Jazz Box Friday | Grote GB-003

[@redelk2974]

Jimmie, I finally was able to find a very nice Grote Jazz box, like your playing. I have wanted one since I watched your video. I am very impressed and wanted to say thank you for your great reviews. You are Spot on Mate... Wonderful guitars. Amazing for the price. I would add my hearty endorsement, fwiw. You knock it outta the park, sir. re

[@JimmyStewart1]

Red Elk…thanks so very much my friend! I always try to speak and play the truth!! So glad you got the chance to pick one up…enjoy!! Appreciate your stopping in and sharing your thoughts with us!! Keep pickin’…🙏👍

[@reggiemurphy1523]

Happy JBF - (Just Bobbeing Free) LOL Great video Jimmy and Bob was the catalyst for the purchasing of my GROTAAAYSS /Groats/ Grouts!! LOL Keep Jamming!!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Yes, “Bob” is proud of all his accomplishments….🤣 A happy JBF to you as well…😎👍

[@MrJavasan01]

Once again Jimmy, a fantastic review and some beautiful playing. Love the tone of this one sir!

[@JimmyStewart1]

So glad you liked it This Guy!! I really appreciate your stopping in and kind comments! Thank You!! 🎸👍

[@alastair6356]

Some really cool playing.🤩👍

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@alastair6356 Thanks so much…truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and hope to see you around more! Lots to see & hear! Much thanks! 🙏👍

[@mosneedly3751]

Nice to see another "bob" featured again. Really nice and smooth playing and sounds from this instrument. Been on the fence on the Grote brand thanks for sharing the insight King 👑 Jimmy.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Mo…thanks so much for watching and commenting. No need to be on the fence with these..a lot of guitar for the $$ Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍

[@WardWickford]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing Jimmy 👍

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much Ward! Appreciate your stopping in to the channel and watching! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍🎸

[@jonk.j.jeffbartz7948]

Great work & sound. I'm glad I found this video. I was about to swap out the P-90 in mine into my Kawai L-5 copy I'm converting to electric, and use the "too tall" Humbucker I bought for the Kawai on the Grote (scrapping that idea). As usual, your playing is outstanding. Thanks!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so very much…truly appreciate the kind comments!! 🎸👍

[@mCKENIC]

Beautiful tone and playing - as always! Thanks for the overview Jimmy!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so very much mCKENIC…always appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍

[@ekw555]

late to the party. was away from home camping from Wednesday to Monday. guitar sounds great! thanks for the revisit.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Your never late ekw555…😎 Always appreciate your stopping in no matter when it is….truly appreciate it! 🎸👍

[@louisfryzel4618]

After years of thinking about it I just now ordered the sunburst model off Amazon because it and the red version (but not the natural) have a 15 percent off discount so the price was about $178. Guess I'm getting it Friday (or so). I know you installed a shim and then took it out (another reviewer just left it that way) so I will probably do that as I don't need the volume and I just want as clean a sound as possible. I will change the strings, as I do when I get a guitar, and probably remove the pickguard as I'm a light strummer.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey there Louis!! Congrats and enjoy it man! It’s a fun guitar!! Yeah, initially I thought the P90 needed to come up so gave it the “shim” treatment. On this guitar however, I actually liked the sound of the pup lower, so removed the shim and have never looked back. I think you will enjoy it! Have fun, and congrats once again!! 🎸👍

[@davidkastin4240]

Your playing is great Jimmy. Glad I stopped in officially today ☺

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much David….I am glad you stopped in “officially” today too! 😎

[@nakim55]

Dig your playing over those sunny changes, I always did dig that tune. You show this can be played above the 14th fret and I also dig your vibrato. I think I will take a chance and pull the trigger on one of these today.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much for watching and the kind comments! Glad to hear you enjoyed!. Honestly, I think you will enjoy it. Good luck with yours should you choose to grab one. Truly appreciate you dropping into the channel…🎸👍

[@nakim55]

