JA 013

Current Owner:  Rick S.
Current Location:  Melbourne Australia
Original Owner:  second owner
Purchase Location:   From Arron B.
Alterations:  None

Here's what JA 013's owner, Rick S. has to say about his guitar:  I had read glowing comments about the Johnny A model on some of the guitar sites where I occasionally lurk, but the chances of actually seeing one in Brisbane, Australia were infinitesimally small (even if there was one in a guitar shop here it would be horrendously overpriced.)  Then I saw JA 013 on ebay. I wasn't really in the market for a new guitar, and I put it on my watchlist just out of interest.  Over the next few days I kept going back to it until the GAS became uncontrollable and I emailed Aaron with an offer which, fortunately, he accepted.  A few days later the guitar arrived safe and sound from Melbourne after a trip of about 1700 kilometres (approx 1,000 miles).  The JA is a comfortable size and weight, plays beautifully, sounds great and looks fabulous.  My other guitars are feeling very jealous :)

J013 Was originally purchased by Australian Jazz guitarist Aaron Benson who purchased the guitar from an Australian Gibson Distributor, here's what he had to say about this guitar when he owned it:

I've played guitar for over Twenty years and love many guitars, particularly arch tops...however, as many of you would know arch tops are prone to feedback when performing live. The guitar. is a perfect remedy for this! l play contemporary Smooth Jazz and am about to go on the road promoting my new C.D "After the Rush" www.aaron-benson.com   The sound is superb and without any problems feedback wise.. Played through a Polytone, Trademark 60 and Fender Deville it allows me to go from a beautifully articulate warm Jazz tone (Front pickup - tone knob rolled off to 3)to a more vibrant contemporary sound.  It's exceptionally finished, love the inlays. the case is spectacular and l personally prefer the stop tailpiece as it stays in tune perfectly!!
I've had some problems with Gibsons over the years, often preferring Ibanez guitars. However, this guitar is an absolute Winner in all respects and it's such a buzz to have one of the first and lowest serial numbered guitars!!!

l bought the guitar here in Melbourne from the Gibson Australian distributor - they'd obviously received mine from the first shipment. However, they couldn't sell it as Johnny A doesn't have a profile yet over here and most guitar players here are pretty conservative in their choices. l loved it!!!  Love the chunky neck, the best inlays on any Gibson in my view, the art deco look of the F holes and of course the Sound!!! If l was to nitpick - l would like it to be about half an inch thicker and l've never been big on double cutaways but this guitar is Something special...also l like the back in that it's not heavily flamed as some of the archtops l've owned have been (the audience never sees it anyway).

Your site is great!!