5 Best Jazz Archtops Under $1,000
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Many players and especially new jazz guitar students are always asking me to recommend a good "budget" archtop. In this video I review my 5 picks for best archtops under $1,000.
I have compiled this list as a result of my interaction with 100's of students at several music schools over the previous 10 years. So whether you're in the market for an entry level hollow body or want to consider adding one of these affordable beauties to your collection, here's a good opportunity to gather some collective info on them from real users!
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This guy is the bob ross of jazz guitar
He's what a love child of Bob Ross and Bob Marley would be like. Lol
@@1980bwc what?
When he's talking about the Loar, to me he has a bit of a George Carlin tone and vibe...
What does this post mean?
I know I'm 3 years late, but Richie is actually an influential Peruvian rock guitarist that turned to jazz. He's an interesting character for sure!
Epiphone Broadway, $799. Full size jazz box. 17" at the hips,
3 1/8 " depth. Laminate maple back & sides. Select spruce top. Maple neck, Pau Faro fret board and full size humbucker pickups. A great and affordable guitar.
How would you compare the Broadway to other Epiphone archtops or even something like their semi-hollows? I've had good experience with some of their products but haven't had a chance to try their Emperors, Uptowns, Sheratons, etc.
@@grawman67 I too have not had the chance to try other Epiphones. But if we are talking full size Jazz Boxes under $1000, I think the Broadway is a great guitar!
I recently bought a Godin 5th avenue kingpin with the p90 and am very happy with the acoustic and amplified sound as well. P90 is an extremely versitile choice in my opinion
I just purchased the Godin Kingpin in left hand. Beautiful guitar
Enjoyed your video. Can you do another video: 5 Best Jazz Archtops from $1,000 to $2,000?
I have a Gretsch Synchromatic that I upgraded the pickup to a Lollar Johnny Smith. It sounds amazing for a classic jazz tone and would fit in great with any of the guitars on this list.
Was the stock pickup good ?
Yes! I made the right choice buying the Godin. In addition, its a local company (I leave in Quebec) and I am more than happy to support them. And thanks to my local dealer who help me confirm that this is the guitar For me. All I need now is learn to play and understand how to make it sound good while using am amp!
I have a Korean Epiphone Regent sunburst that I got years ago for $500. I put a Bartolini Johnny Smith floating pickup to replace the factory one. It was like going from a VW to a Cadillac. The craftsmanship was there. Just needed a better pickup. I have a Guild X-50 Savoy, I got about twenty years ago I gave $1,200 for, but my main ax is the Epi. I play through a Polytone MIni Brute II. I sold my Joe Pass natural to a preacher who said the tone was great for gospel and country music. Thanks for the heads up on finding a nice jazz box for under a grand.
A refreshingly honest evaluation - certainly agree concerning the bang-for-buck qualities of Washburn and Epiphone Joe Pass models.
I have an Ibanez SJ300. I was lucky to get one of the last ones just before they were discontinued. Beautiful tone and playability. It was $1300 new. If you can get a used one, I highly recommend it.
Thanks!
That's one rare guitar, and they still hold a good amount of their value. I agree, great guitar!
I was at number nine and was wondering if Godin was going to make the list. I recently watched their factory tour. It's amazing a North American builder can produce a guitar that plays so well and doesn't cost a second mortgage. Great list!
Nice episode. I do believe you might have missed a great one. I just purchased a D'Angelico Premier for $900. It might not be your thing but I love it. I put some Chromes Flatwound 11's on it and it's like butter. I play it through a Bose L1 Compact System with no effects so its "naked" and really fun to jam with. Mine is the blonde model with a single floating minihumbucker. I also dig that the controls and the pickup are mounted to the pick guard and not in the body. Cheers!
The LH-350 is a good guitar undone by a crummy pickup. Personally, I like Telecasters for everything. With the right strings and amp you can get a jazz, country, or rock sound.
Most versatile guitar...ever.
I have the LH600. A really nice loud acoustic and no complaints here about build quality. Going to add my own floating pickup and guard.
Telecaster tone is really worth the money for tone ...with a set of flatwound strings the tone is great.
I preface what I'm about to say with the fact that I've never owned a Loar archtop myself. But from what I've read and what folks have told me, the issue is that the build quality is erratic. I've heard Loar LH-650s that sounded absolutely incredible, and some players have spoken of them in raves. But then others have written about them coming straight from the factory with fret issues, or neck issues that can't easily be fixed, etc. And if you're not buying in person, then it's a crapshoot as to which one you'll get.
