers into this Strat (Seymour Duncan Little '59s), and it's the lightest, best sounding solid body I've ever played. I'm not much of a jazz player as such, but I like that warm, jazzy tone, and my 2010 Strat has that in spades.
I love vintage guitars, I have a 1967 ES 330 and a 70s 175. These guitars have so much soul and vibe . It makes the gigging experience so much fun. (my guitars are insured for gigging )
I own over 300 guitars from budget to vintage. The guitars that get the most play are the budget instruments. I own Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, D'Angelico's, Cortz, Gretsch, Ramirez, Epiphones, Squire, just to name a few. I have a 1949 L48 all original. I owned a Gibson L5 and did not care for the feel of the guitar so I sold it. The guitars I play the most are my Squire's and Ibanez models. But then again it depends on my mood which is the determining factor. Whether a guitar is worth it or not is purely subjective. What may be worth it to me, might not be worth it to someone else. Do I take my expensive guitars to gigs, NO! Absolutely NOT! They are enjoyed at home, usually with a nice glass of wine. LOL
Hi Jamie, Lots of really good points raised. I particularly liked your point of jazz gigs not being high-paying, and considering the risk of taking an expensive instrument to the gig. As musicians, we don’t always think along those lines. Cheers.
Totally agree with you about solid guitars. For "intermediate" archtops, I own a Korean Peerless Monarch which I love. In terms of playability, neck and tuning stability, fit and finish, it blows away the "budget" Epi Joe Pass I have and find it well worth the extra bucks (got a new one for about $1100). For semis, "intermediate" Ibanez models I found to also be worth the extra money. Not impressed with budget Ibanez archtops and semis.
I think it's easy to be blinded by the term _vintage_ . I agree that an older guitar, even one bearing the Gibson or Fender name, doesn't necessarily translate to great sound or an instrument that meets individual needs. A great player will sound great on a budget guitar, but he/she will notice the differences in workmanship details and maybe feel as if they're fighting with a cheap guitar. Thought budget guitars today are much more playable than those of earlier decades, we begin to notice their shortcomings as we improve. I still have my Godin Fifth Avenue, which I got simply because it was an affordable hollow body archtop, but I haven't touched it in years. The majority of my guitars are high end, but none are vintage, and I'm very happy with them. I have pretty much all the pickup and body types represented. As someone who primarily plays acoustic archtop, I'm probably most pleased with my intermediate-priced Loar 700, which has the authentic '30s sound. I've kicked around the idea of looking for a vintage acoustic L-5, but I'm to the point where I think I'd be happier with a new custom-made that has all the features I want.
I’d vote for Guild. I own a A150 Savoy Archtop and love it. Solid top and a great pickup. I just can’t see the benefit of the cost of a vintage big name. I’d rather spend the money on a tube amp or a Gypsy Jazz guitar!
For archtops I have a MIK D'Angelico Excel EX-1, a MIJ D'Aquisto New Yorker DQ-NYE and a 2005 Eastman 810CE. All are really excellent jazz guitars. And I was lucky I got them all used for about GBP 750 each.
Really good advice. So true about how much individual examples of the same model vary. My solid body keeper ended up being a Sire T3 (which I've modded a bit), having tried so many T style guitars up to around £800. Another factor which can make a huge difference is how well set up the guitar is. A guitar set-up (including fret level) by someone who really knows what they're doing makes such a big difference.
Sensible stuff. The one thing I would add is the fact that a higher end or vintage guitar will generally be easier to sell or trade if it comes to that.
Picked up a Godin Composer second hand and absolutely love it. Also get some very acceptable playability and tone from one of the newer Epiphone Sheratons. Cracking video by the way.
I bought an American Standard Fender Telecaster, having previously owned cheaper but reasonable guitars, and I really saw a difference in sound, and overall build quality. For me its the perfect guitar and I don't feel I need another guitar other than an acoustic. It's great, and I'm glad I invested in it, but I'm sure a Squire tele would also be really good.
Imo what you get with older instruments is a character. With newer instruments it feels like there’s less personality, but in fact they may be better instruments in every other sense. I enjoy both. But I’ve not found guitars that do what Gibsons do sonically. Again Ibanezes and so on might be better made guitars but they are not the same. Eastmans always seem a bit woolly sounding to me on stage. There’s a lot of bass on those guitars.
