Gibson Johnny A Custom?

[RonJ]

Hi,
First time poster here, I've been playing jazz guitar for quite a while know and am currently attending music school studying, you guessed it jazz guitar. I've been looking to get a high quality semi-hollow for some time and the Johnny A really caught my eye (the non-bigsby model) it looks like an es-335 with les paul cut aways. Anyone have any experience with these guitars?

[Marty Grass]

I have one with a Bigsby and one without. Danny W. and probably other here also own one.

I had thought that this model was the best idea Gibson had since the 1960s. I'm not sure if the formed top archtops will get that title or not.

The Johnny A has a longer scale, 25.5", c/w the 335. It also weighs less. The woods are solid, not laminated. The Johnny A is feedback resistant but not quite as much as the 335.

I have a well used 335 and the JAs. If I could only have one, that would be tough. At home, I'd rather use the JA. If I were a student, it would be a 335. They are much easier to replace in case something happens to it. Both are excellent.

You can do jazz just fine with either.

[RonJ]

Thanks! I'll think about the 335 because you bring up a good point about being a student I love those guitars as well. I do want to own both...Eventualy

[fumblefingers]

i had a beautiful one with Bigsby, but sold it.

the longer scale enables twangy sound if you want it. Johnny is able to get some Hendrix Stratocaster sounds with the guitar, but of course it has humbuckers. and if i recall correctly, it's not a semi hollow, but rather, a carved hollow. Gibson Custom has it listed under archtops.

Very versatile.


I would also look at the Benedetto GA-35 and Benny (which is a solid body but can be done with f holes too, as you'll see in the photos).

GA-35? | Benedetto Guitars

Benny? | Benedetto Guitars

[RonJ]

I'm not a huge fan of Benedettos, my lessons teacher has a 7 string bravo deluxe that I play from time to time and I don't know what it is I just am not a fan. They make beautiful guitars don't get me wrong I just don't mesh with them, but then again I've only played one, those models might be worth checking out. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Jabberwocky]

Hey, RonJ, good for ya. You know what you like and do not like.

A precaution about the Gibson Johnny A: from 2012 onwards, some of them are made with Richlite fretboards instead of ebony. If that matters to you, be aware of it.

Staying within the Gibson semi-hollow family, have you considered something smaller like the ES-339 or the CS-336 or others of its ilk? Lugging around a 16" or larger guitar on campus gets old after a while.

If you're looking for a Gibson, I'd like to put in a good word for Dave's Guitars of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Old-fashioned honest folks. Very fair prices.

Don't pay MAP or worse yet, MSRP at any dealer!

(I would also look at the Made in Japan Sadowsky Semi-hollow or SS15.)

PSA:

'59 Reissue ES-335 '06 - Dave's Guitar Shop
'59 Reissue ES-335 '09 - Dave's Guitar Shop
CS-356 '03 - Dave's Guitar Shop

Strut your street cred; nothing says that you're a serious jazz cat more than this baby:

ES-150 '50 - Dave's Guitar Shop

[fumblefingers]

Well then I'll plug Wildwood in Boulder...

[Jabberwocky]

Oh hey, not what you're asking but check this out too:

Used 1991 Guild X-500 Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst | The Music Zoo .

Two CS-336s here:

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/2...tage-Sunburst/

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/1...-Faded-Cherry/

Prices can always be lower...

[RonJ]

Thanks for the heads up about the richlite Jabberwoky I'll keep that in mind. I own a newish d'angelico exl 1so I'm not really in the market for a full sized hollow body right now even though I spend an unhealthy amount of time looking at es-175s. As to the size thing I think any semi-hollow would be easier to carry than the d'angelico. Aside from the Johnny A my dream semi hollow would be a 1974 Les Paul Signature tobacco burst, by those are pretty hard to come by.

[feet]

i wonder how johnny a's, 339s, chambered les pauls compare to a gretsch duo jet or penguin. similar concepts, yet not.

[Marty Grass]

If you are only interested in playing the guitar, not admiring it or reselling it, Richlite is a good substitute for ebony. It is similar in hardness (density) and less prone to cracking and shrinkage.

Despite that, both of my JAs have ebony.

The 336/339/335 series has a shorter scale length. That may not matter to you, but it is a difference.

[Archie]

I like 339's I cant stand 335's. Why 339's can sound more open and woody compared to its bigger cousin, only Gibson could tell you ;-)

335's a re big, heavy and they generally sound dead. I'd go for the much more playable and better sounding (from what I have tried) 339.

[travisty]

I have a new Gibson with richlite fretboard. Very nice fretboard to use. Wish it were ebony, especially given the guitar.

I would LOVE a Johnny A. I think it has everything going for it. Because it is a Johnny A I don't mind the Bigsby.
Love the colors. It is perhaps the only thing which would make me give up my Yamaha SA2200 for a Gibby semi-hollow.
Plus I love the SG-style shape. Big fan of Yamaha SGs too.

[jads57]

Well I'll chime in fowhat it's worth. I used to own serial #053 Johnny A w/ Bigsby. Beautifully made and great looking guitar had a nice large neck profile. I ended up replacing the Classic 57's w/ Fralin PAF's and changed the tuners to locking Planet Waves to help w/ tuning (Bigsby). At that time I also owned a CS Pat Martino Custom and a ES-345 model. I always gravitated towards the shorter scale w/ the Gibsons, not sure why? I like the longer scale on their archtops though as well as Fender type bolt on guitars. So for me I ended up selling to a very nice gentleman in Canada.
Danny W. is pobably the best source for info on these guitars. PM him for his thoughts if he doesnt post on this thread.