@@JimmyStewart1 Got it, Christ, the quality is as good as my fender players Strat and mustang! Kind of pisses me off for the money I payed for the fenders. I can’t find a thing wrong with the grote, I am going to put a tusq nut on it and some gotah locking keystone tuners, but you could easily get away without doing anything to it, I just want to spoil this baby. Oh, and some flat wounds. This was the best $200 I have every spent! I had a Godin kingpin 10 years ago and I like this grote more!! And it sounds SO GOOD! I ordered a crossrock tweed case for it and a fender 65 reissue Princeton tweed reverb from Sweetwater to go with it. Now the amp ain’t cheap, but with this excellent jazz box only costing me a couple hundred, I can almost justify the big bucks on the amp! Unbelievable value, there is a God!

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@nakim55 NICE! So glad to hear you received yours and “seem”to be enjoying it!! I kinda figured you would…😎 Should sound very sweet with that new Fender amp you got coming…congrats and enjoy your new rig. Appreciate your stopping in and sharing your thoughts. Much thanks…🎸👍

[@mjvicc1952]

Nicely done Chief! Really nice tone!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Oaaar shucks….I bet you say that to all the Friday Jazz box playing Chiefs….🤣 Truly appreciate your stopping in….thanks so much mjvicc1952

[@JohnMaag-f3t]

I just ordered one off of Amazon under the Redid name in the vintage sunburst. I'm very excited about getting this guitar.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi John…congrats! I know that the Redid brand is associated with Grote, but I don’t know what differences (if any) you may find between the two. Please let me know what you think once you receive yours! Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing. Congrats once again and good luck with your new Jazz Box! 🎸👍

[@JohnMaag-f3t]

@@JimmyStewart1 I just got my little Redid Sunburst Jazz Box. I'm playing it through my Marshall Origin 20C combo amp. and it sounds really great. Nice Bluesy vibe to it. Well worth the money.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@JohnMaag-f3t Congrats!! Good to hear John! Enjoy it, and thanks for the follow-up info!! Much appreciated! 🎸👍

[@bobfrye8879]

Hey Jimmy...Good stuff as usual

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much Bob…truly appreciate your stopping in! Glad you enjoyed it! 🎸👍

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Nice Jazz comps Jimmy. you have the touch.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so very much…. Appreciate it!! 👍🙏👍

[@JohnBham]

I've been considering one of these, but something I've noticed is a lack of either a gig bag or case being made available for the Jazz Guitar style (neither Grote nor Redid labels seem to show them anywhere). If you have found a suitable bag or hard case, could you share what make and model you use (or modified for use)? Thank you so much, and thank you for your videos ~

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi John! Thanks for watching and commenting! To date, I have not pursued looking for a case or gig bag for mine. It stays in the studio either in a stand or hanging, (depending on guitar rotation) so I really don’t know what is out there that would be a good fit for it. I would measure bout/length/width and search on-line for something suitable. Some of the newer gig bags come with adjustable inserts now to fit just about anything! Sweetwater and Musicians Friend have cases on sale quite often….good luck in your quest and thanks so much for stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍

[@AIainMConnachie]

This video really inspired me I have one of these identical to yours I liked the sound of the P90 as is & wondered why everyone kept saying it needed raising. I too still have the plastic on & find nothing wrong with the tuners! I am now going to remove the pick guard though ! Thanks Say, mind my asking- what’s your settings / amp, for the outro here? You seem so low key & friendly & your vibrato is second to none Subscribed

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi A McConaughey…thanks so much for watching and the kind comments. I would have to go back into this video to give you settings…don’t remember what I was using. I will have to listen to it, but will get back to you! Thanks again for watching and commenting! Much thanks…🎸👍

[@calbrockocat8728]

Nice bonus look and listen to an old friend. If smooth jazz is your thing, this guitar should be your guitar. Nice look, Jimmy!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so very much Cal B… Much appreciate it! 🎸👍

[@tubularbill]

