JB Player Strat Style

The finish is a Glossy Candy Apple Red. The Body Style is Strat Copy but made of one piece of solid hard wood (not sure what type, althought i think it is Alder). The bridge was a custom type setup with tuning adjustment on the bridge in addition the machine heads. After tuning, you locked the nut down so further tuning adjustments are made at the bridge only. Mine is a 22 Fret model with a Rosewood fretboard. It's got a pair of humbuckers at the rear and two additional pickups at the front. It's got two tone POTs and one for Volume and of course the trademark Strat copy slap switch for pickup selection.

This guitar has incredible sound and it will hold it's own agains guitars 10 times it's price. Really does an exceptional job on sustain which is a by product of it's solid body/neck design. They used top quality components on when they build this guitar.

The action on my JB player has always been one it's strongest suits. Because it is made out of a solid piece of wood, the neck is incredibly thin and yet it is still rigid. But this thin neck makes it incredibly easy to move up and down the fret board and to put your hands in positions that just aren't possible unless you have giant hands. The only complaint I have after 20+ years is that they pick cover is warped in a few places and doesn't stay flat. But it's purely aesthetic. My guitar is cherry red with black pick guard and black machine heads. The finish is glossy and has held up well over the years. It was supposed to have come with a Floyd Rose bridge but mine wound up having their custom tremolo set up which I just had fixed last year after the springs went bad on me. Overall, I have no complaints.

This is a great guitar that was my main axe for about 15 years. It is now a backup to my main squeeze which is a Santana edition PRS. The only thing that has given me any trouble was the custom bridge setup which I have since done away with.

Never needed to deal with the factory on anything. I've done business with the dealer a few times and he has always been able to find great guitars at great prices. I also bought a Suzuki Acoustic from him which turned out to be an incredible value as well.

I've been playing for 40 years and own a variety of guitars including a PRS, Martin D17, Nu-Way Banjo Uke, Rickenbacker Lap Steel and Suzuki KW150 Dreadnaught. The dealer that I bought these from I trust implicitly. Every guitar he has ever recommended to me as a good value turned out to be exactly that. I have had many great years playing this guitar and it sounds better now then it did then. I know the quality of JB Players guitars has gone up and down, but I happened to have caught them early in their attack of the US market when they were making quality products at killer prices. When my son and I Jam, he always wants to play my PRS and I want to play the JB Player, and you know what I actually like the JB Player better.

2004 JBG 165= Super nice solid ash tobacco sunburst body. Kind of a shock for $140.00 guitar. Rosewood fretboard, perfevt med. fret wire, All the rest is standard import Strat style features. . It does have a smaller neck radius than a lot. More like the older vintage strats. Probably 9.5" but not too sure. It fits my hands and plays effortless.

I must have played a million strat copies and imports. I worked at a music store for nearly 8 years and sold quite a few different makes. Some were complete junk not even subtable for the deaf. There were a few that sounded good enough to pass and then a small amount that had the strat sound down solid. These 165's are one of them. For generic pups they really are hard to beat. The thing is that with the solid ash bodies they just carry off that clean sparkle without the usuall harsh ice pick nightmare of almost every other cheap import out there. They also carry a sweet low end. It registers loud and clear, no mud in mine and I play loud! It's got mid range clarity that is almost unheard of in the cheap ones . Overall just really well balanced. I was always going to change out the electronics and really upgrade this to make it kick custom Fender ass but been real happy with it the way it is. I might change them one day but I'm in no hurry, The single coil buzz is almost non-existent and the switching is nice and quiet. I'm always shocked by how they did it on these. It really smokes any other stock strat copies I can think of any where this price. For the money they can't be beat ! Excellent Job !

Like any guitar, it required a little out of the box tweaking and a string change but other than a slight customizing of the pickup height and bridge saddles the action and neck is fantastic. I can lay the strings almost right down to the wire without any buzz at all. Very impressive indeed! There is nothing worse than trying to fight a "tight" guitar. Not a problem here. This thing plays as slick as snot on a marble. It's fast and clean, no dead frets no humps, twists, sharp ends or anything you might have to worry about getting in the way of playing.It plays GREAT! The fit and finish is awesome. A beautiful sunburst finish and it looks sooo nice on the ash body. Strings align perfectly over the pole pieces, tuners hold tight and turn smooth, bridge has held out well for the past year. The nut was cut low and clean and the frets were perfect and smooth right out of the box. That I really never expected. NEVER!. I have seen about five different 165's and everyone had excellent neck and fret work. It has a perfect neck and it plays like a $1000.00 USA fender. It looks like one too. A killer job.

