Anybody here have any experience with Gibson's Johhny A. model?

[HeeHaw]

This is one impressive looking guitar. I hear it has a 25.5" scale, so it may sound a tad different, but that could be a good thing.:RoCkIn

[Just1more]

One of the best guitars I have owned, which include 50's/60's strats & teles, early 60's SG's, 335's.
Plus lots of current boutique guitars.
I would be the last guy to buy a recent production Gibson, but the quality on mine is great. Definitely worth checking out.

[Tomo]

Yes, I do. Johnny A model is really nice guitar.
Hollow body & 25.5 for brightness.

Now Gibson has more simple version of original (expensive one)
which less inlay, less gold....

I played most of his collection. Johnny got so many!


Tomo

[mtndog]

I have one and am very pleased. I did a review some time back. Here is a cut and paste from it:

From February 2005 -

I have not done any previous gear reviews, and don’t consider myself any type of authority. I am like most of the folks here at the Gear Page, a player who knows what works or doesn’t work for me. So in that spirit I’ll share as much factual information ( as opposed to only pure opinion) as I can about my new Gibson Johnny A.

I have #117, “Sunset Glow” finish, with the stop tail. I do not care for Bigsbys myself, but it is a feature on most of the Johnny A’s.

A visit to the Gibson site will tell you this guitar has a completely hollow body--with a solid, AAA maple top and what they call a “tonally carved” back and sides. The back and rims are carved from a single block of mahogany. The CS 336 is also made this way. The design has a contoured outer surface but a flat inner back. This was done to help with feedback, and while I don’t know if that is actually the reason why, it doesn’t have any serious feedback issues. I was curious about this aspect of construction. It does make for a thicker back than top. There is a block under the bridge area that is part of the single piece of mahogany. It has an overall good resonance acoustically.

The body size is smaller than a 335 – which was one of the strong appeals for me. It is definitely more comfortable to play than my previously owned 335.

The neck is wonderful for my hand size, but this is an area where each of us probably has our strongest preferences. It is one piece mahogany. Gibson calls it a custom neck profile which doesn’t help you if you can’t hold one. I have a couple of other guitars which I pulled out to compare – my only other Gibson - a '68 Les Paul Custom : the Johnny A has a much slimmer profile; a PRS Custom 24 – I am not well versed in all the Wide-Fat-Thin PRS terms, so that I don’t know which neck my PRS has, but I would say that the Johnny A is pretty much the same carve as my PRS. It is almost as thin as a Strat neck. It is 1 11/16” at the nut, and has a 251/2" sale.

I had read reviews, as you probably have, where the owners mentioned that the nut was cut too tight, resulting in strings sticking and then releasing when the Bigsby was used or notes bent. I thought this must be more of an isolated thing, but sure enough it seems to be the case with most, if not all these instruments. You would think that word would filter back to the folks in the custom shop. The cure in my case was found in a product from GHS called GraphitAll. It is a lubricant that is used sparingly in the slots and does the trick. I found it at my local music store.

Someone on another thread asked about the pick-ups. This is also an area where we all have different tastes and demands. It comes with ’57 Classic humbuckers , typical Gibson 2 volume,2 tone wiring. I am good with them so far, but will need to play out more under a wider range of conditions to see if they give up the goods I am after. It is a warm sounding guitar if you want it to be, but not overly so. I won’t really go more in this direction as it is in the arena of opinion, and YMMV, etc.

Fit and finish are very nice. I bought it from a dealer across the country ( I am in Alaska), who had pictures online, so I had a look at on that level. I was more than pleased when I actually saw it in person, as it is a beautiful guitar. I like the signature that someone here has – “You don’t play the paint” – and I agree it is not the driving force to get a guitar, but it is an added nice feeling when it does happen to be beautiful.

Hopefully this will give you a little more perspective if you are interested in one of these models. I was concerned buying without trying, but the dealer offered a 48 hour approval, so I was willing to risk the shipping costs if it wasn’t for me. I am pleased to have it.


Here is a photo:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mtndog/ec745231.jpg

[HeeHaw]

I have one and am very pleased. I did a review some time back. Here is a cut and paste from it:

From February 2005 -

I have not done any previous gear reviews, and don’t consider myself any type of authority. I am like most of the folks here at the Gear Page, a player who knows what works or doesn’t work for me. So in that spirit I’ll share as much factual information ( as opposed to only pure opinion) as I can about my new Gibson Johnny A.

I have #117, “Sunset Glow” finish, with the stop tail. I do not care for Bigsbys myself, but it is a feature on most of the Johnny A’s.