I agree. I would have liked to have the list he mentions in the video when I started my search, but among those I tried, none have the acoustic sonority of Loar guitars, not even the Eastmans (at least the two models I tried). Of course the quality in the details is not good, but something must be given for a solid top at that price. Maybe we are lucky it has so criticized, I bought mine for 450 dollars! As you say, the pickpup is very basic, but the same goes for other guitars. I'm still trying to figure out what's the point of a hollow guitar that does not produce any acoustic sound and that depends exclusively on the pickup. In that sense, the quality and versatility offered by a solid body like Telecasters at such a low price is unrivaled.
1. Mary Osborne on her Gretch White Falcon ("A Girl & Her Guitar" LP) - Killer "Bright Jazzy" tone.
2. Really appreciate your explanation of Scale Length differences at 6:31- the best I've heard.
3. TYVM
I just wanted to drop a comment and tell you how informative and fun this video is. Your personality and presentation remind me of the laid back vibes of the best educational and even professional public access videos and shows.
As an experienced player, jazz is one genre I haven't dived much into and was intimidated by. But I've stumbled on such a great resource. Thank you for helping jazz become more accessible for people! I'm going to go to some stores and get a good idea of what I want out of an archtop, hollow body, and semi-hollow and really educate myself. Since these are a kind of instrument I have little experience with. Thanks again!!
Thanks, much appreciated!
@@RichieZellon You're welcome! Have a great day!
It is amazing that they can produce a guitar at these low prices as it is an expensive thing just to get a proper set-up - or a re-fret job done.
Made in china bud.....
Zal Moxis yes Zal, made in China, but still an amazing feat. I build guitars and can't compete. Having said that, I find their hardware often nasty, but easily swapped out. They are better than the cheap guitars of the 70s though. A guitar I owned, I swapped the humbuckers for Dimarzio paf's. I then de-soldered the metal casing to remove the coils and check them out, to find the "humbucker" was a fake. There was only one useless single coil under the cover. Good learning curve.
Which guitar are you referring to?
Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin 2HB, Ibanez Artcore AF71F, Ibanez AFC95, Washburn J3NK, Epiphone Joe Pass emperor.
Gretsch pickups are usually too bright for jazz tones. It's almost like a single-coil in a solid body guitar tone... It's possible to get some jazz sounds out of it, but it takes some adaptions and effort.
Ibanez has always made some really nice, playable instruments in all price ranges. They really do give alot of guitar for the $. Gibson messed up when they didn't make a Metheny signature ES 175. Ibanez stepped in and now I think PM only plays Ibanez. GB as well.
Thanks, Ritchie. These are the sort of "lessons" that are invaluable to players (even seasoned players that have just not really tried jazz, kind of want to, but don't want to sink a tonne of $ in before finding out if it is really their thing) especially the adult beginner, or parent of a musically sophisticated child, who is understandably at a loss as to just how to spending their $ and get something that is going to give back the motivation in sound/tone/, playability to them/progeny and even things like holding resale value etc. You must have had many a student who sought your advice in a lesson about the "next guitar to look at" when they were upgrading.
I started with an Epiphone "Joe Pass" Emperor II, still have it and will all too often grab it from the rack (rather than the "cased" Gibson) as the fingerboard is either one of those "I got a really good one" or they just make great necks, the sound is different but not ugly or going to stop me playing her if I'm walking past and the mood takes me as opposed to regular practice time work, and maybe there's still a bit of nostalgia there.
I am going to have to have a look at/play in a music store these Godins as I've never played one and though most of my "bread and butter" pedagogue work is Classical guitar and though I'll teach rock licks to a teenager (but I'll always be playing/practicing NON boring classical pieces every time s/he is due for their lesson - I've actually converted a few heretics over the years that way) even I've had that question about what is a good but reasonably priced jazz archtop instrument. I'll be showing or recommending that they view this video.
As always, a great, helpful and informative lesson. Cheers from DownUnder.
Thanks for taking the time to share!
Epiphone Broadway: It's an L5 essentially. Also EASTMAN guitars makes some excellent guitars for sub $1000 USD. Epiphone Emperor Regent is a VERY fun guitar that sounds good plugged in or not! You have to gbuy that one USED only as it's been OOP since 2012.
