I'm a rock and blues player - a solid-body girl. But I also play a Godin 5th Ave., a Sheraton, a di Angelico Exl1, and my newest purchase and new favorite - an Ibanez AF95 VLS 12-03, bought used for under $500. Learning jazz is keeping me young. (I'm 76 -- playing since 12!)

I got a Casino with flat wound 13s installed. I play it through an AER Compact 60. It has a dark, woody sound that is comparable to much more expensive jazz boxes, in part because of the P90's not in spite of them. I've played duets with another guitarist who was playing humbuckers and round wounds. Mine had more of the "jazzy" sound one would expect for classic jazz standards. It was my main gigging guitar for 3 years, BUT the hum, though it could be mitigated, was present. I eventually picked up a used Epiphone Es335 Pro which was my gigging guitar for the next 3 years. The 335 is cleaner but not as warm or woody as the Casino. I've got an Ibanez George Benson top of the line. It is worth every penny but it is so precious that I tend to guard it. It is the most robust jazz guitar I have ever played. It could fall off the back of the van and still keep its tune. I've got a Sheraton which I found to be ideal for Rock and Blues but never hit the spot for Jazz, just a but too much edge and bite. I have an Ibanez Artist JS200 which is as good as a modern jazz guitar can get and an Ibanez AS187 (from China) which is surprisingly close to the AS200 (from Japan) considering the price difference and country of origin. I also have a Gibson ES335 which is in pristine condition and I never take to gigs because again it is too precious. I got ALL of them used for much less than new price from musicians who were quitting the business or had fallen out of love with them or were leaving the country. Of them all, I think I would choose the Epiphone 335 because it sounds good, feels good and is replaceable if broken or stolen. The Casino is a close second. The big difference for ANY of these guitars is a good setup and the correct type and feel of string. If you like Scofield, go with Ibanez AS series. If you like Benson, go with Benson. For versatility go with any of the Epiphones. One more thing...i LOVE GODIN guitars. You can't go wrong. It's not the guitar you've been dreaming of, but its sure the one you'll fall in love with.

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While living in Japan, I picked up a 1971 Yamaha SA50 for about $400 USD (converted ¥ to $). It’s pretty nice. It has built in f hole baffles to cut down on feedback while playing live. I looked them up online and people are selling them from 1000 to 1500.

Got an Epiphone ES-335 Figured about a year ago and it's one of the best guitars I've ever owned. Just looks and plays beautifully. The fit and finish are so nice you'd think it would cost a lot more.

I love my Gretch 5655. It has a center block, so it doesn't have the feedback issue and it is thinner than most of the other hollow body guitars. The neck is extra long and has the cutout. It plays and sounds wonderful for an $800-900 guitar. I would have liked the blue version better than the gold, but that isn't a big deal. You can get amazing guitars today for sub $1000. 20 years ago I had to pay $1500 for my Martin. I do love my Martin though. 😀 If you have a guitar that feels good, sounds good and stays in tune, it doesn't matter if it is a cheaper guitar. You end up spending thousands more for a guitar that has arguably, slightly better sound and pretty inlays. In the end, it is the love you have for the music that you make with your guitar that truly matters. Play on and love it.

My preference for electric jazz tone is 17' wide, 2.5 inch deep, 2 set pickups, carved spruce top and completely hollow (or trestle bracing). These dimensions are not easy to find nor cheap. But they cost much less than the classic vintage Gibson and real John D'Angelico guitars or new Benedettos that are priced in the stratosphere. I'm still shopping and have been for a long time to buy just one guitar and not regret the money I will have spent.

I just got the Ibanez GB EM and am delighted with it. I purchased it on line and based on your reivew. It was right on...I love the feel of the neck, the looks and the sound both amplified and acoustically....I was surprised as to the nice sweet sound of the guitar unplugged even. A keeper for sure and at the price hard to beat. Over my 60 years of playing I have owned may Gibsons, Epiphones and others and am as happy with this guitar as any of them. Thanks for your review !!

