I want to buy a nice jazz guitar for my studio. Since I don't play or know Anything about guitars, I need some advice. All the jazz guys I have played with have used a hollow or semi-hollow body guitar. The guitarist I play with most frequently keeps trying to point me to a $2500 Gibson but I don't want to spend that much for a studio instrument that's only there for 'guest' guitarist that might happen to drop in. Truth is, I only want to spend in the 500-700 dollar range; less if possible (probably not for a semi-hollow body).

First of all, is a semi-hollow body the way to go (for Wes Montgomery-type jazz guitar) and if so, what's the cheapest decent-quality instrument of this type I can get? Oh, and should I consider 'used'? Any warnings about 'used'?

Any help, tips or buying advice will be much appreciated.

chas

Hey, Chas! I would think that, as picky as guitar player are, each would have a preference for their own instrument. From a production standpoint, it's more normal for a studio to own and supply it's own cherry, perfectly adjusted P bass and maybe a house bass amplifier.

You already know that people who play the kind of music we like use either a fully hollow....usually more than three inches thick, or a semi-hollow with humbuckers...usually 2 1/2" thick. Lee Ritenauer plays a 335 Gibson, which is the semi-hollow workhorse of the business. They are in the neighborhood of $3500.0o. Same with an ES 175, the guitar played by many of the traditionalists. It's hollow, has humbuckers, and costs about $3750.00 new. Of course, there is the L-5 and other Gibsons retailing for $10,000.00 up. L-5's and 175's are Herb Ellis, Wes Montgomery kind of instruments. George Benson used to play an L-5 until he started to sing and get into light fusion, when he switched to a semi hollow. He now has his own Ibanez branded GB instrument, which retails for about $2500.00.

Thing is, guitars are so personal that I would not get a "house" guitar. Piano, synths, B-3...even drums if you use the real thing, but not guitars.

If you really want one there, let me loan you a couple...a hollow DeArmond and a Peerless semi-hollow. Test them out. They sound great and will let you decide which way to go.

A DeArmond is an instrument sold as a Guild X 150. It was discontinued when Fender bought Guild, but they're around for the amount you want to pay and will do the job ($500.00).

Studio guys don't expect to use a studio instrument. If it's a convenience thing, it won't really matter what it is, as long as the neck is straight and the tone is OK.

For studio work, I keep an arsenal of two solid Fenders, a 335, a Parker Fly, a Guild 150, a classical, a HiBred (magnetic and acoustic pick-ups)and a traditional acoustic. Over a year's time, I'll use 35 or more different instruments, depending on the work.

Then, there's the issue of pickups...how many, how hot and what kind. Pickups are either "floaters"...attached to the side of the neck like a mic, not mounted into a hole in the body or permanently mounted ones.

A choice must be made whether you want a generalist guitar, capable of being used on fusion, standards and lots of other stuff or a specialty jazz guitar. They range from a single pick-up floater (limited tones, but Oh so sweet)to a Switchmaster (not made recently...three pickups used in combination.

The next decision is whether you want a collectible or not. I have really good expensive guitars that gain in value and much less expensive "beaters" that sound great but don't retain their value.

Peerless is a manufacturer of great sounding guitars that retail for less than $1,000. They are Korean manufacturers that used to make the $1,000 Guild, Gretsch, PRS and other major brand instruments. They were of such high quality that the Peerless line wsintroduced several years ago. They are FABULOUS, as is a similar brand,Eastwood.

I have recently met and purchased a Hendrickson amplifier and Peerless Bird of Prey from Lou at Guitars and Jazz. What an interesting fellow! He is a pharmacist who sell jazz guitars. when your AX bill comes in, it is processed at his pharmacy.

Gibson has intermittent quality problems; particularly recently, since they moved the factory.

Guitar is the one instrument a studio does not normally supply.

Want to try some out, I'll ship some to you and you can ship them back when finished.

No hurry. I only have a few over 200 AFTER getting rid of over 100.

Why don't you start to play? I'd be glad to help!

Russ

Russ, that's the kind of generous offer I've come to expect from you but I wouldn't dream of entrusting one your instruments to a 'third party', no matter whether it's cheap or expensive. You have helped a lot, in that I now understand how impossible it is to give any meaningful PURCHASING advice....,just too many variables (and questions I'm unable to answer). In fact, you've made me rethink the entire concept (all-purpose studio guitar). It came about as a result of unrelated visits by a couple of guys who turned out to be two of Atlanta's hottest jazz guitarist. In the course of showing them my studio, we decided to do a couple of tunes. All I had was a cheap solid body copy of something (Rock, for sure) and a new $500 Acoustic electric that I bought for my Grandson but then decided it was too good for him to bang on for two days and then relegate to his junk closet. Both guys chose the Acoustic Electric and both sounded amazing but I was embarrassed by what I had to offer in the way of an instrument. They were gracious, of course, but it made me want to immediately go out and get a 'decent' instrument for such occasions. However, after reading your post, I've reverted to "to hell with it". I'll spend the money on a cover for the motorhome while I wait for an empty hanger at the airport. Thanks.....I owe you .

Russ, in the words of that Lucky Peterson tune, you "truly are a friend".

chas

chas ... maybe you could find an arranger keyboard with good guitar sounds and they could pick the one they want and emulate on the board ...

Chas, last night I was thinking what would work in the situation you just described...a player comes by and, on the spur of the moment, you want to record something....me, for instance.

If you want something in an emergency that would be OK in a variety of cases, I'd choose an Epiphone DOT. They're semi-hollow, shaped like a 335 or Lucille, the guitar BB plays.

This would cover blues, fusion jazz, pop...a wide variety of stuff. It's not the best quality, but is an import version of the most popular working man's all purpose guitar. Gibson imports it, and quality for price is great.


