JA-15?

[RJK Tech]

Can anyone provide some general thoughts from experience with a JA-15?

What did you like? and does it work well beyond the intended jazz style?

How does it compare to other semi-hollow PRS models?

Some had 57/08 pickups while it seems the majority 53/10 pickups. Any idea how these compare?

Any thoughts on this model would be of interest.

 

[VHTStark]

I love mine. 2011 with 53/10's. I have not played one with 57/08's, but as those are also great pickups, I can't see it not being awesome as well.

Due its size and wood choice, the guitar naturally has alot of "acoustic-ness" to its sound and attack; a bit bigger and warmer than the Hollowbody 2's I have played.

It is also a versatile beast. Clean playing through the neck pickup has an incredible combination of warmth and attack that none of my other guitars have. It is also very feedback resistant; you can absolutely gain it up, which I do all the time! Gained up, the theme of "big sound with lots of attack" still holds true and there really isn't another PRS I have owned or played quite like it.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I thought his almost exclusively had 53/10’s in it? My buddy’s for sure has the 53/10’s but 57/08’s would also be a good combo in a jumbo Archtop body.

I love how the 57/08 & 59/09 combo sounds in my HB

 

[RJK Tech]

well i found one with 57/08’s and the shipping box just got here. Apparently some of the last made examples had 57/08’s.

I’ll know here shortly what they sound like.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

 

[RJK Tech]

I finally got around to clean it up and change the strings. Glad i got it. It definitely has a different vibe than a hollowbody and sounds great with styles other than jazz. The 57/08’s are fantastic in it.

Nearly all the videos i found for this guitar were playing jazz. It’s so much more capable.

 

[Andrew Paul]

I finally got around to clean it up and change the strings. Glad i got it. It definitely has a different vibe than a hollowbody and sounds great with styles other than jazz. The 57/08’s are fantastic in it.

Nearly all the videos i found for this guitar were playing jazz. It’s so much more capable.

Waiting on the photos!!!

 

[Andrew Paul]

Nearly all the videos i found for this guitar were playing jazz. It’s so much more capable.

Pretty sure I’ve seen Orianthi play one

 

[RJK Tech]

 

[DISTORT6]

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Image 7600-B455-5-E81-4026-9-B9-A-C670-E4074-BE5 in Rkrenek's images album

ibb.co

So cool.
I would so NOT use it for its intended use.

 

[Andrew Paul]

So cool.
I would so NOT use it for its intended use.

Sounds dirty……. And I like it LMAO

 

[Andrew Paul]

Ohhhh HELL YEAH!!!!! Totally love it, congrats and enjoy that baby!! I want one now

 

[bodia]

So cool.
I would so NOT use it for its intended use.

Ditto! Hessian!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

What a stunner, congratulations.

 

[Moondog Wily]

That is one fine looking example of a classic! Congrats on a great score!! If you ever want/need to sell it, put me first in line for possible buyers (aka dibs)!!!

 

[shinksma]

I got one of these a few years back, and it is indeed a great platform for all styles of music, but it lets you get jazzy fairly easily, especially with the flatwounds that are on mine.

I need to play mine more - but I say that about all my guitars (and other instruments). I need to retire so I can stay busy!

 

[Oscar]

Spent years looking for one, totally worth the wait and the effort. I use it for jazz, swing, blues, funk, pop, rock and all sorts of gainy stuff just shy of metal. String it with 011s with a wound G. Mine’s got 53/10s. This guitar is as close to Private Stock as you can get without actually getting into Private Stock. Totally addictive instrument.

 

[VHTStark]

Spent years looking for one, totally worth the wait and the effort. I use it for jazz, swing, blues, funk, pop, rock and all sorts of gainy stuff just shy of metal. String it with 011s with a wound G. Mine’s got 53/10s. This guitar is as close to Private Stock as you can get without actually getting into Private Stock. Totally addictive instrument.

That is a beauty and worth the wait; glad you are loving your new JA-15.

The whole Private Stock comment is actually not that far off. I was told by the dealer I got mine from (Guitar Shop before they went out of business) that the main reason they stopped production on these was because the grade of Spruce PRS used on these in billets that big were becoming harder to get and very expensive.

So yes, outside of maybe a limited run, you won't see something like this as a production model anymore. Email quote from the shop:

"yes I did and its awesome. Of the three of us in the shop we like it the best out of all the great consignments we just had come in.

The only reason PRS stopped making those is they had a hard time getting the big spruce tops. I think you'll love it."

 

[Greywolf]

tres sweet . enjoy !

 

[bodia]

Spent years looking for one, totally worth the wait and the effort. I use it for jazz, swing, blues, funk, pop, rock and all sorts of gainy stuff just shy of metal. String it with 011s with a wound G. Mine’s got 53/10s. This guitar is as close to Private Stock as you can get without actually getting into Private Stock. Totally addictive instrument.

Love it. Congrats!