Total respect for all your choices , value plus quality in this competitive range. Ibanez is fun to play more so sometimes than even a Gibson in this price .Thanks love your review

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I’ve just bought one you missed out - a Greg Bennett LaSalle JZ4 by Samick - outstanding jazz box at an unbelievable reasonable price of NZD 800 / USD 465 / € 466. My guitar etc dealer cannot believe the high quality specs for the low price. It was the last one in the country - New Zealand - and the next shipment will of course be somewhat higher price. It’s got a floating neck Seymour with Duncan Seymour designed humbucker pickup. It’s got a quilted maple on the reverse of the body

I'm a big fan of Ibanez guitars and I'm glad to see you have the brand so well represented here. One Ibanez I own is the AG85, which is very similar to the AG95. Biggest difference is the AG95 has gold plated hardware, whereas the AG85 has chrome plated hardware. I prefer chrome, actually, and the AG85, while not made anymore, can be found used for quite reasonable. My other Ibanez is a 2355M, a big ES-175 looking jazz box built back in the 70s. That guitar is a knockout, but at the top of your budget range. For folks who are really on a tight budget, the Ibanez AG75 (or something like that -- it'll be a something-75) is a very good bargain. Plays and sounds very nice. As for your choices, I think you've chosen very well. Cheers.

I'm glad to see you cover the Epiphone Joe Pass. I'm 82 years old, started playing lounges 70 years ago, and have had many guitars too numerous to count in my hands, including three Joe Pass models. I got rid of each one of them after letting other guitarists play them and, understandably, fell in love with it and just had to have it. The first one I got a blonde Gibson 175 plus cash in trade. The second one I got a Gibson Barney Kessel plus cash in trade.

I'm a blues 🎸🎵🎶, just stopping by to see . As you can see I'm a stratocaster player ... but now looking at a PRS SE Custom 24 🎸 to add to my playing

I own a blonde Gibson HR Fusion - a wonderfully versatile guitar - the only Gibson I’ve never had a problem with in 19 years. Epiphones have been lacking and fall apart in my experience. Ibanez make great jazz guitars, especially the GB models, I own a GB100 and a LGB30, both beautifully constructed and sound fabulous!

I am an acoustic player looking to expand to play a little jazz, and because of my age I really needed something light, manageable and easy to play while getting into more bar-chording than I usually do as an acoustic player. I had my heart set on a particular guitar, but after watching your video I felt I should also check out the Ibanez GB EM. I was lucky to find a store with both guitars in stock to try out, and in doing so the Ibanez, for me, ended up being the very clear choice. I am grateful to have watched your video before the purchase as I almost bought the first guitar I was thinking about sight unseen. I love the Ibanez, it's light, easy to play and sounds great...thank you so much!

Still the best entry level jazz guitar review on KZfaq!

the best jazz sound I've ever heard came from Grant Green and his legendary ES-330 (which is basically the same guitar as the Epiphone Casino). For me the Casino would be the first option to consider. I prefer P-90s over humbuckers and hollow body guitars over semi hollow.

Rich Severson my no.2 jazz go-to guy (after you) cannot believe how Samick can produce such fine jazz box guitars so cheaply (when reviewing the LaSalle J2. Zooglot also is impressed with its jazz tones and uses the same description of the guitar including the quilted bubble maple back - gorgeous

Every time I learn one of your lessons, I do so on my Joe Pass, which I've had about two years now. It's never been plugged in, and it sounds fine acoustically. The neck seem a bit wide though, and it slows down my playing a bit, but that's okay. My wife has a Yamaha "super-strat" that has a thinner neck, and it's easier to play, so my next guitar will have a thineer neck. Thanks for a great review of these gutiars, I'd like to own a few of them, but somehow, with me, it's about what is done with the instrument, I'm not that much of a gear-head.

Thanks to your guide. I found my perfect arch top. GB10EM. I tried many Epiphone semi-hollow body guitars but they made my hand cramp up. My go-to guitar is a Strat copy. When I put my hands on the neck of the GB10EM, it felt perfect. Thanks for digging up this gem. Cheers.

Yes, you mentioned the Ibanez AG95, a true hollow body with fantastic alnico humbucker pickups! It's everything I could ever ask for in a jazz guitar.

I have an Epiphone Emperor Regent that I play through a Fender Princeton Chorus amp. The sound is amazing!

Epiphone casino coupe has been my main gigging guitar for a year now The coupe is its own animal with 339 body style. I use a gretsch streamliner as my back up wish I bought hollow body decade's ago.

I have a Sub Zero New Orleans hollow body jazz guitar I paid £70 for it from Gear4Music's 'B' list. Took it apart and thinned down the top, Changed the neck pickup for a Gabojo PAF '57 scatter wound pick up and uprated all the controls, set the action at 1mm on the treble side and 1.5 an the bass side. I now have one of the sweetest jazz guitars going total cost £150.00p. I love your channel by the way. I'm learning a lot from it. Thank you. ❤️

The Ibanez JSM guitars are all semi-hollow. You see it from the bridge and tailpiece. They are mounted into the center block.

