JJ Guitars Retro

made in england 2001-2005, tone volume,3 way selector,coil tap. 2piece mahogany body, indian rosewood neck,spertzel tuners

wow, Its no wonder with adrian clarke and jan cyrka from guitarist own one of these. the bridge coil tapped is bloody fantastic at single coil sounds and push it down you get a tight bass and beautiful balance of everything else(during a solo this makes a nice boost) and who came up with the idea of a h/b and p90! in the middle position its a beast it smack you in the face like a brick. it puts a prs or les paul to shame, once again soil tap for something lighter. and the p90 is a sweet as melted butter. rather than get an acoustic out i use this pickup and play solo the heart and warmth is amazing. but also you have the tone control and any notch will change your tone a million miles. down to 0 and its a jj love tone, and if you think th guitars too bright leave it on 5 or if you want to do a solo its like a compressor and will add so much. This morning justy through a ****** fender automatic se amp i tried always with me always with you ans more jaw hit the ground, please by one, i wasnt paid to say this!

i didnt buy mine new its 5 years old, not a mark on it, the necks straight, the nut is as snug as a rug. the quality of these is fantastic, i dont believe anybody who has a bad thing to say about this model. i cant see one constuction flaw

I do not want to play another guitar, i collect them i have like 15 their obsolete i dont need them. any live show id take it, in the studio yep. I cant see one blemish this thing was built to last. i lend it out to convince people how good it is

I own a tokai les paul,fender esquire,fender tom delounge strat,tokai strat,gibson les paul junior,dearmond jetstar,danelectro u2,burns brian may, fender jaguar,jackson roswell,tokai sg custom,ibanez js1.
id cry if it was stolen for ??700 it was a bargain. if it said prs or gibson on the headstock it would sell for ??2000. I love it cos its so versatile and the tones are fantstic.

This is an update to a previous review of a JJ Retro HB.
I purchased this from new in December 2002 so its neally 5 years old now. Since then I've moved from a strictly bedroom-playing guitarist to a "weekend warrior." Without exception the JJ Retro HB assisted with that.

The best guitar ever made? Yep. Certainly the best made of modern times. A 1970's SG2000 would come close in my estimation and the JJ does hark back to the SG2000, though I'm not sure that was ever deliberate. I've never played a 1950's or early 60's Gibson or Fender and what's the point? You could never take such a treasure out of the house for fear it would be nicked.

This model is no longer manufactured and JJ have stopped I believe making mahogony-bodied guitars due to problems sourcing decent materials (and the blessed weight.) The Indian rosewood mentioned for the 'board came from Burns Ltd 40-year+ stock that JJ Hucke I believed acquired when Burns was looking like it wasn't going to survive.

My Vox digital Valvetronix was ditched, initially for a Peavey Classic 30, then I added a Blues Junior, and finally a Cornford Harlequin and then Carrera (Cornford magazine ads used to feature a JJ.) Through the Valvetronix the JJ sounded pretty good - through the Harlequin or Junior (and even the Peavey) it just sounds unbelievable. It is just so difficult to stop playing. With a cranked-up valve amp and the neck pickup the Retro kicks bucks, soars and encourages me to take chances, try out things a bit beyond my ability each time I play.

Best of all, as the wood matures, that tone is getting even better - even as the pickups get weaker. Even unplugged the Retro sounds really toneful, and with each year that tone just gets more mellow, the sustain (perhaps I'm just imagining it) longer. The guitar is extraordinarily predictable - I know precisely where to move the neck just to alter the harmonics of a sustained feedback note (I like Santana music) and the guitar resonates with numerous "sweet spots."

For the last few years it hasn't needed any maintenance - the action seems to stay exact between string changes, and other than a touch of lemon oil on the 'board and some polish on the maple top not much gets done. The metalwork remains uncorroded and looks like it will remain so. The tail, being worked aluminium (not extruded) of course won't weather. A key feature of the guitar is that it stays in tune - ridiculously in tune.

So you can take your Suhr's, Tom Andersons, PRS wood-looking-like-plastic, Brian Moore's, and certainly every Gibson and Fender made after I'd been born guitars and pay a fortune for them. For less than ??1000 (eh, $2000) the JJ Retro is certainly up there with the best, and IMHO is the best.

