PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

LarryB · Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 25

I'd love to hear what everyone is using for their jazz? Acoustic? Electric? Which do you prefer? Have your guitar tastes changed from one to the other?

surfrider · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:05 am Post subject:

I primarily play with an amp with two big bands and a small combo. However, I am looking for a reasonably priced archtop to play totally acoustic like Freddie Green.

Surf's Up!
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MangoTango · Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 307 Location: UK

Well, with the bands I play electric - mostly the D'Angelico NYL-5 - but at home, doing most of my practice on my workhorse electro-acoustic (Epiphone Orville something or other). Not as loud as a full acoustic, doesn't disturb the neighbours or family so much.

Plus, the slightly higher, stiffer action makes playing the electic seem so much easier. Wink

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sevenflatfive · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Scotland

Mostly electric, in which case I use my 175 or 339 through my Henriksen. If it's big band, or I really need to cut through, I'll use my HRD.

Also play in an acoustic duo though, mainly standards and some Django, we usually go straight into the house PA if there is one, or we both simultaneously go through a Marshall AS100 Acoustic soloist amp. Surprisingly good results!

sunflower · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 581

Do you recommend the Hennriksen ?

Denbo · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 21 Location: PA

At home or with the band always the trusty Tele...
I used to play acoustic a lot but haven't played much at all
in the last 5 years. I found as my hands got older they
enjoyed the smaller neck and lighter strings.
Also, in spite of not having a traditional Jazz guitar I get some folks
who enjoy the Tele sound.
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mr. beaumont · Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 907 Location: chicago

almost always electric--my modded tele if i'm worried about volume or travel considerations at all, but recently it's been my new godin fifth ave. kingpin for solo gigs. amp choice is always my polytone.

i did do a little coffee house deal last month solo on an unamplified gypsy-jazz style guitar...it was fun and sounded cool (i string mine with flats and play it regularly, i have no desire to be one of those stodgy "stuck in the 30's" cats) but boy--i felt it in my hands by the end of the second set!
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sevenflatfive · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Scotland

bloftus · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: California

if you are looking for a jazz guitar...then you must have a hollowbody, preferably a full hollow body. Also for an amp, roland chorus' and polytone amps are good.
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planetguy · Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 284

sunflower · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 581

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgP1u5YWEg&NR=1

Larry · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 13

A lot of players seem to prefer Tele's to LP's for jazz why is that?

andy_rothstein · Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 231

The only problem with LP's is you need to visit your chiropractor after a gig Smile

I think Teles work well for jazz because they generally have great sustain due to some of its design attributes including the fixed bridge, and the steep break angle of the strings over the saddles. The guitar is obviously famous for its "twang" which most guys going for a jazz tone would not approve of (except don't tell that to Bill Frissel), however that problem is easily solved by putting a humbucker in the neck, or at the very least rolling the tone down.

I have 2 Teles, one with a humbucker in the neck and one with a single coil in the neck. Here is a clip of me playing a short duet w/myself of Lazy Bird using my red tele with a Fralin "Unbucker" in the neck: http://www.andyrothstein.com/trax/LB_Test2.mp3

I think guys like Mike Stern have made the Tele pretty socially acceptable in the jazz world!!!
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Volume Swell · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 250

I use a semihollow, mostly because I can't afford a hollow body and I play a lot of other styles.

Denbo · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 21 Location: PA

Frisell and Greene had me consider a Tele for Jazz but also I found that I can use a Tele for many styles.
Oh and cost, yes cost...
No feedback, yes that to...
Durability is in there as well.
Did I mention cost ?
I have a Cort CL 1500 I picked up that is a Semi and through a Cube 60
using the Acoustic model with some EQ adjustments, a Boss delay pedal and by closing my eyes and adding a slew of imagination... I can almost get that Metheny sound.
Now if I can only play like he does.
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