Pin Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I am canvassing views on jazz guitars as I am thinking (very seriously) of getting one. My current guitar (leaving aside a junky old Les Paul copy) is a Yamaha SG2000 which is an excellent guitar and I'll probably keep it. It is also true to say that I am seriously considering the Epi 345 when it comes out and that may well fulfill all my "jazzy" needs. But, leaving that aside, out of the Epiphone range of "big box" jazz guitars what would members recommend and why? In terms of music type - think main stream jazz / blues jazz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 The Joe Pass Emperor II and ES-175 reissue models are pretty popular here. But for a big jazz box, the Broadway, Emperor Regent and Zephyr Regent are the current models. I have the ES-175 and Emperor Regent, and they're nice, guitars for the money. The 175 is less prone to feedback and more tonally flexible with it's two humbukers. But if you can find an Elitist Broadway that would be my recommendation. All of the new ES offerings are semi-hollow, so may not be satisfying for mainstream jazz, but certainly more able to cross into louder styles than a big box. http://forum.gibson....__1#entry819872 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry746246 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsideMan Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Don't get hung up on "traditional" jazz boxes. I play blues and jazz, and I have an L-5 Wes Montgomery (an archetypal jazz box) as well as an Epi 175. But I also have a Dot (335) which is a great guitar for jazz. And a short while ago I acquired a MIM strat that is also good for jazz. The deep archtop can give you good bass response, but it can also be a feedback headache. If you want a versatile guitar that is good for jazz, take a serious look at the thinline double cuts like the 335/345. That way, if you want to dabble in something bluesy or even to rock out, you're also covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloozeguy Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 The Joe Pass Emperor II and ES-175 reissue models are pretty popular here. But for a big jazz box, the Broadway, Emperor Regent and Zephyr Regent are the current models. I have the ES-175 and Emperor Regent, and they're nice, guitars for the money. The 175 is less prone to feedback and more tonally flexible with it's two humbukers. But if you can find an Elitist Broadway that would be my recommendation. All of the new ES offerings are semi-hollow, so may not be satisfying for mainstream jazz, but certainly more able to cross into louder styles than a big box. http://forum.gibson....__1#entry819872 http://forum.gibson....__1#entry746246 Hasn't the Zephyr Regent been discontinued? Anotehr suggestion, esp. for blues, would be to find a used Zephyr Blues Deluxe. Comes up on ebay every so often; otherwise, though, hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Hasn't the Zephyr Regent been discontinued? Yes I think so, but there may be some still in inventory somewhere or Epi would pull the page. Another suggestion, esp. for blues, would be to find a used Zephyr Blues Deluxe. Comes up on ebay every so often; otherwise, though, hard to find. I wasn't going to mention the ZBD 'cause they're so hard to find, but that's also a viable option, although really more of a blues guit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeweyCox Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I wasn't going to mention the ZBD 'cause they're so hard to find, but that's also a viable option, although really more of a blues guit. Wow! That's like my dreamguitar! Cr@p on the wall! I must find one for myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I always liked the Elitist Byrdland for jazz, but they're up to something like $2600 on the used market now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloozeguy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Yes I think so, but there may be some still in inventory somewhere or Epi would pull the page. I wasn't going to mention the ZBD 'cause they're so hard to find, but that's also a viable option, although really more of a blues guit. Beautiful...just beautiful...heavy sigh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 So many options... I agree it is sometimes better to focus on the music rather than getting hung up on a particular guitar Many jazz hollows can sound bass-boomy....but they do look and feel terrific Personal favourites...either owned or previously owned ES 175 Peerless New York...a very capable 17" classic D'Aquisto copy ES 335 ES 330....close to a Casino Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 The Emperor Regent is great if you only use the neck pickup (traditional warm Wes Montgomery/Johnny Smith/Kenny Burrell type tone) or if you want to play it acoustically. The Broadway is the same body and neck, but