Hi - just to set the record for all of those who own or are looking to buy a JJ and are using these reviews to inform their decision: the rosewood fingerboards on JJ are NOT made of Brazilian rosewood as previously stated in the last reviews. They are in fact made of Indian rosewood, shaped from 40 year old blanks acquired by JJ. In my experience as a JJ owner, these must be about the best rosewood boards to be fitted to any guitar these days, however, and they play almost like ebony ones. The quality of these boards are very unusual to find on such a reasonably priced professional electric guitar.

Hi - just to set the record for all of those who own or are looking to buy a JJ and are using these reviews to inform their decision: the rosewood fingerboards on JJ are NOT made of Brazilian rosewood as previously stated in the last reviews. They are in fact made of Indian rosewood, shaped from 40 year old blanks acquired by JJ. In my experience as a JJ owner, these must be about the best rosewood boards to be fitted to any guitar these days, however, and they play almost like ebony ones. The quality of these boards are very unusual to find on such a reasonably priced professional electric guitar.

This is a Hand Made electic guitar with 22 frets, mahaogany top AAA grade. Volume, tone and three way selector switch as well as coil tap, everthing I need, there's a P90 in the Neck and a Humbucker in the brigde, both custom made JJ pickups. Might I add that the fingerboard is made from the same batch of wood that the original 50's Gibson Les Pauls, Brasillian Rosewood, for only #850! BRAND NEW! that saves me over #19,000. The finish on the guitar is absolutley beautifull, flametop mahogany, the most beautifull I've ever witnessed. Far superior to a top of the line P.R.S from the 90's! It has a very studry, nickel plated bridge with Gotoh tuners that lock up once tuned/w/ self lubricating jumbo frets. The whole thing is a complete and utter work of art!

I play a lot of fusion and avant guarde/ free jazz, but I also love playing heavy bluesy rock and death metal. The JJ suits any style of music, but I find it's tone best suits, jazz/blues/rock/reggae/R&B/fusion more than other styles. The guitar is never noisy, yet never too quiet, it's just right. The sound is out of this universe, I've never heard anything quite so rich and deep and harmonically complex in my entire life! this is really where it shines, it sounds unique but has part sounds of a Gibson Custom Les Paul and SG, with a mix of a Fender Jazzmaster, P90s! The thing just sings even through a rubbish 15 transitory effort, being a 'normal' citisen in society means that I can't afford a valve amp yet, but it doesn't mean I can't pretned I can. So I've been trying it out with various guitar amps and it seems to suit valve amps with EL84 tubes surprisingly well, and EL34 but it can sound too mid-bass heavy with 6L6/fender amps, although it still sounds beautifully rich. I plan to use it with a Marshall DSL-40 or 20 if I can find one. This guitar is the best 'sound' that I have ever heard in my life.

It came with a slightly higher action than what I like, so I just had it fixed and everything has been perfect ever since. The neck though certanly took some getting use to, it felt like a deformed over sised stick at first, but eventually I got used to it! It is apparently similar to a 60 strat neck, it's exceptionally FAT and it's a distinked C shape. I have found that the nickel plated bridge is sussepatalbe to slight corrosion, I wish they'd have made it out of titanium, hense the 8.

This thing is most definitley built to last a lifetime! It's handmade which just says it all, can't belive I once even considerd thinking about purchasing a JS series Ibanez, this thing makes it look like a cheap toy that it is! I am so so pleased with myself for choosing this guitar over others, I would pay over #3000 pounds for a replacement it is THAT good. PERFECT. and I've been 100% satisfied with it for 3 solid years now.

This doesn't seem good, I've sent them an email that they haven't even reponded to! and it was what I considerd an important one, but I've noticed that the website has been going through some changes! could this be due to the ugly side of corparate success??? I sincerly hope that they continue to give out guitars of this quality, it's a dream to own one.

