J-Custom 1608

screamndemon69 · #1 01-27-2005, 08:51 AM

anybody play one? i'm working with a guy to get one in very good condition - still a player piece with a few small blemishes that can't be seen from the front. that is o.k. w/ me as that is what i plan to do - play the s@#t out of it. i'm figuring if i get it and don't like it that my resale should be at least equal to what i paid - which i feel is a very fair price.
were these low production #'s as well - 12/24 ? thanks guys for any info.
Todd

Gresh · #2 01-27-2005, 11:49 AM

How different are these from the 1680 JCustoms? I saw one (160

listed on ebay recently and it is identical to my 1680, mahog body flame top, offset dots, HSH setup. Mine has smaller frets than your typical RG style railroad tracks, more like a Jem, they are tall and narrow rather than super wide. The neck is more JPM like but with the more standard 43mm width, not 42mm like a JPM. It's got more meat on it than my RGArt. It is a midrange heavy guitar, but I've got a tonezone in the bridge instead of a Steve's Special...going to swap it back out soon for a more balanced tone.

If they are the same, basically, then you will be getting a very nice instrument. If you like RGs period, you'll like the JC version. Great neck, great playability, standard RG rock tone. Have no idea on production numbers but these were not available in the US. Very classy looking instruments. What color is this one? Mine is amber.

screamndemon69 · #3 01-27-2005, 02:24 PM

funny, you saw the one i'm getting. amber flame top. she's a beauty. i can't wait until i hold her! i'll keep on this thread throughout this deal and give whatever info i can on this guitar when it arrives.

Gresh · #4 01-27-2005, 03:54 PM

Nice score, it really is a pretty guitar. To be honest, I typically pick this one up first when I'm in the studio. I love the HSH configuration more than twin humbuckers. Let us know how she plays.

screamndemon69 · #5 01-27-2005, 04:20 PM

you bet

screamndemon69 · #6 02-01-2005, 08:19 AM

anyone reading this and not replying or that saw the auction and obviously did not bid - is this J-custom for the price not a model that is popular? i saw 1207 views counted on the auction - i'm just curious why noone else was interested in this model as i read a lot of posts holding J-customs in very high regard?
i'll get some real pics posted when it arrives.

Mark DY · #7 02-01-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

anyone reading this and not replying or that saw the auction and obviously did not bid - is this J-custom for the price not a model that is popular? i saw 1207 views counted on the auction - i'm just curious why noone else was interested in this model as i read a lot of posts holding J-customs in very high regard?
i'll get some real pics posted when it arrives.

I saw it - it's a real nice guitar (I'm not crazy about a single in the middle, but that's just me). I'm not sure of the production numbers, but my opinion of this flavor of JC is that they made very similar models that have:

Mahagony body
Flame maple top (in varying degrees of grade)
Rosewood board with offset dots
Unbound neck & headstock
Black non-matching headstock
H-S-H (usually DiMarzio's)

Very similar are the 8570 (only the heastock is matched) 2680, 3270, and I'm sure there are a few more. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the 1680 you're getting especially for what you paid for it, but I think alot of these are similar to other production numbered model JC's made for the Japanese market. More attention to detail was likely paid to the fret work and choice of woods, and assembled and finished by more experienced hands. Then of course there are the limited production JC's like Brad's ART. With those I divide them into two groups: Artwork models (like the ART, GEAR, ARCH) where the appointments are the big feature, and the tech models like the CST's and X JC's with piezo and the weird Roland midi-equipped one's like we were drooling over in the other thread.
Limited production, unique features and of course, price seem to separate the higher end JC's from "production" models.

Let us know what you think of yours when you get it
I'm sure you won't be disappointed

screamndemon69 · #8 02-01-2005, 09:48 AM

thanks for the info - that helps the "minor" uneasiness i was feeling over this.
i also like the H-H config a little more myself but the desire for a J-custom outweighed that factor.
i am still drooling over the black quilt J-custom especially since i have fallen hard for a GR-33 synth. i would prefer an in saddle synth pup, but i wouldn't complain with that beauty and her magnetic GK-2!
i'll keep you posted on my new J-custom arrival.

Gresh · #9 02-01-2005, 10:57 AM

Don't let a lack of interest from others drag you down...it's a killer guitar, classy looking without all the "over the top" appointments. It's fairly understated. You are going to love the neck, it's my favorite thus far. They look much better in person, pictures just don't do the amber stain on flame maple any justice at all. Sure there are similar models out there, and guess what...they all kick tail. I figure it doesn't matter how rare a guitar is when it's hanging on your wall and you love it.

BTW, spend some time with the 5 way and that pickup configuration...I think you'll fall in love with the neck/middle single coil tone. That through a nice clean tube amp with just a hint of delay and chorus....ohhhh yessssirrr, I lika da sauce.

screamndemon69 · #10 02-02-2005, 08:12 AM

thanks for the good words about it Gresh. i am looking forward to having her. she'll look mighty nice next to my Hamer USA amber flame top.
the neck is different than a standard Jem neck but doesn't seem like it would be too beefy. i tried an RGT and w/ the .5mm of clear coat adding thickness to it, it just seemed too beefy for my taste. the J-custom (JC21a) that we have been talking about in the other post has a much thinner neck and felt far more comfortable even though it is a neck thru and has clear coat on the neck.
the pups in this JC are not familiar to me - i imagine they are a nice set of Dimarzios - but i still know nothing of the models or sound. usually position 4 (mid/neck single) tends to drop the output so much they aren't hot enough to hear the tone break thru the rest of the band. i use a Fender Deluxe Reverb '65 reissue (9 tubes - 22wtts class A), so tone is always there on just about anything i put thru it.
i really dig my Strat singles w/ gold lace sensors in the mid and neck. they seem to have a higher output and just the right amount of single coil spank to deliver those elusive Strat/SRV/Hendrix "in between" tones i love so much. i added an evolution at the bridge but sadly haven't played her in a couple years due to the need of a recrown and level on the upper frets. i miss her - i've had the Strat for 10yrs and it used to be my #1 axe - before Jems/Ibanezs/Jacksons took over!

screamndemon69 · #11 02-28-2005, 09:05 AM

i recieved this guitar a little over a week ago and with very little cleaning and adjustments i actually used her the night she arrived. the strings were fresh so i didn't even need to change them, just stretch them out really good.
it is a solid made guitar that makes me think of a Les Paul (in terms of pure tone and "heft" of materials). the pups are awesome! they are very meaty and thick with a true tone factor that i have rarely encountered - i mean that in a good way. the neck is more beefy than i prefer on an ibanez but i'm trying to get comfortable with it.
the body is in players condition showing some real use but not quite abuse. since i plan to use this guitar a lot i'm not too worried about any of these character marks. the maple top is really thick over the mahogany body. it is a very classy and modest tone monster without a doubt. i will most definitely be searching for a JCRG21A and a few other J-Custom models (koa topped model from Rich - mmmmm) for my next aquisitions - Rich and/or Ishibasi will most likely be my sources.

screamndemon69 · #12 04-29-2005, 07:41 PM

http://photobucket.com/albums/v334/s...t=DSC00512.jpg
here's a quick pic of this beauty. feel free to browse the other pics.

Gresh · #13 04-30-2005, 02:31 AM

Yep, that's the one...got one right here behind me on my wall. Great guitar, and purdy too.

screamndemon69 · #14 04-30-2005, 07:36 AM

she is a looker and tone...wow, solid tone, thick and smooth. the neck is a tad thicker than i'm used to on an Ibanez but with sound and looks like it has, i am very happy learning to get comfortable with her.