Best model for. . . .?

[stsang]

For a warm an d full jazz tone I went this way:
1. A 330/6 (semi-hollow bodies offer more "jazz reserves".
2. Toaster pick ups (brighter sound, less spiky on higher tones, and less output=less distortion)
3. Thomastik Infeld flats (mellow, full and rich)

+1 for these suggestions. If you want the Peter Buck R.E.M. tone, you could use a high-gain on your bridge pickup and a 7.4K toaster on your neck pickup. That would also balance the volume between the neck and bridge pickups.

[Kingbreaker]

For a warm an d full jazz tone I went this way:
1. A 330/6 (semi-hollow bodies offer more "jazz reserves".
2. Toaster pick ups (brighter sound, less spiky on higher tones, and less output=less distortion)
3. Thomastik Infeld flats (mellow, full and rich)

+1 for these suggestions. If you want the Peter Buck R.E.M. tone, you could use a high-gain on your bridge pickup and a 7.4K toaster on your neck pickup. That would also balance the volume between the neck and bridge pickups.

This is interesting. . . the conventional wisdom seems to be a "darker," higher-output pickup in the neck for this sort of sound. Therefore, I would have thought hi gains or HBs would be the ticket.I was actually toying with the idea of a 350/v63 with a humbucker in the neck. Unfortunately, that removes the 350 from my price range

I'd be very interested in hearing/seeing some clips of a neck toaster used for a jazz tone.

[Hotzenplotz]

My only thought was: "What did they had in the 50/60ies before that GAIN period?"
- Amen.

So:
The toasters are the closest to the old times' ohmage. The TI flats are as similar as possible to what was used as strings at that times, AFAIK. To have a (semi-)hollow bodied guitar with a sound hole never could be bad for a jazz sound, as well . - Listen to Harrison's Gretsch in the earlier times, too.
The rest is just a question of adjusting all existing pots in the chain...

Funny: I love that tone but I do not play jazz...
Hmm, I like it more rough, quick and dirty.

BTW: With a few optical changes a guitar can even look like it sounds. Golden guards/ TRC plus cooker knobs. - Voila! (click below)

I am sure there are different ways. It's just mine.

[Kingbreaker]

With the oven knobs and toaster pickups I feel like I'm in the kitchen of a '50s sitcom set - but in a good way:) Nice guitar.

[stsang]

I'd be very interested in hearing/seeing some clips of a neck toaster used for a jazz tone.

Hey John, check out this guy's video starting at 4:25:

[Hotzenplotz]

Cool!! - Both!

[manta]

I'd go for the 660. Nice tone with the toasters and the wider neck for some jazz leads.

[Kingbreaker]

John, welcome to the RRF. My recommendation would be a 360 with high gain pickups. Lots of versatility with the tone you seek at the neck. Perfect with the tube amplifier too.

Peter, I ended up following your suggestion. It should arrive this friday.

The other top contender was, oddly, a 350v63 - it was a tough decision. In the end, I figured that I would be looking at at least some wiring mods and a pickup swap before really getting the 350 that I wanted. . . whereas I know exactly what a 360 is like - and I will definitely be pleased. This will also leave more of a stash for an amp

[Kingbreaker]

So it's arrived - a 360 mapleglo from Willcutt's

I've spent the past three hours playing it clean and enjoying the tone immensely - it feels like the right call. Thanks for everyone's suggestions and comments.

It doesn't look too shabby either. . .
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/08455341.jpg/

[admin]

Absolutely gorgeous John. You will not be disappointed. Well done!