Tradition Jery Reid Pro Series

Follow up on previous review

I decided that the "TELE" single coil sound of the bridge pup was too thin for the strong (double coil) neck and middle pup and replaced it with a cheap double coil not wired with single / double option. WOW!!! What a difference! Not so much in tone but in smooth transition between settings. Anyone who can't find a lot of tone in this guitar is too critical, has a crap amp or has a hearing problem.

No change here... they out do Fender's custom shop ANY day.

I dropped it from a wall hanger... dog tripped on a cord I left plugged in to answer the phone crash bang to solid tile floor! Not a scratch.
Don't know how but an Angel must have been there to protect it :-)

I called them again asking about the warranty if I replaced the pup above (no problem), and once more got right to a knowledgeable person.

I think that Tradition uses a single coil pup in the bridge position due to "tradition" on the tele sound. Not necessary... getting a double coil in that position fixes the little nit I had.

I'm SERIOUSLY looking for one in Cherry burst now!

Features pretty well written up earlier, but if I were to sum it all up in one phrase I'd call it a "Tele on steroids"

Nice neck, THREE pups, all with unique voicings. Through the body strings.

EXCELLECT sound on any setting you care to give it. I currently have three Telecasters, and have had dozens in the past. I REALLY like this one. It's as EASILY nice as or better than anything I've seen out from Fender including custom models.

I also have a Fender SHOWMASTER which in some cases this one sounds a bit like but stronger. If you like telecasters this is more tele for less bucks than you'd get for a lot more money in a Fender.

Fit and finish is as good as you can buy considering it's a bolt on neck. The body binding is clean, and the finish is flawless. I would have liked to see the back of the neck better finished, some people like the satin finish, but that's a personal thing YMMV.

Mine is a real nice tobacco burst, which I haven't seen on the tradition website. This must be a discontinued finish, it was on the dealers floor for a couple of years (made in 2003), it seems like $700 for a better telecaster is too much to pay for most. I consider it a steal.

Dunno here, but there's little new in guitars in what 50 years? I expect it will be able to play music at my great grandson's wedding.

I emailed them about a compatibility question, they emailed me back the next day. I also called them once, got a real person immediately, and he knew the guitar inside and out... Good show!

For around $700 it's not a mexican or chinese Fender, Waaayyy out in front of that, AND IMO FAR beyond an American Tele from Fender because Fender tele casters are for the most part stuck in the 60's. Consider that an American Tele still costs more than the tradition, and is substantially inferior in appearance and sound it's REALLY hard to beat.

I would buy one of these before a Fender tele any day.

I have purchased 2 Tradition Jerry Reid Pro Series guitars in the last year or so. They are identical. I purchased one new, and one used. They are essentially identical, with the cherry sunburst flamed maple tops. My first one was an '04, and I believe the second one to be from '04 as well. These guitars are made in Indonesia....?? I just know that they're GREAT!!

These guitars are the "essential Nashville style Tele." Single coil bridge, hot rails middle, and humbucker neck positioning. 5 way selector, with 2 coil taps...one toggle, and one pull out switch. Electronics are QUIET, and responsive. I don't care what style you play...this guitar will cover it, and make you look good while it's doing it!

The bridges of both guitars are heavy duty with the one purchased new having "strat" style saddles, and the one bought used having "graph-techs." Nice machine work on bridge and saddles with no burrs.

The rosewood fretboards are both "dot," and the medium frets are flawless on both necks. The fit and finish of the neck is as good as the Tom Anderson "Pete Anderson" that I USED to own. Standard enclosed tuners. The neck feels like an expensive pool stick.

I play a variety of styles centering between Motown and Country to include New Country and Blues. I'm a "Chamillion" that has gotten alot of roadwork over the years by being able to cover alot of styles well. My style is somewhere between George Marinelli...(Bonnie Raitt), and Brent Mason. I "chickenpick," and I bend alot. My style is fairly melodic. This guitar is the best platform for my style that I've ever seen. I can even get a great "Jazz Box" sound from it with minimal effort. I use a variety of amps and processors live, and this guitar is quiet with all of them. It seems to "dig in" when I do, and it kind of seems to know when it's time to be soulful. I don't use much...if any distortion in my style, and these guitars make it easy for the listener to distinguish the various nuances of my style. I can't imagine that I ever used to play the stuff the "Big Boys" sell!