Love the epi emperor regents. Have a sunburst from from 1993 and a blonde from 98. Both still sound great and have had no upgrades. Acoustically strong instruments from that period I would agree. I am well over six foot tall with long arms and the larger/deeper guitar body is very comfortable for me to play. The neck profile in these two instruments are also nearly identical. I would not hesitate to suggest someone try them out as a good quality big ole jazz box!
i bought a few years ago a korean made guild x135 archtop, whith dearmond pick ups, for it´s price, has a amazingly pretty sound, ! i feel no need to change for a more expensive guitar!!
I just bought a Ibanez AFC Sunrise red single floating pickup jazz guitar and am really enjoying it. It sounds beautiful, and is the perfect mix of form & function for a jazz player and was on sale at Musicians friend for $833.00 (including a nice hard shell case)..
I just bought a Washburn j600 and it's a 24.5 inch scale. At least that's what it said. I'll be stoked if it's 25.5
I'm setting it up for slide blues anyway though so all good lol.
Received it a few days later. It is 25. And also a beautiful guitar in look and quality. Pretty sure they don't make em anymore so that's cool.
I have just bought an Ibanez AGS 73 FM Made in Indonesia NOT CHINA, for a trip from blues and spanish, into Jazz. Twin Humbuckers Flamed maple, looks great. Sounds /great, but I am learning. Anyway no thought of swapping yet. A lot of guitar for the Money
Hello from Sweden.many thanks för your presentation. When I hear what you say about the Godin Kingpin II I deeply regret that I did'nt buy that guitar for "miles" below the price you talked about. Kindly Christer
I know this particular guitar costs more than a $1000, but I would like your opinion on it. It's a D'Angelico EX-SS. That's what I'm using.
Epiphone 50th Ann 1962 Sorento is a good choice if you can find one. Gibby mini HBs sing nicely with right amp, has warm tone, plays very well with light flat wounds.
That Joe pass one has been $699 for the last 20 years
I went back and forth with the Joe Pass II Pro and the Ibanez AF105 and finally settled on the AF105. But both are pretty awesome guitars!
Thanks, very helpful info, explained the differences between the 24.75 & 25.5 scale length very well. Where does the Epiphone Broadway fit in your list?
Dave Kana very good question!
Thanks Dave...Great question! The Epiphone Broadway is a great guitar, I just couldn't fit it it into my list of 5. Personally, I think it is a step above the Joe Pass Emperor although the Emperor has always been a more popular budget choice among students than the Broadway, so I listed that one.
The Jazz Guitar Channel like a 2.5?
If I am not mistaken the Epiphone Broadway has also a 25.5. scale.
The Ibanez AF 95 FM VLS is also a great jazz guitar for $649. It has a 24 and 3/4 inch scale and an ebony fretboard gold-plated Hardware 2 super 58 pickups and can cover jazz blues and even some light rock. I have one and I was very impressed for the value versus the money spent
I’m thrilled with the Eastman ar 371.
Me, too. Mine was amazing.
I love my Ibanez AF85. The only upgrades I made - rosewood bridge with bone saddle , and Kent Armstrong humbucker in neck position.
Eastman 371 or 372 street priced 800-900 +/-. Has 1 3/4" nut plus lifetime warranty. Some new 'seconds' are just 500 - 600. My favorite guitar for teaching (has fret markers), practicing or gigs is the 371. It's nice acoustically and beats having old Gibsons, Guilds, etc. exposed to students, audiences, or elements.
Just recently bought an Eastman 371 on closeout at $700 with hard case. Hand built with one humbucker like an early ES175. Nice guitar, especially considering it is hand crafted. It is a laminate archtop.
Would love to see a 2000$ version of this vid
Have several Eastmans and love them. I have a small 15" lower bout one that's especially good.
Is the finish notably fragile? Ive read the finish just comes off is this true?
I really enjoyed the video. I am beginning to know the subject of Jazz guitars, I am a new student, but with 24 years of experience as a classical guitarist. I hope to be aware of the new videos on the channel.
In my humble opinion, it's not the sound that makes jazz players steer clear of the Gretsch archtop guitars, it's the non-traditional looks that offend the jazz purists. I have a Gretsch Viking that more than holds it's own sonically in a jazz context against any traditional jazz boxes! I'd even go so far as to say rhat my Viking compares favorably plugged in vs. my cousin's L5!
I use an AF71F. I swapped the pickup for a KA Johnny Smith and it gave it new life.
