Johnson JG-610-B

Made in China, this all laminate wood guitar is pretty barebones. The finish is glossy black, which looks just like plastic, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it is. No electronics on this one, but I guess you could have pickup installed if you really wanted. The tuners on this guitar are not very good at all. They get the job done, but you'll find yourself tuning the guitar more frequently than is neccessary. All in all, the "features" this guitar boasts are directly related to its extremely cheap price tag. But, at least it doesn't look like crap.

Well, the sound is pretty well balanced on this guitar, but nothing really stands out. Tone is muffled across the board, and it seems that fretted notes are noticably softer than open ones, especially fretted bass notes. Overall I would say this guitar has more low end than high end, but the sound is very empty. Pound on the strings and you might get a little volume. Otherwise, be ready for a quiet guitar. Nevertheless, the sound is pleasing to me if not loud, which I can't say for some more expensive guitars.

Well, here's my biggest complaint. The action out of the factory is EXTREMEMLY high (by my standards). As this was my first guitar though, I grew accustomed to the high action, and it makes playing a lower action guitar much much easier. However, beginners might become frustrated by the pain that high action can cause on your fingers, but hey, it'll be good for you in the end. I developed calouses within a week of playing, which is pretty valuable in and of itself. The bridge on my guitar may be *slightly* misaligned. After tuning correctly, the two high strings sound slightly sharp when fretted. This makes for some frustrating situations, but it's only noticably when picking them. Full chords usually drown them out. Overall, the action, fit, and finish are mediocre, but you will grow accustomed to it.

Well, I can't say that this guitar would withstand live playing. Unless you like tuning every five minutes, I wouldn't dare take this guitar onstage. The hardware will probably last well enough, but I foresee changing the tuners eventually, if just from frustration. The pick guard bears strong scratches just from normal playing, which can be an eyesore, but the rest of the finish looks like it will last because it's just plastic (with proper care of course). The guitar came with a bottom strap button only, so I've never used it will a strap, but the button looks strong enough. I think this guitar makes a great learner because of it's cheap price. I would never use it at a gig.

Never used it.

I've had this guitar for about a year now, and it's exactly what I expected: A cheap, usefull, but low quality, learning guitar. It's served its purpose quite well, so for that I give it an overall rating of ten. But keep in mind, that ten is only because it's a great guitar for the learner. It requires little care to remain functional, the sound is not too bad, and it doesn't look as cheap as it is. Would I recommend it? Well, if your really on a budget, sure, but there are many many alternatives for not much more money. I suggest going to your local guitar store and trying out what's in your price range. But, if you're a beginner and just want to see if you want to really learn, go for it.

Brand new in 2001. I believe it was made in Korea or China of "white wood", whatever that is. No electronics, just your basic acoustic dreadnought with enclosed tuners, a single ply pick guard and equipped with Martin strings (lights I think)and a glossy black finish.

Well, here's where the surprises start!

Keep in mind, throughout this review that we're talking about a brand new guitar delivered to my door for $79.00

My "style" is beginner. Been playing about 3 months. I bought this guitar primarily to leave setup in different tunings for messing with a slide. Looks like I'll have to buy another.

The sound on this guitar is amazingly full. Very warm and rich with good sustain. Haven't jammed with any friends with it yet but, I don't expect any problems being heard.
Lots of punch.

Again, $79.00 delivered!

Out of the box, the action is a little high, good for slide work but, still very playable. I'll take it to my luthier and have it lowered a little more then all will be well. I'l leave the next one as is for my slide. Overall, I give the action a 7.

The details leave a little to be desired. The binding edges are a little uneven and I would have liked a little better 2 ply pickguard but again, we're talking a sub $100 guitar. The glossy black finish looks good except one spot on the side of the body has a "dull" looking spot. Overall, a 7 here too.

I see no reason why it wouldn't withstand a live gig. The hardware seems rugged enough to handle it. The day I received it, I took it to my luthier and had a second strap button installed for $5.00. So, now we're up to $84.00

Why in the world isn't that standard equipment? I'll never understand!

Don't know. Hope I never have to find out.

My online dealer (Aztec Guitars on ebay) was very good to do business with. They responded to every one of my e-mails within 24 hours. As previously mentioned, I'm going to buy another one of these from them for slide work. It will be interesting to compare the quality consistency of the two guitars from the same manufacturer.
Hopefully, that's all the Customer Support I'll ever need!

