[brianh]

They look like very nice guitars - affordable and made in the US of A:

http://www.jarrettguitars.com/

[RaSTuS]

I have them bookmarked already, I believe they made a run of guitars commemorating Shelby (of Shelby Mustang fame), they had GT stripes and the Shelby badges and logos, I was interested in getting one of them.

[pfox14]

Not bad

[RTH]

Starting at $1295 is affordable? Ok then.

[RaSTuS]

My mistake, it was Cobra, I'm a massive Ford fan and was really jonesing for one a few years back.

[brianh]

RTH, on 31 March 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

Starting at $1295 is affordable? Ok then.

They sold a Zaffiro model on eBay last week for $841: http://www.ebay.com/...9#ht_1373wt_931 There's another Zaffiro for sale near here on Craigslist for $875: http://philadelphia....2912187275.html

When you look at the wood, materials, electronics and that it's a custom-ordered, hand-made in the USA product, I'd say that's a very reasonable price in today's market where big name manufacturers are selling mass-made guitars for $1,500 and up with recycled paper and phenolic resin fretboards. You can spend around $800 for some MIC Epiphones.

Some of them are not my cup o' tea, but others methinks are quite nice: http://www.jarrettgu...latinum-series/

[brianh]

[RaSTuS]

brianh, on 31 March 2012 - 04:45 PM, said:

That's the one Brian, I'd have a different number on mine though.

[Morkolo]

Looks like the qualities there but I'll have to pass on the looks.

[Hungrycat]

brianh, on 31 March 2012 - 11:54 AM, said:

where big name manufacturers are selling mass-made guitars for $1,500 and up with recycled paper and phenolic resin fretboards.

I still don't understand why some are still complaining about this. It is a good material for fretboards. Is it as good as say, ebony? No, but it still doesn't suck. In fact it's especially exceptional for fretless bass.

Those Jarretts look nice, but I think I'd rather have a Carvin for about the same money. More options.

[brianh]

Not complaining at all, I've heard good things about Richlite. All I was saying us that it's a less expensive material on a more expensive guitar.

[RaSTuS]

Hungrycat, on 02 April 2012 - 01:48 PM, said:

I still don't understand why some are still complaining about this. It is a good material for fretboards. Is it as good as say, ebony? No, but it still doesn't suck. In fact it's especially exceptional for fretless bass.

brianh, on 02 April 2012 - 02:05 PM, said:

Not complaining at all, I've heard good things about Richlite. All I was saying us that it's a less expensive material on a more expensive guitar.

I have two guitars with phenolic boards, unfortunately they're both EMG equipped so any tonal tests aren't really possible, but the do play brilliantly. The last guitar (so far) in my "Guitar of the Moment" thread, the Parker Hornet V has one, as mentioned, it's surface is like glass and would be a big benders dream to play.

Parker Hornet V post

[brianh]

Another no reserve auction, this time for Forza model: http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1423.l2649

[thomasm972]

My linkJarrett makes great guitars. I own both a Forza and a Zaffiro. They got a 5 out of 5 Review from Premier Guitar and was named the 2009 Premier Guitar Gear Award. I also own many Gibson's, Suhrs, Tom Anderson's, Fender Custom Shops and Jarrett is as good as any of them for a much better price. The service is incredible and they will build any design you can think of. Check them out at their Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/jarrettguitars

[thomasm972]

My linkCheck out the Jarrett Facebook Page for all kinds of cool photos of their guitars.

[Hungrycat]

brianh, on 02 April 2012 - 02:05 PM, said:

Not complaining at all, I've heard good things about Richlite. All I was saying us that it's a less expensive material on a more expensive guitar.

I wasn't singling you out, I was just using generalities because your comment reminded me about it. You have to admit, A LOT of people have complained about it. As far as phenolic and Richlite go I'm not sure exactly how much that material costs. I know it's cheaper than high-end fretboard woods like Ebony and Purplehart, but I would hazard a guess that it IS more expensive than say, Indian Rosewood or Maple. But I don't really know, it could indeed be much less costly than anything else. I just know it's a good material.

[brianh]

Hungrycat, on 02 April 2012 - 10:27 PM, said:

I wasn't singling you out, I was just using generalities because your comment reminded me about it. You have to admit, A LOT of people have complained about it. As far as phenolic and Richlite go I'm not sure exactly how much that material costs. I know it's cheaper than high-end fretboard woods like Ebony and Purplehart, but I would hazard a guess that it IS more expensive than say, Indian Rosewood or Maple. But I don't really know, it could indeed be much less costly than anything else. I just know it's a good material.

Your not alone in your opinion - the Gibson Midtown Custom is a hit - I waited for one for three months, then cancelled my order out of frustration.

I'd guess that Richlite is far cheaper to use than just about any real wood product because it's 100% consistent, never warps or splits, and has no knots, divots, pores or other defects.

[james_edward]

Hungrycat, on 02 April 2012 - 10:27 PM, said:

I wasn't singling you out, I was just using generalities because your comment reminded me about it. You have to admit, A LOT of people have complained about it. As far as phenolic and Richlite go I'm not sure exactly how much that material costs. I know it's cheaper than high-end fretboard woods like Ebony and Purplehart, but I would hazard a guess that it IS more expensive than say, Indian Rosewood or Maple. But I don't really know, it could indeed be much less costly than anything else. I just know it's a good material.

We discussed this before, Richlite is not even close to what is commonly known as "phenolic resin board" which has been used in instruments for years, you cannot make a comparison between the two as they are that different.

Richlite is lower on resin, higher on paper content and less than half the weight, it's well known in the millwork industry and as someone who's purchased and cut plenty of both materials I can tell you Richlite is much softer and far less durable.

So as I tried to note late last year when you decided to enlighten me with your wisdom, while Phenolic resin board is fine for Fretboards, Richlite is not.

PS, all things considered Richlite is by far the least expensive, far less than any suitable wood including any of the Rosewoods...it's not even close.

[damian]

Oh...........I thought the "Subway" sub guy started making guitars...... ............