Plugged into a decent amp, this guitar is pure win for its price. Also, even though it's laminate, it doesn't sound *bad* acoustically...I've used it in purely acoustic settings just to have a different voice than your parlor-size or dreadnought-sized acoustics. Definitely not a solid carved top, or a spruce/cedar flat...but still workable.
I love the accent that seems to be a delightful mashup of Lima, Peru and Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
To me one of the greatest value in arch tops this the second one I’ve own but they don’t make them any more is Oscar Schmidt oe40 a great l5 maple guitar of great neck and body needs tuner and pickup upgrade
D'Angelico premier exl-1
Was literally thinking the same thing.
They sound nice and loud unplugged yet sound just as beautiful plugged in.👍
@joe bannon idk what you're talking about but you're alright 🥸🚬🥃👍
Slightly above 1000$ (or € over here in germany) there is the gretsch g100ce. Really enjoy the sound of it. It has a warm and really dry cello like sound to my ears at least. If you have the option to try one you really should. Great mid priced Instrument.
Hello! What do you think about D’angélico Premier EXL 1, I’m thinking buy this guitar. Nice Chanel, and thank you!
Gotta tell you, I've owned several of these guitars. The Ibanez AF75, the Joe Pass Emperor (first edition) found it finish and top wood to be very thick and "dull" sounding. This may have changed since my first run edition. The Ibanez AFC 155, just OK-very bright. The one you mentioned, the AFC95 might be the better choice. I found the Godin's also to be very bright, maybe due to their Cherry Wood consturction, While I like most of your picks; I think the Eastman AR403 ce would top them all. It plays and sounds like a dream, and the construction is second to none in its price range and can be found for under a grand. Great video. I subscribed and it gets a like from me!
Thanks for the feedback! It's amazing how just upgrading the pick ups and using the proper strings on some of these guitars can improve the sound and even get rid of the excessive brightness. At least this has been my experience.
I've got the Godin Kingpin2 and the Epiphone Joe Pass. I use the Godin playing live in person. However, I like the sound of the Joe Pass better. But it's heavier. So I use it to go live on line. Because it's easier to take breaks on line Lol
Love the Godin !
P.s.
Bartolini floating pickups fits with the loar 600, 700, 650 quite well. Fantastic tone.
Thanks for this video. I've always wondered the difference and this video helps a lot!
Hi Ritchie
I really enjoy your videos and wondered - now you've covered your favourite guitars and amps if you could do one covering how to set up a guitar and amp to get the best jazz tone..
Many thanks
Bob (UK)
Thanks! Please check out the video I mention at the beginning, "How to get a Jazz Tone from any Solid Body".
Would you recommend D'angelico?
All under $1000: Epiphone ES-175 Premium w/ USA Gibson Classic 57s ($899); Ibanez AF95FM w/ Super 58 pickups ($649); Ibanez AF105 w/ Super 58s ($500 used); Ibanez AFJ91 w/ Super 58 pickup ($599). I own all of these and they are fantastic. I also own a Ibanez LGB30, but that's priced at $1100 new, just over the $1000 mark, however, you can find them used usually around $800 in great condition. My faves? The Epi ES-175 Premium (not the non-premium) and the LGB30, and the AF105. They're all great! :)
Mo Cee i think the Lgb30 is unbeatable for the price. I think it is significantly better than the 5 listed here. I am impressed by the epiphone as well.
Thanks Bob brilliant ol'boy
When it comes to replacing a P90, depending on the mount, you can get a P90 sized plastic surround for a mini humbucker which gives you more options than shelling out for a custom wound pickup. If you’re in the uk, check out Ben Fletcher Pickups. Ben will custom wind whatever you like, and not charge a limb.
Thanks for sharing!
LOL! I have that Gretsch 5420T. Brian Setzer TV Jones pups. Love it.
Numero 4. Good italian. You speak this very well
I'm familiar with all of these guitars in this video, however, I'm a bigger guy and really like thin bodies (less feedback issues) with ebony fingerboards and so far the only one I've found, just slightly over $1000 is the Conti Entrada, so I'm saving my beads for one of those hopefully in a month or two!! *fingers crossed*
I have the Epi Joe Pass. Nice build, plays and sounds good after minor fretwork. My only complaint is it is very heavy. Looking into Peerless and Eastman.
