ceeb Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 A friend of mine has played acoustics for over 40 years. In the past few years he started on electrics for jazz. He tried a PRS SE, didn’t like it, he’s got a low end LP now and not crazy about it. So he’s looking at Ibanez George Benson, ES335s, and now at vintage Starfires. He’s asking my advice and I think the Bendon model is nice, and a vintage starfire too. But I couldn’t help but show him some nice Newport Pros with the nice jazz burst. He likes the idea that there are just minimal pots and just a 3 way switch. The Gretchs made his head swim. So I sent him some old reverb listings for the Newports and just for the sport of it a 25th anni. because it was only $850 or so. “Why so cheap?” He says. So I sent him the YouTube factory tour and I’ll let him come by and try both the Newport Pro and 25th anni I have. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands. I’m not going to push him, just let him play them and they the proverbial chips fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Wait... you saw a 25th for $850 and you didn’t buy it for yourself?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceeb Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 48 minutes ago, Travis said: Wait... you saw a 25th for $850 and you didn’t buy it for yourself?!? I have one. And an LTD model. it’s been there for a couple weeks at least. I guess the $79 shipping puts it at $925ish https://reverb.com/item/31269141-1999-hamer-artist-25th-anniversary?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=31269141 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killerteddybear Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 He can buy this Eastman from me. AR805CE with antique violin finish. Otherwise, play him some Danny Gatton (Redneck Jazz) and point him to the Telecasters... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 hour ago, ceeb said: I have one. And an LTD model. it’s been there for a couple weeks at least. I guess the $79 shipping puts it at $925ish https://reverb.com/item/31269141-1999-hamer-artist-25th-anniversary?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=31269141 And you can’t have 2..? different pickups... different hardware. Strip the finish and send it out to stike to make it awesome... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceeb Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 2 hours ago, killerteddybear said: He can buy this Eastman from me. AR805CE with antique violin finish. Otherwise, play him some Danny Gatton (Redneck Jazz) and point him to the Telecasters... I was looking looking at Eastman mandolins but found a small US builder that got my order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceeb Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Travis said: And you can’t have 2..? different pickups... different hardware. Strip the finish and send it out to stike to make it awesome... This will sound odd to a lot of you but I’m quite happy with the 13 guitars I have. In fact I just sold two and don’t plan to replace them. Well one funded my mandolin purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django49 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Did you say George Benson (as in GB10)? I have had a s**tload of guitars come and go over the past 50 years or so. IIRC, the one I have had the longest (since the 80s I think) is a GB10....Original Japan model. Somehow I cannot let that one go. I understand there are much cheaper imported versions now available.....I briefly owned one (Korean, I think) long ago. I did not like it as much as the original and quickly sold it. I have no experience with the entry level versions now available for under $700 (new). If I was to look for another, I would prefer one with the floating Johnny Smith style pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceeb Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 9 hours ago, django49 said: Did you say George Benson (as in GB10)? I have had a s**tload of guitars come and go over the past 50 years or so. IIRC, the one I have had the longest (since the 80s I think) is a GB10....Original Japan model. Somehow I cannot let that one go. I understand there are much cheaper imported versions now available.....I briefly owned one (Korean, I think) long ago. I did not like it as much as the original and quickly sold it. I have no experience with the entry level versions now available for under $700 (new). If I was to look for another, I would prefer one with the floating Johnny Smith style pickups. I’m urging him to look at guitars that weren’t stamped out in Korea or Indonesia, but a quality built guitar. So the Japanese made GB Would be an option over a newer one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hfan Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 If he’s playing jazz that Eastman above would be a candidate. Of course you can play jazz on anything etc etc. What’s his price range? I’d search old threads from the jazz forum. For moderate $ Eastman is hard to beat. I love my Newport but it would not be my first choice for a jazz vibe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Newport rulz. I’m sure he’s going to like both of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Newport’s are great, but for A “classic” jazz sound an Ibanez GB10 is better, and easier to handle than a Gibson L5. Oh, do not forget to put on flatwound strings. Gabe 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceeb Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 7 hours ago, Hfan said: If he’s playing jazz that Eastman above would be a candidate. Of course you can play jazz on anything etc etc. What’s his price range? I’d search old threads from the jazz forum. For moderate $ Eastman is hard to beat. I love my Newport but it would not be my first choice for a jazz vibe. Up to $2K. I’ll mention the Eastman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diablo175 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 21 hours ago, ceeb said: A friend of mine has played acoustics for over 40 years. In the past few years he started on electrics for jazz. He tried a PRS SE, didn’t like it, he’s got a low end LP now and not crazy about it. So he’s looking at Ibanez George Benson, ES335s, and now at vintage Starfires. He’s asking my advice and I think the Bendon model is nice, and a vintage starfire too. But I couldn’t help but show him some nice Newport Pros with the nice jazz burst. He likes the idea that there are just minimal pots and just a 3 way switch. The Gretchs made his head swim. So I sent him some old reverb listings for the Newports and just for the sport of it a 25th anni. because it was only $850 or so. “Why so cheap?” He says. So I sent him the YouTube factory tour and I’ll let him come by and try both the Newport Pro and 25th anni I have. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands. I’m not going to push him, just let him play them and they the proverbial chips fall. Why? Unless you're trying to move some of your stock, the less folks out there gunnin' for the remaining Hamers, the more for you and the rest of us existing and faithful Hamer fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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