GEAR REVIEW: Reasons Why I Chose This .strandberg* Jazz Guitar

[@davidkelly831]

Future classic guitars, but my experience has been that when there's something that bothers you it wont go away, it actually gets amplified over time

[@clarencevickrot3531]

Yep. I know longer try to adapt to the unadaptable.

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Kudos to you on no guitar since 2015!! Thank you for your impressions. Best Regards and Best Wishes for 2023!

[@jazzguitar]

Thank you, and Happy New Year as well! :)

[@nielsbosmobile]

I have a Strandberg Boden Classic 6 Malta Blue for 3 years now and just ordered this Sälen Jazz. Although my current Strandberg is not perfect, I have grown to love it more and more over the years, to the point where it is my main guitar. I love how portable it is: Truly, travel with it is a breeze, even on a motorcycle. It is also very, very comfortable. I did find it a bit noisy. I even added copper shielding and changed the humbucker to a Suhr as I found the original a bit harsh, but compared to my Ibanez Jem, it is still noisier; it is manageable though, but with high gain, I'd like it to be slightly quieter. I also like the action better on the Jem and was not able to get it to that level. The high E string can slide off the fretboard more easily when playing a bit too strongly, but that is mainly my technique I fear when playing very fast hammer-on/pull-off riffs. Even with these slight drawbacks, I still tend to grab the Strandberg 24 times vs 1 time for the Jem. It is just so comfortable, plays wonderfully and I love the Endur neck, even coming from the thin Ibanez neck, which I love as well. It helped me improve my hand position and, even thought it is much thicker, it doesn't feel like that for me... it feels fast, natural and nimble. Can't wait for the Sälen :)

[@pascalc3733]

Hey Marc. It was a pretty gift for yourself. Ravi que tu sois content de ton choix. 😉A bientôt dans le Jazz Guitar Accelerator

[@jazzguitar]

Merci :) C'est un peu grâce à toi, aussi!

[@doncarpent]

I would love to hear an update on how you feel about the Strandberg after having it for a while. I’m considering the Boden Essential as the Salen Jazz is out of my budget. Wondering how the 20” fretboard radius is for chording. Thanks for your great videos.

[@scottwa11ace]

I noticed the first signs of carpal tunnel issues and now I am totally fixed on getting more ergonomic guitar - currently playing a D'Angelico Excel DC (ES-335 like). I want to play another 50years without pain so thinking of selling a few of my others to get this. Thanks for the informative video.

[@jazzguitar]

Comfort is king, as they say -- and this guitar doesn't fail in that category :)

[@machitect]

Oohhh exciting! Will check it out

[@Andy1979G]

Interesting video, sir. Funny thing is that I bought a headless 7 string Ibanez QX527PB about 2 months ago while I’m like you a jazz/fusion/contemporary guitarist (never had a 7 string or headless guitar before and my main guitars are my Ibanez Frank Gambale signature models) and studied jazz at the conservatories in Rotterdam and Utrecht from 1995 till 2003. The reason for me to buy the Ibanez QX527PB had a few reasons: new challenges, new possibilities, inspired to buy one because of seeing Alex Hutchings playing the Ibanez.. I was exploring the .Strandberg as well since a few months, the same model you have as well and it got my interest as well, big time…. And here’s why: cause of the exact same reasons you mentioned in this video. I love my FGM models big time and played them for years, from standards to fusion. To be honest: my Ibanez GB10 and AF105 are lovely and beautiful guitars, sounds beautiful as well but are too big for my likes. And this .Strandberg definitely can open up new chapters and possibilities as well and prolly will fits me better cause of the size and ergonomics than my Jazz boxes… Only 1 big problem: they are super difficult to find in The Netherlands. So I prolly have to go at one point to their website and order it there. But enough about my blablablabla, again; great video and similar to my way of thinking..

[@jazzguitar]

Thanks :)

[@alexmarkowski3859]

I missed this post so this is a relatively late comment. I have the original Salen Jazz before the nx updates. I use the performaxe clamp to raise it on my lap. I am tall and this set the guitar to stable position comfortable and eliminated the neck front and back sway you mentioned. I have gotten very settled with it and i am discovering how great the playing is so far above the 12th fret. I replaced the knobs with the same black metal but have a white stripe so settings are clear at a glance. Some other mods but i think the game changer was the perfomanceaxe lap brace.