The guitar that I bought new was set up fabulously at the factory, and required no attention from the tech before coming home. The pickups were adjusted perfectly, and well balanced. The one that I bought used is a "carbon copy." With a minimum of care, I've found my guitars to be solid and essentially maintainance free.

The tops of both guitars are flawless and beautiful. The fit and finish of both guitars from my careful evaluation is FLAWLESS and truely amazing....what I used to expect from $4000. "Custom Shop" stuff. AMAZING!!

I don't do alot of studio work, but when I do, this guitar gets rave reviews from the control room, the other players, and frequently..."THE BOSS!" It's versatility should make if a staple of any busy "Studio Cat's" arsenal. Live; it's without equal. I played Brent Mason's signature model not long ago, and, while it is a good guitar, and set
up nicely, from my perspective; it is in no way equal to the Jerry Reid Pro. I wish that I would have had these guitars 25 years ago.

While I haven't had to deal with the folks at Tradition concerning any problems, I have dealt with the dealer that sold me the new one for over 30 years. The fact that he sells these guitars means alot to me.

I know a guy that in the past has had Double Platinum album sales with his former band, and he's got a couple of the 335 style. Our Vocalist bought one recently, rather than risk a bunch of money on another new 335 style from the "Big Boys" that unfortunatly only might
play and sound ok when it gets here. His Tradition 335 sounds and plays like a mint '66 , and is beautiful.

I don't remember what the warranty is, but I know that this guitar is SOLID, and I can't imagine having a problem with it that wouldn't be easily addressed by my Tech. If all Tradition dealers are of the level of my dealer, no one should have much trouble.

I have been playing for 45 years with 30 of that on the road. I own and have owned tons of guitars made by Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Guild, Tom Anderson, Paul Reed Smith, Jim Triggs and others.

I would definately replace a stolen guitar with one as identical as possible.

I love how this plays. It's a joy to play. I can go on "auto pilot" without having to worry about these guitars. I love the sounds that this guitar is capable of producing, and the quality of the instrument. I love playing a guitar that can pass the emotion of my playing to the audience, and these guitars do it. I would never spend a thin dime on a new "major brand" guitar again, as long as Tradition keeps the quality at the level it is at now. Super effort from the guys at Tradition. THANK YOU!

The short review on this guitar is that it sounds and plays good but is not made very well. The first problem was putting the strings on, yeah I've been playing for 30+ years and couldn't string the thing. I took it to the dealer three weeks after I bought it and they sent it back to the factory, nine weeks later I got it back and it still isn't right but I can live with it, tolerances too tight. Last month the middle hot rail pickup stopped working so I took it in and they said the pickup would have to be replaced. The music dealer ordered the new one and installed it locally so I got it back very quick. I absolutely love the sound of this guitar and will play it for years to come but I really expect to have more quality control issues with it.

2003, cherry sunburst, Same features as the other reviewers but specifics can be found on their website. Loaded with features considering it's a tele styled guitar. No name tuners and plainish headstock lowers my score on it.

I figure the one reviewer here must have got a bad one 'cause mine is just incredible. There are I believe 11 tone combinations and I regularly use about 8 of them. Not to say the others are bad just not my style. I have been playing music and been around the music business for close to 30 years, I've played so many guitars I could never count them all. If I had to make a top ten list I can honestly say this would be on that list. It just covers so many bases and does them with a voice all it's own. Very unique and very sweet. It really has every sound you could need from Gibson dark to Tele twang and a beautiful Strat spank. Every time I pick it up it inspires me to find new ways to make music. It never fails to bring a smile to my face. I just love it. I use it through a lot of different amps and different set ups. Pick your poison, they all sound sweet! Have used various effects but who hasn't. I just prefer the ease of plug and play. It's quiet as a church mouse for the most part. Single coiled has a very minimal noise. Far less than my Fender Tele and G&L Legacy. If it had one draw back to me it would be that the low e and a can be a bit dark and overpowering when the neck hum is in full hum mode. Still very clear and clean but you just have to watch the pickup height. I lowered the height on that side and it cleared right up but lets face it, the neck humbucker was not meant to be thin. I don't think there is a perfect guitar for everybody or every type music but if you like clearly defined and balanced notes with balls, this guitar has 'em. It's a blues machine for sure not to mention and all around versatile guitar! I just love it!