This is my favourite piece of wood in the world and if anyone stole it, I'd just have to hunt them down and give em the slap of thier lifetime. I play no other guiars as I see no other guitars bettering this one, the only other I'd ever buy is a JJ electa V, but that's it! for me it's perfect and I fell instantly in love with my JJ Retro, it's shine is so hypnotising that it often sends me in a trace like state of mind. I'd give it a 20 if possible, without it I could not exsist, but I one of the few who play music as a lifestyle, and you can't get better than JJ guitars for value, quality, tone, craftsmanship and TONE!!! I would have paid #3000 plus, money is no object over quality, and this is by far the best quality guitar I've ever seen or used. A real, real GEM!

My J.J Retro was purchased brand new from Sounds Great in Heald Green, Manchester. It has spirtsel locking tuners, Brasilian Rosewood Fingerboard wood from the 50's (used on original Les Pauls!) worth over #20,000!!!!!!!! It is handmade, has one humbucker, one P90, coil tap, and the most versitile volume and tone control I've ever come across on any guitar. I love it's simplistic design and I don't need more features, it's perfect how it is.

I play Rock, Blues, African, Jazz, Metal but mainly Fusion guitar. It can get all the tones I need and more for ALL of these styles with complete ease. I use my JJ Retro with the following setup. Guitar/-Keeley Java Boost/- Keeley Fuzz Head/- MJM Rocatvia/- Keeley Compressor/- Line 6 Liqua-Flange/- Boss DD3 (japan made)/- Marshall DSL 50 JCM2000 head w/2x12 cab. It's all connected with George L leads, the guitar is completley noiseless, live or in the studio. The JJ Retro's tone is amazingly rich with harmonics that I didn't even know existed or were possible before buying it! It's the richest tone on any guitar that I've heard, it's got a phenominal 'woman' tone. There is nothing I dislike about it's tone, infact that's why I chose it over a Gibson Les Paul Custom, a Custom Fender Strat, a Custom Fender Telecaster, a custom PRS and a Gibson S.G. It's very hard to pinpoint the JJ Retro's tone, it can sound strat/tele like or Les Paul/S.G like with the Humbucker, but it has a PRS's BITE!

When I first got the guitar it must be said, it wasn't perfect. The nut was slighlty alterd to the left side and the action was slightly high. I had it set up to my specifications and now it IS perfect, including a slight thruss rod adjustment, it's now the easiest guitar in the world to play and my favourite!

This guitar will outstand absolutley anything! I've droped it many times, as you do in a Rock n Roll live enviroment. I've used it for every gig sinse 2003, so that's 3 years of hard gigging in my hard rock band. The neck is so strong that you could jump on it and it still wouldn't brake! (not recommended) the finish is absoluley flawless, beautifull 2 piece mahogany top, I fell in love immediatley.

I've never needed to use it as yet : ) (touch mahogany) I've had it three years from brand new.

If you want the best tone ever and you have a #800-#1000 budget. Get one of these now, in years they'll definitley be a collectors item. I've never come across a better electric guitar tone, it's THAT rich, although it's not to everyone's taste. What I mean is it's very sweet, warm and it's full of overtones, sort of like a Les Paul and S.G, but with a P90 int the Neck, it's gotta be the perfect combination and I think JJ have really, really found the perfect solution to versitile tone and value. It's my only guitar because, for me personally, it delivers all the tones I'll EVER need beautifully, and I truly do mean that! get it together with the right effects, cables and amp and it's awe inspiring how much tone this thing can get! After 3 years of experimenting with it, I'm still finding new, unique tones by using the volume knob. Can you say that about your guitar??? it's very unlikely, not within this price range! It sounds better than some #3000 plus so called 'holy grail' P.R.S's! and that is a BOLD statement to make. GO AND TRY A J.J TODAY!!!!

2003 made in the Midlands England.Neck P90 bridge humbucker.Standard pick ups changed for Bareknuckles versions.With coil split on bucker all three classic pick up sounds available,brilliant!What more could you want?

It sounded good when I bought it,but since fitting the BKs it is stunning.I have eleven guitars including a Les Paul,an '81 flying V and a Parker Fly Classic and this one rules the roost sonically.I've been playing since the sixties and the neck p90 on this one is the best electric guitar sound I've heard clean,crunch or dirty and bridge bucker comes second!

