Jay Turser JT-142

Probably a 2002 model - Bought in 1/2003
Flame-top tobacco sunburst model - It is close to a Gibson ES-150DC model with a change in placement to the three-way selector switch and no master volume control
Gold hardware - The ad quoted the tuners as being Gotoh's (who knows?) - whatever they are, they stay in tune great.

I gotta say it - Out of the five guitars I currently own, this one sounds the best. I own two Carvin Bolt models (1 bought, 1 built by me), an Ovation Balladeer bought in 1982, and a Hamer Strat model that I completely gutted and replaced with all humbuckers and new electronics. I amp them all through a Carvin BelAir 50 watt tube amp with two 12" speakers. The JT-142 has a deep, ballsy sound that echoes the old days of sixties San Francisco sounds and has the versatility to take you to the smoothest jazz ever played. It is probably one of the quietest (electronically) guitars I've ever owned. Absolutely no hum of any kind. Caution: This is a TRUE acoustic guitar with two humbuckers & controls mounted in the soundboard. It can and will feed back when pushed too hard or faced wrong when too close. Other than that, a dream to play.

When I first opened the box, my first impression was, "OH MY GOD!" I don't know how the Chinese did it, but they captured the look and feel of a Mercedes guitar for a Hyundai price. The strings were WAY out of tune upon receipt (so what?) - After tuning, I checked the intonation and action. The intonation was set up perfectly. The action was geat except for one fret slightly buzzing. I promptly took the strings off, got out the 6" straight-edge and found the culprit. After filing for 1 minute, sanding with 600 grit for 2 minutes, and rubbing down ALL the frets with 0000-grade steel wool and "Never-Dull" (another 10 minutes), I ended up with a neck and fretboard that I would compare with any $2000 Gibson. It was during this process that I also noticed a strange rattling sound coming from inside the guitar. I shook the guitar until the object that was banging around inside was visible through the f-hole. It turned out to be a piece of Chinese newspaper that was hardened with either lacquer or poly-urethane. I had to ease it out with a claw retrieving tool. Beware of Chinese newspaper. Anyway..., the hardware all looked good. When applying the finish, they really captured the look of aged binding. It has that tanned/yellow tinge that looks so good on a sunburst finish. The actual finish had zero flaws. The colors, binding application, and final finish are all immaculate. I'm deducting a couple of decimal points for the fret and the newspaper fishing trip. Nah, never mind, it was all kind of fun.

This guitar seems to be built like a tank. All the hardware seems very tight. I haven't mapped out my fantasy world tour so I can only imagine that it would stand up to the same abuses that any instrument would get. Most long-term axe-persons eventually start to do their own repairs anyway and generally don't sweat the small stuff. As far as taking it to a gig without a back-up, I don't think I'd do that with ANY guitar. Nothing worse than doing your air-guitar act in front of strangers.

Limited-life-time warranty. We all know how those work. Hopefully, I'll never need it for ANYTHING since I do all my own minor/medium level repairs myself. Anything that I can't fix is at a level that depresses me to think about.

I would definately purchase another guitar from this manufacturer. In fact, I've got a notion to pick up one of the Gold-Top Les Paul copies. Jay Turser MUST have the Fender and Gibson people more than a little concerned. I really don't think that the word is out yet how good their guitars are, and I expect the prices to double or triple within the next year or two. Now's the time to get them - While they're still a bargain (and possibly a collectible).

New from Ebay. Red, 22 frets etc. Custom shop.

As good as any Gibson or other maker and a hell of a lot less money. Outstanding at any price but absolutely great at the bargain basement prices. Hope this was not made with slave labor in China.

Perfect except for plte where cord plugs into guitar. This was rather loose and kinda cheap. The only flaw in an otherwise great guitar.

Don't know yet

Haven't had any problems yet.

I have been playing for 41 years. Everything from folk and beach boy stuff in the 60s to hard rock and new age today. You should get one of these babies or better yet, get five or six for the price you would pay for a medium quality Gibson or Gretsch.

Made in China
22 frets
2 tone controls, 2 volume controls
2 humbuckers
Sunburst finish
Copy of a Gibson ES-150DC, full hollowbody ES-335-style
Great action, easy-to-play neck.

Great for Blues or Jazz.
Very quiet.

Setup was perfect.
Very good fitting on neck and finish is flawless.

I will be using it live for jazz, blues and some rock tunes.
Well-made, Very sturdy.

Have only contacted company by email to congratulate them on the product.

I am thinking of buying another as a spare.