Product: Johnson JM-994 Tricone
Price Paid: US $795
Submitted
03/19/2004
at
09:52am
by
Charlie Johnston
Email: charliejohnston at direcway<dot>com
Features
:
10
The chyrsanthemum engraved Johnson Style IV plated bell brass tricone. This instrument has smooth, warm, sweet yet very loud sound when called upon to do so. The mahogony neck and fret work are outstanding and so silky smooth. This tricone had no rattles or buzzes right out of the box and I don't feel right now it even needs any setup. I use it for slide work and it stays in open-G tuning.
The finish is lustrous and the intricate chrysanthemum engraving is
perfect and very artistic. Newer Johnsons now have improved cones, bone nuts, and hard maple bridges. There is no need to retro-fit these guitars. This is one gorgeous tricone and it sounds even better than it looks. $795 w/case/stand/shipping at www.bryansmusic.com MOP inlays are beautiful as well... - Charlie
Sound
:
9
Rich, full sound with loads of sustain. It is suited for any roots music pre-1940 of any style..not just a blues guitar. I use it for older country (Hank Sr / Jimme Rodgers) as well as older Gospel material. No dislikes on the sound at all. Plenty loud to just be mic'd on stage.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Action is a tad high for fingerpicking but perfect since I use it only for slide. I found no flaws and this is my second tricone..the other is the JM991 which is also a honkin' great reso. I wish however the engraving was a bit deeper...but maybe that is not faithful to the replication.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I never gig without a backup axe but I feel confident this thing ain't never gonna break. It weighs in around 20+ lbs....my other 2 Johnson resos a JM991 and a JM998 have been strady thru the years.
Customer Support
:
9
Never needed any support...however Sarah and Bryan at www.bryansmusic.com are gracious, seem eager to serve and please, abd had the best deal I could find on this axe.
Overall Rating
:
9
Playiny acoustics since 1970. I have already had a Johnson reso ripped off and this JM994 is the replacement. I feel with the new improved Johnson cones, the maple bridges and bone nuts they now use there is nearly 0 (zero) reaason to own a National unless you want an overpriced reso with a neck thick enough to build a house with. The same guitar in a National brand is over $6200! For $795 it was an very EZ choice to make. charliejohnston@direcway.com I need a blues harp player for blues duo gigs. I'm in 39365 Union,Mississippi