I bought it secondhand and the only issue was a hairline crack at the base of the neck.Since then its acquired loads of dings like all my guitars.I'm a rocker not a vicar.

Its tough as old boots,you could twat Tyson with it.

I've never needed any support,but I've heard good things about them.

Brilliant!So why have they stopped making this model?Because all you idiots out there won't touch anything that was designed after 1965 unless its a PRS.Well I've had a PRS[goldtop Mcarty with the P90s] and sold after six months.This one you can bury with me, nuff said!

i got mine for #865 - best thing about living in UK. reasonably thick neck for those playing strats/lolipop sticks - i got the p90 version - it nails the tone from "another brick in the wall pt.2" perfectly, and sounds proper creamy with a bit of distortion. Mine came with GOTOH tuners, which i think were fitted by the guitar shop - they provide a better ballance than the sperzel ones

im using it with a fender duoverb - i can get a proper clasic rock grunt or a brighter johnny marr-esque jangle. i use a danelectro overdrive to push it a bit harder for solos

the action is brilliant, and there's a nice chunky neck to get your fingers round. everything looked good. Obviously, being hand made, the finish was nicer than others

it's good live. the only problem i've encountered is the volume switch went after about 9 months, but it's been fixed and no probs since. the finish is fairly thick, so no problems there. obviously when paying this kind of money you expect it to be pretty flawless

i got a repair done in the shop under warranty - no problems

iit sounds great, feels amazing, and a handmade guitar at this price is awesome. the all mahogany build gives a really good sustain, and the pickups give you most of the tones you need - perfectly suited to prettymuch everything, the neck pickup gives some great tones, although, being singlecoil, won't cope with as much distortion if you're looking to play metal. being out of production now, you'll have to find one second hand, but it's well worth the price of any other similar guitar, eg. a les paul or a PRS. new, it cost about the same as some of the bottom end LPs, with a much better quality and t0ne as the higher ones

JJ Blue Special with P90 at neck, H/bucker at bridge. One piece mahogany neck and one piece mahogany body which I understand is south american mahogany. Very dark rosewood fingerboard which is made from old Burns stock blanks cut in the 50's, and purchased as surplus by JJ Guitars. 1 x volume, 1 x tone - with push/pull coil split for humbucker. Wrap-over bridge milled from a single piece of aluminium, sitting on nickel-plated brass posts. Nickel plated Sperzels on h/stock. Natural "binding" around front edge of body. Twin cutaway design that looks like a cross between an Eggle new Yorker and a Rickie. Flat top, with venetian carve arond the front and comfortable body scoop on rear. Scale length of neck is 25". Fell in love with it at first sight.

Sound-wise, the JJ is unique in this p/u configuration. The pickups are custom-made in Korea. Wasn't too sure about this until I plugged the JJ in. The pickups do sound really good, but I reckon it depends on what you plug into. On the pickups alone, I'm not totally convinced that they do the guitar full justice, but of course there are all sorts of variables that go into the sound of an electric. This is where the JJ really shines. This one absolutely sings at low level and high level. Alot of beautiful, ringing harmonic overtones happen behind the notes and sometimes gets to sound like one of those tibetan singing bowls! There's some real magic happening here. The pickups seem to be wound fairly hot, but the P90 has a really great jazz tone. The h/bucker is fine and sounds really wonderful through an everman lo-fi filter, but I think I'll be replacing it with a Bareknuckle Black dog. The stock bridge pickup has loads of grunt though. Beautiful, soulful blues tone and nice chimey pop from p-u mixtures, and quite a decent sound from the spilt h/bucker - all that mahogany warming it up I guess. In-between sounds are wonderful for a warm, rich funk sound. Overall, though the sounds have they're own identity. Tone controls have a very useful range. Loads of balls and raunch at high volume and buckets of sustain. Will give this section a nine - the korean hand-wound p/ups are great but stop the guitar just short of making it sound legendary.

