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Not sure what price range you're in, but I'd certainly recommend you check
out Eastman guitars. Do a Google on them... I have an 805-CE (electric
archtop), and really like it; check out the forum on their web page, a lot of
acoustic players speak highly of these guitars.

Cheers,
JV

Juan Vega

Hello all. I am interested in purchasing an acoustic for jazz comping
and soling, but not an archtop acoustic. Does anyone know what
qualities I should be looking for, i.e Rosewood or Mahogony sides,
spruce or Cedar top, etc etc. I like the idea of not having to rely on
electricity and there's nothing like a good acoustic.

thanks,
Jon

There's a lot out there, and there're lots of opinions. A few things I'd say you should look for:
A cutout in the upper bout. For jazz, 14 frets is a limitation. I'd say check out something with a waist, not a dreadnought, there tends to be more balance vs the deep boom of a dreadnt; think Gibson Jumbo or smaller, Martin OOO or OM size, Taylor auditorium or concert shapes. There're lots of manufacturers out there, most of which are made by Samick in Korea. Look at the Samick Greg Benett line, they're Samick's "better than your run of the mill Samick" guitars. A good buy for the money and well set up. An onboard pickup isn't a bad idea since they're pretty cheap these days. Mahogony is nice and warm. Rosewood has a deep bass punch but it tends to be expensive. Cedar is warm, Spruce has a clear tone. Maple, if you can find one gives a clear round tone that works really nice in jazzy situations, I like it combined with spruce. More important than materials is the construction, a good well built box will make you happy no matter what the material is.
David

Hi Gang,

I love playing jazz on acoustic instruments. I currently play an old Gibson L-4C which is a dream. For the flattop thing I use a Santa Cruz OM with a short scale (24 3/4) that has a spruce top and mahogany sides and back and a Taylor XXX KE (engleman top and Koa sides and back) also with a "short scale" 24.9. I agree with the previous advice about using an OM or 000 model. They seem to be suited for jazz and are very responsive and generally nuanced.

Every player has their favorites of course. And playing a nice steel string is just a gas.

DR

I hae a Guild F-50 blond that I think is very good for jazz comping, It is as big as many archtops, but flattop, round hole, with a maple back and sides (arched back). Not cutaway, however, but probably not a problem for comping.
Brad

Not (yet) owning an archtop or other more traditional jazz guitar
instrument, I play a bit of jazz (and other stuff) on my Lowden
handmade Irish acoustic guitar (actually, mine is Japan made as George
Lowden moved production to Japan for a few years to keep up with
demand), and love the sound. The Lowden is a somewhat large bodied
guitar that has such a wonderful, balanced, bell-like tone. It is
fitted with a LR Baggs I-beam pickup so is pluggable, but I generally
play it unplugged for sheer pleasure.

Presently, I yearn for a nice flat-wound fitted archtop to amuse myself
learning and playing more jazz. Really a lifelong goal and one can
always learn so much more and grow. I was particularly moved and
motivated when I recently saw a TV special featuring Les Paul playing
jazz in a small NYC club, aged 90 and with what looked like pretty bad
arthritis in his hands, yet smiling ear to ear and enjoying himself
tremendously. What a role model for all of us ageing guitarists!

Now if only one day I can play "Sweet Lorraine" or "All the things you
are" 1/10th as good as Joe Pass did, I can die satisfied!

--- In jazz_guitar@..., "DAVID RUDICK" <sribeme@m...> wrote:

I love playing jazz on acoustic instruments. ...
Every player has their favorites of course. And playing a nice steel

string is just a gas.

--- In jazz_guitar@..., "DAVID RUDICK" <sribeme@m...> wrote:

"......Every player has their favorites of course. And playing a nice steel string is just a

gas...."

I'm with ya on that one!

Jon
I am a straight ahead player!
However additionally I play Acoustic Jazz guitar I prefer the Selmer design
guitars that Django R played.
I had my Acoustics made with Spruce tops and Indian Rosewood back and sides.
This give the guitar real clarity and focus!
Maple or walnut necks and Ebony fingerboards of course.
I highly reccomend Shelly Park to you check out her guitars at Park
guitars.com
If you write to her tell her i passed this on to you!
Best
Tony Hughes