I'd recommend for consideration in any such list a guitar I happen to own, the Eastman AR403CE. It's made of laminated maple, has 3-ply binding and a bound rosewood fretboard (also bound f-holes, a nice touch), while the headstock vaneer, pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece cover are rosewood. The finish is the thinner, nitrocellulose lacquer, which to me seems more natural or organic, as though you're actually closer to the wood, which still has a beautiful luster. At a guitar school I attended there was a lower-end Ibanez on hand that gave the feeling of being encased in hard, clear plastic that you could practically take a hammer to and not damage. And altogether, to extend the contrast, the Eastman has the feeling of being what it is--hand made, with the lightness, cohesion, and responsiveness that characterize such instruments. The scale is 25", so it's between the Fender and Gibson scales. The nut is 44mm or 1 3/4", maybe not everyone's cup of tea. It seems quite playable and enjoyable to have your hands around, and with 12-52 gauge strings the tone is full, rich, but also capable of delicacy and nuance. Still, whenever I put this guitar down and pick up the telecaster, I'm struck by how much easier the tele seems to play, at least at first. Anyway, a couple of instructors I've had have been very impressed by the sound of the Eastman, and this is with the stock, licensed Kent Armstrong humbucker at the neck (there's just the single, set pickup)--which is probably the weakest link in the whole.
I really like the Eastman guitars but did not consider them for this list because I couldn't find an archtop for under $1,000.
Did you try Guitars 'N Jazz? It's an online store that boasts of having over 400 archtops on hand; you can also make an appointment to visit their showroom in NJ. They sell the AR403 for $899.00 (and quote the MSRP at $1,125.00). www.guitarsnjazz.com/product/eastman-ar403ce/ Likewise the Eastman es-175 copy, called the AR371CE or 372CE (one or two-pickup models) are listed for just under $900.00
The Eastman AR-372 is good Gibson ES175D copy with a street price of $950...I think the 1 p/u AR371 has been discontinued?
Absolutely agree my friend
Finally, a reviewer who is not gaga for the Loar fantasy guitar.
Great video! Very helpful! Are you pretty happy with your Ibanez choices? I've been considering the AG95QA
And my budget is under $500. Any tips on a decent jazz box in that realm?
Sorry that you have such a low option of The Loar. I own a flat top 250, and have played a number of their archtops. I think that they have a sound that lends itself to an older Eddie Lang type sound, but maybe too thick for bebop. Thanks for your channel
It's not the sound, mainly the craftmanship. I can only go by the models I played and a couple of students that claimed they had a lot of problems with them. That said, they may have gotten better since this video was made several years ago.
Greetings from Boston and happy new year Richie. Thanks for a great RUclips channel! I've had my eye on this guitar for a long time. I just bought a new Godin Kingpin HB per your recommendation. I agree with you 100%. It's a great guitar for the money and my abilities. I appreciate your honest opinion and advice. I don't like the stock strings though. What do you recommend I replace them with? Thanks!
Thanks! I like Thomastik swing strings which are flatwounds. I use gauge 12 on my archtops.
Great video, Richie! It's been 5 years and Godin has released their new 5th Avenue Jumbo series. I'd really like to hear your take on the new Jumbo Dual HB and the Jumbo P-Rail with Bigsby Bridge,
thx alot for your video about "cheap" Archtops!
Having worked hard on my blues skills, now i want to go to my limit and get into jazz. for this adventure, i m looking for a good and payable guitar. after searching the web i found out , that höfner build classic Archtops too. My question to you, do you have experience with Höfner guitars? like "Höfner HCT-SL-N-0 Blue Tone" or similar?
Gretsch makes a archtop guitar with a floating humbucker for 800 bucks that sounds great.
Thank You, great information.
So whats the deal between floating humbuckers and fixed to the body. I am looking at the Ibanez AFC95 and the LGB30. Can't decide. The AFC125 has a cool vibe. Looking for that buttery smooth warm jazz tone. Hoping it is the last guitar I buy. Any recommendations for good jazz guitars under $1,600?
Thanks for sharing👍🏻
I am really enjoying, the information your sharing. I am going back and checking out the older posts. What about the Artcore af105f, Any thoughts? Thank you and keep it coming.
No mention of D'Angelico? The EXL-1 and SS in the Premiere line are priced below $1,000 and I believe they're some of the best jazz guitars you can buy for that price. The Ibanez PM2 also deserves to be on the list.
I am very familiar with these 2 models but I honestly could not find them priced under $1,000 new so I didn't include them here. As far as Ibanez, they have lots of good guitars. I already mentioned 2, so its a matter of taste...