The finish and fit are pretty much flawless. The blue on the face of the guitar is a beautiful rich deep blue with a hint sparkle going on, and some very subtle violet tinting to it I'm sure is not intentional. The natural edging is as crisp as anything on a PRS, and the black paint applied to the rest of body and neck is smooth - no orange peeling. I find the black finish a bit heavy on the neck, and will take a while to wear in. The action was ok - a bit high for me, getting this sorted out. Neck very comfortable and feels hand-made - a deep C just short of chubby, fills the palm but still thin enough to roam around at high speeds. Not for super-fast shredding though. Jumbo Frets really well polished with no rough ends when applying the fingertip test. Sperzels (non-locking) are very smooth in use - all in all, real quality.

Everything about this JJ is very high quality. Built like a rock, but feels lighter than it looks on a strap. Really comfortable to play and a real workhorse - this guitar will take loads of abuse and be playing for decades. Tuning stability is solid and, unlike any other guitar I own, I cannot break a string no matter how hard I dig in. How does JJ do this? Extremely reliable and dependable.

Not had dealings with JJ. Given the care they put into the guitar makes me think that they care about the JJ customer too. Would like a tour of they're factory.

This is a very unique guitar in build and sound and more versatile than most yet retains its own sonic signature. Considering the build quality and materials and craftsmanship, it is really astounding value for money. I can't help feeling that JJ should be sourcing their p/ups from a British builders, though, in keeping with the 'Made in Britain' ethos and also I think these guitars really deserve better p'ups. They should also consider including a hiscox case into the deal. Tempted to dock a half point, but my JJ just sounds like bloody magic!

My example is a JJ Retro H/B fitted with two humbuckers rather than the more conventional H/B-P90. Since delivery this model has become a standard option. As with other Retros, there's a single rotary tone (with push/pull coil tap) single rotary volume,and three way toggle.

I'm no jobbing guitarist. I've played a 12-string acoustic for years and decided that I wanted to try an electric out as a 40th birthday present (it was that or get a motorbike!) Bit sad I know, but as a kid I'd owned an awful semi-acoustic which contributed to me not playing electric guitars again.

So I thought, if I'm going to own one electric guitar, it had better be a good one.

For a year I tried out near enough anything that appealed; PRS CE's, Singlecuts, Standards...Gibson LP Standards and Studio+. Even a McInturff, Yamahas, Jacksons and Ibanez. As I travel quite a bit I was able to visit plenty of specialist guiar shops up and down the UK.

I tried out a JJ Retro HB-P90 early on and was impressed by the finish, but not too sure about the P90.

Near the end of the try-outs I visited Sounds Great who had a Retro HB-HB, played it and loved it. I ordered there and then, together with a Vox Valvetronic 60-watter (I didn't want to find myself moaning about not having the right amp!).

Even though I'd left it a bit late, the guitar was delivered (that is, hand delivered) by Tony, one of JJ's Directors, to the shop, before six weeks expired. Vox weren't so good with the Valvetronic order, but Sounds Great lent me a demo unit in the meantime. For nightime practise, or for working away from home I have a Korg Pandora.

And for sounds? Well, I'm probably not the best to judge, seeing as I'm not a gigging musician. Compared to a PRS (and I mean upto and including a Singlecut) there's no comparison; the JJ beats them hands down. For sheer predictable tone I wasn't able to find a near competitor. With the Valvetronic I'm surprised just how many tones I can get from the guitar, including of course the wonderful acoustic simulator tones that digital modellers like the Pandora and Vox provide.

The only downside is perhaps the coil tap sound, which isn't hugely impressive if you are expecting to emulate a singlecoil pickup. But it does the job for short runs. This guitar though is distinctly a humbucker-loaded creature-perfect for near enough any music I can try to play (particularly jazz, blues and non metal/grunge rock).

Like all JJ Retro's it has the mahogany body, and flamed maple top. The top is outstanding, almost perfectly bookmarked. When I picked it up from the shop I compared it with the shops demo (which was pretty good) and also with some PRS models and a McInturff. Once again, no comparison - the JJ's finished was incomparable to these otherwise well-regarded marques. My copy has a darker, rather more menacing appearence than the standard finish I've seen - and this has been enhanced every time I change the strings and polish it.

The action was a little high, but the luthier at Sounds Great altered it for me a few days later after I picked it up.