Great information, presented in a very professional manner. Thank you Sandra!

Thank you for this video. I'm so glad I watched it before my purchase. I have decided to get the Sheraton II Pro because I play other genres besides jazz, primarily pop. Thanks again Sandra!😊

I own an Ibanez AS 93FM a model slightly lower than the AS153. Mine has a maple veneer top which looks good. I love that guitar, not only does is sound great for jazz, it also sounds good for blues, rock and roll and sometimes R&B.

I love the Casino but use a 7 band EQ with it to get a more HB type tone....I also have an Ibanez Custom 125 with a wooden saddle and flatwounds...it's also fully acoustic. I had a bone nut and setup done on my Casino that turned it into a better instrument ..mine isn't noisey at all but I don't play at loud, loud volumes and like to use the middle position and blend the pickups which is hum cancelling

The Ibanez Broadway suited me fine, two years in ,no complaints, lovely warm jazz sound.

Wow. Thanks for such an awesome analysis! Helped me reconsider the Ibanez GB and Epiphone Emperor models.

I am not a jazz guitarist but collect guitars--was intrigued by the video title and was not disappointed! Subbed

I like playing fingerstyle on my acoustic and starting to consider getting an electric, this video is very helpful to get started, thanks!

Super easy to understand. Great practical advice and insight. Attention to detail and explanations are perfect.

I would add the Jet JT300, an excellent guitar at a highly affordable price, with a lovely sound from the neck pickup and great playability (a really comfortable neck). Ed Bickert was a superb jazz player on Telecaster, as is Tim Lerch. And you don't need to turn the tone right down as Ed did, with more treble it even has an acoustic quality to the sound.

I got my Ibanez AS80 back in the mid 90s for about $500. I still love it and have not felt the need to "upgrade" it after all these years even though I have played many possible upgrades through the years. I've just bonded with this one.

Sandra, I want to say thank you for this lesson and your recommendations. You helped me a lot to find the right semi-hollowbody guitar for me. Yesterday I got my Epiphone Sheraton II Pro Ebony. I come from a solid body background and you said that this guitar would be easy to play. And yes, I have to say, it’s so easy to play! I'm delighted. You said it’s a dream and I can only fully agree. The guitar neck feels great in the hand and the guitar has also a very creamy sound - as you said. Oh, I love it ! With the double cutaway I can now « fly » high. The price-performance ratio is also great. And the Ebony version is such a beauty and the guitar is very well made!. I would highly recommend this guitar. Thank you again for the great work you do with your videos 👍. Es liebs Grüessli, Birgit

I’ve been on the hunt for a hollowbody and tried several of these models including the Ibanez JB series but ended up getting the Eastman AR372CE. Around 1000 GBP so slightly more than 1000 USD but an excellent guitar! Very similar in tone and feel to the 175 I used to have, the only difference being the nut is 1/16 inch wider (45mm - like the Epiphone Joe Pass). To me it felt much better than the Ibanez models. Excellent guitar for the price and well worth trying.

still my favorite Austrian jazz guitarist. I've 'gone to school' on you several times now, so thank you.

Thank you for this very informative and helpful video!

Love the reviews… I’m an Ibanez guy and love the Ibanez AM153 and AM93 with scaled down body width, approximately 14 inches I think. Just found your channel and I’m really enjoying it. Thanks

I have Epiphone ES-335 from Like A Gibson line up of 2020. It's my first guitar and feels great. Around 570usd.

Just to mention: Your very nice Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion, Sandra, is a semi hollowbody instrument, even it is thicker than normal semis. I don't understand why they stopped producing it. It has very unique features: the fingerstyle tailpiece, the said small sized semi-hollow body with increased thickness, nice Gibson 490 humbuckers. It is very difficult to get hold of a good used one. Between 2,5 to 3k€ of course, but a lifetime instrument.

I used to own an Ibanez 2616 way back in the late 70s/early 80s. It was a bit of a beast in size, but wonderful to play. Thanks very much.

You really need to try the Godin Montreal Premiere. It's a semi-hollow with a centre cedar block that has a pass-through under it. The pass-through looks like a Roman Aqueduct and does a great job of blending the sound of the two chambers. You can find a lot of videos of it because it is wildly popular.