I've had it just over a year now and I've put it through a lot of fueled workouts and so far, not one issue. I keep my fingers crossed but it hasn't even tried to give me a problem yet. I got a great one. Everything on it is still tight and functioning like new. That's saying a lot considering what I've put it through. I keep her oileed and check out the screws and hardware every now and then just to keep it right. Don't know how well she'll survive the next few years but at the price It coould explode tomorrow and I would have gotten more than my moneys worth. If it had a graphite nut and top shelf hardware and electronics it would be a ten at five times the cost. It doesn't, and the cost reflects that. I have seen and played a tone of $100.00+ strat imports, none come close...None! I love this freak.

Well, I wouldn'r expect much but haven't needed them. Since they are owned and distributed by the typical faceless corp. the best bet is probably dealing with the local dealer but I've been told they do honor the warranty if even the smallest thing goes wrong. Just haven't needed to try it.

I've been playing since the seventies. I've been around guitars and music my entire life. From the Beatles and Stones through Vai and Satriani and almost everything in between. I currently have well over twenty different guitars that I have kept . From custom shop, too expensive, musem quality, afraid to play guitars to mid priced, mid eighties Japanese models to the best of the budget impports. I have been through ten times that many trying to find the keepers. I have found one thing to be true, no matter how much or how little you spend you still have to search for the best of them. If you can find a solid ash body strat clone that looks and sounds and plays this good for this price you better buy it. The ash body and excellent Tburst finish is worth the price of admission. If you want an upgrade platform guitar. This is the shit. I love it . glad I bought it and only wish I would found it before going through half a dozen other cheap brands just to find out they were all junk. This one's been a keeper. For what you pay and what you get it's a solid 10 and I wouldn't hesitate to get another one.

this is an early neck through model in white 2 single coils and a humbucker all passive strat style white with a white headstock and a 80,s metal monster type trem i purchased it from ebay for ?50 pounds sterling after reading the reviews on here, it arrived looking in slightly better condition than rory gallaghers strat but all is still solid just dings and nicks i cant comment on sound or action yet as i took it straight down to my local guitar shop for them to sort it out on first look i was told the trem was shot so his plan is to lock it down for me and im awaiting the call to go pick it up then i can leave some notes on sound etc but im a bass player foremost and just bought it to mess around on anyone with any info on the neck thru models if you could email me with it would be most appreciated stuart1971@lycos.co.uk thanks

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This is just an update on some information I found on the net about the early JB Player stuff. Intresting reading: (quoted from the 1989 dealer/distribution catalog)

It seems as though between 86-89, JB Player was known as the "world-wide innovator of the built-in wireless guitar system"

All of the Professional Series Guitars from 86-89 were made in the US; not Korea. The bodies are said to be made of premium AAA Grade Flame maple or Pacific coast maple (electrics) and solid spruce or rosewood on their acoustics.

These guitars came with a 1 year warranty.

Some players of the period that used JB Player were:

Jackson Browne
Snuffy Waldren (playing with Laura Branigan)
Steven Stills
Mark Mothersbough (Devo)
Steve Bartek (Oingo Boingo)
Martha Davis (The Motels)
and a host of others.

Seems that JB Player was a "legitimate" player in the 80's and if you've got one of the 80's vintage pieces (even the Sledgehammer Mid-entry line was pretty good), it's a pretty well constructed guitar. In my oppinion, the Select by EMG pickups were on par with current passive EMG's (HZ series) so if you come across one or two of these and you don't want to buy it, let me know! If you'd like a reprint of the 89 JB Player Catalog, e-mail me at amcleodiii@earthlink.net.

From what I've been able to find out, this guitar was made around 1986-87. J.B. Player actually made a good product in those days along with Dean, Ibanez and a couple other asian manufacturers. It's made in Korea and it's a solid wood-probably alder. It's one of the lighter Strats I own. Controls include 1 volume, 2 tones and a push-pull pot for coil splitting. It came equipped with Select By EMG pickups which I know are still sold by Stew Mac. They are kind of like the Duncan Performer Series. These are however some exquisitely voiced pickups on this guitar. I usually immediately switch to some type of Duncan pickup and I've never liked EMG's but I might actually let these stay around for awhile. This guitar has a crackle red/white finish that is definitely 80's glam rock and a black pickguard/black hardware color scheme. Has a Floyd Rose Trem on it that works pretty well although I'm gonna' add a 5th spring and block it. I don't do the dive bomb thing that much anymore. It has these black tuners that look and feel a lot like quick ratio Gotohs although with the locking nut, it's kind of overkill. It has jumbo frets and maple neck w/rosewood fretboard. I don't have a Fender with a neck this nice!