Although jobbing guitarist would laugh at the idea, changing strings was initially a bit daunting. Even after a few years I found the thought of changing strings on my 12-string a bit stressful. But the JJ, with its stop-tail and accurate tuners is a doddle. And the guitar is remarkably easy to keep in tune - consistent all the way down the fretboard. I've kept to 009-042's string-wise, though I might up the gauge in the future just to find out how it changes things. Height adjustment is easy with the screws on the stoptail.

Frets are perfectly finished, with no sharp edges or burring. The rosewood fingerboard is a delight and outstandingly quick to navigate.

I've not as yet had to have the trussrod adjusted.

The first thing you notice is the weight. This guitar is heavy, and I mean heavy. Heavier than a Les Paul, and even heavier than a PRS.

As mentioned, I'm not a gigging player (and probably never going to be one) - but the finish looks bulletproof (my 4-year son hasn't managed to spoil it!) In neally a years home useI've not managed to scratch or otherwise detract from the original appearence - and if anything it has been enhanced from a bit a polish.

The controls and tuners are solid and dependable. The whole concept of the JJ was I understand, to design and build a quality guitar that jobbing musicians would be able to depend on. So fixtures and fittings were designed with robustness in mind.And it shows (not so sure I'd like to stand on-stage with it over my shoulders for 2 hours, but hell, if I wanted a light guitar I'd have purchased a Parker Fly!)

Not needed to apprach the vendor or manufacturer about any issues yet.

It was neally stolen; months ago I drove to Norwich one evening and my car was broken into. A laptop computer went, but the JJ, in a black gigbag, was sat on the back seat, looking like a suit carrier. Thankfully it was left untouced.

If it was lost, it would definately be replaced like-for-like.

My guitar is a JJ Special in blue fitted with 2 DiMarzio mini humbuckers. These are controlled with a single volume and single tone control, a 3 way toggle switch and a coil tap on the tone pot.

I mainly play rock (not metal) or bluesey stuff but sometimes like to pretend to be a jazzer or a slide player and the guitar can handle it all. i don't think it would suit Nu metallers or the slipknot brigade but thats not the market it's aimed at. it does do a fair rage against the machine though! i play through a 30w Marshall JTM valve combo and this guitar just sings. The mini humbuckers sound much sweeter than the P90s or the full sized buckers. The volume and tone controls are the most versatile I have ever come across effecting the sound beautifully. This guitar can sound a bit like a strat, a bit like a les paul, a bit like a PRS, but essentially sounds like a JJ and nothing else. It's simply fantastic!

Everything was top notch as far as finish goes except for one slightly sharp fretwire. The action was set slightly higher than i am used to but I now actually prefer it like this!

Only had it a couple of days now but it looks like it will stand up to pretty much anything. if I could rule out string breakage i would happily use at a gig without backup.

No contact as yet but the certificate you get with the guitar was a nice touch.

I have been playing for 9 years and also own a Strat, a DC Les Paul amongst others. If the guitar were stolen I would definitely have to replace it with one of the same. I compared this guitar against a Les Paul Standard and several PRS McCartys and Custom 24s and it beats the lot hands down. The only down side is that you don't get a hard case and the gig bag supplied is awful! Off to buy a Hiscox today!

Absolutely superb. I own 15 guitars of all types including a Gibson Les Paul Std Double Cut this thing knocks the spots off it!! The set up was immaculate straight from the manufacturer (I was there in the shop when it was delivered....by hand, not courier) and it is an absolute joy to play. Mine is one of the special models with a different paint job (goldtop) and two special design DiMarzio mini humbuckers, coil tappable at the tone control. As stated elsewhere the construction is like a Les Paul, Mahoganny with a maple cap. It gas a nice goldtop and a neat bare wood "binding" with a black painted back (would have been nice to have a bare wood option). Only problem, comes with a (very nice) gig bag rather than a hardcase.. Come on JJ Give us a Hiscox.

