JB Player SledgeHammer

My Sledgehammer was my first bass guitar, I bought it about 8 years ago, sold it about 5 years ago, and somehow got it back yesterday. I'm writing this review because I've now had some experience with some higher end basses, and wanted to spread the word about this sweet bass. All of my rating is for a bass of this price range, not in comparison necessarily to a $2,000 beast.

I believe it has 20 frets...
Mine is black with a white pick-guard.
It has a very nice maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. It could just be because it's so worn, but the neck is very smooth and its color and that of the fretboard have a nice worn vintage look to them. I'm not sure what the body is made of, though the paint job is nice and the contours make it very comfortable. It has a p-bass style shape. The bridge looks kinda cheap, but it works fine and is black to blend in with the body. No complaints about the simple black tuners.

I wouldn't put it up there with a high end Fender or Ernie Ball, but it's not too shabby. Mine has a very punch sound, but the tone nob doesn't really do much to it, so if you don't like a snappier sounding bass, this one's probably not for you. I would prefer it if I had the option to smooth it out a bit more, but

The action is just about perfect on mine. Like I said, the bridge doesn't look like much, but I guess it does it's job, since it's held up to 8 years of heavy use without needing much if any calibration. The finish looks nice, especially for a low-priced guitar.

The body is very solid, and since it hasn't needed any calibrating in 8 years, I would call it dependable. The input in mine is going out, just from a bad connection, but it should be an easy enough fix.

Who has ever heard of this bass or JB Player?

VERY good for the price. GOOD despite the price.

The Sledgehammer name doesn't seem to refer to a specific configuration. Mine seems to be a little different than the others described.
My JB Player Sledgehammer has a double cutaway body style, and could probably be called a "superstrat" because the shape is similar to a stratocaster, but it doesn't have a pickguard/coverplate. The only routing on the front of the guitar is for the pickups. The guitar's top surface is flat, no contours. I don't recognize the wood, but it has a transparent, lightly-burst orange-red paint that allows the wood grain to show through. The grain runs parallel to the strings, unlike most "flamed" guitars that have the grain run perpendicular.
It has 22 frets, probably medium width, medium height.
Rosewood fingerboard.
Two double-coil pickups, three-way selector switch (bridge, both, neck). Two chrome knobs, one for tone, one for volume. Fixed tun-o-matic bridge. Double-coil pickups are NOT splittable.
The sound difference in each of the positions is clear and significant.
I'm giving it a 6 because I'd like to have 24 frets and splittable coils.

I really love the sound on this guitar.
It has a good crunch in the bridge position, but the neck position sounds awesome for blues and jazz. I can sound like Eddie in Van Halen's "Running With the Devil" in the bridge, and then immediately get a great Stevie Ray Vaughan sound for "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by putting it in the neck position.

There is a warmth/sparkle/shimmer to the sound that I would expect to find on much more expensive guitars or pickups.

I use a Roland MicroCube amp, which allows great sound modification but still allows the guitar's individual character to shine through.

This guitar is a keeper as far as sound/tone is concerned. It makes me want to play more, and when I want to play, I find myself often reaching for this guitar.

I am finding I like low/medium-width frets.
The action on the guitar is a little bit higher than optimal, but I think I can lower it a little bit. But so far it has been fine as is.
The fit and finish is really, really good. JB Player seems to put out high-quality guitars without getting any credit for it.
The ends of the frets line up perfectly with the edge of the fretboard, very smooth. Everything is perfectly aligned throughout the guitar. No gaps, or cracks, or anything that looks anything short of professional.

The paint doesn't seem perfectly durable, however.

I don't know the history of the guitar, but it is clear that aside from the input jack (which I will replace), the bridge pickup ring is installed backwards, which forces the strings to be higher than necessary. The pickup rings are red, which seems to match the color of the guitar, so I'm not sure if they are an aftermarket modification or original to the guitar. The backward pickup ring and AWESOME sound make me wonder if a previous owner upgraded the pickups; but they lack any brand name or symbol to indicate that.

I'm not going to knock the guitar for what is likely some idiot did. I'm going to give them an 8 for the big gouge out of the paint that didn't affect the wood underneath, which indicates to me it's pretty fragile paint.