The problem I have is that where I live Leeds uk there are only two guitar shops.It’s impossible to try a wide range of instruments due to limited stock.
This is timely for me as I’m in the market for an arch top as a personal reward for completing a major project. The funny thing is, I was thinking $700-$1000 was expensive!! 😂
Thanks for sharing your advice. I'm hoping to purchase my first archtop this coming year. I've been playing a nice semi (Comins GCS-1es) for the past 4-5years, which falls close to the line between mid-range and upper priced guitars. Not planning on getting a vintage, possibly a new Eastman. Did you bond with your Eastman pisano?
I’ve heard great things about Comins and would love to try one! The Pisano was a great guitar, but the nut width was similar to that of an acoustic which I didn’t like. I currently have an Ibanez 2355 for sale though which is a great guitar.
Its a mugs game, after years of playing different guitars i think your tone is in the fingers (right hand and left hand), technique, the amp, then the guitar
I'm primarily a solid body player, and over the decades I've owned several '70s vintage guitars. They sounded good, but (being late '70s Strats & Les Pauls) they were really heavy, and some were sloppily built. I now have just one electric 6 left. It's a 2010 US Standard Strat that I bought 11 years ago for about £500, and it's a really good one. One piece maple neck, two piece ash body. It weighs a hair under 7lb (3Kg), is really resonant, and it stays in tune perfectly. I've always preferred the look and feel of Fenders, but the sound of humbuckers, so I just put two humbuckers into this Strat (Seymour Duncan Little '59s), and it's the lightest, best sounding solid body I've ever played. I'm not much of a jazz player as such, but I like that warm, jazzy tone, and my 2010 Strat has that in spades.
very happy with my Comins in the intermediate range.
I love vintage guitars, I have a 1967 ES 330 and a 70s 175. These guitars have so much soul and vibe . It makes the gigging experience so much fun. (my guitars are insured for gigging )
I own over 300 guitars from budget to vintage. The guitars that get the most play are the budget instruments. I own Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, D'Angelico's, Cortz, Gretsch, Ramirez, Epiphones, Squire, just to name a few. I have a 1949 L48 all original. I owned a Gibson L5 and did not care for the feel of the guitar so I sold it. The guitars I play the most are my Squire's and Ibanez models. But then again it depends on my mood which is the determining factor. Whether a guitar is worth it or not is purely subjective. What may be worth it to me, might not be worth it to someone else. Do I take my expensive guitars to gigs, NO! Absolutely NOT! They are enjoyed at home, usually with a nice glass of wine. LOL
Hi Jamie,
Lots of really good points raised. I particularly liked your point of jazz gigs not being high-paying, and considering the risk of taking an expensive instrument to the gig.
As musicians, we don’t always think along those lines.
Cheers.
Totally agree with you about solid guitars. For "intermediate" archtops, I own a Korean Peerless Monarch which I love. In terms of playability, neck and tuning stability, fit and finish, it blows away the "budget" Epi Joe Pass I have and find it well worth the extra bucks (got a new one for about $1100). For semis, "intermediate" Ibanez models I found to also be worth the extra money. Not impressed with budget Ibanez archtops and semis.
I think it's easy to be blinded by the term _vintage_ . I agree that an older guitar, even one bearing the Gibson or Fender name, doesn't necessarily translate to great sound or an instrument that meets individual needs.
A great player will sound great on a budget guitar, but he/she will notice the differences in workmanship details and maybe feel as if they're fighting with a cheap guitar. Thought budget guitars today are much more playable than those of earlier decades, we begin to notice their shortcomings as we improve. I still have my Godin Fifth Avenue, which I got simply because it was an affordable hollow body archtop, but I haven't touched it in years.
The majority of my guitars are high end, but none are vintage, and I'm very happy with them. I have pretty much all the pickup and body types represented. As someone who primarily plays acoustic archtop, I'm probably most pleased with my intermediate-priced Loar 700, which has the authentic '30s sound. I've kicked around the idea of looking for a vintage acoustic L-5, but I'm to the point where I think I'd be happier with a new custom-made that has all the features I want.
