Ibanez John Scofield Signature JSM10 Review

Ibanez JSM10

Beautiful. After waiting the agonizing "24 hours before opening" (kinda like a kid getting up on Christmas morning only to be told not to touch anything under the tree for at least a day...), have to admit it WAS worth the wait. After unpacking, not a mark, not a fingerprint, not any kind of a nit to pick. Just a matter of tuning it (which wasn't that far out). Did I say beautiful?… read more Fit and finish are first rate. Ok, the neck feels a little thicker than what I'm used to, but that's not a bad thing - it's just a little different but every bit as playable. Fretwork is, well, better than any other guitar I own or have ever handled. Smooth, level and even. Tone is incredible. Even before ever plugging it in, it sounded great. After? Wow! As long as Sweetwater keeps sticking prizes like this in their boxes of candy, it's the only candy I'll ever buy. My thanks to Aaron and Desiree.

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'That Guitar'

I can't say enough about this fine instrument. I have been a dyed in the wool Strat guy for several years now and own 4 Strats. All of them are high end and modded heavily. But I have always liked a semi-hollow guitar. They are well known tone monsters, arguably the most versatile of the 3 guitar body designs. Since aquiring this axe one and a half weeks ago she has become my favorite.… read more I also own a 2014 Gibson ES 335 Ltd Run and it too is a fine piece of equipment. I started looking at various online forums comparing this JSM10 to a 335. And this comparison is to be expected considering the 335 was the worlds first semi back in 1958. I see various reasons why people favor one guitar over the other and felt like giving my 10 cents here. The 335 cost me $ back in 2014. This JSM10 cost me $ last week. After repeated thorough examination I cant see that the craftsmanship of either guitar is better on one over the other. I like the pups on the JSM10 better and am really digging the mini toggle on the neck pup. I like the shape of the body better on the Ibanez and it feels slightly smaller than the 335, better proportions aesthetically. I love the ebony fretboard although I know dye is being used to blacken the fretboard. After initial cleaning and a rubbed in coat of tung oil color bleed has completely stopped and board is still nice and black. If both guitars cost what the 335 did, ie $ and I hads to choose one I would go for the Gibson but only because of resale value. If both guitars cost $ I would go for the Ibanez simply because I like it better. I'm over the fact that it's not made in America. This is a whole lot of axe for the money. I can't see anyone being disappointed with the JSM10. I'm certainly glad I got mine. If you buy one and have the opportunity, forget the modern pushbutton BS amps and run this through a Tweed Deluxe or Tweed Champ with a TS 808 and some verb and delay. For bluesy od, think Janice Joplin on a whiskey drunk! This guitar is a badass.

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Amazing!

Was on the fence about this axe for a few weeks but noticed they are selling quick so pulled the trigger on the one I liked in the Sweetwater Gallery. Had it delivered in 3 days. Joel Helton, my sales rep did his usual best while I was waiting for guitar to arrive. When I opened the box and looked over this fine instrument and felt it in my lap I knew I had purchased a keeper. This… read more would be a fine guitar at $2500 but at $ it is unbelievable. I have a ltd run Gibson 335 and it is a remarkable guitar but I think I like this Ibanez even better. I especially love using the neck pickup split to single coil. This doesn't really have the thin, airy sound of most Fender style single coils. It is a bit thicker but with plenty of top chime and bark. More like a P90. I don't like putting this guitar down. Just get this one. You wont be disappointed.

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A Go Go

I'm on the fence. Beautiful guitar. Flawless everything except the top of the headstock isn't fully polished and the pup toggle switch is loose. For 1k I find this acceptable. This guitar is 98% immaculate. I got a scratch and dent bc it's cheap and I'm a sucker for a good deal. It plays like butter. The pups are much brighter than I thought they would be but I'm adjusting… read more to them. For the price it's a ridiculously good deal and I'm happy to add it to my collection. My salesperson Cody checked in on me and just kept proving why he's top notch. If you have a Jazz itch ...scratch it with this.

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THE EXCELLENT JSM10

Pulled the trigger on this about a month ago and so far so good. The quality on mine is exceptional and the playability is perfect. As far as sounds I can go from smooth woodsy jazz tones to stinging rock and blues. A whole lot of geetar for the money. Sweetwater was great as usual. Aaron C. was a great help. Thr guitar arrived earlier then promised.

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