They're $399, plus bag or case ($80-100.00). I'd go to a Guitar center with a "picker" and let him make sure it is OK.

If your grandson continues, this would be a fine entry level guitar for him...or for you to beat around on.

Last time I was down, I did not have an instrument, but would have been fine with a DOT to mess around with.

I have a CASINO, which is the same instrument, but hollow. It's the Beatles guitar.

For your purpose this would work fine. Some traditional studios provide the bass, amp and drums pre-miked, because that defines the sound from the studio. Everything else is chosen because of player preference or type of material.

This would work! You'd probably also want a small 5 watt tube guitar amp, too. I just bought a little Kustom for a couple of hundred that I've used on the last 4 guitar studio jobs.

Good luck!


Russ

Ok, I'm on it. I think I'm going with Sweetwater for a change; they're a pretty class act (although my luck has been pretty good with MF). After 30 seconds of trying to decide between the cherry and the sunburst, I chickened out and went with the old man's choice (read conservative) of the sunburst. All the sites that had ratings/reviews had it with either 4 1/2 or 5 stars - works for me.

I know I should follow your advice and take Steve along with me to the local Guitar Center where I (he) could try out the SPECIFIC instrument, but damn, I just hate paying that 7% GA state sales tax.

I'll let you know how it goes once it comes in and I get Steve or Ed to set it up for me. Any mods I should consider? BTW, I already have a small (noname) 5w amp that came with the solid body. All the guys seem to really like playing through my Traynor K4, though (has a tube channel). It sounds pretty good to my ears. I also have a 130w POS with twin 12's. Sounds ok with some tweaking.

Thanks again Russ,

chas

Studio's that do supply guitar equipment usually supply the right kind of amplifier...one voiced specifically for guitar.

Sweetwater is cool, because they say they go over their instruments (a tech does) before they ship them.

With automated cutters, quality of the Epiphones and lots of the imports is GREAT.


Can't wait to play it!
(Make sure you get a strap...any inexpensive one will do....really hard to play without one). You'll need to put appropriate strings on it soon after purchase. It comes with round wound electric. I change all my electrics to lite jazz flat wounds, which really changes the tone. Gauge is a big deal.

Russ

Russ, while checking out the DOT, I spotted the Riviera Custom P93 with THREE pickups and what appears to be slightly better hardware and electronics. Worth the extra $100? Only two reviews but both were very positive. Whatd'ya think?

chas

Chas, it looks real nice for the price. Here are 97 reviews at MusiciansFriend http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/e...index=1#reviews

Well, the shape will be familiar to anyone who is used to playing a 335, 345, 355. etc. The three pick-ups would take some getting used to. And, they are single coil P-90's...a little prone to line hum, particularly in a location with older wiring.

My Godin is equipped with P-90's...old school, for sure. The Scotty Moore guitar I have...the model he played behind (ugh) Elvis had P-90's.

I'd get the Dot because it would be an easier "pick-up" for me, and it has humbuckers. But it would probably do fine for the intended use.


Russ

Chas, I just noticed, this has a traditional Bigsby tailpiece, or "whammy bar"...great for live playing in certain situations, but a real tuning headache in the studio.

I'd get a 335 Pro or DOT.


Russ

Yup, Bigsby tremelos are not something you really wanna use. I even hate the tremelo on my Fender Stratocasters for the tuning problems they cause. The only reliable tremelo is the Floyd Rose. But I don't like having to use an Allan's key to change broken strings. But at least they are good for keeping tuning. I simply have stopped ever using a tremelo arm.

The trade off between single coil and humbuckers is very much a matter of personal taste. Humbuckers have less hum and are warmer but P90 single coils do have more hum but they also have a better high end response. It is just a tradeoff.

Ok, ordering the DOT (in Sunburst). Although you guys didn't specifically say so, I got the strong impression that I should get it professionally set up. Guess I'll change the strings as well (to the 'lite jazz flat wounds') although I don't have a clue what the difference is - I just want it to get close to that classic jazz guitar sound.

Thanks guys, I'll spend that extra $100 I saved on a couple of bottles of Maker's Mark .

chas

Chas, if you go thru Sweetwater, you probably won't need a general set up, but rather some fine adjustments by the main player to suit his/her preferences.

They have an excellent pre-shipment crew..better than a lot of repair shops, and they go over each instrument before shipping.

Replacing strings and adjusting string height at the bridge is a piece of cake any good player can do in 15 minutes.

The 4 or 5 instruments I got from Sweetwater within the last couple of months (I know...it's a sickness)came with perfectly set intonation AND....ready for this?...A small bag of candies (Sweetwater....get it?).


A good choice and a good supplier.

Now, I wonder how long it will take for them to send me my commission check (LOL)?

YOU should woodshed on guitar Chas. A couple of hours together would help you learn all the basic rules. From there, it would be a piece of cake.

Most good key players I know play at least "passable" guitar.


IT'S FUN!


Russ

Oh, I just saw that you wanted a guitar like Wes would play. He did not play a semi-hollow. He played a big hollow body. Ephiphone does make a 175...$495.00, I think. When he finished his career, Wes was playing an L-5, but played a 175 for years.

Lee Ritenaeur and George Benson play semi-hollow. For your application, a semi-hollow is probably the best. Not as sweet, but more versatile, and does not feed back as easily. Benson played big hollow guitars (demoed for Guild at one time when I did). Breezing, his break-thru fusion album was played on an L-5. He switched to his own branded semi-hollow when he became more recognized by the masses as a Fusion player.

(POP quiz will follow)...sorry for the rant, but you're in MY area of interest now!

R.