I am amongst other things a studio guitarist and I play out a bit as well. Play any style needed for the gig and this set up covers the gammut pretty well. I've played this guitar through a Line 6 Spider, a Vetta, a Fender Twin Reverb and a Carr Rambler. The electronics are dead quiet. These pickups are actually humbuckers (neck and mid) in a strat size and a full size humbucker at the bridge. (Typical H/S/S) It does the Strat thing pretty well but it's so much more warmer. Not quite like Texas Specials but balsy with a singing voice. Especially noticeable with a little overdrive and just a bit of verb. The guitar is really resonant unplugged. Something not expected in a guitar I purchased 2nd hand for $100.00

The set-up was ok. It had been sitting on the shelf in a pawnshop for about 7 mos. After cleaning the thing up and doing a complete setup on it, it was great. Suffers from traditional Floyd Rose woes (inconsistent string height/intonation) and a pain in the ass to change strings on. That's why I'm locking her down! This baby is beautiful to loo at. The read crackle/white textured finish is beautiful. (Looks like an early 80's Van Halen homegrown) It is very playable and the only problem found in operation was a dirty push-pull switch. Tuner cleaner did the job on that. i give it a 7 for the Floyd Rose and the pot.

This guitar is very solidly made. Everything is working fine as is right now and I will probably change the 5 position switch with a Fender switch (simply because I've had trouble a Squier that uses the same switch.) Brass colored strap buttons are solid. At 45, I don't do a lot of jumping around so they are more than adequate. The finish doesn't have not 1 nick on it and it's tough as nails. I'll play it without a backup-surely. Not a problem

MBT now owns the rights to JB Player and even though the new stuff they sell isn't bad, there customer service is virtually non-existant. Asking a question about past products sends you to the bowels neva-land.

I've been a guitarist for too long! (Over 30 years) and right now I own about 11 guitars encompassing anything from a TC McInturff to a Silvertone. Of the Strats I own including a recent Light Ash Model with Seymour Cuncan Singles, This is a fine guitar. if you aren't stuck on labels and you like bargain shopping like I do, you'd be surprised at what you can find.

This guitar feels like it's been mine forever-like a comfortable pair of shoes. It's broken in, not too expensive and I can simply play it without worries. If stolen, it would be a sad, sad day because it would be really hard to find another one. I haven't been able to locate too many on the net. Basic strat with a extra dose of warm and fuzzy. It was an orphan that needed a good home and it found one with me.

This review is for the JB Player JBG-165. Made in 2003 in Indonesia. Solid ash body, with sealed tuners, vintage trem, high-output S/S/S, slim maple neck, rosewood fretboard, 22-frets, usual strat controls, ie: 5-way selector, 1 volume and 2 tone. Nice big strap buttons. The HW is good, as good as a std Fender Strat (the JBG165 tuners might be better...it's close). It has a 7.25 fretboard radius, like 60's strats...so if you like those you'll like this guitar. It should be noted there are 2 similar-looking JB Player strats. The one that comes with a beginner "Electric Works" pack...is not as good as the JBG165...though it looks similar at 1st glance. (I think someone reviewed the Works one below, thinking they had the JBG165 instead).
I have 2 of these: 1 sunburst and 1 aqua. It comes in about 8 colors.
I'm giving an NA for features because it's a strat with everything a std strat should have. Can't put a # on it.

Great for blues, blues-rock. The pickups have higher than average output and give a nice snarl at high volume, especially at the neck. Fender vintage pups have more clarity at high volume. The JBG165 distorts a little more, and has more mid but not mud. It's a nice change. And yet, this guitar totally retains the essence of "stratness".

Guitar was well set-up at the factory compared to most. I always make fine adjustments, and you should expect to also. Frets were nicely done, no big flaws to speak of. The fretboard is very good. Actually, I was quite impressed with the overall quality and feel out of the box. I own over 40 guitars...and am not always as impressed.

This guitar will last. It's very-well made and as durable as any Fender.

I don't know much about this part. There was a warranty card in the box.

I've been playing for over 25 years. A serious player....not the best, not the worst. This is a great guitar for the price. You won't find anything better in this price range. If you like a 7.25" radius fretboarad, you definitely won't find anything better. Put it this way, if I lost all my guitars and olny had $129 to get a new one...I'd buy one of these.

I have 2 mid-80s Neck-thru-body Strats that absolutely KILL!!!
I suppose the body is Ash, though I owuld even think Maple, as they are as heavy as a Les Paul.

Both have nice Schaller-type sealed tuners, rosewood neck, with nice jumbo frets.

I got one brand new in 1985 for $250, and found another one by accident in a pawnshop for 75 bucks.

They are kickass guitars

They both sound great. My main Strat has an EMG humbucker in it, and the other one I plan on leaving as three single coils. It has the stock single coils, and they sound ok, but are pretty low output and are kinda cheap sounding.

But I really have no complaints.

