July 2008 Jazz instrument Update
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ibanez AF125-AMB guitar Endorsed by the likes of George Benson and Pat Metheny, Ibanez has a certain cache in the jazz market. What sets the company apart is the sheer playability of its instruments – the Ibanez neck profile is all but legendary among seasoned jazz performers. The new semi-acoustic Chinese manufactured AF125-AMB is the custom model from the Ibanez budget Artcore range and bears all the normal traits of the Ibanez marque. Its 16-inch body with 2-inch rims is made from laminated maple and produces plenty of acoustic volume, while the five piece set-in maple neck has no added heel and runs straight through (no scarf joint) to the Ibanez crown headstock and quality pearloid screw-thru’ Ibanez machine heads. Like many other jazz instruments, the AF125 is fitted with a short scale 22-fret rosewood board that on our sample felt like a slab of marble and has abalone/pearloid trapeze block position markers.
The plastic nut is slightly wider than the normal 44mm and offers good string separation – particularly helpful for those of us with larger hands! Fitted with an adjustable Ibanez tune-o-matic bridge and floating tailpiece covered by a rosewood block, the AF125’s electrics are served by two humbucking Ibanez S58s, with rosewood “top hat” tone and volume controls and a standard 3-way switch. Plugged in, there is good separation across the strings and the intonation and articulation is excellent with clear, clean harmonics. And there is plenty of warmth and width to the sound, although I couldn’t quite conjure up the smooth, svelty tone I was hoping for. Nonetheless, this is an exceptional instrument at an equally exceptional price and comes with my unreserved recommendation.
Go to www.headstockdistribution.com
P. Mauriat PMXA-67RUL alto sax
This unlacquered Mauriat has to be the most stylish sax that I have ever laid eyes on – I’ve forgotten all about that 65 Mk6! The engraving on the body is tasteful and not overstated and the finishing is superb – you only have to look at the top post. Indeed, this alto has "class" written all over it, with an unlacquered surface that will tarnish with time, giving the instrument a rich golden brown vintage appearance, and that’s before you’ve even blown a note! The keywork is very similar to the Selmer Mk 2 series and is well sprung with no play in any of the mechanisms, while the action is very positive, with perfectly positioned palm keys and excellently balanced table keys. With a Rico Royal 3 securely fitted to the Mauriat mouthpiece, there is immediately plenty of character and body to the sound, and a gloriously wide dynamic range that comes with very little effort. The instrument is very responsive – the bottom end having the trademark Mauriat warm-centred tone, while the top has a slight edge and bite to it.
Harmonics are crystal clear and pop out using the Selmer fingering and with rolled tone holes (standard on Mauriats), the intonation on this instrument was spot on. The octave key had a great deal of travel on it, which surprised me, but I’m sure that’s something that the individual player could easily get used to. Coming in a shaped, plush lined, semi-hard Denier-covered zippered case, with two large zippered side pockets, nylon feet, rubberised "grab" handle, standard handle and adjustable shoulder strap, there is plenty of cushioned cover to keep it from getting biffed and banged in transit.
Go to www.sax.co.uk
Ritter RG 7000 6-B - Bass Guitar Bag
Ritter has acquired an enviable reputation in the guitar bag market, and looking at the sample of a 7000 Series bass guitar bag, it’s easy to see why. Ritter only use heavy duty nylon zips and they don’t fit straight zips where a curved zip should be fitted. Add to this the tough denier fabric shower proof cover and heavily padded quilted lining and there’s plenty of protection for you prize possession. Fitted with a mesh padded grab handle, there is also an adjustable back harness with two “phone” pockets and an airmesh panel to the base of the bag for extra comfort.
There is also an adjustable waist band to hold the bag in place. To the face of the bag there are two large zippered pockets fitted with weatherproof zips, the top one being for gizmos and leads, the bottom being for other smaller items. The bottom one also has an inside zippered hidden pocket, a pouch pocket and an exterior “muff” pocket. Fully loaded, the RG 7000 is acceptably comfortable on the back, while the harness phone pockets are extremely useful for bits and pieces and even phones.
Go to www.dgcdistribution