[@jazzguitar]

Sounds great! Might have to think about getting the mods too hmm

[@gustavegflaubert]

Very interesting video Marc. Now we all want to hear the guit ! In the next video maybe? Ciao!

[@jazzguitar]

Yes, I will be using this guitar for the upcoming videos :D

[@cellobrew584]

I've had this guitar (Salon Jazz) for about six months. I go back and forth between this and my PRS acoustic, with no problem adjusting to the fanned frets. I replaced the stock strings with Thomastic flat-wounds, which have a slightly darker sound. My only complaint is that the pickup selector switch is easy to bump to another position. You can get a huge range of different tones on this guitar, and as you observed, difficult hand positions seem easier. I think the extra fret at the nut has something to do with that.

[@jazzguitar]

Awesome :)

[@cattafish]

I bought one but like others coming from a background of 24.5" scale length jazz boxes found it difficult at first to get used to the longer scale length and the effect on the sound. For a typical jazz sound, the low mids weren't coming through and overall it seemed to have a very tight bass and too dominant high mids and treble. I needed to do quite a bit to tame these characteristics with pre and even post amp EQ and by using L/R delay and cutting effects above 4khz. I'm glad I persevered though, it's a wonderfully playable guitar. Just curious to know if you found the same issues initially.

[@Teme1756]

Nice review. Look forward to hearing. Had a Hohner copy of a Steinberger fitted with EMG pickups years ago. Very bright tone but for 'rawk' rather than jazz. Those headless guitars do work though, and double ball-end strings are not overly priced but accept the Strandberg uses conventional strings. Using various solid-bodied guitars for jazz but mostly through Fender Blues Junior. What a great amp!

[@jazzguitar]

Very cool, thanks for sharing :)

[@jorgetenamusic]

I really want one, I have tendon problems and I think it can help me a lot. Great guitars!!

[@jazzguitar]

You might find the find the fanned frets comfortable to use :)

[@jorgetenamusic]

@@jazzguitar thanks so much!! Love the channel and I’m beginning to study some of your courses 🙌😊😊😊

[@JamesFlemingIreland]

So nice to hear your sixth reason for the purchase - a gift for yourself. I share same attitude towards guitars as you - I like to play one or two nice guitars as opposed to collecting them. As a guitarist I know next to nothing about various models and generations as guitar collectors do, I just know a nice instrument when I see it or hear it. Well done

[@jazzguitar]

Thanks for sharing! I'm similar to you in many ways ... I didn't even know most of the specs before getting that Strandberg :)

[@zykify]

I just got myself a Strandberg and... well, after just 5 minutes I knew it would be my main guitar. There are many small differences compared to a "normal" guitar and when I put them all together I could not come to any other conclusion than: This is the way!

[@jazzguitar]

A man of culture. Cheers!

[@Mikkokosmos]

Nice! I wanna get one of those. Greetings from Sweden

[@jazzguitar]

Cheers, Mikko :)

[@mwicks1968]

I have a Strandberg Boden OS - super guitar - only criticism is the tremolo arm; either floppy or fixed, nothing in between - otherwise really happy with it. One of the advantages of a Strandberg is it’s so easy to travel with too - goes as hand luggage usually. Ola Strandberg is a really great guy too!

[@jazzguitar]

Great :)

[@zigatron1]

Hi Marc, I have a strandberg salon. It is a great guitar. I’m still adjusting to it. I bought it for similar reasons as you. I have been curious about the Salon Jazz because I was wondering if it would be little less bright with humbuckers. Looking forward to your updates.

[@jazzguitar]

Very cool!

[@rastinmtl7358]

Very nice guitar Marc! Enjoy it!

[@jazzguitar]

Many thanks!

[@lushkordz6643]

Hey, that's a really cool acquisition Marc ^^ i'm also thinking for a while to get a Stranberg Fusion *Macachek* but it's a lil bit overpricy so i stay with my 3 main electric guitars (Ibanez Prestige S5470, PRS LesPaul semi hollow, Fender Squier Jaguar 70's Vibe) + 3 Acoustic (Dreadnought, Flamenca, Epi Joe Pass Emperor 2) n a Yamaha Silent nylon strings ....it's already enough.... I thought there might be some small peformance to see how it sounds 💩

[@jazzguitar]

Thanks for the comment -- I'm starting to use the Stranberg more and more and you wcan hear it in future videos :)

[@crm1492]

I picked up the .strandberg* Boden with the Burl top (chambered) and I have been delighted. My other two main guitars are a Tele with a Lollar Imperial in the neck position and an Eastman T184MX (small body 335 style), also with a Lollar Imperial in neck position. I play in a Jazz duo and have been delighted with all three.