Nice to see the Epi Casino there. Great guitar, but the running gear is lacking. Bridge, nut, Tailpiece, Tuners, pickups, electrics, jacks. Its a different animal now.

I'm surprised Eastman got no mention. They have a few great options at this price point and the fit and finish of these instruments is spectacular. I particularly like the AR371CE (styled after the Gibson ES175)! These can be gotten substantially less then retail if bought second hand, also, around 6-8 hundred US.

Another excellent presentation you’re also very engaging. I play a Fender Squire Starcaster but I’m very interested in the Joe Pass and George Benson guitars.

Very helpful video for beginners out there Sandra. Those John Scofield models are semi-hollow though. I have the JSM20 and it has a Maple support block running through the middle. It has great jazz sound though and it plays like a dream!

Great video! I discovered you while searching info on the Heritage Eagle and 575 guitars. You play beautifully. I did just happen to look into the Epiphone Joe Pass Pro but from what I understand for the last few years they no longer have the solid spruce top but rather just a laminated maple like the rest of the body. I want a jazz box I wont have to worry about too much if I take it to a party or sit around a camp fire so to speak. I am going to be visiting the Heritage factory in the near future and was thinking of possibly ordering an Eagle custom made with a the more rounded neck to pick up when I visit. After many years of playing the first thing I judge a guitar by to keep and play as my own is the neck. If the neck doesn't feel good to me there is usually no reason to look (and listen) any further unless I am purchasing the guitar as an investment to resell. I actually owned an Eagle about a decade or so back but sold it because the only thing I didn't like about it was the neck. I also owned a Gibson L5 but again I didn't like the neck. Then again, I may just buy a Heritage 535 or 150 vs. an Eagle because I can play and judge before I buy . . . and I LOVE my Eastman 810SE so I don't really need another dedicated jazz box.

I could listen to her for hours. So knowledgeable, Andy her voice is melodic. I bet she can rest sing. Ok, I left my comment. Now I’m going to watch again.

Thank you for your videos. I only discovered you today. My last Jazz gig, before I retired, was a duo with just myself and a drummer and we played a variety of music including a lot of Sinatra style standards. I am primarily a vocalist. I bougt a special guitar for this, an Ibanez AK87 jazz box which I had to wait for its arrival from Japan. Greates-ES-175 style instrument, only made for a few years and replaced by the AK95 which I did not care for. After a 60+ year career, I do NOT consider myself anywhere near your league. Much applause from myself. But then you may not be able to sing as well as I. LOL. I live in the USa BTW. Actually Byron Stafford, not Anna.

I went to get a 335 a few years ago but came home with an AS153 and have been super happy with it. The fretwork was actually much cleaner than Gibson they had at the store plus it was about 1/3 the price. I like the Super 58s a lot however the ones in the AS153 aren't the exact original models from the 80s, they are a cheaper version. I believe you have to get the Prestige level to get those pickups. The ones in it sound fantastic though. The case is also a very nice, not just a throwaway they included. Excellent run down of options!

As I got late to watch you live, I just started the video again (ok, I also have to watch several times to get it 😉); thank you, Sandra

Wow, I traded in another Ibanez hollow body guitar for an Ibanez AS253 which is slightly above the AS153, although I’m not sure how. I didn’t realize it was such a nice guitar until recently and now this video has made me feel it was worth the price. I think purchased it for around $550 (trade + cash). The Tritone switch is very interesting because in a spilt neck pickup mode along with the bridge pickup (normal humbucker), you get a very P90 ish sound that really delivers nice tones.

Thanks for giving all the dimensions. The GB10em might just do it…

Many jazz recordings before 1955 feature P90s. Check Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green and many others.

Hi Sandra. I own way too many instruments now but in my collection, I do have a couple Epiphone guitars and I think the world of both of them. They are both a bit older. One is a Joe Pass Emperor II which is sitting right this minute on a stand as we speak. I am taking a break from practicing and happened on this video. The Joe Pass is made in the Korea plant in 2012 and I have to say, it's pretty much flawless. Only thing I've done is put Elixir flat wound 12s on it and spent a LOT of time getting the floating bridge intonation perfect. These sound great amplified but they sound absolutely regal acoustically on this guitar. And once your fingers touch flatwounds on your jazz box, you'll never go back! The other is an old Epiphone Dot from 2009 which I have done virtually nothing to. This is a really great workhorse gig guitar that I can get any sound I need out of. After having guitars stolen from gigs, scratched up, anointed with beer, etc, it's really great to have something that isn't a holy relic up there that I don't have to worry that much about. Funny thing is, I have been playing it for years and this one has never even been knocked into! Anyway, moral of story? For those who believe that unless there's a G in the name, guitars can't possibly be any good, well, there's a lid for every kettle! I'll put my Epiphones up against almost anything else. I'm not an antique dealer, I'm a player! These guitars get it done.