I've been playing 6 string for about three months. Been playing bass(acoustic and electric)for 35 years.

I currently own a Guild Pilot bass, a Fender BG-29 acoustic/electric bass, an Alvarez RD20C cutaway acoustic/electric and a Galveston Les Paul copy (see my review under Galveston LP-70)and now this one.

If it were lost or stolen, I'd buy another one, no question.

There are a number of things I love about this guitar. The price, the sound and, aside from the binding cosmetics previously described, the looks. The one item I'm least happy with is the pickguard. As mentioned, the side has one little dull spot in the finish but, all in all, it doesn't detract from the looks of this guitar. My favorite feature, the one I didn't really expect, is the rich, warm sound.

I didn't compare it to anything else because, when I set out to buy a second acoustic guitar, the main criteria was price and price alone. I have no problem spending a couple of bucks for a setup to make a guitar playable. I got exactly what I was looking for but, I wasn't expecting it to have the kind of sound it does.

Since the only disappointment was the pick guard, if anything, I may end up replacing it.

I know it sounds like a broken record but, for $79, I got a guitar that I can actually play right out of the box and looks and sounds great.

If you're on a limited budget and want a guitar or need a second one, like me, consider one of these. Just keep in mind, we're not talking Martin or Taylor quality but, I think your Martin and Taylor playing friends will be quite surprised when nthey hear it.

It is made of some kind of cheap woo called "whitewood" (I think). Black glossy finish. A decal rosette.standard acoustic bridge/pegs. Truss ROd. Pretty much basic.

For the price of this guitar, the sound is amazingly bright! Considering the crappy materials and extra-low price, I liked my "campfire and abuse" guitar a lot more than I thought. I immediately stuck in a transducer pickup which I made and sold the guitar for $20 BUCKS profit-SCORE!! (the pickup only cost $5 to make). Compared to my other acoustic, a Martin DM, this guitar is a toy. Not compared to the Martin, its pretty decent and could almost pass for a REAL -cheap beginner guitar-.

setup pretty decent well-not too much buzzin'
fretwork was messy though. action wasn't too bad-Hmmmmm?

its built like a brick shithouse. This beast has the thickest top I've ever seen on an acoustic (As a result its pretty quiet). ANyway it'll last.

Not sure how

I've been playin a few years and got, as I said, a Martin. I also have a fender cyclone and a fender stagemaster amp. I sold this guitar and used the money for a pickup for the Martin. It was OK though. the guys in the store couldn't find "Johnson" in their book o' guitar manufacturers so they couldn't price it correctly-I got $80.
For the price it gets a 7.

Made in China, don't now what kind of wood, Black finish, 20 frets, came without any accessaries.

As a novice player, I can't say what style of music I have because I'm still learning. I can say that I like the sound. Eventhough I'm not an advanced player, I can say the guitar sounds good even for an amature.

I feel like the guitar was well built. Haven't had any problems with the guitar. The finish is great-solid black.

I don't play in a band and don't play for an audiance but I would use it and would trust it. I don't understand why it came with only one strap button! Can't figure that out.

Haven't had to contact the company. Hope I never have to.

I've been playing for a couple of years and am a novice and this is the only guitar I own. It was a gift, so I didn't compare it to any other guitars; however, it I were to loose it, I'd buy another one just like it.

This guitar was made in China. It has a nice laminated black finish. I dont know what kind of wood it is, but its nice. I think its White and Nato wood. It included a Gig bag. I would like to have gotten a case picks and a caipo, but for the price, its pretty cool!

I dont have a particular style..... but its a great guitar! It has a rich and full sound. Awesome for the price. It makes groovy (AUGH!) sounds. Overall, I like the guitar

A pretty well manufactured instrument. Great for the price. Mine doesent have any flaws, I am very impressed.

This guitar will be good for live playing. The hardware will last it looks like. The tuners are pretty solid. The finish is there to stay! My guitar only has 1 strap button... is this a problem????? It is a VERY dependable guitar in my oppinion.

N/A

Im a beginner. Its a good first guitar. I want to buy another later, but I dont think I will get the same quality.If it were stolen, I would cry. ITS AN AWESOME GUITAR FOR THE PRICE!!!!
Email me if you know why it only has 1 strap button!!!!