The fit and finish are excellent, I have constantly searched for flaws in the fit and finish and can't find one!!! Nothing anywhere. Incredible job. Low action and buzz free. The bookmatch was so perfect it looks a solid piece. Everything is just unbelievable. I am still shocked by the quality. Custom shop all the way! If I could change three things it would be the nut, neck profile and fret wire. The nut could have been graphite. I changed it. I have always preferred jumbo fret wire, For me, the bigger and taller the better. I don't play at breakneck speed so huge frets don't get in the way for me. These are typical med-med/jumbo. I'm not even sure what they are calling the sizes these days but I will tell you this, they were perfectly dressed and polished and the fret ends were smoothed nicely. They are not those damned so called "vintage" bread tie wire that I HATE! These have plenty of meat for the future. The neck profile is almost Gibsonesque. Not wafer thin, not bat fat. I like it for keeping the hand fatigue down but it's different than a typical tele. It does seem to allow for more freedom of movement between strings even though it has the same dimensions as my others. Not quite sure how they pulled that off but it's true. I'm able to pick notes extremely clean on this. So take it for what it's worth to you. Just a personal observation. I give it an 8 based on personal preferences.

Have had it about a year now, Not one issue whatsoever. Nothing. It plays like the day I bought it. Looks like it should last for some time to come. I have depended on this guitar many times and it has never let me down. Maybe the tuners could have been Sperzels or Grovers, That would have been nice. But so far so good.

Had two questions, emailed the, they got back within 2 days. Not the most imformative people I've dealt with but it's no big thing. Now if something happens and I need to use the warranty , then we'll see what they're made of.

I could go on for days but I won't . Here's my opinion of the guitar. It is a powerful and crisp sounding multivoiced, well built and easy playing guitar that looks beautiful. I would highly encourage anyone to try one if they see one and buy one if you can. For the money they are a steal and I think this company has a great product in this guitar. Congratulations to them on a job well done, on a bang for buck basis I give it an honest 10. Now if it just had jumbo wire it would be a ten regardless of frets.......

2004 JRPS. Same configuration as mentioned in other reviews
Black cheery sunburst with Maple neck. 7 different tone possibilities. I use them all!

Extremely pleased! Playing through a Behringer Vampire modeling amp.

very comfortable body, Action is smooth and fast. I've got a Fender Nashville Power Tele that I was very satisfied with, however, this Tradition is much easier to play.

Solid Guitar!

The guys at Tradition are great! Very willing to work with you and make sure you're satisfied.

These guitars are built in the old Gibson Factory. The parts are manufactured overseas. They build their own pickups -- I'm very pleased with the overall playability and sound quality of this guitar!

Chinese/Korean/ ASIAN import Tele Hybrid. Mines is Quilt black cherry/standard Tradition Medallion JRPS pick up configuration /Mahog body/ maple cap/ maple neck/ rosewood fingerboard/ 5way and coil taps. Used

Here is the problem, First off with so many tone options you'd think there would have been something special but unfortunately I don't believe there is. It does afford a lot of choices but for playing live I just use a couple favorites. It doesn't have the kind of tonal characteristics I was looking for. I find it a bit stale or undefined compared to some other Telecaster/Hybrid clones. Probably has more to do with the mahogany than anything. It does have a couple nice choices, just not my style. Looks better than it sounds. Luckily I got a good deal on mine used so I'm not too upset. I'll just keep looking!