I'm in the market for a semi-hollow body guitar. Last week I bought a Monoprice Broadway semi-hollow guitar in color Transparent Amber. Bought it on discounted sale of US $199. It was my first time playing a semi-hollow body guitar. The Monoprice Broadway looked nice and played nice for a US $199 guitar. Problem was that the neck humbucker was mounted 5mm off center from the fingerboard, resulting in the strings not hovering over their respective magnetic pole piece screws. I ended up returning the guitar. On top of my semi-hollow guitars list is the "Inspired by Gibson" Epiphone ES-335. After watching your video, Sandra, I'm now considering the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro. Thanks for your semi-hollow guitars video!

Hi….yes, neck definitely 43mm…using calipers, actual nut is 42mm.I think the guitar is very good. I love your channel….great tutorials.

One of my favorites semi hollows under 1,000 is Epiphone Riviera. It is like a Sheraton but with mini-humbuckers and and the Frequensator tailpiece. Only downside is with the frenquensator tailpiece it is possible to buy strings and the D-string is too short to reach the tuner. But I never had this happen with D’Addario. I have an old Korean Sheraton II I like a lot also. The red Riviera is stunning.

Thank you so much for this review! It was very informative. Respectfully, though, I must disagree with your analysis of the Epiphone Dot, so perhaps you received a bad one. I own a 2010 Epi Dot (prior to the “Gibson Inspired” series), and the only problem I’ve ever had with it was a tuning issue. So I upgraded the nut on it, and it’s served me very well over the years. The stock pickups still sound wonderful, and nothing has fallen off of it! 😊

Merry Christmas, Sandra. Glad your post came up to my view.

Sandra: thank you for your thoughtful reviews and videos. I love the sound of the Heritage guitars and might want to save up, but the Sheraton and maybe a modded Joe Pass might ended up being my first step. Thanks for being such a jewel in the jazz community. Cheers.

You have covered my top two guitars I have dreamt about lately. The Joe Pass and the George's. They sound very different, but - as a short guy - I think I like Bensons better. But I have to say, Joe passes sound just amazing.

Great overview Sandra! Thank you. Love the Godin, the majority of the wood is from Canada

I had been thinking about getting an archtop for a while and when the Godin 5th Avenue first came out I bought the first model they made; an acoustic with no cutaway to which I added a Kent Armstrong floating neck pickup. It's been a great guitar for me, but I'm beginning to see the need for more neck radius...I paid about $500 (Canadian) for it plus about $60 for the pickup. The price and the fact that it's Canadian made (I like to buy local!) were big selling points.

waiting on my Samick Artist Series HF650 to arrive..never have heard a 650 from 1996 era that did not have a creamy lush tone..Peerless factory made I believe until 2001..really glad they are not considered a "collector's guitar" keeping their MSRP in 1996 dollars of $1,089.00 around 600 to 800 today

Nice video and very informative Sandra. I just subscribed to your channel. I just bought a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin but the single pickup P90 model without the cutaway. As you stated it has that dry woody acoustic sound quality that I was looking for and it seems to be a very versatile guitar because different styles sound great on it. It retains that sound when plugged in as well. I already have an Ibanez AF95FM which I love but it is very different from the Godin as you know. You did a great job explaining the differences in these sub $1000 guitars. Thanks.

I used to have an old Sheraton. I kick myself in the arse for EVER having to sell it! Beautiful playability and such woody sound! Mind you this was before the split coils. Still one of the richest sounding Jazz/Blues/R n R guitars I've ever owned!

A major issue with the Epiphone Casino is where the neck meets the body which makes access to the upper frets very difficult.

