Electric Guitar for Acoustic Players - 1.75" Nut, Short Scale

[Gary-N-LA]

I am a longtime acoustic guitar player who prefers flattop steel-string guitars. However, I have a few jazz standards in my repertoire which are difficult for me to play on acoustic. They're easier to play on electric guitars, but I'm having a hard time finding one that feels like an easy transition.

In short, I want to find a short-scale electric guitar with a nut as close to the 1.75" width I'm used to as possible. Also, I'd like it to have a body size that approximates electric guitar body sizes. Many jazz guitars have this body size, but I've yet to find one that fulfills the other two requirements.

Any ideas?

[ewalling]

Ibanez does some nice short-scale jazz boxes. I owned the SJ-300, which has a solid spruce top and ebony appointments. It was very comfortable to play and short scale, but had a narrower nut width than 1.75. However, when played, it didn't seem overly narrow.

[Jabberwocky]

You did not mention budget, so, here goes:

Roger Borys Jazz Solid B222, circa $5000 new direct from Roger. 25" scale length, 1.75" nut width. 13.5" lower bout.

Steve Andersen Little Electric Archie, 24.9" scale length, 1.75" nut width. ~$5000 to $5600 used. 14.5" lower bout.

Collings Eastside Jazz LC 24.875" Scale length, 1.75" nut width may be ordered. 15" lower bout. Under 2" depth at the rim. Starting from $4950.

Benedetto Bambino Deluxe and Bambino. $5500 and $4500, respectively, new. 25" scale length, 1.75" nut width. Under $3000 used.

Eastman AR371CE. 24.75" scale length, 1.75" nut width.

Seventy-seven Guitars Stork Jazz and Albatross Jazz.

Archtop Tribute ATSP. http://www.walkin.co.jp/guitars/290403.htm

[ChrisN]

In your place, I'd look into having G&L build me one with my pickup choices and a 1 3/4 neck. Probably out the door under $2K.

[Jabberwocky]

Gary, check out

http://www.whittemoreguitars.com/index/Home.html

and

http://www.cbhillguitars.com .

Both are in SoCal.

[Gary-N-LA]

Good point, Jabberwocky. Looking to spend $3K or less.

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

You did not mention budget, so, here goes:

Roger Borys Jazz Solid B222, circa $5000 new direct from Roger. 25" scale length, 1.75" nut width. 13.5" lower bout.

Steve Andersen Little Electric Archie, 24.9" scale length, 1.75" nut width. ~$5000 to $5600 used. 14.5" lower bout.

Collings Eastside Jazz LC 24.875" Scale length, 1.75" nut width may be ordered. 15" lower bout. Under 2" depth at the rim. Starting from $4950.

Benedetto Bambino Deluxe and Bambino. $5500 and $4500, respectively, new. 25" scale length, 1.75" nut width. Under $3000 used.

Eastman AR371CE. 24.75" scale length, 1.75" nut width.

Seventy-seven Guitars Stork Jazz and Albatross Jazz.

Archtop Tribute ATSP. http://www.walkin.co.jp/guitars/290403.htm

[Gary-N-LA]

Who is G+L?

[Gary-N-LA]

Who is G+L?

Originally Posted by ChrisN

In your place, I'd look into having G&L build me one with my pickup choices and a 1 3/4 neck. Probably out the door under $2K.

[fazool]

I had the exact same spec-requirements. I got a Taylor SB1 and loved the feel of it - it matched my Taylor perfectly, but I disliked the pickups and the hollow body cavity so I went back to my Sonex.

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by Gary-N-LA

Who is G+L?

They're an electric guitar builder started by Leo Fender (and Fender's head design guy, George Fuller, hence the "G" and "L" - George and Leo) when they left Fender in the 80s. They have a wide variety of stock offerings, several of which, I believe, are available in shorter scale lengths. I know they offer a 1.75" neck. Here's their option list: http://www.glguitars.com/instruments...ons/guitar.asp

You can buy off the rack, but that probably won't meet your needs. In your place, I'd locate a volume G&L dealer (I've used Upfront Guitars in Massachusetts, but there are several bigs ones) and ask him for a quote for what you want, and I'd start with body style (they have all the usual, plus unique), number and types of pickups, controls, neck shape, radius, fretboard materials, etc., make sure they can do the scale (per "him" of AGF, at least one model does, so they should be able to do it for others: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=242046 )

For a custom configuration, they're very reasonably priced, and turnaround is a matter of a few weeks. At some point I'll have them build me a semi-hollow Bluesboy with a 1.75 neck, but that's a ways down the road. They're great electric guitars, imo, and worth looking into for what you've said are your needs. A lot great info here: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/ that's the (apparently sponsored) forum for discussion, questions, etc.

[M Hayden]

You could get an inexpensive tele and swap the neck for a custom short-scale 1.75" nut from Warmoth. A good tele neck pickup does Super 400 tones all day long and the overall tele shape is comfortable for many players.

[Jabberwocky]

Originally Posted by M Hayden

You could get an inexpensive tele and swap the neck for a custom short-scale 1.75" nut from Warmoth. A good tele neck pickup does Super 400 tones all day long and the overall tele shape is comfortable for many players.

A Tele-type makes a great jazz guitar. Ed Bickert and Tim Lerch do very well with Teles playing jazz.

You'd have to find out if it works for you.

Gary, I have been remiss not to mention the Roger Sadowsky archtops. You can find them used in the $3000 price range. The Jimmy Bruno model and the SS15 model suit your bill.

[Gary-N-LA]

Keep 'me coming guys. This is an education for me.

I wanted to reiterate tho, that I'm looking for something roughly the size of an acoustic guitar, so Telecasters or T5s won't fit the bill. I play in the classical style with the guitar on my left knee on a Dynarette cushion. I own a nice Stratocaster, but that guitar won't work in that position. I'm not even fond of the Gibson ES 335, since it's a very thin body. The big jazz boxes seem perfect in terms of shape.

[akhan]

Hi,

I would suggest the Eastmans, either semi hollow or full hollow. I think they all have 1 3/4" nuts. I had a T386 that was really nice but I traded it for a Tele which I just prefer. Some folks don't like the pickups and electronics, you could always switch them out and still end up paying less than a similar model Gibson.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Gary-N-LA

...I want to find a short-scale electric guitar with a nut as close to the 1.75" width I'm used to as possible. Also, I'd like it to have a body size that approximates electric guitar body sizes. Many jazz guitars have this body size, but I've yet to find one that fulfills the other two requirements...

Originally Posted by Gary-N-LA

...I'm looking for something roughly the size of an acoustic guitar...The big jazz boxes seem perfect in terms of shape...

Godin CW II - same neck/scale length/body size/weight as a Seagull cutaway mini-jumbo, two P-90's/volume & tone/PU selector, ~$1K street but can be had for less (got mine for just a little over $600 from one of those unannounced Amazon specials); everything you need and nothing you don't, and I understand Tony Bennett's guitarist is using one on tour...