Faith Jupiter

This is a review for the Faith FJCE 'Natural series' guitar. FJCE means 'Faith Jupiter Cutaway Electro'.

The guitar looks really beautiful with a high-gloss front and satin sides and back, a shallow profile, satin neck and gold Grover tuners with black keys. In style it is a jumbo cutaway electro guitar and, as explained, it is part of Faith???s ???Natural series???). My guitar was must have been made after March 2008 because that???s when they changed the inlaid logo at the 12th fret. The specs are as follows. This list has been adapted from the official Faith description, with several added details from myself.

Top Wood ----- Solid Engelmann Spruce
Back Wood ----- Solid Indonesian Mahogany
Side Wood ----- Solid Indonesian Mahogany
Binding ----- Maple
Bracing ----- Quarter-Sawn, Scalloped Spruce
Rosette ----- Abalone
Neck ----- Indonesian Mahogany, shallow profile
Neck Finish ----- Satin
Neck Joint ----- Bolt-on and with a very comfortable heel
Fingerboard ----- Macassar Ebony
Fingerboard Inlays ----- Faith 'F' 12th Fret
Frets ----- 20
Machine Head ----- Grover
Trussrod ----- 2 Way
Nut Saddle ----- Unsure, but compensated
Nut Width ----- 43mm
Strap buttons ----- 2 - heel and tail. (The latter serving as jack-plug connection)
Bridge ----- Ebony
Bridge Pins ----- Ebony Slotted
Strings (as fitted) ----- Elixir 12 - 53
Finish Type ----- Polyurethane Lacquer (Hi gloss front, silk elsewhere)
Case ----- Complete with hard case. (My only niggle is with the handle, see note at end)
PreAmp Pickup ----- Shadow SH863
Scale Length ----- 650mm

The guitar has a very bright sound, but played sensitively, the bass and middle range are already mellow and warm. The guitar???s ability to sustain notes and to leave harmonics ringing is amazing. It seems equally suitable for plectrum, fingerstyle and rhythm ??? and can be very loud when pushed. The range of sounds and tones is very wide, with distinct and identifiable differences when played near and not-too-far-away from the bridge. Despite its potential for volume, the FJCE can be equally expressive, subtle and versatile ??? and that???s even before the excellent Shadow pre-amp is brought into the equation! For me, it???s a truly magical instrument.

When I bought the guitar I asked for it to be set up with a really low action because I have a damaged lead-finger on my left hand. The result astonished me. The action is incredibly low, but even when capo???d as far as the 10th fret, there isn???t a trace of fret buzz or rattle. Whatever the thickness is of a CD disc, I can JUST get that between the 12th fret and the string. Even with that low a setting, the potential volume of the guitar is still outstanding. It was only when I took a really close look that I noticed that the bridge saddle is very carefully and accurately chamfered to create compensation ??? not just for the ???B??? string but for all strings. As you would therefore expect, intonation is spot on and harmonic notes ring and ring and ring. The exterior of the guitar had no flaws whatsoever and the inside was clean with no suggestions of inadequate gluing. On one side there was possibly a hint of mild staining where glue had been wiped away, but it might just have been part of the wood. In short ??? I could find no flaws anywhere, despite looking very carefully for a very long time

I can???t comment too much on durability because my guitar is new, but it is very well made and seems to be very robust and strong. No doubt the satin or gloss lacqueur finishes could be scratched and maybe a satin finish is more vulnerable ??? but that applies to any instrument. This guitar has been built to be played and not just admired, so I have no doubts about its potential longevity. The fitting and positioning of a second strap button on the offside of the heel is well thought out and is very well positioned. That???s a small detail but a very good one and it avoids the risk of splitting the heel if you tried to do it yourself. With a strap fitted, the guitar is well balanced and hangs comfortably.