Sandra, I just discovered your channel. I am 69 years old and most played acoustic finger style Blues, Country, Brazilian, and Folk all these years. Now at my age I am eager and curious about tackling Jazz. I have always loved listening to Jazz. I am deeply familiar with Jazz because my father was a Jazz musician in the nineteen fifties and sixties. He was a well respected player and played for and with some Jazz greats including club dates and concerts with Billie Holiday, Thelonius Monk, Sarah Vaughn and many others. I guess I rebelled a bit by going a different direction in my playing. But now I wish to jump into Jazz. My problem is I have very bad arthritis and it has affected my fingers and wrists so my skill set is somewhat diminished. I am looking for a “Jazz Guitar” that is easy to play to accommodate my arthritis. I am not very concerned about radius or nut width because I have owned and played acoustic guitars of all types both easy and more difficult to play and from dead flat fretboards to more comfortable ones. This video is helping me to make my decision. Thank you so much. I just subscribed to your channel. Excellent information!

You answered a bunch of my questions. Thanks!

Thanks - great review, and I definitely appreciate a range of opinions - very informative, and glad you are willing to say that some of these instruments are just not that great - - really helps.

Lovely presentation; so detailed and well explained. Good job. Thanks for sharing.

Just came up my feed again, so I rewatched it. Great video, Sandra!

I really love the video Keep up the good work lots of useful information

Thank you for the info. I decided to buy the Ibanez GB 10 EM. A few days ago I received it and really like the Ibanez. It plays and sounds very nice.

Thanks for the review, I have a Epiphone Riviera, sounds really good.

I recently discovered your channel and I just love it!!! I can't get enough of you! Thank you, thank you! Cheers from California!

Great shopping guide! Well done and well spoken! Love your presentation. I would love to hear those guitars played by you. I am sure you are a great player, too. Now going to check out your playing :)

I've had a couple of these reviewed rigs and agree with your assessments. This price range can likely produce sample to sample variations/gratifications. Oddly, I've kept an old J-7 Washburn that I've had forever and a D'Angelico EXL-1 (the cheaper Prestige version) that was an impulse buy when MF had them on a one day promo. I'm very pleased with the EXL-1 as it hits way above its price point in fit/finish, sound and playability. Shopping after cocktail hour isn't always this successful!

Joe Pass model has an official spec of 43mm …(1.6875inch) nut width but in this video it is described as 45mm.

Mine is the Ibanez hollow body. Yeah it could feed back but I don't use it at high volume. While its cheaper than epiphone its still going to set you back about $600. I use flat wound strings and play finger style.

thanks for info I find the radius at 17 fits my hands best for bar chords

Great given information,very clear and detailed,and your voice sounds so soft and sweet,like some of these guitars.Thanks.

The epiphone broadway is great. Yea also like the Ibanez akjv95 dal.

Thanks for the run through. Please consider having an audio friend De-mouth click your master. It takes seconds. Since I work in post mixing I am sensitive to clicks but I could do that for you no charge if you like. Best

I have owned an Ybanez George Benson model, a round midnight, a fender Daqusito prototype and a Napolitana all were good....well the NNapolitana had a neck problem I am not THE Steve Morse just an enthusiast who plays his signature model. I have owned over 100 guitars over the years...my favorite are a custom shop Les Paul, two Collector's choices; Sandy and The Beast and a cloud nine, old classical made by a local luthier, a Martin D-18, a Lowden Jazz, a heavily relicked custom shop Telecaster and a Orca Nick Huber, a custom 22 PRS, a custom shop heavily relicked Strat 65 and a Godin Multiac electro-acoustic. If I had to choose one it would be my old classical which briefly floated on the sea in Thailand.

I have an Ibanez JSM 10 which is basically the AS-153 with some extra goodies, like an ebony neck. I have had both the Epiphone es-335 and the Casino and they just cannot compare to how nice the Ibanez is, with it's build, p/u's and the overall play and sound. This used to be a justified difference, but now that Epiphone (Gibson) has raised the prices, without really raising the quality, it would be a serious mistake to not at least try out the Ibanez line of 335 style guitars and other jazz boxes.

I loved your video!!…..Great knowledge and passion!!

I have an Ibanez AFC95 which is discontinued now....for some reason, maybe because of the many similarities with the GB10, except the body size, but the woods and the floating humbuckers has made this guitar an excellent companion for the past 3 or 4 years, I have to say though that feedback is gonna be some recurring issue with big jazz boxes like this, the low mid range can get really out of balance some times depending on where you're playing. Also I have to say that if you have 1K $ to spend, you might as well look for some local luthiers, like I did in Mexico. I got a handmade guitar built for my needs for the incredible price of 1.100$ aproximately. The builders are called Caro y Topete, look them up!