with 2 humubuckers is more versatile with a wider range of tone. The Elitist Broadway is an amazing instrument if you can afford it (and find one!), but the standard version is an excellent guitar too. (I own one). The Joe Pass is also a great instrument --- smaller body and shorter scale (24.75") than the EmpReg and Broadway, and somewhat less feedback-prone ( own one of those too). Of the current Epiphone offerings, those are the three I'd recommend --- I'm less impressed with the Epi ES-175 both aesthetically and tonally. I used to own a Gibson ES-175, and I actually enjoy my Joe Pass more, but the Epi 175's I've played don't quite measure up. A thinline semi-hollow can do jazz just fine, especially if you string it with heavy gauge flatwounds, but it doesn't have that sweet resonant feel against your body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 The Emperor Regent is great if you only use the neck pickup (traditional warm Wes Montgomery/Johnny Smith/Kenny Burrell type tone) or if you want to play it acoustically. The Broadway is the same body and neck, but with 2 humubuckers is more versatile with a wider range of tone. The Elitist Broadway is an amazing instrument if you can afford it (and find one!), but the standard version is an excellent guitar too. (I own one). The Joe Pass is also a great instrument --- smaller body and shorter scale (24.75") than the EmpReg and Broadway, and somewhat less feedback-prone ( own one of those too). Of the current Epiphone offerings, those are the three I'd recommend --- I'm less impressed with the Epi ES-175 both aesthetically and tonally. I used to own a Gibson ES-175, and I actually enjoy my Joe Pass more, but the Epi 175's I've played don't quite measure up. A thinline semi-hollow can do jazz just fine, especially if you string it with heavy gauge flatwounds, but it doesn't have that sweet resonant feel against your body. Just want to echo what Papabar wrote about the Broadway and Elitist Broadway (I have both). The Elitist instruments are excellent, but the the regular production Broadway is actually a very impressive instrument. The one I have is crafted as well as my Elitist, though the Elitist is obviously made with wood that has more figure, Gibson USA pick ups, and a carved top (with a thin veneer on the back) rather than a fully-laminated top. But don't let that deter you. The regular Broadway is very handsome and surprising versatile, and the ability to easily swap between the stock wooden or an aftermarket tune-o-matic bridge can help you achieve even more tones. The Zephyr Blues Deluxe is also a very cool instrument, should you come across one. You can quite a variety of tones from dialing various combinations of the three P-90's, though they're more evocative of some period specific music than might be useful to someone who needs a lot of versatility. In this picture, the regular production Broadway is on the top left, and the Elitist Broadway is on the bottom center. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks very much for advice chaps. I did canvas a search or two re the Elitist and they are as rare as hen's teeth. Some for sale in Japan but at Gibbo type prices - serious money - and what with shipping costs on top they are a non-starter. There may be a few in the UK but not seen one advertised. Of the Epi jazz boxes I am most fond of the Broadway. certainly, whether or not I get an Epi it'll be that L5 style of jazz guitar that I am most likely to purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkolo Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Just want to echo what Papabar wrote about the Broadway and Elitist Broadway (I have both). The Elitist instruments are excellent, but the the regular production Broadway is actually a very impressive instrument. The one I have is crafted as well as my Elitist, though the Elitist is obviously made with wood that has more figure, Gibson USA pick ups, and a carved top (with a thin veneer on the back) rather than a fully-laminated top. But don't let that deter you. The regular Broadway is very handsome and surprising versatile, and the ability to easily swap between the stock wooden or an aftermarket tune-o-matic bridge can help you achieve even more tones. The Zephyr Blues Deluxe is also a very cool instrument, should you come across one. You can quite a variety of tones from dialing various combinations of the three P-90's, though they're more evocative of some period specific music than might be useful to someone who needs a lot of versatility. In this picture, the regular production Broadway is on the top left, and the Elitist Broadway is on the bottom center. Red 333 That's a nice collection of guitars you have there! I wouldn't mind having a Broadway but would like to have a Bigsby on whatever semi-hollow/hollow body guitar I get next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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