Big necks!

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One of my work buddies is a gigging musician and he recently switched assignments, where he now has a couple hours without kids or wife. As a result, he's been getting back into Joe Pass-type jazz. He's probably going to be getting an archtop in the next year, but he's looking for a fairly clubby neck. He says the neck on his tele is too thin for the type of chord-based jazz he likes. Any suggestions on make/model?

One caveat, he's got a couple of kids in Catholic school, so I doubt he'll be dropping a couple of large on it. :lol:
 

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I hate to say the G----- word, but they are the original clubby, chubby neck folks. Neck profile is such a personal thing too. Budget is also a big factor. What's his budget? Under $500? Under $1000?
 

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Catholic High school.

Probably under a thousand. I recommended the Electromatics to him, but I think that the necks would be a little skinny for him. The 'jet has a neck he would like, but I haven't played a new Gretsch. I'm on an opinion gathering mission, so price isn't as much of a factor.
 

guildzilla

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Best suggestion I could offer would be a 1940's/50's Gibson ES-125.

Seems to me that the necks got thinner as the years went forward.
 

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Maybe one of the new Harmonys. Fortunately, his not in a hurry. He's a great player, but he isn't confident in his jazz chops.
 

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I think guildzilla's suggestion is a good one. The 50s and early 60s Gibson ES-125s and 225s are one of those guitars that everyone thinks is worth more than they are. They often sell for under $1000 with repairs or non-original parts, especially the non-cutaways. Big-ole chunky necks as well, that got thinner in the early-60s. These are thin hollow-bodys.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-GIBSON-ES-...oryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A newer suggestion is the ES-135--a perfect do-it-all thin hollow body or the ES-137 semi-hollows that also regularly sell used for under $1000. With 137s only the simple models sell for cheaper.
http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1769698

To keep it in the family, the Guild T-50s or X-50s also seem to sell commonly for under $1000. Again, 50s and early 60s for thicker neck profile.

I've played a couple Ibanez archtops, and they're well-built, good-sounding guitars. However, they have wider necks that may take getting used to.
 
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