I have had no cause to contact the company or the dealer for anything other than requesting details or for passing on my congratulations. Whilst still deciding what to buy, and from where, I contacted Faith and they were both fast and friendly in their responsiveness. Their website made it easy to identify dealerships in specific areas of the country and it was via that means that I initially found the dealer Gloucestershire (UK) from whom I eventually bought my guitar. This This turned out to be an unusual transaction because although I tried a lot of guitars in a lot of shops in both Leeds and London during my search, I eventually bought online without ever meeting the dealer or visiting his shop. There were two reasons for this ??? one was price (his were the equal of several others, and better than many, especially those in London), but the main one was the extreme helpfulness and patience that he showed as I gradually narrowed my search. This was done via email. It is also worth commending anyone and everyone to seek out the ???Baroque and Roll??? website which is fascinating because many of the guitars they stock are described and played in separate demonstration videos. This also proved to be another deciding factor because after trying many guitars, I could easily refresh my memory by re-visiting the website and hearing the guitar(s) being played. When my FJCE arrived, it was exceptionally well packaged inside a HUGE box and had travelled without any hint of damage.

Overall, then, I have to give this guitar a very high rating. The only tiny, teensy-weensy little thing I don???t like is the handle on the hard case that comes with the guitar. For me, it is placed too far forwards and makes the case swing back uncomfortably when being carried. It also has particularly ugly sewn padding with a deep ridge on the top ???.. but none of that effects my rating for the guitar inside the case. In my life I???ve had several reasonable and good guitars (Levin, Hofner, Yamaha, Fender) but this Faith FJCE is in a league of its own. During my search for a new instrument, I tried many different makes and models, but even after trying a mid-range Martin, a high-end LAG and a lovely Hofner jumbo, I still came back to the FJCE. It???s not a decision I???ll ever regret. The price I paid was also exceptionally good.

Got it from Santa for Xmas 2008, it's made me start writing again and compared to similar priced Tanglewoods, Yamahas etc. it does have bass, clarity and presence and responds well to a range of playing.

Not gone further than drop D yet but already it sounds like it's going to take me places. Also I need to spend more time plugged in and yet to go out and gig with it, but already it's growing my confidence.

My best mate set it up in secret collusion with my girlfriend, so it's still settling in and there are a couple of high place fret buzzes I'll need to look at.
Apparently you can't change strings in a hurry, especially low E.

I'd still take a string breaker with me but I'm really looking forward to hearing it in a venue as what little time I've had to plug in promises me it's going to go over big and rich!

I actually stumbled across this guitar purely by accident, when I went to a guitar makers where my mate was having one made, they had this guitar and a couple of others in the shop covered in dust.
I blew it down and even then it blew me away.

Discounted to a smidge over ??250 due to this being a showroom-demonstrator. At this price, a brilliant specification, thanks to the Indonesian build of this Patrick Eggle design. All solid-wood body, no nasty plywood anywhere. Indonesian magohany back and sides, maple bindings, flippin' Engelmann spruce top, MOP fret-markers, ebony bridge and fretboard. Even the bridge-pins are ebony! Simple but visually-effective soundhole-rosette. Came with a branded padded softcase, new models come with hardcase.

Big bass thump, exciting and vibrant, ringing sustain, an individual character. Loves DADGAD. A moderately smooth woody sound, but very resonant: not harsh or over-bright for rhythm-playing, this thing really excels as a percussive and powerful flatpicker. With the possible exception of the excellent Tanglewood TW15NS, this guitar trumped every other sub-??350 guitar I tried [yes, including the Big Baby Taylor... and from a height]. At this low price, I would only expect all-round competance without any fireworks, but I'm lucky to have found an instrument which feels and sounds, well, musical. Involving and inspiring.

Now, I'll own up to being a compulsive soundhole-sniffer and I'll have to say that this isn't, erm..., the best-smelling guitar I've ever owned. It's bouquet is decidedly "guitar-store" rather than any kind of seductive hardwood cocktail...

No, really. Excellent; much better than I'd expected. Bears favourable comparison with anything at the price. Feels organic, but not homegrown. Only flaw is one tuner that's very slightly stiffer in feel than the others. No finish flaws to the woods and the grain on the spruce top is good. No sloppy bindings either. Action perfect for me; nice neck with smooth frets [!] and near tuner-perfect intonation all over. And no dead-spots!

