Anyone here play jazz on an acoustic?

[OldTelePlayer]

Do you play jazz on an acoustic? (flat-top or archtop or both?)

Some people think jazz can't be played well or shouldn't be played at all with an acoustic. I've always thought "Why not... its a guitar isn't it? Didn't a lot of jazz players use acoustics? Of course they did and do." However, its a different tone and sound from the electric we have been accustomed to hearing, so I can see why some feel acoustic isn't really appropriate.

Me? I use both flat and arch tops (as well as electric). I find anything with 6 strings works just fine in the general sense. No problem with either or any, just noticed some differences that I thought were interesting (at least to me).

I can see where for some it is a major concern given certain venues and combos. Likewise with effects; I don't depend on or use much in the way of effects. If I still needed volume, I'd go electric but I no longer perform or play with a combo so volume is of no concern whatsoever.

I'm basically a dreadnought, big guitar body, person for acoustics so haven't really thought much about other body sizes. Not sure if body size would have much effect, but I don't know.

I improvise single note lines freely on either.... no general preference there. However, I find that the flat-top's sound fits better on some things... slower tempo numbers in particular. For quick bop type playing I prefer the archtop.

For comping, I like the archtop's sound better than the flat-top.

On the technique side, I don't have any problem or see any specific drawback for me when using any acoustic vs electric. Play pretty much the same with either and don't find the electrics' neck faster or easier than the acoustic for instance. Likewise with string gauge (use heavier strings on the acoustics than all but one of the electrics) but I'm not doing a lot of bending playing jazz.

What I do notice is that with the acoustics I need a sharper or more defined right hand attack than with an electric... a quick brush or swipe usually don't cut it. I also use more dynamics with the electric... the acoustics I play more evenly, smoothly. That's the most pronounced with the archtop... need a much more defined right hand attack for single note lines than even the flat-top.

Also for some reason I tend to hammer-on/pull off a bit more with the flat-top vs the archtop. Odd. Also, I tend to go up higher (towards the body) on the neck for single note lines more often and higher on the archtop than the flat-top.

Anyway, just some personal observations.

I was just wondering (because I'm curious)... if you find it works for you, like or don't like using an acoustic for jazz or have any observations or experiences... or whatever.... pretty much an open question...

Thanks for reading.

 

[brookdalebill]

I don’t, and can’t play jazz, but I do play a few chord melodies on my acoustic.
Stuff like Stompin’ At The Savoy, Satin Doll, Moonlight In Vermont, Cherokee, Christmas Time Is Here, etc.
I play em’ like recital pieces, I’m a lousy single note soloist.
I have a beautiful, great sounding, easy to play acoustic.
I’ve never owned a proper arch top, or jazz guitar.
I prefer the tone of my jumbo, cutaway, flat top.
Arch tops sound great amplified, but sound thin and “focused” acoustically, IMO.

 

[mandoloony]

Some people think jazz can't be played well or shouldn't be played at all with an acoustic.

I guess those people don't realize that jazz predates the electric guitar.

I sometimes hang out in that intersection of jazz, blues and western swing. Super-complex harmony doesn't interest me, but the swing of early jazz and non-traditional chord sequences do. I mainly play those styles on acoustic archtops, either Spanish or Tenor, largely for their excellent string separation. However, I've found that spider-bridge resonators are great for jazz as well, especially played with a lighter touch. These are my main guitars for that style:

 

[Telekat 100]

I have and do. Partly because it improves my technique for when I switch back to my telecaster and partly because, if I'm messing around with my flattop acoustic, the jazz police aren't going to bust me if I play jazz on what's in hands at the time.

Noting, "jazz" is a broad category. But my point is, play whatever you want on whatever you want. All is good. There are no rules limiting that other than the ones we create in our own heads.

 

[Timbresmith1]

Do you play jazz on an acoustic? (flat-top or archtop or both?)

Some people think jazz can't be played well or shouldn't be played at all with an acoustic. I've always thought "Why not... its a guitar isn't it? Didn't a lot of jazz players use acoustics? Of course they did and do." However, its a different tone and sound from the electric we have been accustomed to hearing, so I can see why some feel acoustic isn't really appropriate.

Me? I use both flat and arch tops (as well as electric). I find anything with 6 strings works just fine in the general sense. No problem with either or any, just noticed some differences that I thought were interesting (at least to me).

I can see where for some it is a major concern given certain venues and combos. Likewise with effects; I don't depend on or use much in the way of effects. If I still needed volume, I'd go electric but I no longer perform or play with a combo so volume is of no concern whatsoever.

I'm basically a dreadnought, big guitar body, person for acoustics so haven't really thought much about other body sizes. Not sure if body size would have much effect, but I don't know.

