Hofner Jazzica
Jack A. Zucker
Some of the interesting features of the jazzica:
- 16" archtop with
- solid, carved spruce top,
- 25.5", 24 fret scale maple neck with ebony fingerboard
- neck meets body at 16th fret
- Better than average upper access for an archtop
- 4" body which tapers down to 2.5" at the neck,
- a single floating mini-humbucker
- Ebony Bridge and Tailpiece
- Schaller tuners (of course!!!)
- Asymmetric neck profile (very comfortable)
- body mounted volume & tone controls.
- Removable, Ebony f-hole plugs
- Deluxe 5 ply hard-shell case (You gotta see this case!?!)
Anyway, the guitar plays and sounds amazing. Action was very low. Even
lower than I keep it and with my sweep picking, I'm the king of
low!!!! It has a beautifully loud and even tone throughout the entire
range of the instruments. Even the highest notes sound full and round
without that irritating pinging you get from solid or semi-hollow
guitars and without the dull, instant deadening of some lesser
archtops. Sustain was good and the quality of tone both acoustically
and electrically was gorgeous. I was a little worried about the "24
fret" issue but it turned out to be nothing to worry about. The guitar
wasn't the least be negatively effected by the extra 2 frets. This
would be a perfect guitar to record a solo album on or do play with a
trio.
I installed the ebony F-Hole plug and the guitar sounded slightly
muffled compared to without them but after a few minutes, I didn't
notice it at all.
Neck profile was great. Just the right thickness for tone without
feeling clubby at all. Like most archtops, the neck gets chunkier as
you get up to the higher frets but it never feels uncomfortable,
perhaps due to the asymetrical neck carving which is thicker on the
bass side.
I'm not sure what the finish is but I'd assume it to be Polyurethane,
however it appears to be done thinly enough as to not hamper the
vibration of the guitar since it had an incredible acoustic tone and I
could see using the guitar in a coffee shop acoustically behind a
vocalist...Hofner is making a limited run of these guitars with the
antique varnish finish which looks wonderful and in theory allows the
top to vibrate more freely.
Jeff Hale Music Supply (www.jhalemusic.com) has some great pix and
information on the hofner guitars and then there's the hofner website
itself which is extremely hard to google due to the spelling.
(http://www.musicgroup.com/Instruments/Hoefner/FrameHoefner.htm)
J.Hale Music is selling the jazzica for $2049 which is astounding for
an archtop of this quality. I think Hofner has set a new standard for
price/performance with these guitars.
In fact, I liked this instrument so much that I signed on with Hofner
to endorse their instruments. I'll be purchasing a Jazzica or Bruno
guitar and possibly a Verythin guitar as well.
Jaz
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Joe Finn
really something. I like the way the body tapers. This makes for a unique
design and a certain characteristic sound too. .......joe
--
Visit me on the web www.joefinn.net
"Jack A. Zucker" <j...@jackzucker.com> wrote in message
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Jack Zucker
It's got the comfort of a thinline but the tone of a bigger instrument.
--
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: www.soundclick.com/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Joe Finn" <J...@JoeFinn.net> wrote in message
news:402a9...@corp.newsgroups.com...
David Moss
by Keith Freeman's Jazzica when I tried it out, good
to see that confirmed by someone who knows what he's
talking about.
My only quibble is about the ease of finding their
website - just go to www.hofner.com and you get
redirected...
"Jack A. Zucker" wrote...
Keith Freeman
> an archtop of this quality
-Keith
Music samples, tips, Portable Changes at
http://home.wanadoo.nl/keith.freeman/
E-mail: keith DOT freeman AT wanadoo DOT nl
Jack Zucker
it...For $300 less than the price of a laminated Ibanez guitar you can have
a solid, carved top guitar. Hard to believe.
--
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: www.soundclick.com/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"David Moss" <david.no...@anka.fzk.de> wrote in message
news:c0e9fl$167l9r$1...@ID-90151.news.uni-berlin.de...
Chrome!Hat
hear one live in my neck of the woods - but GAS can attack virtually!
