James Tyler Japan Studio Elite HD BBQ Black

 If you're looking for a guitar that combines a fantastic look and great specification look no further!

To set things straight - James Tyler Guitars made in Japan are the same quality as their USA-made counterparts. There are a few differences: Japanese ones have a constant 11" radius and more subtle edge-rolling on the upper frets, other than that you couldn't tell the difference.

This particular model is a proper workhorse - Studio Elite HD with a very unique specification. Starting with a body wood called Mamywo. It is an exotic wood with tonal characteristics similar to lightweight mahogany. Then we have a quartersawn neck with quality grain and a satin-smooth feel. The neck profile is a standard '59, somehow borrowing from Gibson 59 neck but with more ergonomics (think a crossover between D and a V). Quite a lot of wood but it feels just right.

Overall the sound exposes a very thick midrange and at the same time doesn't lack attack and definition in the upper frequencies. To try to put the sound in words: it has a Stratocaster-like roundness and a punch but with much more "oomph" (bottom of the sonic frequency range, or simply - bass). The pickup combo of two JT5500s and a Super humbucker is balanced in every position.

A cherry on top is a very special look - black, black black! Satin black all over around, even in the back of the neck! We can only imagine what it would look like with a black pickguard... not that we dare you! And those abalone inlays just shine.

Visually the condition is very good, with no dings or serious scratches, which is especially hard to maintain on a satin black surface. Not even pick scratches. There are no damages to any part of the wood and the frets condition is 90%.

Specification:

• Body: Mamywo
• Top: no
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Neck profile: Standard '59
• Fretboard: Indian Rosewood, radius 11"
• Frets: 22, Jescar nickel-silver, wide-tall
• Fret inlays: abalone
• Nut: black TUSQ
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Pickups: JT5500/  JT5500/Super (slant)
• Tuners: Hipshot locking
• Bridge: Gotoh 510
• Electronics: Master volume, master tone, mid-boost preamp pot and switch, 5-way switch
• Lightweight flight case and certificates are included