Excellent. I play solo, in a duo and in a 5 piece band, playing everything from Rock & Roll standards through Shadows instrumantals to Robbie Williams & Stereophonics so a guitar MUST be versitile for it to be useful for me, it must also have excellent tone on ALL sounds. I use it with a VOX AC30, A Fender Prosonic head with a Marshall 1922 cab loaded with Greenbacks and a Line 6 POD. It sounds great on all of them!

Perfect, I want another one please!

A little worried about marking the back, it would have been better left as bare wood in my opinion. Please (ALL MANUFACTURERS) fit Schaller strap locks to ALL guitars as standard like Fender do to their US guitars.

Otherwise excellent

Delivered by one of the Directors to the shop and he was nore than genuinely enthusiastic about the product. Cant fault it and cant imagine needing support but if it was I would imagine it would be there.

The salesman in the shop had a great knowledge of the product down to detail and rated it the best guitar in the shop

Been Playing over 30 Years and own more guitars than I really should, including 5 Gibsons and 4 Fenders, I rate this along with my main guitar, a Clapton Strat. If it was lost/ stolen, yes i'd replace it with another

2002 JJ Retro, handmade in England, standard construction of set mohogany neck and body capped off with a 9mm quilted maple top. The rosewood fingerboard is made from 40 year old wood which was sourced from Burns. The guitar features no binding but there is a beveled recess runing round the outside of the body to add a unique and classy look to the guitar. Features 1 vol & 1 tone pot and a three way selector. Fitted as standard with a Bridge Hmubucker & Neck P90. The neck facing coil of the 'bucker is voiced alone when using the push pull tone control, this is then hum-cancelling when used with P90 in the mix position. The pickups are of in-house design. The guitar is finished with a really nice sunburst to the maple top and a deep deep redy colour to the body and neck (almost black). The body is a double cut design reminicent of a PRS, but with the cut aways further back so the neck joins the body at the 21st fret, this allow for excellent access to all the frets. The bridge is a PRS style wrap over made from nickle plated aluminum. Nickle plated Sperzel tuners are fitted 3 aside to a unique, traditional headstock design. The scale is again a PRS like 25", and the guitar features a Graphtech self lubricating nut as standard. The guitar came supplied with a high quality gigbag and certificate of authenticity. I give it a nine for the original (although PRS & Gibson inspired) design, quality pickups and electrics, the nut, the really nice maple top, but it loses a mark for not coming with a case.

This is the perfect guitar for my sound, as it can go from bright jingley-jangely stuff (bidge pick up split), pure humbucker tone (some where between a Les Paul and an SG) great 'woman tone' (both pickups on (full HB) and tone rolled off) to a fat neck sound with a slice of tubey hollowness about it. The sound of this guitar is fantastic, in the past I have been drawn to guitars by there looks and feel and then attempted to achieve the sounds I want through modifications like pickup changes. This time I have bought the guitar that sounds and feels right, although the looks are not 100% to my tastes (although they are starting to grow on me).

I tried out four JJ guitars at my local store and they all felt pretty consistant in terms of quality and feel (top marks for QC) 2 of them where the retro and 2 the more basic Jewell (no maple cap and 2 x P90's) I chose the retro over the Jewell as I was looking for a bridge humbucker and I chose the Retro I did as it had a muck nicer maple cap (AAAAA). The afore mentioned nut is cut to perfection for me as is the action. 2 final nice touches are the alabone dot markers and the jack plate witch is engraved with the serial number and Made in England.

All sound so far, I would gig without a back up if I could be certain I wouldn't break a string. The only thing I have changed on the guitar is the strap buttons which I have swaped for schaller strap locks.

N/A

I bought this as I was looking for something with a more Gibson like tone, compared to my 2 Fenders. With a price less than an epiphone elite Les Paul and just a little more than a Tokai loverock this guitar suites me well. I once read a quote that said (manchester based) Gordon-Smith are to the UK what Gibson is to the US, if this is true then JJ are the UK's PRS. I cant think of any higher prase. My only complaints are that at this price point (and don't forget this is a UK made guitar so I havent paid any import costs) is the lack of a hard case and the strap buttons could have been locking. (Mabee I have just been spoiled by Fender?)

But hey you pays our money and you makes your choice and I'm happy with mine. Average score is 9.5 so I''l round that up to a 10.