I improvise single note lines freely on either.... no general preference there. However, I find that the flat-top's sound fits better on some things... slower tempo numbers in particular. For quick bop type playing I prefer the archtop.

For comping, I like the archtop's sound better than the flat-top.

On the technique side, I don't have any problem or see any specific drawback for me when using any acoustic vs electric. Play pretty much the same with either and don't find the electrics' neck faster or easier than the acoustic for instance. Likewise with string gauge (use heavier strings on the acoustics than all but one of the electrics) but I'm not doing a lot of bending playing jazz.

What I do notice is that with the acoustics I need a sharper or more defined right hand attack than with an electric... a quick brush or swipe usually don't cut it. I also use more dynamics with the electric... the acoustics I play more evenly, smoothly. That's the most pronounced with the archtop... need a much more defined right hand attack for single note lines than even the flat-top.

Also for some reason I tend to hammer-on/pull off a bit more with the flat-top vs the archtop. Odd. Also, I tend to go up higher (towards the body) on the neck for single note lines more often and higher on the archtop than the flat-top.

Anyway, just some personal observations.

I was just wondering (because I'm curious)... if you find it works for you, like or don't like using an acoustic for jazz or have any observations or experiences... or whatever.... pretty much an open question...

Thanks for reading.

On flat-top? Unless it’s a Selmer/Maccafieri I would never.
Archtop? Yes indeed!
Gretsch Synchro or L-5/Super 400 (unless it’s vintage D’Angelico/Barker/Epiphone/Stromberg)

 

[dougstrum]

Sure, not for gigs but at home or sitting around with friends

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Any instrument is good for jazz.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Yes.

Take a listen to what Eric Skye does on a small bodied Santa Cruz (its only 12 frets clear)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt6Ig55ntHDTCeiAT9ZxFdA

 

[kuch]

I'm not great but I play jazz and anything else on acoustic if I feel like it.
I also fingerpick and play "acoustic" songs on electric if I'm in the mood.

 

[fishermike]

"Some people" are idiots.

 

[Engine Swap]

Used to… forgive the horrible string noise.

 

[black_doug]

Django Reinhardt

 

[teletail]

Charlie Byrd. In college he, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Bucky Pizzarelli were required listening.

 

[black_doug]

I don’t, and can’t play jazz, but I do play a few chord melodies on my acoustic.
Stuff like Stompin’ At The Savoy, Satin Doll, Moonlight In Vermont, Cherokee, Christmas Time Is Here, etc
I play em’ like recital pieces, I’m a lousy single note soloist.

You are playing jazz.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

I don’t, and can’t play jazz, but I do play a few chord melodies on my acoustic.
Stuff like Stompin’ At The Savoy, Satin Doll, Moonlight In Vermont, Cherokee, Christmas Time Is Here, etc.
I play em’ like recital pieces, I’m a lousy single note soloist.
I have a beautiful, great sounding, easy to play acoustic.
I’ve never owned a proper arch top, or jazz guitar.
I prefer the tone of my jumbo, cutaway, flat top.
Arch tops sound great amplified, but sound thin and “focused” acoustically, IMO.

Stompin at the Savoy... Satin Doll... Moonlight in Vermont... Cherokee....

Looks to me like you play some jazz. Recital type is cool... kind of a Milt Jackson Third Stream vibe. Cool.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

I guess those people don't realize that jazz predates the electric guitar.

I sometimes hang out in that intersection of jazz, blues and western swing. Super-complex harmony doesn't interest me, but the swing of early jazz and non-traditional chord sequences do. I mainly play those styles on acoustic archtops, either Spanish or Tenor, largely for their excellent string separation. However, I've found that spider-bridge resonators are great for jazz as well, especially played with a lighter touch. These are my main guitars for that style:

Resonator !!! That's a really cool unique touch... would have never thought of using a resonator.

Man, I can dig it !!!

 

[maxvintage]

I do, most often on a Chinese made Saga Selmer style. A large or "D' hole model. I usually play it fingerstyle. The Selmer design is really pretty great. they sound like django witha pick, but fingerstyle they sit in an interesting place between a nylon string and an archtop.

This particular guitar is one of the best acoustic guitars I've ever played, I got lucky when I found it in a local shop.

 

[OldTelePlayer]

Django Reinhardt

Yeah I dig Django too. Do you play that sort of thing?

That quick Romany jazz is pretty tough. My fingers just don't move like that!

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Django Reinhardt

I prefer his later electric work. Blasphemy, I know...

 

[OldTelePlayer]

Charlie Byrd. In college he, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Bucky Pizzarelli were required listening.

Charlie Byrd is famous for acoustic jazz. Haven't heard much of Barney, Bucky or Herb playing anything but electric. I think they are terrific too... particularly like how Byrd gets a great feeling on the acoustic.

Do you play that sort of thing on an acoustic? That's cool.