Great review. I like this guitar as well. Jim I have a question - what is the backing track that you were using for this video? It’s got a nice 80s fusion type sound to it. You could let me know that be great thank you!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Tubularbill…thanks so much man. Appreciated! 🙏 Backing track….hmmm…it was quite awhile ago, but honestly I think I just asked “Alexa” for a random jazz style backing track and this is what I got…🎸👍

[@waltervangorden5671]

hi jim, it was the pickup shims i am interested in for my groute p90 dogear pickups,

[@JimmyStewart1]

Ok…so I bought mine from Fralin Pickups online. Just “Google” Fralin and it should come up. They have measurements on their site, and depending on how low your pickups are setting. They have different heights, etc…🎸👍

[@eearts]

Wonderful playing Jimmy😊 I have a Gretsch jazzbox I really enjoy. Would you say the quality here is comparable to Firefly?

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much eearts…Yes, I have found that the Grote models I have to be very close to what you get with FF…major differences being the availability of different finishes that Firefly does. All of my Grote’s have been very good overall. 🎸👍

[@EvolutionaryEnergyArts]

@@JimmyStewart1 Thanks Jimmy!

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@EvolutionaryEnergyArts My pleasure…👍👍

[@davidelliott4089]

Hey Jimmy great Video on the Grote. Was wondering about the floating bridge. Did you have to adjust it or is the placement good? When you changed the strings did you leave it in same spot? Ty.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi David…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Yes, sometimes it will require adjusting when changing strings, or in my case I shimmed up the P90 pickup and realigned the strings via bridge placement. It’s got a bit of “tack” underneath and the string tension keeps it in place. Hope that helps…🎸👍

[@3cardmonty602]

I had an Epiphone Century reissue from about 4 years ago, but had to sell it for a Heart Surgery. I needed a congenitally defective valve replaced. But, I loved that guitar. Dang.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Wow…sorry to hear that 3 Card Monty…hope you are doing well or at least better now!! Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🙏👍

[@3cardmonty602]

@@JimmyStewart1 Love your channel Jimmy. I’m in South Jersey around Cherry Hill.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@3cardmonty602 Well thanks so much!! It’s good to see you here!! I know South Jersey pretty well….😎

[@kiltsteve7794]

I have a grote Les Paul 12 string. They are really good guitars.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Nice! Yeah, I have a few Grote’s now and have been quite happy with them overall! Thanks so much for stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍

[@eearts]

Hope you are doing well Jimmy🙏🏼😇🙏🏼

[@JimmyStewart1]

Doing fine my friend…thanks!! 🎸👍

[@zuperdee]

Gosh… In my high school days back in the 1990’s, one of my English teachers had a Gibson ES-125 that he played through a silverface Fender Twin Reverb. What a sound it had!!! As I recall, his had dual P-90 pickups, and overall looked VERY similar to this Grote model you have! He also used to mention how George Thorogood played rock music on his ES-125, proving that ANY guitar can be used to play ANYTHING, and you don’t have to listen to those who say things like “this guitar can only be used for jazz,” or “this guitar is only good for shred metal players!” I seem to recall you doing a miniature comparison of this guitar with your IYV IJZ-300, which is also a really nice looking guitar-it might be interesting to do a similar revisit of that one, too. Do you also play Jazz-type stuff on your IBM-200 Red Special clone? It’s always interesting to see how one’s tastes change over time… The Beatles, for example, switched from the Rickenbackers and Gretschs in their early years to Epiphone Casinos and various Fender models by the time of “Get Back/Let It Be.”

[@JimmyStewart1]

Totally agree that you can play ANYTHING on ANY guitar really. Some are more suited to certain sounds or genre’s, but we all pretty much know that it’s in the “hands” in the end…😎 You always seem to be able to read my mind, as I was also doing some filming with the 300 for future “upcoming” revisit….and yes, I was also giving the BM some play time too!! As the Beatles sound got more intricate, diverse and “darker”, they had to grab some single coil and P90 goodness to grow that RnR sound…😎

[@zuperdee]

@@JimmyStewart1 HAHA!!!! Well, I saw it sitting right there, so it seemed like a natural conclusion to draw, and indeed it does seem like a natural comparison to make, since they are kind of direct competitors! 😂 I also do agree that certain guitars definitely lend themselves to certain sounds or styles better-some may even inspire us to play in different ways. In short: A good guitar should elicit a sound, not prescribe a sound. Your “smooth jazz”-type playing on that Grote was really a delight to hear, btw!