My main Strat has a nice ballsy, chunky sound with some nice low-end to it.

The guitars have no flaws to speak of as far as finish. the one I got in the late 90s is red, and you can clearly see the piece of wood that runs through the body.

The one I bought new in 1985 is black, and the finish has no imperfections now other than the dings and dents I myself have put in it.

On both axes, they came with a cheap imitation Kahler bridge. I broke my black one in 1991, and bought an actual Kahler Pro to replace it. No problems since then.

The red one was such a deal, because the bridge was already broken (apparently they used some kinda cheap steel to make these), so I bought a black Kahler Pro and it is fine now as well.

I can set the action as I please. The cutaway is nice and comfortable, and the body contour is nice and comfy as well.

I love these 2 guitars. They are solid, well-built axes.

No customer support whatsoever for these guitars.

The people that own the brand name simply bought the brand as a business investment, without knowing a damn thing about the history of the guitars.

I have been playing now for 32 years. I currently own a Gibson Flying V, an Epiphone Korina V & Explorer, a Fender Lead I & Lead II, my 2 JB Player Strats, A Fender Jazz Bass, and all the other stuff a good guitarist should have....

I cannot say enough good stuff about these axes, and I wish I could find more of them.

I bought this guitar off ebay for $70. The seller advertised it as being a solid ash body and having "sealed die-cast tuners". Well, turns out the body was plywood and the tuners were the cheap covered tuners. The guitar has a fairly slim maple neck with rosewood fretboard. 3 single-coil pickups that are a bit weak in their output. It is a "tobacco sunburst" with poor gradients between the black and the amber. A bit harsh. The frets are medium and well dressed and the action is decent but the sound leaves a lot to be desired. The hardware seems kind of chintzy.

I've owned a lot of strat copies, some good, some bad. I play mainly blues a la Buddy Guy and B.B. King and prefer a nice clean fat sound. I play through a home-made all-tube Gibson GA-16 clone. This guitar has that typical "strat" sound but is very weak in rendition. Like playing through cotton batting. Very playable guitar but the sound just ain't there. I'm putting it up for sale.

Everything was set up really good on this guitar. Like I said before, a very playable axe, BUT the sound is definitely lacking. Maybe some of the older models of this guitar (according to other reviews on this site) were much better than this one, but mine lacks "spirit".

I have no idea how well this guitar will stand up. I hope to get rid of it as soon as possible so I don't have to find out:-)

Haven't had it long enough to warrant an opinion...

I've been playing for 40 years and have owned a lot of gear over those years. I am not a "name" snob and have found some really great guitars at unbelievably low prices over the last few years, guitars that I wouldn't have hesitated to use on stage back when I was gigging. This is not one of those. Although it is very playable, it doesn't have that "sound". Also, I have a "thing" about plywood being used in guitars. There is till plenty enough real wood around without having to resort to laminates and glue. I bought this guitar because it was advertised as having a solid ash body. If I could find another JB Player with a real ash body and Schaller-type tuners for this price, I might be willing to give it a try but this one just doesn't have "it". I just bought a solid alder body SX vintage '62 sunburst strat for $20 less that just blows this guitar out of the water!

2003 model with a naturalwood,maple neck.Standard tremelo system.
Good quality parts and workmanship. Very impressed considering I only paid $300.00

I play PRS,Fenderand 2 G and L. I love the weight and feel of the guitar. It has a feel of its own. Much time was put into workmanship. I have kept the pickups installed because they have a clean tone and ultra distortion tone when oing thru my Mesa,s and
Matchless.

Action is low low low. I can make this guitar scream.

So Far So GOOD.

Im glad I took the rist. I know JB Player always had a good name and is considered a main streem line to many artists for years.

I think this strat copy is a '87.Way before the crappy ones! Dont know where it was made,22 frets.It is heavy & solid,balanced perfect
White with black pickguard,maple neck,rosewood fretboard,maple head.
sss standard pickups,possibly a Kahler tremolo with locking nut standard features.GREAT GUITAR!

It suits any strat style sound.It has a beautiful clear sound and on distortion setting it does great up to a point.But when you get to really heavy stuff its a little thin.but I dont have it tuned down to B like my Gibson L6s.
This guitar has a specially quacky/squaky sound even unplugged because of the roller bridge saddles ?

This is an old used guitar,but in perfect shape,even the frets (jumbo) have no wear.The neck is perfect.
The one thing wrong is I can't get the action set low with the tremolo
bridge.So I locked down the bridge and it adjusted perfect.I do miss the tremolo and will work on it again later.

This guitar will withstand anything.Eveything is solid

?

Ive been playing 30 some years.I own 9 guitars Ibanez,gibson,fender& a few others.I love this guitar, it is my favorite,I don't think I could find another like it,but I would look.