The guitar itself seems very solid, very durable.
However, the nut on the input jack is slightly too big, and slips when you plug in the cord, if you aren't careful.

That could be the fault of someone who modified (I think) the guitar.

I always buy used, I've never had experience with any guitar company's customer support, much less this one.

I've been playing for 18 years, but I'm just a decent amateur who screws around.
I'm really, really glad I got this guitar off of eBay.

I have some Westones that I started collecting. I also have 4 Fernandes guitars, because their high quality compared to low price makes me think the current models will be collectible in 20 years. But even though 80s-era JB Players don't seem to be worth anything right now, they can compare with the best of 80s guitars (as good as Carvin or Matsumoku-made guitars) for quality and sound, for a much cheaper price.

I guess I can't recommend JB Player as a collectible guitar because no one cares about them. It's hard to find any information on JB Players, too, which makes it harder to collect or get excited about. But I would recommend a JB Player for anyone who wants a good playing, good sounding guitar.

Well, I bought mine new (it was a present - my first guitar) in 1984 at the Vintage Guitar Shop in DC. Back then it was about $299.

It a Red Strat copy w/ a black pickgaurd and a maple neck. Everything is Strat-like. Still have it b/c it was my first guitar.

great sound and tone. lot of possible tones as it has three pickups - like a strat.

Great tone and action. It's one of the lightest guitars I own.

Excellent. Still plays well.

Never needed it.

Well, I bought mine new (it was a present - my first guitar) in 1984 at the Vintage Guitar Shop in DC. Back then it was about $299.

It a Red Strat copy w/ a black pickgaurd and a maple neck. Everything is Strat-like. Still have it b/c it was my first guitar.

I don't know what year this guitar was made, but I know that it is foriegn...maybe Korea? It has 22 frets, it is a solid top with one volume and one tone knob. There is a 3-way selector with 2 humbucker pickups. It has a maple neck with kind of like a brown sunburst finish. The only drawback in this category is that it only has 22 frets.

This guitar sounds great. I like to play blues and I also play at church in a worship band. I play through an Ampeg 112 reverb rocket it is an all tube amp so it gets a great clean sound and when I want distortion I use a MXR distortion+. Depending on the pickup selection you can get a bright sound or a full sound...whatever suits you.

This guitar has awesome action the strings are right on the fretboard. For strings I use dean markley .08's so it bends like a dream.

I have been playing this guitar for about 8 years and it still looks, sounds, and plays like it is brand new. I have played at gigs and I use it at church every sunday so it gets a lot of action.

I have never dealt with the company...I have never had any problems with it to have to contact them.

I have always wanted a Les Paul, but if my sledgehammer was ever stolen I would have to try to find another one to replace it. I have never played a guitar with such sweet action and tone... maybe a tele, but the action is still better.

My Sledgehammer is a Korean made Telecaster lookalike. The body dark blue green with a black pickguard. In other words its gorgeous. The neck is probably the best ever from JB Player (and I've palyed a few), even better some Fenders, Gibsons, Ibanez's, and Gretchs also. Its probably what made me buy it. The neck has 22 fretts and made of maple that I think must have been rolled smooth on the thigh of a Korean virgin. It contains 2 pickups (1 humbucker and 1 single coil with an exposed bridge configuration with a 3 position horizontal mounted selector switch and inline volume and tonal pots.

The sound is crisp and surfy sounding. The only problem I've had has been probably related to my action, but sometimes the toggle cuts out. But if I'm finger pickin' Look out, coz its hammer time.

What can I say about the action on this instrument that hasn't been said already. The nexk well to put it simply IT ROCKS! The finish is stunning, the balance is a dream.

Its well balanced, I replaced the peice of crap strap that came with it with a Fender, now everyone that sees me playing it thinks Fender has a new model of Tele or Jaz.

As I said earlier, the only issue I've had has been the toggle switch cutting out. But I have had it fixed and now its insane. Although I've had my Sledge for many years I mainly use it for slide these days.

Well of cause its outside of warranty, but here in New Zealand we have no shortage of guitar technicians and luthiers.

Its a pretty basic setup and configuration, but the tone and the nexk action really are incredible. Although the Sledgehammer wasn't known for celebrity endorsments. I wouldn't be ashamed of being known for playing one.