Because you're thinking of the Excel line, which is all above $1,000. The new Premiere line is made in Indonesia and priced below one grand. Some compromises have been made compared to the Korean-made Excel line, but IMHO they're still some of the best jazz guitars you can buy for less than a grand.
D'Angelico Premiere EXL-1 $749.99
D'Angelico Premiere SS $749.99
I mentioned the Ibanez PM2 because it's their best model under a grand (albeit barely) with a single floating Humbucker.
I'm not trying to upstage you or antagonize you. You're doing great work with your channel and you deserve all the praise. I'm just trying to provide some valuable information you can pass on to your students.
I recently bought the Excel SS for €799 what turned out to be GBP £627. I'm pretty sure that was less than $1000. And that included a hard case and shipping. Thomann UK supplied it. At that kind of money it's an absolute steal.
Truthfully, I think a Telecaster produces a better tone for jazz than any arch top. That front pickup is the best clean pickup ever made in my opinion. I don't know why no one has ever put one in an arch top. I bet it would sound awesome.
Why not just play a Telecaster? The difference in tone among most cheap to expensive guitars is in the player - choice of pickup position, tone controls, and amp settings - not in the guitar be it hollow, solid, expensive or cheap.
I _do_ play a Telecaster. If people are going to build arch tops also, why not try a Tele pickup in them?
Which front pickup specifically? They don’t put the same one in all of them (or do they)? Heck I have a modern Thinline tele (has a f-hole), if it will work that well then I’ll just use it and save money lol.
The main thing is to make sure it's a low output and screwed down close to the body.
Tele's are just incredible guitars in every way.
After 10 years my rosewood fretboards are physically opening a bit. I wish I had known better and gotten ebony fretboards.
The loar lh600, lh 700, lh 650 are cheap, but great archtops, massive wood, nitro-lacqeur, ebony fretboard. The acoustic tone is way superior to the "top 5" of this video.The loar models are not flawless, that is true, but the acoustic tone is absolutely amazing if you consider the price. Maybe you have to do some adjustments because of quality -issues in terms of the loar, but it is worth it and the low price of the guitar enables you to do so.
If you take a look at youtube - video- comparisons Loar lh 600 vs Godin Kingpin for example, unplugged Godin sounds like a cigar box in comparison to the loar lh 600, which unplugged has a fantastic tone and "rings the bell" quite nicely. It is possible to play Gipsy -Jazz with unplugged loar models 600, 700, 650, as well. Plugged in use of the massive wood built loar- models is a problem, if you want to make some noise, because of feedback. In terms of this use of the guitar, the "top 5" of the video are way better. If you want to play unplugged the loar models are unmatched in this price range.
I'm getting an Alvarez At33 for $350AUD as new! Beautiful, plays better than my Gretsch Streamliner
NB I still love my Gretsch
I have a Hagstrom HL 550. It is a nice enough guitar, but it is no Kingpin. I got it on the cheap and it does kind of what I need. I would rather have a Kingpin since I have played them and they really do have a great sound. Also the playability of the Kingpin is better than my Hagstrom.
Hi there! If you're still watching this discussion, I picked up an older but barely used Washburn J3 much less than list. Is there anywhere you detail the upgrades you made to this model?
Great video Richie.
Ive got the Artcore. Very happy.
Thanks 👍
Dearmond X-155 is discontinued and has been for years. It was a Guild copy with immaculate pickups, fit and finish.
Great video! Congrats
Of course one should always play a guitar before buying it. That lowers the risk of getting a budget guitar that has flaws, and it eliminates the risk of getting a guitar that you don't like playing. I can't say I have anywhere near the experience of Mr. Zellon, but I have enough to know that a particular instrument (any instrument) can be inspiring, or disappointing. Best idea is to play a number of different guitars. You will find one you like, and with any luck it will be within your budget.
Hi Richie, as always great reviews! I just yesterday purchased a D'Angelico archtop which is the Excel -1a ffully acoustic with piezo for about $1K used in mint condition. Still waiting for it to be delivered. They came out in 2017 might be made in Indonesia and later on discontinued. Have you ever played a D'Angelico and did you like it? I know different moderls and makes have different sounds etc but just wanted your take on those guitars based on what you may have played or heard? Cheers!
I played one of those D'Angelico Excel's made in Indonesia and all I can say is that it was awful! But like I tell everyone, each person has to judge for themselves. You may love what i hate. :)
@@RichieZellon thanks for the honest feedback. I love my 2 D'Angelicos!
