Jay Turser JT-138BK

This my first JT guitar. I believe it was made in 2000. Made in China. It's a 335 knock-off with a rose vine inlay along the fretboard. Black finish with gold hardware. humbuckers with 2 tones, 2 volume controls, 1 3-way toggle switch. It's a laminated arch top, with binding that makes it appear vintage. It has a yellowish faded look to the binding. No case included with it at time of purchase.

This JT138BK gives me the best of both worlds...tone and stability. It tunes well and has fat sounds; it is much more elegant in appearance than most guitars in its class, including the Gibson 335 and Washburn models. The guitar has a really fat neck pickup, and a bridge pickup that is a bit bright, but can be controlled. The tone is full, regardless of which amp is used(Fender Deluxe and a Roland Jazz Chorus 120). I've used a compressor to add to the sustain a bit. I've worked as a light jazz player, as well as classic 70's 80's and new country stuff. This guitar has all that is required to do the job. It is fat in tone, and has as much bite as bark.

The guitar was not that well set up when delivered, but that means nothing, as it is a quick and simple job to get it done to my liking. The intonation was dead on the money, and the bridge was good as well. The truss rod needed a bit of a turn, and the nut was a bit rough in the 6th string cut, but manageable with a proper file. The controls were surprisingly good, and the pickups were much better than expected. I was ready to drop Duncan's into it, but not necessary. The factory units were superior to the J6 Washburn, and made the Epiphones look a bit sluggish in tone. The rose vine inlay is very nice, but a bit rough in the cut. There was a bit of filler needed, and the inlay was not flush to the fretboard...easily fixed with about 1 1/2 hours of overall fine tuning and touch-ups.

I work out of North and Eastern Ontario Canada. The weather can be a bit extreme in changes. This guitar holds its tuning in very hot weather, as well as cold humid conditions. It is the most stable arch top I've ever owned in the last 26 years. For the money I spent on my Gibson 335, I wish it would've been even half as solid. Would I use it without backup? I do use it without a net on occasion. I'm not afraid of it at all. The only mod to this guitar was a change of strap pins. I use strap locks, and prefer the Schaller system. The pick guard is a nuisance to me. Those guards come off all my arch tops. The finish seems to last thus far ( 6 months).

Any question with the distributor was always answered within the day. The network of service in Canada is one of the best I've experienced. I will reserve my opinion on this one and wait to see how it plays out with a long period of time. From what I can tell, it will be as good in the future.

I've been playing since '68. My early guitars included a 75 Les Paul Deluxe, 76 Gibson 335, A Washburn J6...about 1992 or 1993...can't remember exactly. I've also experienced USA Strats, Tele's, and Ibanez as well...but to no avail. My main guitars are Rene Roy Customs, made by Rene Roy of Ottawa, Canada. These are easily in the same class as a PRS Custom 22, and are really amazing. I've used them for about 6 years, and will never change them...I was in need of an arch top to round out my collection of sound. The JT138 is the best and most stable arch top I've ever owned, and fits in well with my line up of guitars. If it was ever stolen, I'd have another JT138 before my next gig. The only thing I would have liked was a bit better finish with the inlay work. The tone is simply great, and smooth as silk. It can also rip your face off when backed into a corner. I learned from Ted Nugent's recordings and shows that arch tops can strip paint at 100 feet when co-erced to do so! This one would do him proud! The only thing I would hate about it, would be if it was stolen.

I must admit to limited information about this Jazz Guitar. It is made in China with a laminated body.It is a semi-hollow-body, double cutaway 22 fret (jumbo)with lots of inlay on the fret board(a vine runs the length of the neck with a flower on the 3rd, 7th and 12th frets). I will assume it is mother of pearl. The routing for the inlay is rather radical (lots of filler). It has gold hardware throughout with a TP6 style bridge. 2 f-holes, 2 humbucker pick-ups, 2 volume and 2 tone with a 3 way switch...in many respects it resembles a Gibson ES-335. The headstock contains a strangely familiar motif (an urn with a flame in it...not sure where I've seen it before). I didn't come with a case but I got a good deal on one (Thanks to the nice guys at SRC).

I'd been looking at this guitar for months in the store (I needed a back-up for my Lucille (which is a Gibson ES-355 without the f-holes)). However, they were asking too much for it. There was a dead zone for the B string on the 14th fret, buzzing all around and while it sounded good through a Fender Twin, it really didn't impress me on playability. Once I bought it and set it up, I've have changed my opinion 180 degrees. This is a Jazz or Blues guitar which can put out. It can do the 50's and 60's rock like a champ. The pick-ups are very punchy and responsive. The neck is mellow and the bridge is bright making for some interesting blends (I usually max my tones on treble, but for this guitar, I like both pick-ups at around 8).

The finish on the guitar was great...except for the router filling along the neck which, on close inspection, has a cheap hurried look. The original set-up was not the best. Raising the bridge, a quarter turn to tighten the truss rod, a light filing of the 15th fret and an intonation set-up was needed to bring it up to speed. Having said this, and having done this, I can now say that it is a really fun guitar to play. It has a set neck which gives the guitar a really solid feel...everything is nice and tight...the binding is nicely done all around. Other than the adjustments mentioned earlier to slightly raise the action and angle from bridge to fret, the guitar was well set up...the pick-ups are not quite spec for an ES-335, but that may be something done on purpose 'cause I have no complaints about the sound.

I do not Gig without a backup...Previously, my backup for Lucille was a Godin LGX with a Takamine 6 string and a Yamaha 12 string. This guitar will be added to the rack. It feels very solid and I don't perceive any problems...but with no backup...not likely on a paying gig.

I have never dealt with Jay Turser before...always saw them as being on the cheap side of things. This axe had an MSR of $795 Canadian (putting it in the same class as the JT-140 Colonel Gretch copy) and was selling at $589 CND...I was considering it at that price but didn't feel it had the quality...I bought it based solely on price ($300)...the retailer made me an offer I couldn't refuse (half-price on the case too). Since then I set it up to my liking and have been wowed by it...I wrote to Jay Turser to get more information on the construction...it is not listed on the JT web site nor anywhere else on the net...they have not written me back yet, but I expect they took the weekend off. I do understand that JT guitars come with a Lifetime Warranty...pretty good for such an inexpensive (notice I didn't say cheap) guitar!

I've been playing for 25 years or so. On the electric side, I own a Gibson Lucille, a Godin LGX, a Washburn MG50, a Fender Strat, a really beat up Fender Mustang and a Kramer Ferrington, on the acoustic side I own a Art and Lutherie 6 string, a K. Yari 6 string, a Yamaha 12 string, an old Ibanez 12 string Concorde, a Sable blond, a classical 6 string(I'm too lazy to take it out to look at the name), and a no name 6 string I picked up for $5 at a yard sale...I also own a tenor banjo. If I lost the JT and I could find one at the same price, I would buy it. It sounds great and feels wonderful now that I have a good set-up. The only down side is the amount of filler used on the inlay. The only thing I wish I had are some specs on the guitar...some information about what it was based on, when it was made...etc...anything is appreciated.