I've no reason to doubt it. The satin finish will probably go shiny with use, but that's to be expected. Very well-constructed. Stable tuning, no rattles or buzzes of any kind, no propensity to break strings, no loose trim or wonky bodges, no worrisome areas at all.

E-mailed Barnes & Mullins to check if it's okay to use 13-56 gauge strings [it is] and on whether I should chuck the silica-gel sachets from inside the soundbox and use a soundhole humidifier [I should]. Silica-gel? Yes, no mistake. This was built in the humid climes of Indonesia and has already endured a profound climatic shift by the time it's ship is landed in Dear Old Blighty. Distributor uncommonly friendly and helpful. Answered my questions very promptly, and has real enthusiasm for the products.

I'm a serviceable non-virtuoso picker and strummer, playing original singer/songwriter type stuff and trad-ish Irish folk. This is a busking/backup guitar; my chief squeeze being a beautiful and reassuringly-expensive rosewood/spruce Fylde. I played about ten guitars in the ??300 price-range before deciding on the Faith; the clear subjective standouts being the aforementioned Tanglewood TW15NS and the Jupiter. It wouldn't be everybody's choice, but the Faith won out quite easily for me because of it's thumpier bass and an abundance of vivid, exuberant character. A perfect complement to the heavenly Fylde Oberon, my first choice for fingerstyle-playing and smooth open-chord strumming, this one works well for percussive rhythm and for backing my foghorn-like voice. A great all-round guitar, with areas of brilliance.

http://myspace.com/smithandbrown

I'd never heard of Faith Guitars when I went to Hands Music in Kingston upon Thames, but this guitar blew me away when I tried it out. I think the guy in the shop (acoustic-expert-old-man) said the factory/company had been making other guitars for years, and only just started making their own, so they're well established quality-wise, and you can tell.

My Jupiter's a matt-finish, maple-top jumbo dreadnought with ebony fretboard, gold-plated heads, etc. The other reviews have listed the features so I'll leave it to them.

First of all, I'd better just say that I can't stand a tinny, thin acoustic guitar sound, and this guitar is a million miles from that. It's my perfect match, it sounds big and warm, but still has plenty of definition. As soon as I started playing it in the shop, it was noticably rich, bassy (in a good way) and powerful.

Plucking a high note, you can hear it resonate among the strings and the chamber for a bizarre length of time, almost like having a delay pedal on with about 20% feedback!

Played hard and loud, it has tonnes of power and detail, played softly it sounds warm with plenty of expression possible.

At the moment I've got it downtuned to C Standard, and it holds up brilliantly. The bass strings are even more solid and the treble strings sound (obviously) much warmer.

I don't know if it's psychosomatic or what, but the sound just matches the soft feel of the finish, and shiny-coated acoustics just don't seem to be able to match it.

It seems a few people have said their Jupiters have been put together badly...well they must have had the work experience kid make theirs! Because my Jupiter doesn't have a stray lump or hole anywhere.
The neck is smooth on the back, melding into the ebony fretboard perfectly, not a sharp fret in sight.

The finish is the very thin matt version, which feels much nicer and looks a lot more expensive. I could quite happily fall asleep on it, using it as a pillow, it's that nice.

A very slight downside to this finish is that there's a very, very light shadow of dirt from where my picking arm has been resting on the body near the soundhole, but this is easily washed off, and barely noticable unless you look for it.

It's taken a couple of knocks and scrapes over the past year, but you can hardly see them, and like someone else said, I'd much rather have a few dings than a shiny un-natural finish.

A small but beautiful feature is the ebony inlays - around the outer edge of the main body is a thin ebony outline, and around the soundhole is another nice (bit more complicated) pattern. It's only a small thing, but the diamond pattern circling the hole matches the diamond-shaped mother-o-pearl fret markers, which is a nice touch.

As mentioned above, at the moment it's tuned to C Standard, and it feels like the guitar was made for it! The strings sit perfectly, I've almost forgotten what fretbuzz sounds like!

