Looking for a good and cheap semi-hollow body jazz guitar

[yeahyeahyeah]

Between a good jazz box and my strat I'll have everything I need covered, but I'd like to keep it frugal.

I'm not wanting to spend more than $400 for the guitar. The cheaper the better. I've got a great local luthier that can work his magic to make it play great, and with some upgraded pickups and electronics I'll have a really nice guitar on the cheap.

Not sure which cheapies are better though. I'll probably buy used as well. the two brands that I see most are ibanez and epiphone but maybe some of the no-name brands are good too.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[einstein]

Jay turser , dean , cort , samick

[dudeunitx5000]

You might like something from Aria Pro II's TA series. You can find nice used ones for $300 to $400.

[daddyo]

Few years ago I was looking for the same thing. Tried all the ES 335 clones and bought the Ibanez Artcore AS 73. It was every bit as nice as the Epi Dot but 2/3s the price.

[frank62]

MF had a Washburn a while back at 200.

[Boogs]

Used Epi Dot with pickup upgrade. I had one I bought used for $300, and put a set of GFS pickups in there for another $65-70. I sold it, but miss it. It would have stood unblushingly next to my $1800 Heritage H535, it played and sounded so good.

[jpervin]

I've got one of these (Epi ES-175) on layaway at a local music store near my office. Granted, it's $499 but that's with no sales tax and they threw in a HSC for free.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/0/9/2/402092.jpg

[MartinPiana]

At that price, my vote would be Ibanez Artcore AS 73. I pulled one down at Sam Ash last year, and was very impressed by how well it played. Didn't plug it in though.

[uldhppi]

I have the AS73. Beautiful, great quality, slim fast neck. The pickups are ceramic ACH1 and 2. For jazz you may want to change these. The Epi Dots are no competition.

[suttree]

ibanez artcore. i had an older samick at one point that was really a pretty good guitar, should be dirt cheap. you can find steals on washburns sometimes, too (samick made),

[little cyress]

those old German badboys 50's 60's are hard to beat, even with the shipping, but are they blocked? and Pickups? & the necks are usually adjustable!!!
Good Wood, adjustable these are good things NO?

[yeahyeahyeah]

anyone heard anything good or used an "agile" guitar? http://www.rondomusic.net/electricguitar-ss7.html

apparently made in east asia somewhere.
from the website:
"Other companies may distribute these products but usually under their own brand name. These guitars are essentially the same guitars with a different name printed on them."

[7String Thing]

try getting one o the new d'angelico's used, they are great!

[slowburn]

another vote the the ibanez as73.

[gkoelling]

Check out www.traditionguitars.com (http://www.traditionguitars.com)

I had a MTA 500 (I think that's the model) and it was very well built.

[Dr.Tom]

Try a used Epiphone Sheraton II.

Regards,

Tom
ELECTRICS : 2006 PRS CU 22 12 String Ch. Sunburst; 2004 PRS Hollowbody II McCart Sunburst; 2005 PRS Modern Eagle 20th Ann. Charcoal, 2005 PRS CU24 20th Ann.Artist Blue Matteo,; 1997 PRS Santana 1 ,Sunburst ;199? PRS Archtop II,Sunburst; 1965 SG Special - White ; 1963 Fender Strat- sunburst ; 1964 Gretsch Country Gent-dark walnut ; 1998 Gretsch Country Classic Jr. ; 2001 Gibson ES-335 - natural ; 2004 Gibson Firebird - white ; 1966 Fender Electric XII ; 1989 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe - greyburst ; 1969 Fender Tele- Blonde ; 1969 Fender Esquire - Blonde ; 1969 Fender Tele Bass - Blonde ; 199? Jackson Randy Rhodes V - black ; 199? Peavey Wolfgang - cognac burst ; 200? Gretsch Duojet 1957 RI - black w/bigsby ; 2005 Gibson SG Special - black ; 1968 Vox Sidewinder Bass- cherry ; 1965 Silvertone amp-in-case 2pickup - red sparkle; 1965 Hagstrom I (powder blue)
ACOUSTICS :Adamas 2080, Adamas 1688-8; 2006 Takamine TAN 15C; 2006 Ovation 1858LX 12 String ; Ovation 1771LX Standard Balladeer ; 2001 Takamine SW341SC(Steve Wariner Signature); 2004 Takamine EF360S ; 2004 Taylor 814CE ; 1990 Takamine FP400SC 12 String ;197? Bruno Royal Artist acoustic

Amps:
1965 Pro Reverb,1966 Vibrolux Reverb, two 1968 Super Reverbs, two 1968 Vibrolux Reverbs,1968 Princeton Reverb, 1968 Deluxe Reverb, 1968 Bandmaster Reverb, two 1969 Bandmaster Reverbs, Vox AC15 2x10, Vox AC15TBX, Marshall DSL 401,Mesa Boogie Mark IV, 1964 & 1965 Ampeg Gemini 1's ; 1970s Ampeg V4 ;1970s Ampeg V2; Vox AC30CC1 ; 1965 Gibson Falcon ; Orange Rockerverb 50 Head

[BigPapiFan]

You might be able to find a used Ibanez ArtStar AS-120 or AS-80 for $400. A used Epiphone Sheraton or Riveria would be good too.

[smorgdonkey]

I have to agree with all of these guys talking about the Ibanez guitars. I played 3 or 4 of them on the weekend and I could not believe that they were Chinese made guitars. They are the first Chinese guitars that I ever played that I thought were good...and I think they are very good.