Du, Sandra, dankeschön. I'm new to the whole jazz guitar thing so I found this really useful.

Excellent. In depth knowledge and professional advice. I’ve subscribed immediately, and nice clear voice

Wow I really appreciate your reply. And I'm really thinking about the Les Paul ..the Joe Pass might be too bulky for me if I can find one I'll check it out. But I agree with you something smaller .. I LIKE THE epiphone version like a 60s or 59 reissue. I did have a Sheraton 2 at one time. I was glad to sell it to a innocent up-and-coming young whose eyes opened widewhen he heard the tone. I'm using a spark 40 Pearl amplifier from positive grid. For practice right now. I use my Carvin which gives me a warm Jazz tone Allan Holdsworth designed those pickups man-o-man Good Golly Miss Molly what a player. my Telly needs to be modified like the one you have. my Strat has a 10 Way selector switch and it gives me some unique tones. and my sire 4 string bass through positive grid spark 40 Pearl amplifier nice little Gadget. I went back and checked out your latest video on the five best Jazz guitars for under $1,000 I really dig where you're coming from and you have opened my mind and ears even more. Goodness gracious you are bad to the bone with your knowledge and your playing. Please take care of you your family and loved ones be safe sincerely Walter the left-handed bloke

Great vídeo! Thank you! I'd love to try out the Sheraton and the Ibanez As 153.

Hi Sandra! Absolutely love your KZfaq channel and truly appreciate your highly informative Jazz guitar lessons, so easily approachable from all skills levels. Great review of a lot of well-made/sounding guitars. If you ever have a chance to check out the Greg Bennett Royale (models RL-3 and RL-4) build by Samick of S. Korea, I promised it won't disappoint! All Peace and blessings to you...

Thanks a lot. Amazing review. I love my Sheraton 2 pro. 😍

I like to add my own exp to this as well: The Epiphone JP EM2 is and was always for jazz. It's had anumber of pickups in the past and the last generation models used the PROBUCKERS, but they aren't USA spec, but are a very good simulation of them made in Korea. Somewhat like a '57+ pickup. My only gripe with it is the QC: it can be dubious so look for models with a good cut nut, and a neck that is aligned well as a number of them from 2008-2013 had issues. The AF-95 is the base of the general jazz boxes and to me, is probably the most balanced. It has ceramic pups in it which can REALLY get nice and warm sounding, but can also feel VERY muddy and in some ways, too loud and not as articulate. That said the guitars are sound, but watch out for electronic issues in the 3-way switch and the pots. They are known to be...meh. The GB10EM is a very comfy guitar to play and it suites folks wanting a more focused sound. that said the pups are not the most articulate, and they often sound thinner to say similar pups. Also, the model shakes a LOT due to how the pups are mounted which can be noisey when acoustically played. The AG95 has a familiar setup, and usually better finish than most of the lower-priced stuff. Excellent neck and good pups. However same QC issues of nuts, and electronics. The GODIN KINGPIN in ANY form is very well made. The pickups are usually Seymour Duncans and you get LOTS of articulation. That said, don't buy the cheaper version of it as it will not sing as clearly, nor will th ebuild quality be as good. Also, they use a lot of cherry wood which has its own look to it, but may put some of you off. LAstly the neck width fo rme is too wide; as I grew up on epiphone necks and Gibson sized necks, this felt wide. Uncomfy. BUT it would suit anybody with larger hands. The Sheraton II is excellent in every budgetary respect, as it the CASINO. The Casino is a more sensitive hollow design but don't expect rich depth here. The P90s help but they can sound unbalanced due to manufacturing mistakes. The Sheraton however is very good, better even and will nail that ES-335 sound. Plus is looks a darling. ONE thing to add is the reissue Riviera is amazing, well made and had a focuse sound. ALSO ALSO...check out the new Broadway model, as it's basically an affordible laminated L5 CES. Same pups as the Joe Pass. The AS-153 I don't have experience with, but I do its AS95 model and it's very good, and on par with the Epi Sheraton II. Maybe even better. The Super 58s are the Chinese built ones and not the full blown Japanese built variants. Honourable mentions I've tried would again....the Broadway from Epiphone, a Used mid 90s Epi Emperor Regent [solid top!], Used DeArmond M70 and M75 and M75T due to the EXCELLENT pickups, the lovely GoldTone humbuckers [bell-like tones]. the Dynasonis on the 75T.