Don't know the origins of this guitar. Possibly USA made, judging by postings above. Strat copy, Jackson-style headstock. 22 fret, maple neck. Body fairly heavy, most likely Alder. Crackle-red finish, solid red headstock. Non-locking chrome tuners. Volume, 2 tone controls. S-S-S configutation on all black pickgaurd. Pickups actually sounded pretty good IMO. Hardware was showing its age, though. Oxidation/rust was showing on the fastening hardware (screws, nuts, etc). Neck is thick like a Strat with low fretwire. 2 post vintage tremolo (Wilkenson style)

I bought this guitar so I could start playing Yngwie Malmsteen style music, and a strat copy loaded with 3 single coils was what I was after. As said earlier the pickups suprised me. Had a lot of output to them, although the 60-cycle hum was bothersome (typical). Pickups had a very bright tone to them. On the higher strings I was expecting the sound to be very thin, but was again suprised. Wasn't shrill at all and had a nice sound in all three pickups. I give it a 10 because of the ratio of price/tone.

When I bought the guitar, the strings were old and grimey. After a new set, I noticed the action was a little too low for my taste, yet the intonation was dead on and didn't need any adjustments. I had to raise the bridge and neck a little for my taste, though.

The tuners are the first thing I worry about on guitars. Most are really cheap and you have to be carefull with them. All the other hardware always seem to be able to withstand most anything. The tone and volume pots seem very sturdy and the knobs are fairly common and should last a while. Strap buttons very sturdy and secure. I'd definately feel confident gigging without a backup.

Never dealt with the company, don't really need to/care to.

For the price, can't be beat. Even though it isn't a brand new guitar, it plays like one.

JB Player Sledgehammer. I am trying to find out more about this guitars origins. It was set up with an active pickup and a pre-amp. Looks to be factory installed. But some goombah switched the active pickup for a regular passive humbucker and they did a butcher job on the pickguard. It is a white strat style, looks to be a maple neck, 22 frets. I am not sure of it's age nor where it was made. I am rating this a 5 but if it was all original I would probably give it a 9...

When I bought it, it looked and played like a total piece of crap, which is probably why I got it for the price I did. But once I got it home and on the operating table, she came back to life quite well. Very fast and comfortable neck and a great tone from the single coil pickups. I am playing it through an ART SGX 2000 effects rack powered by a Carvin Amp. The humbucker that is in it is ok, but I am in the process of converting it back over to an Active pickup once I find out some more info. I give this rating at a 10 because for 40 bucks it does SOUND GREAT!

As stated above, this guitar was bought at a local pawn shop in horrible condition, fret buzz on every string, but within an hour or two I found it's problems easily fixed. From there I could get a good idea of how the guitar played when brand new and it plays fine, I can only imagine the sound with the active pickup, but I imagine it was screamin'!

This thing has seen some play, no doubt about it, and it was definately built to be played. But for all the bad days it has seen the neck seems almost brand new, no noticable fret wear. The neck did have a lot of grime which easily washed off.

Have not tried, but I am in the process. If anyone knows anything about this guitar, please feel free to email me.

I collect and repair guitars as a hobby. Anytime I can buy a "cheapie" and get it back into playing shape with little or no added investment, I am happy. The things I wish it had, it will have.

Made in Korea I dont know when.Was new display model.Maple neck etc.
The difference in this body style and Fender is the strings don't go through the body like on a Fender

I play old 60's Beatles ,Rolling St. mostly now for self amusement.Ran through the clean channel only on a Vox Cambidge 30.
Heres the shocker,it reproduced the perfect surf/Ventures /British sound.Beautifully bright but I thought it lacked output(my mistake) so I got a Fender Delta p/u for it.I should have known by the physical appearance of the bridge pick-up I was taking off,it was a mistake.Two conductor with a sheild ,bottom mounted magnet on it with a brass mounting/grounding at the bottom.The Fender had two conductors,That was it.It put it on despite my gut feeling and wired to the "Muddy Waters " model.DID IT SUCK. it could not stand a chance against the OEM.More noise,a cheap bright sound like a Squire and that was enough.The shit came off and I put the OEM back on and am leaving well enough alone.If you get one,DON'T CHANGE THE PICK-UPS.Its not worth it.After adjusting to its sound and feel ,I love it.Went through a Jag(mid-60's) Rick 365,and other assorted stringed beast in my time and mabe its my age ,and I can't take the distorted ,overdriven sound anymore,but for what I got this guitar for ,a clean warm tone,I love it .Great action and feel.There is nothing really I don't dislike about this guitar.(150.00 bucks,I would honestly have paid twice ,now that Im used to it.