Hey Richie thanks
Could you please do a video on your top 5 amps & rig ?
At reasonable costs
Thanks
I recently did a video called "5 best jazz guitar amps". It lists both the more expensive as well as budget alternatives.
I couldn't get a good jazz tone out of the Ibanez AF71. I had the black one and it looked amazing. But I returned it. I bought an Ibanez AG75 and that gives an excellent jazz tone. Read the reviews on it- they average 4.8 out of 5. The guitar is the same price as the Af71 and is much better. I had a godin kingpin p90 (1 p/u) which had a good sound but not as good as the ag75. I still own an Ibanez lgb30 which is great, an af105 and 2 ag75.
Epiphone emperor regent.
Hi, I really have been enjoying your videos. I recently had an opportunity to purchase an Ibanez ag95. How do you feel about the artcore series? This guitar has the super 58 pickups in it. Will it give me a classic jazz sound? I prefer a warm tone, lacking some high end. Please, what are your thoughts?
I think the artcore series are ok. Every guitar is different and there are too many variables to answer your question. A good player can make almost any guitar sound good. The bottom line is that you be pleased with its tone and feel.
I would demure on his comment on Gretsch. I had an ES-175 (real Giibson, not Epi) for a lot of years (22 to be exact). My Gretsch 5420T is far superior, even for a bebop tone.
Lh 280 CVS is awesome, not laminate?
I have a Guild x175 Manhattan with single coil Franz pickups . I paid $600 in like new condition. I think they run $900new beutifull guitar.
What do you think about the Ibanez AF75 with Seymour Duncan Vintage Blues '59 Humbucker Set?
Yeah well, I own the Godin, so maybe I'm prejudiced... I will tell you that it is a really nice, sweet-sounding guitar. I've not tried the others. That said, if you are looking at a $1,000 price cap, the Godin will give you a truly nice guitar for your money. You won't buy the Godin then kid yourself that you could have done just as well for yourself for half the price. This thing sounds like a $1000 guitar. I've had mine for over 3 years and still no complaints / hidden issues.
Bob Ross of the jazz world!
Hi there great review
I have a Washburn J7 👍🇦🇺👍🇦🇺👍🇦🇺👍
Epiphone and Ibanez are great Budget Jazz Guitars imho , check for yourself , Thanks Richie :-) btw , i owned a Godin 5th Ave with P90 , what i didn't like mostly was the small "vintage frets" and i'm sure the hum-buckers are much better than the P90 i had on mine , much too bright as you said ... Could be great for Blues / Rock though !
Absolutely
I have Washburn Montgomery J6. I play on it from 1998). I wont bay something another, better. Give me please recommendation . I need scale 24, 75
I've been interested in the Eastman guitars they have a couple that fall under $1K
have you played any Eastman guitars??
Eastman are good! Personally I didn't find any full hollow bodies under $1,000. They were semi-hollow so I didn't include them. Which are the ones you found under $1,000?
I played the eastman and did not like it at all.
I had an Eastman AR805CE and it was utter hell.
I FOUGHT that thing to get anything out of it. Eastmans are tough.
Ron kopald I have 2 Eastman AR372 (ES175) and T59V (ES335). Both offer great tones and perfect finish. Don't know about their solid carved top like yours AR805, may be you ll have to play it a lot to have the solid top wood vibrating to your style, like all great guitars need.
mine was a very early production run. That was probably most of it. It had all sorts of issues, binding falling off, pick guard coming apart, the most garbage tuners ever made in the history of the world! Some Korean knockoff art deco tuners, Garbage. And then original pickup was awful too. Swapped the tuners, put in a real pickup, and had the neck aligned properly and it had some tone. But I still had to fight it. Now I have a Thorell. I'm a lucky guy! Not trying to knock folks that like Eastmans, just offering my perspective. I did not enjoy my time with my Eastman. Too much work to get tone out of it. Seen more recent builds that were better.
All very nice, indeed. Have you tried Collings?
Collings is good but do they make any archtops under $1,000?
The Jazz Guitar Channel not sure about Collings prices.
Washburn is not a laminated top only sides and back
Hi Richie!
Don't forget the Cort Yorktown Hollowbodies: reverb.com/shop/xyzguitars?query=yorktown
Wow..You never mentioned the Loar LH 350 or The Gretsch Archtop.