I just bought my Second Ibanez Scofield from Sweetwater - final Installement

Please see my first Installment. Well, I received my Scofield and brought it to my Luthier for set-up as I do on all of my new guitar purchases. Woody Boyd, Luthier in Sacramento, is an old school craftsman who build guitars and mandolins and does restoration and major repairs on some top brands including Martin, Talyor, Gibson and many more. Woody likes to educate his customers and you get to see him do the work. As a pro guitarist but not a tech type I received some great insights about the Scofield that would normally not be possible with a drop off and pick up arrangement. For a builder and high end guitar restorer with a clear bias toward "made in the USA" I was very curious as to his observations and assessment of my new MIJ "Team J" custom shop prize. A few of his comments...on the the straightest necks he had ever seen, impressed by the solid construction and workmanship, exposed the pick-up cavity to reveal a very clean job with top quality electrical components and soldering job, liked the compound radius neck, everything worked ( pups control knobs ) "perfect" cut of the nut which is half brass and half bone... finish was flawless, and what I did not expect given his preferential tilt toward "made in the USA .." "you won't find any 335 better that your Scofield". As I mentioned in my first installment I looked at many other fine guitars but if you want, for example a Gibson, prepare to pay about twice as much and not get the same upgrade features and appoinments ...such as an ebony fretoard, compound radius neck / board...(easier playing in the upper registers), mother of pearl and abalone block inlays, gold hardware, body/neck/headstock binding and BINDING on the F-holes too. Plus visually it is a stunner with book matched flamed maple with a laminated top and internal block which elininates that annoying feedback when played electric ...so, very appropriate and versatile for jazz, blues, fusion, rock, country ...many genres except, IMO, guitars that are purposed for heavy distortion Metal ( basswood bodies EMG PUPs ) I had the string gauge changed to 10-46's as it comes with a custom set of 013, 016,022, 032, 042,and 052. A good tradeoff for a touch of artritis in my fretting hand with still a big harmonically rich sound. Again check the Sweetwater page for specs .... Bottom-line and my enthusiasm aside I think anyone interested in a 335 style guitar should take a long look at the JSM100VT Scofield. I searched for a year and found nothing that offered the tone, playability, quality , and construction of this instrument. Give Mark Magdich a call, X1265, or your sales engineer if you have one. I have bought guitars, amps, recording and other stuff and Mark is the most responsive and expert guy yet...no, we are not related and I don't own stock in Sweetwater or Ibanez. Just a semi-retired fellow who values their service and ..this is a guess ..my second Scofield has a better ( more highly figured and flamed ) Top and Back than the first one ...I am guessing but I think the larger customer-centric dealers like Sweetwater that move product get "choice" tops from the manufacturers or distributors ...my guess. Good luck in finding a guitar that is built to last, looks great, plays great, and sounds great. Given my Strat Custom shop axe and new Scofield I have my genre bases covered. Hope the reader finds this review helpful and informative.

I just bought my second Scofield from Sweetwater - Ist review Installment

Simply an exquisite instrument and one of the best values and under-appreciated premium guitars in the market today. This is the first installment as I will receive my new JSM100VT in a few days. I spent nearly a year looking at Gibsons, PRS, Gretsch, Parker, and other fine semi-hollow thin profile archtop brands. I suggest you read the Sweetwater description which is comprehensive and factual as to specifications.

This is significant... The Scofield comes from the Ibanez Team "J" operation that builds top end guitars with the expertise of a custom shop ... hands-on luthiers. The workmanship is flawless, playability superb ( ebony board and compound radius neck ) sound is awesome - clear rich with versatility spanning Jazz, blues, fusion, rock, pop, ..just about anything except guitars that are designed narrowly for metal / shredding.

The appoinments are stunning...gold hardware , block inlays, highly figured top and back, side input jack, and more. I am fortunate to be able to buy almost any guitar and I have owned Gibson L-5s, 335s, 347, Les Paul Customs, a Benedetto, Gretsch Nashville and Country Gentleman, and some great archtop Guilds in the peak of their quality and popularity.

None of these surpasses the Scofield. And, at less than half the cost, it is an extraordinary value. I also owned its predecessor years ago, I think an AS-200, great guitar too. One thing I think is important ...I have shied away from some other signature models because I felt their design was highly specific to that particular player whose unique preferences may not suit me. The Scofield does not fall into that trap ..it may owe its inspiration to Mr. Scofield but it is a great guitar in design and execution for any serious player who is not "Brand Bound" by Made in USA ( I do own a custom shop Strat and a mint 1991 Strat Ultra which are great solidbody guitars - Now all of my diverse genre bases are covered with my strats and my Scofield ).

Ibanez has been around for 120 years ...think Sony, Nikon, Lexus..which are fair metaphors for the quality of this guitar.

These guitars are not apparently produced in mass quantities ( probably why quality is superior and they must usually be ordered ...they are stocked but go quick ) ..so my two cents is: Order one today. You will be awed , not disappointed and ask for Mark Magdich X 1265 or your regular sales engineer. Mark did a great job. Like other Sweetwater sales engineers he knows guitars and is a player!