Looking for a new jazz box, could use some help...

[dsrandlett]

Hey all, glad to be on this forum!

After a few years of self taught country blues playing, I finally took the plunge and got myself a teacher with the goal of being able to play some passable fingerstyle/chord melody jazz. Still a lot to learn before I get anywhere close to what I want to be, but I'm excited to keep pressing on.

Anyway, I've been looking to upgrade my 2013 Gibson LP studio (It's fine, just not special, the only thing I really like about it is the satin finish, and I think it has some bad frets) and I really love the styling and workmanship of PRS. If I had the money, I'd just get a Singlecut Archtop (seriously, dream guitar right there). Alas, the S2 line is probably more in my range. If they brought the Archtop into the core line I'd probably just wait to save up some more and get that.

Anyway, I was wondering if there were any jazzers here that used any S2s or SEs and how those guitars acquit themselves, particularly the semi-hollow models. I'm envisioning an a vintage, warmer tone as I move forward in my playing. I saw a video on YouTube of a guy playing some good sounding stuff on a Zach Myers, and the satin neck makes that one awfully tempting (not so crazy about the two 2017 colors, though). Sort of eyeballing that one and the Singlecut Semi-hollow now (the coil tapping sounds fun). It's a shame that no dealers in my area stock any of these :/

Also not opposed to modding an S2. Like If I got a semi-hollow singlecut I'd at least sand and refinish the neck and then see about pickups and strings. If anyone's done anything similar or has any advice on that front, it'd be useful to hear as well.

Thanks for reading!

 

[toothace]

Can't help you with your semi-hollow questions, but welcome to the Forum!!

 

[Shawn@PRS]

We just posted this to facebook. This dude tearing up some jazz!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1152969101418004

 

[dsrandlett]

Nice! If you're curious, here's a video of a guy playing some more traditional stuff on a Zach Myers SE in a Guitar Center:

Not as virtuosic, but nice, tasteful, and soulful.

 

[dsrandlett]

And here's a question for any staff who care to answer it: Is it possible to get something from the core or S2 line with a satin neck? That's literally the only thing I would change about a lot of these guitars. Or is that a Private Stock only request?

 

[Jimi D]

Here's a clip Richard Smyth cut comping some pretty jazzy stuff on my Sunburst 22 (a special run Custom 22 w/ 57/08 pickups and nitro finish) before I bought it from The Twelfth Fret: Richard on the Sunburst 22

Honestly, you can play jazz on damned near anything; I've seen some crazy jazz cats on Teles...

 

[Shawn@PRS]

And here's a question for any staff who care to answer it: Is it possible to get something from the core or S2 line with a satin neck? That's literally the only thing I would change about a lot of these guitars. Or is that a Private Stock only request?

You can get a satin maple neck with an Artist Package

 

[bodia]

And here's a question for any staff who care to answer it: Is it possible to get something from the core or S2 line with a satin neck? That's literally the only thing I would change about a lot of these guitars. Or is that a Private Stock only request?

I sent my Cu22 to the PTC for a refinish and had them do the neck in Satin ala the Holcomb SE

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Well the core line does have the Hollowbody II, and as was mentioned, it can be ordered Artist Package with the satin maple neck.

I'm not a jazzer, but that's how I describe the tones I go after, and the Hollowbody II will definitely fit your needs. It's got a nice acoustic tone to it, too, for late night practicing without an amp.

And certainly any of the semi-hollows will do you well, too -- I think the ZM is an excellent suggestion, though I don't have one. It has more to do with the pickups, so if the pickups are not sufficiently dynamic, then just swap them out. I <3 my SE 24/7 loaded with Benedetto B-7s, but even something like Fralin P-92s or something from Bareknuckle should serve you well.

 

[CVS]

I think that the HB II will work for most jazz as well. You may want to give some thought as to the type (flatwound for example) and thickness of the strings that you put on the guitar. It can make a difference in the tone.

 

[dsrandlett]

Been eyeballing the HB II too, but I'd have to finance. Not that big of a deal, but still something to weigh in consideration depending on what dealers can offer. I noticed the 2017 models have one without the Piezo, which is a value add that I wouldn't have use for, so it's something to consider.

Also, thanks for your thoughts, everyone.

 

[CVS]

We just posted this to facebook. This dude tearing up some jazz!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1152969101418004

Really liked his jazz chops. Tone wise he reminds me a lot of Paul Jackson Jr. Also like the blues fusion type ending.