Valuable insights on archtop gear for the jazz player.

[AlohaJoe]

This is an excellent article from Rik Wright, one of Seattle's top jazz guitarists, on choosing archtops, amplification, humidity issues etc.
http://www.rikwright.com/Content/Content.aspx?page=custom&pgid=280

 

[john_kidder]

Great info - thanks.

 

[gilded]

I enjoyed it, too. Thanks.

 

[JazzWest]

Yes good reference. I think Polytone amps are still a good value, and not to overpriced. But I prefer an older vintage tube amp. Ampeg Geminis are great as they have the best EQ, having Bass and Treble and not just a limiting Tone control. Guild was always on top of it, having seperate Bass and Treble. Nothing like a good archtop w/flatwounds through a Guild Thunder series! For solid state I know George Barnes used a Sho-Bud (Harrry?)....and of course Wes used a unmatched Standel XV (great amp!). YMMV...

 

[AlohaJoe]

Yes good reference. I think Polytone amps are still a good value, and not to overpriced. But I prefer an older vintage tube amp. Ampeg Geminis are great as they have the best EQ, having Bass and Treble and not just a limiting Tone control. Guild was always on top of it, having seperate Bass and Treble. Nothing like a good archtop w/flatwounds through a Guild Thunder series! For solid state I know George Barnes used a Sho-Bud (Harrry?)....and of course Wes used a unmatched Standel XV (great amp!). YMMV...

I agree. For jazz gigs where I want a fairly loud but clean 'modern' sound I'll take a Polytone Minibrute II I bought on CL for $285. It's old and beat up but sounds great with my X-150 (w flats). For a more vintage sound I'll use a Gibson ES-125 (w flats) or an old Epi Triumph (nickel wound) w the DeArmond guitar mike and a small tube amp for swing and jump, but my old feet are really into smaller-is-better. A frequent playing partner says we play for free, the paycheck is for hauling gear. :lol:

 

[Spectrum13]

Good read and thanks for posting!

I replaced the Kent (built to) Jimmy Smith on my Eastman with the handmade one from Archtop and it was night and day. I can't believe they put that POS on a $2800 retail priced guitar. Jazzwest...My Ampeg ReverbaRocket from '63 sounds great with it!

 

[Default]

Yes good reference. I think Polytone amps are still a good value, and not to overpriced. But I prefer an older vintage tube amp. Ampeg Geminis are great as they have the best EQ, having Bass and Treble and not just a limiting Tone control. Guild was always on top of it, having seperate Bass and Treble. Nothing like a good archtop w/flatwounds through a Guild Thunder series! For solid state I know George Barnes used a Sho-Bud (Harrry?)....and of course Wes used a unmatched Standel XV (great amp!). YMMV...

The article also mentioned Wes using a Fender Super and a Gibson GA50, IIRC.

 

[AlohaJoe]

Good read and thanks for posting!

I replaced the Kent (built to) Jimmy Smith on my Eastman with the handmade one from Archtop and it was night and day. I can't believe they put that POS on a $2800 retail priced guitar. Jazzwest...My Ampeg ReverbaRocket from '63 sounds great with it!

A friend of mine just replaced his Eastman pup with the handmade KA from Joe V as well, and man, it sounds great! From mediocre-at-best to sweet, articulate and tone for miles. Like you said... night and day!