[@jazzguitar]

Sounds awesome! Having a variety of guitars comes handy on different occasions.

[@NICO_R_GUITAR]

Thank you for interesting video!

[@jazzguitar]

Thank you!

[@martinbutz4401]

Hi Marc, really like your channel. I also thought about getting a Strandberg. In the end I was sceptic because of the way the neck is shaped; seems to be an idiosyncratic feature (some love it, for some it is a dealbreaker). I would have liked to try it out but there is no dealer nearby. Also it was too much money for me right now. The competing model was the Ibanez QX52-BKF. I did buy one and I am very happy about it; I love that it is light weight (2,3 kilos as the Strandberg), it has also slanted threds, the neck feels very pleasant and the overall feeling while playing it is very nice.

[@jazzguitar]

I just checked it out and it is very nice. Congratulations

[@Cooltorpedo]

Now that you've been living with the Strandberg for more than one year and we've been seeing you using it in your videos, would you post a "long term review" of the instrument? I think it'd be helpful, the design and ergonomics of the guitar seem very interesting.

[@jazzguitar]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will do one soon! :)

[@bluegiraffe7858]

I have a pre-NX Boden Metal and replaced the Fishman Fluence Modern pickups with the Classics. It’s fantastic for jazz.

[@jazzguitar]

Sweet!

[@Mrfabby1972]

I have always leaned on the principle of 'love at first sight' when choosing a guitar. Of the few guitars I've ever purchased in my life, they all felt great to me in every way. They all brought something out of me that I may not have discovered on an inferior instrument and you can tell, at least for me, pretty instantly. Kudos on your new purchase, but I don't think that I would spend 3k on a guitar and have to spend months breaking it in. I hope it brings you years of happiness, man.

[@jazzguitar]

Thank you! There really are guitars that strike you with just a single glance and you know it's the one. :)

[@amsterdamned6209]

I would consider it only if it had the Steinberger GL fretboard dimensions!

[@travislee9662]

Anybody wanting a Strandberg but don’t like the price check out their refurbished models on their website you can save a bunch. I have a Boden 6 and 8 I bought both refurbished and they’re awesome. They only have cosmetic flaws nothing affecting sound or playability. I had to go over each of them real thoroughly just to even find what flaw mine had. Both had just a little scratch/dent on an area that isn’t even visibly to others while playing. If you want a particular model you might have to be patient and check the site regularly for a refurbished one to pop up, but it’s worth it.

[@jazzguitar]

Awesome tip!

[@robinclark2]

I tried one but found it impossible to play an Em7 flat 5 on 12the fret due to the fanned frets. I couldn't get my first finger over to the b flat on the 2nd string

[@jazzguitar]

🤷🏻‍♂️ Guitar is hard :)

[@Youtubemademeaddahandle]

Yes, the Klein guitars, as well, had too high a neck angle position while seated. I have designed my own guitar body (being made currently) to allow a more comfortable left arm and neck ergonomic while still relieving wrist strain.

[@jazzguitar]

That's awesome!

[@major7thsharp11]

The one thing keeping me from buying one of these is the position of the neck pickup. Traditional jazzy sounds generally involve the neck pickup being closer to the center of the scale(s) than most modern guitars. You can get some really beautiful mellow tones from other jazz guitars, that won't quite work on this instrument. Strandberg has really just kept the same layout for this guitar that they were already using for their other guitars, which is okay. Having the full 24 frets really just doesn't justify the tradeoff in tone for me. Great video, however!

[@jazzguitar]

There are indeed lots to consider when choosing your instrument :) Thanks for watching!

[@DaneRates]

@Jazz Guitar Lessons I'm a beginner guitarist learning on a Strandberg Classic 6. I want to know if playing a Strandberg angle Frets should you be able to guitar chords/ barr chords from the 12th Fret all the way to the 24th Fret? This question also applies to the normal standard guitars too.