Everything very well put together ,well set up Great finish,which is not too unusual these days in this price range,it can usually cover up cheap components,but not in this case.Everything tight

It could probably take a good hit just as well as a Telecaster

N/A

Been playing alot of years on and off.I just sold my Fender Strat(Mex) and Ep Sheraton and didn't think this guitar would fill the gap
Its been about a month now and love it more with each passing play.No joke.Since it does the vintage so well out of the Vox.If lost or stolen I would DEFINATELY get another.If I was rockin for a living making a 20 mil a year I would still probably play it.It grows on you with time.Mabe Ill try their Strat version at this throw away price

Typical Telecaster type features. It is a dark blueish greenish color, which is the only reason i bought it. I don't know where it was made, I assume it isn't the U.S.A, because it doesn't say. I would give it a higher rating in this category but it is a copy, so they lose points for not being inventive.

The stock pickups have a nice tone but they are too damn noisy. I have a set of Fender Custom Shop noiseless pickups that I'm going to put into the guitar. When I put them it hopefully it will be a 10.

This is actually where the guitar rules. The body is a nice solid wood and the neck is one of the best necks I have ever played. The sustain on this guitar, despite the crappy stock pickups, is incredible. I put some tung oil on the back of the neck to make it a little more comfortable for me. Other than that the tuners, bridge, body, neck and electronics are pretty solid.

This thing is heavy and solid as hell. I don't see it busting down any time soon. Once I put in the new pickups it will probably be my main guitar, just because the neck on it is so comfortable. I would off course have a back up because you never know when a string might break.

Don't know.

This guitar is a great guitar if you want a solid Telecaster cheap. Just throw in a new set of pickups and you have something as good as a $600 Fender Telecaster? for a half the cost, including the pickups. I would give it a 10 for the money but since the pickups in this thing are worse than some $100 guitars that I played it only gets an 8.

If you've seen one on E-bay, you would know it. I'm not into that technical crap. I know it has two Hummbuckers on it though (that's right, two).

You know, I bought this guitar on E-Bay for about $175 and $30 shipping. I bought it originally because I thought it was a Les Paul, well...when I got it...it wasn't. At first, I was pissed, but after I plugged it in my little 30 watt 10" Peavey amp, I was impressed to say the least! You wouldn't believe how much sustain and depth you can achieve with this cheap, no name guitar! When you add some wah wah to it, and play with a violin bow like Jimmy Page, you would never know the difference from a real Les Paul. I love that it actually has some weight to it, and that the tone and toggle switch add a wide range of sound.

The toggle switch, however, does make does make a little noise in the amp sometimes; not always. Also, once in a while when you play,a tuning peg on the 3rd string may slip and you may drop a note! That can really mess you up in a performance! Maybe those can be replaced or fixed, I don't know. Other than that, the action is smooth and easy to play. I would recommed using lighter strings than the factories though; especially for lead playing.

This guitar can definitely stand live playing. As a matter of fact, I would recommend it. Why? Because how else can you have a great sounding, easy playing guitar, that has such a wide range of sounds, that only costs $175! You can leave the real Les Paul at home safe in it's case and your fans will never know the difference. The Sledgehammer kicks ass in its own right. It's a cheap guitar that really isn't cheap at all. You can count on it. The strap buttons are strong and the whole thing seems durable. The finish I have is black, and I have been using it everyday for 8 months and it is just as beautiful as when I got it.

Never had to deal with them. In fact, by the time it does break, I'll be on to another guitar.

Like I said, I wish I had actually asked if this was a Real Les Paul. The thing is, it is a Les Paul that just isn't, you know? I would love to own the real thing, but right now I'm just starting. As a matter of fact, it would be great for live crazy shows, but when I'm a home, I would love to see the name signed on there. I have a thing about classics. If your looking to buy a real Les Paul (Gibson that is) this is a great way to figure whether you'd really like it or not. I can't take away anything from this guitar, anyone would agree, but there something about owning one of the originals, rather than a copy