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@zuperdee Gotcha…still a mind reader however!! Thanks as always kind sir….🙏

[@papablue3015]

Nice guitar! Music reminds me of Boz Skaggs! Thanks!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much for stopping in and listening papa blue!! Most appreciated! 🎸👍

[@JimmyStewart1]

I have always been a big fan on Boz…back when he was with Steve Miller, then of course his big breakout album, “Silk Degrees”

[@bb_lz9790]

Sounds beautiful! I keep telling myself that I don't want to buy any more guitars...really I don't....honest....

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much…a surprisingly nice guitar that plays/sounds/looks much nicer than the price point would have you believe! Fighting the GAS is tough…I keep telling myself the same thing, but it’s fruitless! Really appreciate your stopping in to the channel and hope to see you around more! 🎸👍

[@williamsherman1089]

Yeah I just ordered one myself, Amazon says it will be here tomorrow, can't wait lol. Actually it's not the Grote though, it's a new brand called Redid but what I could tell by the specs it's the same guitar and I was able to get it in the Natural finish oh and it was a little cheaper too. I'm afraid I suffer from the GAS syndrome too, it's a terrible affliction isn't it? LoL!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi William… thanks for watching and commenting. I have seen those Redid brand on Amazon and they sure look similar to the Grote. Be sure to let us know what you think once you receive it! 🎸👍

[@donweiss4447]

Hi Jimmy, I bought one of these too! I wanted a hollowbody guitar with a P90 for a change. I didn't really need a bridge pickup so this model seemed perfect especially for the price. I also took off the pickguard because the sunburst and body looks much better that way. I did try putting in an all wooden bridge but I thought it reduced the higher end frequencies a little too much. Now what string gauge did you end using on this guitar?

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Don…thanks for watching and commenting! I strung this guitar like I do most of mine, with D’Addario 9’s. Plays great. I did initially raise the P90 up (shimmed) but after about a year, I brought it back down which I ended up preferring the sound. It’s subtle, but this P90 I think sounds better a bit lower. Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel and congrats on your new Grote!! Much appreciated! 🎸👍

[@strumbum946]

Are those flat wound strings you’re playing. They sound really nice and mellow…

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Strumbum…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Nope…they are DAdarrio 9/46. It’s what I use on the majority of my electric guitars. Appreciate your stopping into the channel. 🎸👍

[@strumbum946]

@@JimmyStewart1 - Thank you for your quick response! I couldn’t tell on my iPad screen if they were flat wound. I use DAdarrio 10s roundwound on all my guitars. I believe I’m going to try those 9s. The 9s sounds nice and I know they are quite easier on the bends and fretting than the 10 gauge.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@strumbum946 Yep!! My go to strings for over the past twenty years or so…give ‘em a try!! 🎸👍

[@strumbum946]

@@JimmyStewart1 - I haven’t played 9s since I switched to 10s about 25 years ago or so for the heavier sound of the 10s. I’m thinking it’s about time to switch back to 9s. Thanks for your channel and your responses.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@strumbum946 My pleasure man…I was just the opposite having played 10’s for years and years, then finally switching over to 9’s around 25 years or so ago…😎 Glad to hear you are enjoying the channel and hope to see you here more! 🎸👍

[@robraaiii]

Hey Jimmy Sounding good, as always 🤘. At first I thought you had the FFLS there. Is it a “Little Sister“ type of rig?