The whole guitar feels very robust, but is also VERY light. I've owned it for a year, with plenty of hard playing, with just a small scratch here or there where I've smacked it against a chair while carrying it or something.

It'd definitely withstand live use, and the leather-esque case that comes with it is excellent.

Never had to deal with Faith

I've been playing guitar for about 5 years, but I've not played an acoustic this nice, especially for this price.

Everyone who's played it has commented on how great it feels and sounds, and I personally think I'll have a tough job finding a guitar to replace it if I ever had to.

I'd recommend buying one now while they're still relatively small, and then you'll be able to sell it for loads in 30 years time when they're a world-renowned brand!


I hate to say it, but they really should hire George Michael film an advert wearing a leather jacket/sunglasses/denim combo on a white background, and dance about playing one of their acoustics, because you really do "GOTTA HAVE FAITH!". (Sorry, but they're that good)

This is a follow up to the review below, the first was returned because it looked like a factory second, and this is a review of the second.

Sounds just as good, slightly bassier but this could be put down to the wood or the strings, still sounds great.

Excellent for a guitar this cheap, but this was not the factory set up so I'm not sure wether or not to rate this here, but the guitar is well finished, none of the nightmarish abominations against luthiery apparent on the first one they sent me. The binding is slightly sloppy, but you have to hold it up in front of your face to see it. The nut has some slight overhang, but again unless you're inspecting the guitar this won't notice.

The neck feels great, real chunky but still fast feeling. The spruce top on this one has stronger stripier figuring and I love it, it's excellently book matched, makes it look very profesh.

This would get a 9 if I was putting the regent guitars set up into the equation, but since that's not Faith's doing they'll have to setle for a 7, although I'd probably doc more points on a more expensive instrument.

Looks like it was built for live playing, let alone survive it. Aside from the cheapy tuners it all feels solid, the finish is thin but this is a matter of preference. You can't have super laquered armour AND let the wood resonate properly. I'll take scratches and superior tone every day of the week.

Again, never dealt with Faith.

This example of a Faith Jupiter is vastly superior to the one before and I'm finally seeing why guitar magazines and players alike are praising Faith, they've created a quality instrument that won't break the bank but still feels like it should have.

I'm at a loss to explain the shindig with the first one they sent me, hopefully they can knock a whole load off the price and sell it, flaws or not it's a shame to see an instrument go to waste, although I can't say it'd be a huge loss if Townsend got hold of it.

If you're going to buy one of these online, don't be put off, but do TRY and play a few first. Even though the first one sucked, Regent Guitars were happy to swap it for a good one and treated me like a valued customer. I don't know if this will be the case every where but this is my experience of buying Faith Jupiters.

I found this hard to put down long enough to write the review, it's a pleasure to play and represents excellent value for money, so long as you pick a good one. It's also worth noting the leather-a-like gig bag that comes with it is really cool, but I still plan to invest in a hardshell case eventually.

Forget Epi J-200s, this is probably the best budget Jumbo style accoustic out there, mainly down to the fact it doesn't feel, sound or look like a budget instrument. It screams quality and looks dead classy. For value for money, playability and tone it gets a good solid 8!

Features are excellent, everything you need and nothing you don't.

All solid woods, etc, the features are listed elsewhere, the point is this guitar has a very high spec for the price range.

Fantastic, I really think this guitar sounds out of it's league so to speak, chords rang out long and clear and were well balanced across the sonic spectrum, neither too bassy or too trebely, it had a mellow sound but still sort of jangley, and this will only improve with age as is the way with solid wood accoustics.

This is where those chaps at Faith dropped the ball, and my dropped I mean dug a hole and shot it headlong into the hole with a cannon. INSPITE of the "premier service setup" performed by regent guitars there was still some buzzing on the A and D string which was quite above the norm you'd expect. The strings bind in the nut, and the nut was poorly cut. Also, the inlays don't stand up to close scrutiny, and neither did the heel. There was a notch at the bass side of the fretboard at the 14th fret which looked like it was made from somebody scraping away excess glue at the heel joint! And at the flat of the heel it's not entirely flat, there's a small gap, but worst of all the fretboard was lifting at the nut end. There was enough room to slide the corner of a piece of paper some distance in on both sides. Unacceptable.