When I tried it out in the store it was through a vox valve and of course it sounded pretty good. I wasn't quite convinced though that it was much better than some other brands especially for the price. I was offered a great deal due to the fact that it had been sitting unsold for so long and had a few playability issues. First was the condition of the neck. I assume this is where they saved a few dollars. It was rough with fret humps and a slight twist. I had some fret work done on it a week after I got it but it still seems off. It's hard to explain but it just is more difficult to play cleanly than most of my other guitars. The very flat fingerboard doesn't help matters. It's just not very forgiving and It requires a bit of work to play. Also the volume/tone control knobs seem a bit substandard. Not quite sure about their quality yet Other than that everything else seems to be in order so far. Nice finish and fit. The quilt and color is really beautiful. But don't but any guitar because it looks good.

Have only owned it for about a month and bought it slightly used so it's hard to say just how durable it'll be. I won't be playing it as often as my others so I'd bet It'll last a few years. Wouldn't trust it without a backup regardless.

Haven't had contact with them. Tried twice got no return. Don't think I'll bother 'em again

I've been playing steadily for about fifteen years. I currently own a U.S 82 Fender Tele, a 97 U.S. Fender Strat played through a Behringer modeling amp along with a couple other combos. Nothing too fancy just simple to haul. Have had a lot of gear through the years, too much to list. . I'm not so taken with this guitar that I'd reccomend it unless you have some extra money to burn on an Import. Wouldn't buy another unless it was pretty cheap, Don't think I'd replace it if were stolen, Will be selling this one soon. Overall I really feel that it's just another basic import in a land of a hundred choices. Not bad, just not as good as it looks.

This is one sweet guitar - mahogany body, quilted maple tobacco sunburst top, flat radius rosewood fretboard with fat frets on a satiny maple neck with low action that just begs to be played. The only flaw I could find was on the edge of the first fret - it looks like whoever constructed it cut a little too close to the bone, and had to fill in the cut with just a smidgen of liquid wood; but that doesn't affect playability at all, and you have to look closely for it to find it. The tuners are great - I've been banging the hell out if it, and it refuses to be knocked out of tune. It's nicely balanced, and surprisingly light - I had been playing a wretched Samick Valley Arts Tele with an ash body that felt like an albatross around my neck when I strapped it on. My only complaint is that the volume knob seems a little stiff - it's hard to do the swells ala Roy Buchanan. Given all the pluses, I can live with that minor inconvenience.

What a tone monster. Three pickups, regular humbucker on the front, stacked humbucker in the middle, single coil in the rear, and the front two pickups are tapped. The variations are nearly endless - all the Fender sounds are available, and it does a pretty good approximation of a Gibson on the front pickup. And that is with no more than a ratty 15 watt Fender Bullet amp! I'm picking up a Soldano in a few weeks, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like with that beast. The pickups are hotter than hell, yet extremely quiet. I'v heard rumors that Tradition is thinking of making its pickups available as a separate entity, and they should - by themselves, they would be worth half the price of the guitar. In particular, it offers a sound great for country, blues and classic rock, but given the pickup range, I would suspect that jazz and metal players would find it worth checking out as well.

I went into most of this on the features section, so I don't have much to add here, except that the factory setup was flawless - nice low action, pickups at a good height where they are evenly matched. Tradition puts GHS Boomers on its guitars at the factory, and while the set that came with it is .10-.46 and a little heavier than I usually use, I'll stick with it; they seem to be the perfect fit for this guitar. And why mess with perfection?

I've only had this guitar a few days, so it's hard to rate reliability and durability. But given past ratings I've seen for Tradition guitars, I would suspect it will be my main axe for a long, long time. I never gig without a backup, but odds are I won't use any other guitar on stage.

Haven't had to deal with them, so I'll pass on this rating as well. The salesman from whom I bought the guitar, however, says their representatives are fantastic to work with.

I've been playing for more than 30 years, and owned more guitars than I care to count, everything from top notch Fenders and Gibsons to cheapie Samicks and ESPs and Ibanez. This guitar, however IS the one for me! Tradition may be the best kept secret in the guitar manufacuring business, but they deserve to be around a long, long time - they offer guitars of quality comparable to instruments that cost much, much more. Be open-minded; don't think you can only have the big name brands to have a great guitar. Oh, if you're not a Fender-style player, they also make fantastic Gibson and Paul Reed Smith copies. Find a Tradition dealer and try one out!