[Marty Grass]

I've been pretty happy with the Classic 57s really. I had a Johnny A a few years ago that came with Fralin P92s. I became hooked on those pups.

[Marty Grass]

I like 339's I cant stand 335's. Why 339's can sound more open and woody compared to its bigger cousin, only Gibson could tell you ;-)

335's a re big, heavy and they generally sound dead. I'd go for the much more playable and better sounding (from what I have tried) 339.

Yes, the 335 is on the bright side. Come to think of it, archtops are brighter than flattops, too.

Most people who play 335s use thin round wound strings. But here's a chance to hear a 335 with flatwounds. Sounds pretty good.

[Frank67]

Nice playing there, also nicely recorded. With that much tone roled off, they do sound fairly similar to me.

[Jabberwocky]

If you are only interested in playing the guitar, not admiring it or reselling it, Richlite is a good substitute for ebony. It is similar in hardness (density) and less prone to cracking and shrinkage...

You got me, Marty. Well, then again, I'm not the guy who re-finishes an entire guitar because the lacquer is checked.

[Marty Grass]

You got me, Marty. Well, then again, I'm not the guy who re-finishes an entire guitar because the lacquer is checked.

The entire guitar was refinished because the entire guitar was checked.

Besides, I was under the influence of Patrick.

Now the guitar is a raging blonde, not a honey blonde but a Marilyn blonde. There is a difference.

[Bluedawg]

I'd love to add a Johnny A to my collection

A richlite fingerboard wouldn't bother me .... it might even save me some money on a used one

I thought the richlite was only 2012 and not later ... when Gibson had those issues with the import police???

[Gitfiddler]

Hi,
First time poster here, I've been playing jazz guitar for quite a while know and am currently attending music school studying, you guessed it jazz guitar. I've been looking to get a high quality semi-hollow for some time and the Johnny A really caught my eye (the non-bigsby model) it looks like an es-335 with les paul cut aways. Anyone have any experience with these guitars?

RonJ~If you've been struck by the sheer beauty of the JA Signature, welcome to the club. I own two that I purchased new when they first came out, a blonde Bigsby, and sunsetburst stoptail. The videos and CD's of Johnny A. playing them gives an excellent idea of what they are capable in the hands of a master. (JA's second and subsequent CDs are all JA Signature, but his first release includes other guitars as well...ES295, LP...).

The great thing about this series, is that they truly play and sound amazing . The neck carve is per Mr. A's spec...thick, but not too thick for most players. In my big hands it feels like a cross between a '59 and '60 Gibson neck profile.

Since it is a 25.5 scale length, it should feel natural for anyone experienced with archtops, Fender products or acoustics. One of my favorite aspects of the instrument is how comfortable it is while standing or sitting. It is light as a feather, and not at all neck heavy. Can you tell how much I love this guitar?

I agree with Marty, that these are one of Gibson's finest products in years. It is so good on so many levels. If you are able to play one before buying, that would be ideal. Due to their high entry fee, a good test drive is recommended. They also hold their value on the used market, but due to Gibson's incredible (i.e. insane!) price hikes over the years, a used JA should seem like a comparative bargain.

And yes, it does jazz exceptionally well! The solid mahogany back is flat inside for a more immediate sound, and minimal feedback...as long as you are not standing directly in front of your amp speaker, of course.

As others have mentioned, there are other alternative guitars that compete with the JA, but since you mentioned this one in particular, I hope my comments help you decide. Let us know...and welcome to the Jazz Guitar Forum!

[Jabberwocky]

...

A richlite fingerboard wouldn't bother me .... it might even save me some money on a used one

I thought the richlite was only 2012 and not later ... when Gibson had those issues with the import police???

That is exactly my point. If Richlite bothers nobody it should fetch the same price on the used market as ebony fretboarded ones. Richlite fretboards don't so obviously the market is bothered by it. Try selling an obeche or katalox fretboarded guitar. Perfectly functional real wood but the market puts a lower price-tag on them. Same story.

GIBSON has stopped using ebony fretboards on LP Customs and Johnny As, as far as I know, except for special editions.

I spotted a used 2012 L-5CES Ebony with an Indian Rosewood fretboard. I recall it fetched $4500. Just saying that the market has its own hierarchy of values.

[pubylakeg]

I bet most guys who try out those Gibsons in shops need to go home and check the 'net to find out if "that" guitar has a richlite or ebony board

[Jabberwocky]

Richlite is smooth, cold and greasy. No grain. Pretty easy to tell by feel. Jury is out on how easy it is to refret Richlite. Most damning of all, Martin uses a version of it on its cheap guitars so the association is with "cheap".

Does it sound different? Tell it to the guys who prefer rosewood to ebony fretboards because rosewood is "warmer".

I won't be playing a carbon fibre guitar anytime soon either. Recall when American Steinway switched to Teflon felted hammers (and in key bearings instead of leather) in the 1980s? I read about the complaints in Down Beat. Hamburg ones used real wool and leather though so pianists were asking for Hamburg Steinways.

Regardless of Richlite or Corning, nobody pays a premium for artificial.

[Marty Grass]

One of my favorites can coax some sweet tones from carbon fiber. But you are right, ebony will remain more collectible.