A visit to the Gibson site will tell you this guitar has a completely hollow body--with a solid, AAA maple top and what they call a “tonally carved” back and sides. The back and rims are carved from a single block of mahogany. The CS 336 is also made this way. The design has a contoured outer surface but a flat inner back. This was done to help with feedback, and while I don’t know if that is actually the reason why, it doesn’t have any serious feedback issues. I was curious about this aspect of construction. It does make for a thicker back than top. There is a block under the bridge area that is part of the single piece of mahogany. It has an overall good resonance acoustically.

The body size is smaller than a 335 – which was one of the strong appeals for me. It is definitely more comfortable to play than my previously owned 335.

The neck is wonderful for my hand size, but this is an area where each of us probably has our strongest preferences. It is one piece mahogany. Gibson calls it a custom neck profile which doesn’t help you if you can’t hold one. I have a couple of other guitars which I pulled out to compare – my only other Gibson - a '68 Les Paul Custom : the Johnny A has a much slimmer profile; a PRS Custom 24 – I am not well versed in all the Wide-Fat-Thin PRS terms, so that I don’t know which neck my PRS has, but I would say that the Johnny A is pretty much the same carve as my PRS. It is almost as thin as a Strat neck. It is 1 11/16” at the nut, and has a 251/2" sale.

I had read reviews, as you probably have, where the owners mentioned that the nut was cut too tight, resulting in strings sticking and then releasing when the Bigsby was used or notes bent. I thought this must be more of an isolated thing, but sure enough it seems to be the case with most, if not all these instruments. You would think that word would filter back to the folks in the custom shop. The cure in my case was found in a product from GHS called GraphitAll. It is a lubricant that is used sparingly in the slots and does the trick. I found it at my local music store.

Someone on another thread asked about the pick-ups. This is also an area where we all have different tastes and demands. It comes with ’57 Classic humbuckers , typical Gibson 2 volume,2 tone wiring. I am good with them so far, but will need to play out more under a wider range of conditions to see if they give up the goods I am after. It is a warm sounding guitar if you want it to be, but not overly so. I won’t really go more in this direction as it is in the arena of opinion, and YMMV, etc.

Fit and finish are very nice. I bought it from a dealer across the country ( I am in Alaska), who had pictures online, so I had a look at on that level. I was more than pleased when I actually saw it in person, as it is a beautiful guitar. I like the signature that someone here has – “You don’t play the paint” – and I agree it is not the driving force to get a guitar, but it is an added nice feeling when it does happen to be beautiful.

Hopefully this will give you a little more perspective if you are interested in one of these models. I was concerned buying without trying, but the dealer offered a 48 hour approval, so I was willing to risk the shipping costs if it wasn’t for me. I am pleased to have it.


Here is a photo:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mtndog/ec745231.jpg


I love that guitar!:eek: :cool:

Thanks for posting that man!

[JoeYello]

I absolutely love mine. Can play anything with it. You can play surprisingly loud and rock out with it and not get feedback. The neck has a perfect feel and the frets are well dressed. Here's Johnny............

http://home.comcast.net/~jsjr16/Johnny_A.JPG

[HeyMrTeleMan]

Yes, I do. Johnny A model is really nice guitar.
Hollow body & 25.5 for brightness.

Now Gibson has more simple version of original (expensive one)
which less inlay, less gold....

Tomo

Yeh, I don't like gold on guitars, but I really like the Johnny A.
I've been waiting/hoping for a chrome one. What's the model
number? I don't see it on the Gibson website. Do you know how
much it costs?

Thanks!

Blind Lemon Pledge

[Gary F.]

Yep, I've got an early one with Bigsby. Although I'm mostly a strat guy, the JA is by far the most tonally versatile Gibson I've played to date. And Classic 57's really work in this guitar. Nice D neck, too. I lent mine to Phil Jacoby about a month ago; your post reminded me it's time to get it back!

Gary

[Bluedawg]

I spent a few minutes with a Johnny A. at the Gibson store at the Opry Mills mall in Nashville.

I loved it. If I was in the market for another hollow body it would be high on my list. I thought it was a really sweet guitar.

:)

[AaeCee]

Yep, I've got an early one with Bigsby. Although I'm mostly a strat guy, the JA is by far the most tonally versatile Gibson I've played to date. And Classic 57's really work in this guitar. Nice D neck, too. I lent mine to Phil Jacoby about a month ago; your post reminded me it's time to get it back!

GaryFunny coincidence ...I just got a screamin deal on a lightly used one just like that from Phil!!:D

[Tomo]

Yeh, I don't like gold on guitars, but I really like the Johnny A.
I've been waiting/hoping for a chrome one. What's the model
number? I don't see it on the Gibson website. Do you know how
much it costs?

Thanks!

Blind Lemon Pledge


I don't know the model number. Chrome hardware, no binding.
Johnny told me about the price... but it's not on market yet?
I played a few production models at Johnny's house.