Now, maybe this was a factory second that escaped their notice, and I sure hope so because most guitar magazines I know of have given it thumbs up, as have other people here. I can only assume that this guitar is an exception to the norm, but it's an exception that must be noted. It should also be noted that I'll review the second one Regent guitars (who've been excellent about the whole thing) send me.

The tuners are cheap shite too, but no worries there, they nearly always are. At least these ones look nice with their cheapness.

There were positives, the neck felt good, was thick, and the frets were well done, BUT the fretjob and set up were performed by the dealer not the factory, so no points there I'm afraid.

Compared to most accoustics I've handled it felt solid, the tuners feel slightly less so because they turn so easily, they're going to be replaced with grovers provided I keep the replacement. 2 strap buttons which is a welcome change to the usual 1 accoustics have, and the finish felt almost like natural wood, just enough to prevent warpage I imagine, just how I like it.

And never, ever gig without a backup.

No idea, I'll not rate this, but Regent guitars were very helpful, the guitar to be returned was picked up within HOURS of me calling to report the faults. That's what I call service, they'd get a 10.

This gets a 4 for the inexcuseable flaws, but is potentially a far higher score. I'll review the next one they send me too.

I've been playing 3 or 4 years more or less, my other accoustic is a dreadful abomination that aside from looking cool is useless. I also have some electrics but that's really not relevent.

I love that it's such a well spec'd instrument in this price range, but the flaws in the construction are poor, and unexpected considering the reviews it's recieved, this is why I've asked for another of the same model.

My Jupiter is a Hi Gloss Model.
Solid Spruce top; Solid Rosewood Back and Sides; Ebony board and pins.
Its just a great big acoustic!

The sound is very big - not quite as mellow as the satin finish jupiter i nearly bought, but it cuts thru a bit more.
My style is very much strum and pick a bit, and this guitar suits me fine. It stands up to a great load of banging out chords at exciting moments yet can still be made to sound subtle and understated.

It came fitted with D'Addario EXP coated strings, which ensured a great long lasting sound. I have used these strings ever since.
The set up was fine from the shop, however as always over time due to the English weather it needed a slight truss rod tweak.
The finish of the woods is absolutely fantastic. The two tone rosewood is beutiful and i proudly show all who care to see how great it looks.
The bracing on this and subsequent Faith guitars is now akin to Martin D28 bracing - so i was told.

I have given it a good thrashing and gigged it a number of times, but its really my home enjoyment guitar. Its a bit too tasty for me to ruin.
The HiGloss finish has stood up to the abuse very well, and after a quick polish its still looks as good as new.
This is also the only acoustic i have ever found with 2 - yes 2 - strap buttons as standard! No shoelaces for me!

I beleive Faith are an English company, but the guitars are made in Indonesia/China. I guess thats why they are hi specced but not too expensive, and also why they are unknown in the USA.
There have been lots of great reveiws in Guitarist / Total Guitar etc which turned me onto the brand. Also every month you will find a big glossy ad in one magazine or another.

I Have been playing since i was younger than i am now. probably 15 years or so. I own two other acoustics - Faith Saturn Cutaway Electro, Crafter GAE33 electro. Both are great guitars.
I would def buy another. In fact i recently tried a new Eclipse - all black - stage model, which i saw Midge Ure playing on BBC1 a couple of weeks back. They have a bridge/body blender pickup system which sounds amazing. They are supposed to be harder wearing than the others... May have to ask the wife if i'm allowed...
Someone also told me about a US artist called Ellie Lawson who is currently playing a Faith Venus. Good tunes too.
www.ellielawson.com
As you can tell, i am a big fan.
I also feel this way about Roland synths/pianos.... but we'll leave that for another day!