I’d vote for Guild. I own a A150 Savoy Archtop and love it. Solid top and a great pickup. I just can’t see the benefit of the cost of a vintage big name. I’d rather spend the money on a tube amp or a Gypsy Jazz guitar!
For archtops I have a MIK D'Angelico Excel EX-1, a MIJ D'Aquisto New Yorker DQ-NYE and a 2005 Eastman 810CE. All are really excellent jazz guitars. And I was lucky I got them all used for about GBP 750 each.
Nice collection and even better at those prices!
You maybe right on the kingpin but Tony Bennets guitarist Iis very happy with the kingpin ii and sounds great on his concerts.
Really good advice. So true about how much individual examples of the same model vary. My solid body keeper ended up being a Sire T3 (which I've modded a bit), having tried so many T style guitars up to around £800. Another factor which can make a huge difference is how well set up the guitar is. A guitar set-up (including fret level) by someone who really knows what they're doing makes such a big difference.
I agree!
Sensible stuff. The one thing I would add is the fact that a higher end or vintage guitar will generally be easier to sell or trade if it comes to that.
Very true and a great point!
Picked up a Godin Composer second hand and absolutely love it. Also get some very acceptable playability and tone from one of the newer Epiphone Sheratons. Cracking video by the way.
Thank you congratulations!
I bought an American Standard Fender Telecaster, having previously owned cheaper but reasonable guitars, and I really saw a difference in sound, and overall build quality. For me its the perfect guitar and I don't feel I need another guitar other than an acoustic. It's great, and I'm glad I invested in it, but I'm sure a Squire tele would also be really good.
Yes, your Tele always sounds great in the submissions!
thanks Jamie! @@jamieholroydguitar
In a parallel universe, a great guitar would pick out a vintage guitarist. Hmmm, I wonder what I was chosen by!! 😎
Very thoughtful and useful for those looking for a new instrument which I am so your vid came just at the right time, bless!
No problem!
Imo what you get with older instruments is a character. With newer instruments it feels like there’s less personality, but in fact they may be better instruments in every other sense. I enjoy both. But I’ve not found guitars that do what Gibsons do sonically. Again Ibanezes and so on might be better made guitars but they are not the same. Eastmans always seem a bit woolly sounding to me on stage. There’s a lot of bass on those guitars.
Very true! I can see your point about Eastmans they can sometimes sound a bit generic compared to a good Gibson.
@@jamieholroydguitar they always seem to have a really strong acoustic voice though. Even the laminates !
The problem I have is that where I live Leeds uk there are only two guitar shops.It’s impossible to try a wide range of instruments due to limited stock.
You should come down to the monthly Huddersfield Jazz Guitar night - lots of nice guitars there!!
@@jamieholroydguitar Thanks ,great playing enjoy your videos.
I have wasted so much money buying guitars over many years…I was happiest when I first started playing and just had one guitar.
Having several guitars can certainly detract from playing if you are not careful!
I think Gretsch guitars are also good and affordable options for jazz.
Yes, I really like the Gretsch pickups
I agree -- I have a Country Club and the Eddie Cochran G6120, and I love their sound for jazz. Very versatile guitars!
This is timely for me as I’m in the market for an arch top as a personal reward for completing a major project. The funny thing is, I was thinking $700-$1000 was expensive!! 😂
Unfortunately not the case nowadays. There are still a few good, well-made budgets archtops for under $1k... Godin and Ibanez come to mind. Good luck!
Check out the Eastman's
Thanks for sharing your advice. I'm hoping to purchase my first archtop this coming year. I've been playing a nice semi (Comins GCS-1es) for the past 4-5years, which falls close to the line between mid-range and upper priced guitars. Not planning on getting a vintage, possibly a new Eastman. Did you bond with your Eastman pisano?
I’ve heard great things about Comins and would love to try one! The Pisano was a great guitar, but the nut width was similar to that of an acoustic which I didn’t like. I currently have an Ibanez 2355 for sale though which is a great guitar.
scrappy guitars for gigging keep the nice ones in the stu
I hear you!
Fenders and Gibsons extremely overpriced!!