Hope those will come out soon.


Tomo

[Timbre Wolf]

I wish I had one, but... $$$

The one I've played astounded me with its clarity and ability to twang! I've never experienced that from a humbucker-fitted guitar before. As a player with single-coil and 25.5"-scale tendencies (Strat/Tele/p-90), I was surprised at how instantly enamored I was with this guitar.

Having seen three of Johnny A's performances, I've gotta admit that he plays it better than me ;)

- T

[kingsleyd]

Here's mine, along with a very brief excerpt of what I wrote about it that nonetheless captures the essence:

http://jaguitar.org/pages/ja_349.htm

[Tone Disciple]

A couple of good places to get more insight and info are:


My thread on BAM on Johnny A vs PRS Hollowbody at http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27355&highlight=Johnny
The Johnny A interview in Tone Quest in September 2005 Vol 6 no. 11. I got it online while it was the current issue, but I checked at www.tonequest.com (http://www.tonequest.com) and it is not one of the available free downloads. Still it might be worth buying the issue because it is one of the most interetsing interviews with a guitar player I have read.Johnny A says in this issue that he was going for the sound of a Gibson 295 in a better scale format when he worked with Gibson to design his signature model. Why was Gibson interested? He was lead guitar player with Peter Wolf at the time.

[Troubleman]

Only experience I have is sitting about eight feet away from him for a concert at Ram's Head, watching him wail the living hell out of it. What a great player, and a very, very cool instrument. I was primed to acquire one, then I saw what they were sellin' for.....:eek:

One day...

Peace,
jb

[daddyo]

I absolutely love mine. Can play anything with it. You can play surprisingly loud and rock out with it and not get feedback. The neck has a perfect feel and the frets are well dressed. Here's Johnny............

http://home.comcast.net/~jsjr16/Johnny_A.JPG

I absolutely love your guitar in black. I've experienced a bit of flame/quilt maple fatigue and I find that black and gold guitars are very attractive especially the decked out Gibsons like the LP Custom and your Johnny A. I haven't seen this as a colour option.

[gregc]

I had a very early one (#75) and in a weak moment sold it. I loved that guitar....
A couple months later I had another. I still have it. I won't let it go a 2nd time. That body/neck with the 25.5 scale and the Classic 57's is a magic combo; clean to mean, snarl, twang, clarity, it's all in there.

gregc

[fullerplast]

I've tried a couple and couldn't bond with the neck shape....kind of a flat back, unusual shape. Other than that personal quibble, they are great guitars and of course Johnny covers an incredible amount of sonic territory with them. The last time I saw him, I did notice a significant difference in tone between two guitars he used. He must have noticed it also because he immediately went back to the first guitar and stayed with it the rest of the night.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/Johnny_A1sm.jpg

[teleking36]

I have been completely drawn in by the CS-356 and Johnny A. since reading/hearing about them a couple of years ago. I had the pleasure of finally finding a CS-356 to play, at the Music Zoo in NY. I live in Boston and it's almost impossible to find a CS Gibson of this caliber in any store in Massachusetts, nevermind in Boston.

I fell in love with this guitar within the first 5 minutes of playing it. I've never really been a Gibson guy either, mostly Teles, but more recently I've been lusting after the 356 or Johnny A, and a Historic '61 SG. The SG is another story for another day, but MAN, these CS hollowbodies are fantastic!

[JoeYello]

I absolutely love your guitar in black. I've experienced a bit of flame/quilt maple fatigue and I find that black and gold guitars are very attractive especially the decked out Gibsons like the LP Custom and your Johnny A. I haven't seen this as a colour option.

It is the only "Pure" jet black one on the registry. The finish is very thin. When you look at it from an angle you can see the flame under the black finish. The dealer told me the top probably had some mineral streaks and Johnny A did not want those tops used for his signature model. I guess Gibson listened. I had a CS336 prior to the Johnny and I found the neck to be slightly to thin for my liking, although it sounded very good. My local music store has a 356 with a bigsby that is beautiful.

[Troubleman]

I absolutely love mine. Can play anything with it. You can play surprisingly loud and rock out with it and not get feedback. The neck has a perfect feel and the frets are well dressed. Here's Johnny............

http://home.comcast.net/~jsjr16/Johnny_A.JPG

Freakin' beauty man... Abso-freakin'-lutely beautiful.....:drool

Peace,

jb

[GoGoGuitars]

The Johnny A is a bitchin guitar! The back, sides, and center block are all carved out of one solid piece of mahogany. Very cool feature. The neck profile is also unique to it. Very comfortable. Kinda like a classic 60 L.P. neck on steroids. very cool sounding, looking and playing guitar.:AOK

[BPlexico]

Very helpful thread - and great links to other discussions on the Johnny A! I too have been enamoured of this guitar for quite some time - and recently my favorite dealer - Wildwood Guitars - landed a few new ones - and I should have a 6.15lb one with Bigsby on my way to me tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out.