[@AudioAtmos]

I have had my Boden Prog NX6 for about 2 months and only love it more each time I play it. It appears these guitars are one of those things that make people become oddly critical in their judgments or comparisons. Actually making comparisons is the first mistake. There is a lot of thought and time tested engineering involved and they stand by themselves. IMO, the quest to have the guitar rest just right when standing as when sitting is outside the scope of what makes something “good or bad”. Although I have no issue making it do both. These are definitely not for people who don’t like having to delve into new things. Or most of all are still young and can’t appreciate being plagued by pains and injuries from worn joints, tendons, ligaments, etc.. This is where the appreciation for someone like Ola Strandberg makes it mark. I was just about ready to give up playing seriously until the Strandberg due to severe arthritic issues in my wrists and hands.

[@andreaskofahl2589]

Got it too. For a vers special reason cause my girl friend said: There is no red guitar. So i get the Sälen Jazz Burgundy. The first days I thought to send it back, cause I got really enough guitars and I‘m just an amateur but now I‘m thinking: Through away the others and go professionell 😅 Amazing sound. Just polytone and a little bit delay. But also sound really good with high gain and trying to sound a bit like Holdsworth. Never will send it back now.

[@jazzguitar]

Your guitar is a beauty!

[@Rodney_T]

Hi Marc, thank you for a wonderful video. It helped me decide to get a Salen! I've had it for a couple of weeks now. Is it easy for you to fret, say an Amin7, on 17th fret starting with low E? I find it a challenge with fanned frets.

[@jazzguitar]

Hi, yes it can be a little awkward at first due to the angle, but one can get used to it.

[@Rodney_T]

@Jazz Guitar Lessons thank you so much for the reply! I'm actually able to play the chords around 12th and 17th now! And sound out each note. The Salen is wonderful!

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

I want to like the Strindberg, but as I get older I find I don't like my 24 fret guitars, and tend to use 20, or 21 fret guitars.. I love my Parker Fly Deluxe from the late 90s, but I despise the 24 fret fingerboard. 20 fret guitars are best for my ergonomic comfort and for fingerstyle jazz ballads. I would definitely acquire a Strandberg Jazz if they made a 20 fret, or 21fret version.

[@jazzguitar]

That's quite the deal-breaker, but indeed, comfort is king.

[@arifturgan]

Because of the neck shape , thumb has no support the. Because curve of shape ..thunb get pain

[@MrBobrguitar]

I have to admit that one of my top reasons to buy a new guitar (which I haven’t done for over 30 years)would be the “sound”

[@jazzguitar]

Your current guitar's "sound" must be hard to replace then, cheers!

[@ggreloaded5269]

Amazing guitar brother! I only play my PRS guitars and never was really interested in anything else but this guitar has really sparked my interest. I am thinking of picking up a classic nx6. Thank you for the video!

[@jazzguitar]

It's an awesome guitar :) I believe they currently have a sale on their website!

[@dbsoundpost]

Alan Holdsworth was the player, but they are unique I've been playing them for years

[@bernardoe.c.5392]

the strap button should be in the back of the guitar, near the middle.

[@BlackonBlack-]

For the price? my God... that thing is sooo over-priced... we pay 70% of the price only for the brand-name, just like Gibson.. But whatever, Amazing instrument, looks great. Love the f hole, very unique. Happy for you

[@abjoseck9548]

We did not hear it PLAYED, so as to have a sampling...

[@nickschuller9861]

No place to stick your cigarette on the headstock

[@jazzguitar]

That's something to consider if you smoke 😂

[@rggvermont]

I recently got a Strandberg because of an injury to my left hand and arthritis in my right shoulder. You can see in this video that I'm struggling with it, but I've gotten more used to it since then and really like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3mbZnuip5uGm8k

[@joepalooka2145]

Sounds good, but I totally dislike headless guitars. They just look wrong, like somebody has come along with a saw and chopped off the head. A guitar needs a headstock as part of its classic design. I would never buy one, no matter how good they sound.

[@svenkeskitalo1560]

Stop smokin’

[@TheTwangKings]

Cool guitar. But there's a drawback, you need double-ball strings, if I am not mistaken. Most stores don't sell them, and they are more expensive. Your 6th reason is spot-on - Pat Metheny said that new equipment brings in new creative energies.

[@odourboy]

Not correct. Above the nut, you can see screws that hold the strings in place. if you look closely, you can also see the cutoff ends of the strings.

[@andyl3933]

Normal strings -I have it and I think it’s awesome. Really comfortable and very light.

[@jazzguitar]

Yep -- I concur: just regular strings. They lock at the nut. I double checked on that.