Personally, I think it's an absolutely beautiful looking instrument as well.
I've had an eye on it for a while.
I noticed you're unloading gear on Harmony Central. Do they not let you play
any other brands anymore??
Rick
"Jack A. Zucker" <j...@jackzucker.com> wrote in message
news:2f33c43f.04021...@posting.google.com...
Rbsoul
more and more on gigs and find it pretty versatile (I've used it for some R&B
and ragtime as well as jazz). You're right about the plugs, I think they change
the sound quite noticeably (loses some warmth) but work very well at containing
feedback at full throttle!
I really think the neck is one of the most comfortable I've ever played (the
other being my Vestax D'Angelico NYL4 18') and you're right about the action.
Very little effort is extended to play this guitar.
I'm always surprised at how big and full the sound of the instrument is
considering it's a 16' and the body tapers in from full body to slimline. I've
had others comment on that as well. It's also a very comfortable instrument to
hold.
I've found the workmanship to be excellent. And this is a very affordable
guitar. I bought mine used (1 year old) on Ebay for $1400. I've seen another
beauty selling on Ebay for $1500. These are bargain prices for a quality
guitar.
Congratulations Jack on your endorsement deal. All of Hofners models are
beautiful instruments. I'd also love to have a Verythin.
Ken Willinger
Hear my clips at:
http://www.soundclick.com/kenwillinger
Gerry
Zucker <j...@jackzucker.com> wrote:
> I tried out a Hofner Jazzica a couple days ago.
I good do you feel the guitar is for sitting in a room, unamplified,
and getting rich full accoustic tone?
How many pickups and were they floaters or body-mounted?
--
First they gerrymander us into one-party fiefs. Then they tell us they only
care about the swing districts. Then they complain about voter apathy.
-- Gail Collins
Jack Zucker
a really nice and rich tone.
It's got a single, mini humbucker floating.
--
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: www.soundclick.com/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Gerry" <222...@spam.really.sucks> wrote in message
news:110220041935176033%222...@spam.really.sucks...
Mike O'Malley
president. I spent many hours comparing the two a year ago, and went
with the New Prez narrowly. It had a slightly deeper and richer (to my
ears) acoustic tone. But it was a very close call, and the jazzica was
both cool and very comfortble to play
I've been playing the new prez for over a year now, and I can agree
that Hofner is making really really good instruments at remarkable
price. The neck is extremely confortable and the tone is great--the
only downside is that with 14s (TI Bnsons) it's little "plinky" on
the higher notes. I hear this anyway, other people say they don't, and
I don't hear it when other people play it. Might be nice to have a
single coil in there instead of the armstrong bucker, because I
generally like single coils. But otherwise I love this guitar
Josip Seidl
Classic and it has the same pickup as Jazzica and this is not a floating
pickup,it`s routed on the top of guitar.On my Artist Award there is a
floating pickup glued to the pickguard and on Howard Roberts Artist is
scruved in the neck.By the way,I`m planning to order Jazzica,because I find
the tone of Verythin Classic kind of thin.I heard Bob Conti on Jazzica and
LOVE his sound.
"Jack A. Zucker" <j...@jackzucker.com> skrev i meddelandet
news:2f33c43f.04021...@posting.google.com...
pmfan57
> I think it's perfect for sitting in a room and playing unamplified. It's got
> a really nice and rich tone.
>
> It's got a single, mini humbucker floating.
>
it.
Are you getting the "John Stowell" verythin, or the semi acoustic
verythin classic? It seems like the JS model is just like the Jazzica
as far as soundholes and pickguard and probably spruce top, if I'm not
mistaken.
Sheets
news:f6b28b49.04021...@posting.google.com...
I'm not sure. My plan was to get the jazzica for quiet stuff and a verythin
classic for louder stuff,. Several folks have recommended getting the JS
model for jazz instead of the jazzica.
--
web: http://www.jazguitar.com
Endorsements: http://www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
Sheets
news:f3PWb.82485$dP1.2...@newsc.telia.net...
