So I contacted Richard the luthier, and took him the Ibanez for a fix up. He grabbed it and played some intricate jazz tunes, and said it had a high action. I agreed wholeheartedly, as I had deliberately set it high! It will need neck adjustment and fret dressing, and he will fix the bridge. Floating bridges are just a bad idea when it comes to restring time.

I discussed with Richard what sort of guitar is good for playing jazz on. In most of my prior research I have seen archtops described as the ultimate guitars for jazz. But I also couldn’t help observing that most gipsy jazz guitars are flat-top acoustics. He was of the opinion that the best sounding guitars are pure flat-top acoustics, and that archtops are over-rated (besides costing a fortune if properly constructed). It’s interesting that he has played the types of jazz I want to learn, and arrived at this conclusion. Especially being someone who can fundamentally design and build their ideal instrument.

So I got him to show me the guitars he keeps for himself to play on, and had a play. Very gorgeous instruments

with enormous tonal quality. Very slick to play; small-bodied so easy to hold & balance. Interesting sounds acoustically and when plugged into a Fender valve amp. (My Takamine does not sound great through my little Champion 600)

Now all I have to do is save up £2000 to buy one.

He still occasionally performs, and might be available for some lessons, which could prove really useful.