• From: East Tennessee
  • Registered: 2006-04-25
  • Posts: 240

Topic: You can't judge a book...

So I've wanted a 335 for at least 25 years but couldn't afford to spend that much on a "specialty" guitar. I was in my favorite music shop the other day and the owner whom I've known for years says, "Forget everything you know, don't look at the headstock, and play this guitar."  It was a used Jay Turser, cheap Chinese knockoffs of Fenders and Gibsons. It looked just like a 335 with a nice tobacco sunburst. Someone had upgraded it with Seymour Duncans and Grovers. I plugged it into a DSL 401 (which I later bought and love) and could not believe what I heard and felt. It has that warm vibe on both pickups, and when you go the bridge it's just wicked. He put a bone nut on it, set it up for tens, threw in a hardshell case and I walked out for less than $300. It smokes the Epiphone 335s (also made in China) which cost more.

Is it a 335, no. Did it cost $1,500, no. 20 years ago my pride would have never let me buy it. Now I've got this great guitar that fills a need. And when people ask what it is, I just cop an attitude, sort of lift my nose and sniff and say, "Oh, it's Jay Turser signature," and then watch them wonder.

Blessings,
Larry

"...play skillfully and shout for joy." Psalm 33:3b (honest, it really says that)

2 Reply by Big E (edited by Big E 2010-03-02 18:55:27)

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: You can't judge a book...

Thats is awsome, its funny I get more people asking me about my 70 Ibanez Les Paul than my real Gibson Les paul. The same goes with my Ibanez AF75T - People always say you get such great tone from that Gretch. I just laught to myself and say thanks.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: You can't judge a book...

I got a Jay Turser JT-200 w/ Serpent Inlay. My avatar on the forum is a pic of it.
Love the price and value of the guitar. Again, "not a gibson" but it turns a LOT of heads.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 94

Re: You can't judge a book...

I own 2 Agile AL3100s that just smoke tone and mojo wise. Would I pass on a CS Class 5 Les Paul, definitely not, but at 400$ a piece, those are insane deals. Logos don't mean **##, build quality does.

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: You can't judge a book...

That is a blessing brother.  Once in awhile I go and sit for two hours in a "loud" room somewhere and go through every bass they have, from cheap to more than my car.  Most of them are excellent...but they don't have that soul connection.  You know what I'm talking about.

MuchLove
BigJeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

  • Registered: 2009-03-23
  • Posts: 70

Re: You can't judge a book...

I got a Squire Esprit a few years ago for £180.  Was a real bargain I thought.  Beautiful guitar, always turning heads.  Sounds pretty good aswell, very versatile.  Robben Ford used the Fender version during the 80s.  I'm thinking of upgrading the parts on it to make it a little better.

  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: You can't judge a book...

I have a fret king super 60 SP. A Strat type with a soap bar in the bridge. THis is the best strat i've ever played. It has a very bend friendly 10" radius on the neck and it sounds great. They retail at £700ish and I got a ex demo for £500. Came with staggered gotoh locking tuners (staggered like the eric johnson strat). The pickups could maybe be a little clearer but it is a great guitar. Danny Bryant has one on the cover of his new album. His is the corona version which is handmade in the uk.