> Hi Jack,what do you mean by Floating pickup on Jazzica?I have Verythin
> Classic and it has the same pickup as Jazzica and this is not a floating
> pickup,it`s routed on the top of guitar.
The pickup on the jazzica is not cut through the top. It is floating.
> On my Artist Award there is a
> floating pickup glued to the pickguard and on Howard Roberts Artist is
> scruved in the neck.By the way,I`m planning to order Jazzica,because I
find
> the tone of Verythin Classic kind of thin.I heard Bob Conti on Jazzica and
> LOVE his sound.
Is any of that stuff on the web? The only stuff I can find of him on the
web, he's playing a tele-style guitar.
Jimmy Bruno raves about the single pickup verythin JS with the floating
pickup.
Sheets
parallel, giving you a single coil...
--
web: http://www.jazguitar.com
Endorsements: http://www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Mike O'Malley" <moma...@gmu.edu> wrote in message
news:87d03efb.04021...@posting.google.com...
MBR
I played one and was very impressed with the tone and the overall
playability. Where did that f-hole design come from though? I think
those f-holes are kind of ugly.
-Mark R
Stephen Ginsburg
I've had my Jazzica for nearly a year now and I agree with every
positive thing said about it in this thread. My only issue is that the
climate has been so dry here in Southern California, that it needs a
truss rod adjustment every couple of weeks. Otherwise, as I said, it's
the best guitar I've ever owned and my alltime favorite.
Keith Freeman
> Classic and it has the same pickup as Jazzica and this is not a floating
> pickup,it`s routed on the top of guitar.
Keith Freeman
> those f-holes are kind of ugly.
ugly, though I did find it a bit shocking when I first had it. It looks
prettier w/o the feedback plugs, but the plugs are really useful.
jaz
Aren't they also called cat's eye ?
--
web: http://www.jazguitar.com
Endorsements: http://www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Keith Freeman" <dont.use.t...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns948EAAA9A...@194.134.2.2...
Mondoslug1
>Aren't they also called cat's eye ?
>
Yeah, I think it's purtty. The pickguard might take some getting used to
though, but cool guitars
Tunes at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/andymostmusic.htm
Max Leggett
wrote:
>>It's all in the eye of the beholder. I think the F-Holes look gorgeous.
>>Aren't they also called cat's eye ?
>>
>
>
>Yeah, I think it's purtty. The pickguard might take some getting used to
>though, but cool guitars
The pickguard makes sense, being cut back so as not to interfere with
the f-hole. Looks odd, though, I agree. I have a major itch for a
Hofner JB, cuz I know Jimmy speced that really carefully. All I need
is some money ..........
>
>
>
>Tunes at:
>http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/andymostmusic.htm
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Keith Freeman
Keith Freeman
> though
had the Kent Armstrong p/up fitted.
pmfan57
> Classic and it has the same pickup as Jazzica and this is not a floating
> pickup,it`s routed on the top of guitar.
The Verythin John Stowell model is different from the Classic you have
and seems to be exactly like the Jazzica with the same bridge,
Pickguard and pickup mounting (floating) as the Jazzica (which I have
and love). Also probably has the carved top, but I'm not sure. JAZ
could answer that, or Jimmy or Sid Jacobs if you're lurking out there.
jaz
on this JS model:
http://www.jhalemusic.com/Hofner%20Guitars/Verythin_JS_Front_Body.jpg
The Jazzica uses a standard ebony bridge.
Regarding the top, I'm not sure. I thought the JS had a carved top but the
hofner site just says "select spruce".
--
web: http://www.jazguitar.com
Endorsements: http://www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"pmfan57" <jwra...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:f6b28b49.0402...@posting.google.com...
Steve Grenadier
others clearly do. Admittedly, I had an earlier model (maybe a couple
of years old). It looked and played fantastic. However, the sound was
much more "tinny" than the typical archtop. It sounded much more like
an ES-335 than an L5 or Johnny Smith. I returned it to the store that
sold it to me, and the seller mentioned that he agreed that the sound
was a bit unconventional for an archtop.
