Hi, I know this is kinda vague but whats the best guitar out there for Jazz thats under 800$. Or if you could specify certain pickups that are good for jazz?

Thanks!

This post has been edited by BubbaJ: Aug 30 2007, 11:15 PM

Check out the gear guide in my sig for some starting points. I don't know the price range of those instruments but it should give you same brands/types to compare to when shopping.

Hardtail

Not sure if you'd get one for less then 800USD but I'd look at a used Gibson 335, or you should be able to get an Epiphone semi -Sheraton 335 look alike) or similar - new for about that price. Both are thin line semis so can cover some jazz tones (although not as well, arguably, as a big 17'' jazzer like a Byrdland) and offer other tones as well. Carlton used/s a 335 for many years so can't be bad.

If you want a more traditional style jazzer then again Epi make a good ES175 copy and a Joe Pass model. I'd assume that any Gibson/Guild etc big jazzer 2nd hand at this price is likely to be a bit tatty. So if you get offered anything like a Bydrland for 800USD take a very careful look at it before assuming its a great bargain. It might be but .

A few others to consider - Ibanez George Benson GB10 or 20, AriaTA 50 or TA80 (cheap semis but you get what you pay for ), Guild (2nd hand - probably same advice as the Byrdland ).

Pickups - P90s/charlie christian humbuckers/old Gibson PAF types. Main thing here is that you are after tone, and preferably a natural woody type tone rather then gain.

As ever try to get to a guitar shop and try some out.

If anyone has a Byrdland in mint condition that they want to sell for 800USD or less I'll bite their hand off ...

Cheers,
Tony