I bought it in early 2005, but it was probably made in 2004.
I read above that it is made in indonesia, but the man I bought it from said it was made in London.
The wood is solid spruce on top and solid mahagony back & sides, finished in a matte finish. Fingerboard and bridge appear to be ebony.

My roots are blue grass/country, but I now play mostly praise/church songs. It has a nice, clear, full and loud sound that is well balanced and fits both genres. I bought this unheard and unplayed on ebay because I didn't really care. I was simply trying to get another guitar so people would leave my more expensive instruments alone. Unfortunately, the sound was so good I now play it instead--I never thought that would happen.

The strings were so loose they were about to fall off. I thought, "Oh, oh. It's not going to be set up." When I tuned it, it was perfect. I was so pleased.
The finish is a matte finish, which I don't care for. I like glassy, high lustre finishes. I will probably take the time and redo the finish (I'm qualified) because I like the instrument enough to take the time.

I've only had it a couple of weeks, but it seems good.

I haven't been able to find a company called "Faith."

I've been playine over forty years and own four other guitars and two mandolins. If it were stolen or lost, this guitar I would replace with another just like it. What I loved about it was the way it was set up from the factory. My other 4 guitars are far more expensive, but were not set up as well as this one and required modifications. Faith required nothing--it was perfect on arrival. I wish it came in a high lustre finish.

There are no gimmicks with this guitar but its lack of overt style features lend it an understated appearance that looks more expensive than the asking price would suggest. This is a solid woods guitar with spruce top (actually very pale-looking), mahogany sides and back, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard (a touch on the dry side at first), ebony bridge. There's a bit of rosewood veneer on the head too. There are no laminates at all. The finish is very subtle to the point where the wood looks unlaquered with just a faint matt sheen when the light catches it. I much prefer this to the 'toffee-apple' finish of some guitars but you should probably look at one up close to get the idea.
The guitar comes with a nice, well-sewn black gig bag made of what looks like imitation leather. The bag is nicely padded and fits very well. There is no strap or finger guard with the guitar but it does have two well-placed strap studs that are gold-plated. THe machine heads are gold plated too and have a very smooth an even action. Gearing is good and allows precise adjustment.

The Jupiter has a lovely tone. It makes a big sound that is nice and full in the bass and rolls off ever so slightly as towards the top strings. Attack is good when you hit the strings hard and the sustain is long and even. The guitar comes with D'Addario EXP strings which seem to last quite a while. A wide variety of sounds are possible but don't expect a very bright top end. There are no annoying buzzes or resonances even if the guitar is pushed hard.

Set-up was quite good though it depends upon your preference. There's a nice gradual change in action from highish on the bass E to low on the high E. This helps you bang out the chords without fear. Many shops set up their guitars themselves so your action may be different. I had no problems with rough frets and the accuracy of tuning is great, even up the neck.
The wood selection is good (there are no knots for example) but the grain of the mahogany is less even than you might expect from a more expensive solid wood guitar. The bridge is good quality and the strings are easy to change.

The guitar has proved solid so far. I've had it for about a month and it gets used daily. I trust it as my primary guitar.

I bought mine from Guitar Mania in the UK. I haven't had cauise to test customer support.

This guitar is a bargain. It sounds and plays like something much more expensive.

...mmm well there aren't that many features - bit the main one is the use of nice tone woods! And of course you do get a pretty decent gig bag for carting it aroundin!

The sound is great, and I am sure will get better with age. It has such a fat warm sound and would drown out an Epiphone EJ-200 with no problems at all!

Again, pretty good here. Where I bought mine they told me to bring it back within 6 months so they could set it up once it had settled in - but generally the setup wasn't too bad. The tuning pegs feel quite nice and have a smooth action.

I haven't had mine long but it seems quite a sturdy beast! The construcion of it looks pretty good and again with the use of good woods you'll have to really miss treat it to cause major damage.

No Idea - never had to use it!

Great value for money. If your thinking of buying an Epiphone EJ-200 don't bother, get this it'll sound 10 times better and costs the same.