Just my own experience, nothing more.
Steve
jaz
"Steve Grenadier" <sg...@stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:402D2D2C...@stanford.edu...
> For some reason, I didn't have the same impression of the Jazzica that
> others clearly do. Admittedly, I had an earlier model (maybe a couple
> of years old). It looked and played fantastic. However, the sound was
> much more "tinny" than the typical archtop. It sounded much more like
> an ES-335 than an L5 or Johnny Smith. I returned it to the store that
> sold it to me, and the seller mentioned that he agreed that the sound
> was a bit unconventional for an archtop.
>
> Just my own experience, nothing more.
The Jazzica I played was a year old I believe but it sounded gorgeous.
Nothing like a 335 at all. Not even remotely similar. I can see how the
extra 2 frets and mini humbucker would make for a brighter tone than an L5
but it wasn't the least bit tinny at all. Remember too that it's a 16"
guitar and not a 17" archtop like the L5 or Johnny Smith.
Check this site out for a clip of the jazzica. Yes, it's a bit brighter than
an L5 but still sounds gorgeous!
http://www.jackgrassel.com/
D.Onstenk
my taste. I simply prefer darker sounding guitars and these have routed in
humbuckers usually. But it was still a very nice guitar indeed.
But ... how does it behave in louder live settings? Does the sound retain
its quality or does it start sounding harsher? I always find that that is
the great test for any archtop. Sounding sweet at low volumes is something
most archtops can do.
#####
"jaz" <j...@jackzucker.com> schreef in bericht
news:kqmdnTZ3orr...@adelphia.com...
Keith Freeman
> for my taste. I simply prefer darker sounding guitars and these have
> routed in humbuckers usually.
This is a very versatile instrument. Open up the pot and you have Grant
Green, close it right down and you have Pat Martino. Take out the
feedback plugs, open up the tone and turn the volume right down and you
have Freddy Greene!
> But ... how does it behave in louder live settings? Does the sound
> retain its quality or does it start sounding harsher?
That's going to depend on how you amplify it. But members of the audience
- including pro jazz guitarists - have been very complimentary about the
sound: one said "almost acoustic", another said "that Romantic jazz
guitar sound I love!".
Jack Zucker
versatile. I found that with the tone controls wide open, it had that R&B
jazz sound ala Benson & Grant Green but with it turned down it was like
Metheny!
--
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: www.soundclick.com/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Keith Freeman" <dont.use.t...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns948FA04E6...@194.134.2.2...
Dave
unplugged?
I was searching for a low budget archtop a while ago, but I've decided
to stick with my mexican strat until I bank up a couple thousand
dollars. Then I'll buy something nice.
These look like a good candidate.
Do you think spending this much would be overkill for a beginner?
Thanks,
Dave
Jack Zucker
has a clip of the jazzica on the opening page. www.jhalemusic.com has some
links to clips as well.
--
Web: www.jazguitar.net
Endorsements: www.jackzucker.com/JazGuitar/endorsements.htm
Soundclips: www.soundclick.com/2/jackzuckermusic.htm
"Dave" <sig...@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:f4b7bbee.04022...@posting.google.com...
Keith Freeman
important jazz guitar is in your life, etc... You would certainly be
getting an instrument that's comfortable and easy to play, which is
always an asset to a beginner. Of course there are plenty of Korean-made
archtops that satisfy those two criteria.
I find the Jazzica makes enough sound to practise with, provided you have
a good strong picking technique (rest strokes, thick pick). One thing I
like about it is that, unplugged, it already sounds like a *jazz* guitar.
Sariputra
tried the H575
mahogany back/sides with a spruce top and fell in love. This one had a Seth
pickup.
It was classic boy meets guitar.
best regards,
respectfully
Bill
"Keith Freeman" <dont.use.t...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns948D4B68A...@194.134.2.2...
> > the jazzica for $2049 which is astounding for
> > an archtop of this quality
> That's what I keep saying!