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey Rob….got this back in 2019…kind of similar to a LS…more Epiphone Century or Godin 5th Avenue…. Thanks so much for stopping in man…much appreciated! 👍🎸

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: It is a full sized guitar, It fits in a hard case for an ES-335 and the lower bout fills it fully. With a good set up, it is a really good traditional sounding archtop guitar. I did replace the tuners as the originals were rough and sloppy, even though they did hold tune once you got there.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@barbmelle3136 Yep!! Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! Much thanks! 🎸👍

[@zuperdee]

The Tape Farm did a review of the Firefly FFLS not too long ago. It is indeed a clone of the B&G “Little Sister.” It is a TOTALLY different guitar from the one in this video, which is more like a clone of the Gibson ES-125. The Little Sister is smaller, with two P90-style pickups. As I understand it, it’s basically more like an electrified parlor guitar than a giant jazz box.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@zuperdee Indeed….I really think Grote was thinking in the Epiphone Century category, Godin 5th Avenue, or as PG says here…the iconic ES-125 style. Thanks so much PG for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍

[@youtoob13]

Got G.A.S.? Indio by Monoprice 66 DLX Plus Mahogany Electric Guitar with Gig Bag - Black. Get em while they’re hot!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Yes…I have the 66 DLX PLUS in the gold top version! Great guitar! A full review of that is also here on the channel! Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel and sharing! Much appreciated! 🎸👍

[@youtoob13]

@@JimmyStewart1 Sweet deal at 90, won’t last long.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@youtoob13 Yes!! Incredible price for this!! I really don’t need another LP style but…..😎

[@youtoob13]

@@JimmyStewart1 😂 🤣 Looking forward to a review!

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@youtoob13 Ha!! I look forward to reviewing it…also some comparison videos would be interesting as well! They are already sold out!!

[@Oxmyx01]

Try it with flat wounds. Butter.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting…I just may try that at some point, but not a huge fan of flat wounds in general. Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel. Much thanks…🎸👍

[@HorizonMelt]

Hey, with all due respect for your entertaining and fun video, why on Earth would you think it was pronounced 'grout'? Where have you ever seen an English word spelled with an "..ote" where you would pronounce like it was "g r o u t''? There's no U, or W.....or 'AUT' combination..

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey HorizonMelt…thanks for watching and commenting! I don’t know honestly…for some reason i have a hard time (still) pronouncing this name. I chalk it up to being a “Boston” thing, along with re-learning the English language whilst living in the UK…😎. To me it looks the “Grote” (like goat) not Grote (like cement)…🤣 It’s like route (root)….or bonnet or Al-nu-minimum…🤣. Regardless, someday when I grow up, perhaps I will eventually get it right (highly doubtful). Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel, 🎸👍

[@daveydoodle1916]

Isn’t that more for jazz

[@JimmyStewart1]

Jazz, Blues, Rock, Punk, Funk….it’s all good!! 😎 Thanks for stopping in…🎸👍

[@bobacosta1594]

Enough playing already!16 minute could be 6 minutes.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi bobacosta1594…thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts. As I mentioned to you in another of your comments concerning “time” when I am playing I pay no attention to it. This was simply a “follow up” to the actual review, and to have some fun with the guitar(I do try to entertain myself as well) and put it though some tone paces. Just showing some possibilities with this budget instrument and having fun. Sorry you didn’t see it this way… I played for at least an hour (usually longer) at each session. Sometimes I film it all and edit…sometimes I don’t 😎

[@DavidMoore_drmoorejr]

Charlie Christian style playing would be nicer on that guitar than that "smooth jazz" stuff.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi David…thanks for watching. Not a fan of my “smooth jazz” stuff huh…😎 I will practice my C.C. stuff for next time perhaps. Appreciate your stopping into the channel. 🎸👍

[@DavidMoore_drmoorejr]

@@JimmyStewart1 I LOVE JAZZ, just not the Pat Metheny style. I love Swing, Bebop, and Dixieland styles, and the classic blues, Jazz/blues music. I like Joe Pass, Grant Green, Charlie Christian,. Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola... Wes Montgomery is cool