-- Barr

[Troubleman]

Very helpful thread - and great links to other discussions on the Johnny A! I too have been enamoured of this guitar for quite some time - and recently my favorite dealer - Wildwood Guitars - landed a few new ones - and I should have a 6.15lb one with Bigsby on my way to me tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out.

-- Barr

Uh... Here comes that feeling again..... Time for something in the arsenal to be sacrificed. JoeYello's Johnny A guitar really triggered something. What does Wildwood want for one of those? Black Beauty colors, Bigsby... uh-oh....:crazyguy

Peace,

jb

[BPlexico]

I would give Steve at Wildwood a call to see what they have in stock and what they have on order - pricing varies based upon the finish and whether or not it has a Bigsby. They are great to deal with and quite honest. They will "run the rack" for you if you so desire.They offer a 48 hour approval period as well. I have yet to take them up upon that...;)


-- Barr

http://home.comcast.net/~bplexico/ja433_front.gif

[enharmonic]

You guys are killing me with your Johnny A's! Especially the "black beauty" posted at the top of the page. Fortunately for me, the necks aren't big enough...otherwise, I'd have some serious problems..and debt :L

[Reinhardt Amps]

I have to say that might be the liveliest Gibson i have ever heard. i had the pleasure of watching Johnny play in my booth in Dallas over the weekend of the Dallas show, and his guitar sounded amazing. He could get it to do beautiful jazz stuff, or badass blues, or harder rock,and it would sing and sustain as long as he wanted it to. I was very impressed with it.

[mwoeppel]

I had read reviews, as you probably have, where the owners mentioned that the nut was cut too tight, resulting in strings sticking and then releasing when the Bigsby was used or notes bent. I thought this must be more of an isolated thing, but sure enough it seems to be the case with most, if not all these instruments. You would think that word would filter back to the folks in the custom shop. The cure in my case was found in a product from GHS called GraphitAll. It is a lubricant that is used sparingly in the slots and does the trick. I found it at my local music store.

That was EXACTLY my experience with #376.

However, no other gripes.

I love the tone - nice and woody, but it gives a growl, too!

It's the only Gibson I have really liked. I had a Howard Roberts awhile back, but I think the tone and playability is much better with this one.

[mwoeppel]

I don't know the model number. Chrome hardware, no binding.
Johnny told me about the price... but it's not on market yet?
I played a few production models at Johnny's house.

Hope those will come out soon.

Tomo

Tomo, is that the one with the gold back? I saw him play one in Dallas - black with a gold back. Very cool looking, and of course, great sound, too! I tried to find one like that, but no luck.

Mark

[GAT]

I love my early stoptail model. Superb guitar and great tone. I like it better than Bakers, PRS, and many others. I actually didn't play it for awhile due to buying many guitars over the last couple of years. Then I sat down with all my humbucker guitars (8) and tried to whittle them down to 3, and the Johnny A. stayed.

[kingsleyd]

I, too, have bought a whole bunch of new guitars over the past 2 years. The JA is, in a lot of ways, the best of the bunch. A guitar-and-bass playing friend of me just told me: "I've never heard a guitar that could do so many things so well."

[Tone Disciple]

Tomo, is that the one with the gold back? I saw him play one in Dallas - black with a gold back. Very cool looking, and of course, great sound, too! I tried to find one like that, but no luck.

Mark

The one Tomo is talking about must be different from the one he was playing in Dallas. Steve at Wildwood told me that the trans black with gold back would never be made for sale. It was done for Johnny as his personal guitar and would not be made for anyone else even as a custom order.

I was talking to Steve about ordering a Johnny A in a custom color, which can be done, but apparently, Johnny has to approve of the color. I am sure this is to keep Steve Vai from ordering one in green with pink humbuckers. :rolleyes: At any rate he told me of the trans black ones he had on order and yesterday he e-mailed me the following photos showing a couple of pics of one he had received this week.

I had to pass on this guitar, but some lucky buyer will get a great guitar from a great dealer. Too bad we can't see all his Gibson inventory online because of Gibson's business practices. But if you stay in touch with these guys you can get notified when they get the cool pieces in.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/ToneDisciple/ja434_sr1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/ToneDisciple/ja434_front1.jpg

[BPlexico]

Not sure if this was posted along with the other material related to the Johnny A - but here is a link to an interesting article from Vintage Guitar on Johnny and his signature guitar:

http://jaguitar.org/Ann/ArticlesbyAnn.htm

-- Barr