Ibanez JP20

[Skip Ellis]

Anybody have an Ibanez JP20 and what do you think of it? Been looking at Peerless, Comins and Eastman and almost forgot about these - could be a contender.

[Greentone]

The JP 20 is a classic. Tremendous neck...wonderful carve and rock solid. The 20 plays beautifully and is a beauty to behold.

[lawson-stone]

Joe Denisco got one a few months back and there was a long thread discussing it-he posted a couple clips as well

[Cunamara]

It's a divisive instrument. There is general agreement that it is very well made, has one of the best necks on the business and is damned god looking to boot. Wait, are we talking about a guitar? I feel like I veered off course.

When it comes to tone, though, there tends to be a parting of the ways. Some people think it sounds great, some think it sounds terrible. Joe DeNisco got about the best tone I have ever heard from one of these, it's worth listening to his clips with it.

[heptone]

The JP20 is a great guitar, comparable with anything out there; after all it was good enough for Joe for 10+ years.

And personally I think most of the flak it has received is because it was made in Japan.

But it all depends on what you're looking for, and what kind of music you want to play on it.

[tootZ]

I have one since 5 years, built in 1980, very well made, only the frets become a bit "tired",
I first was pleased by the look and the quality of the guitar, then by the fact it's not a big one (width and depth) easy to play, and not as expensive (in France) as a Gibson archtop
the neck is easy (a bit flat for me, but good width), never moves, ebony is beautiful
feedback (as for archtop) can be a problem, I had to try several amps, finally got a used Henriksen that fits,
I use a set of flat TI (swing 12/50) that give a flat sound (not so big as a 175) with a 1.5mm pick (if the pick is too thin the sound will be weak), tune knob at 0, 1 or 2 when comping (a bit more for solos), volume at 8 (sometimes 10, for solos too)
I still have on it the original mic, perhaps will replace some day (PAF and new wiring) but not necessary by now
I play trad jazz, be bop, bossa an modern jazz with my guitar (even played somme gipsy, comping at a low level), just change for a strato for more electric stuff,
my friends say it sounds good and it's one of my favorite guitars
as I never used Peerless, Comins and Eastman, I can't compare

cheers

Michel

[lawson-stone]

Every time I see the JP20 I think of my Peerless Monarch, which has almost the identical design except the Peerless is solid wood.

[Archie]

Every time I see the JP20 I think of my Peerless Monarch, which has almost the identical design except the Peerless is solid wood.

Thats because both guitars come from the same drawing board. All Peerless do is make cheaper variants of D'aquisto guitars and the JP-20 was designed off a D'aquisto :-)

[TH]

I've had a lot of guitars. My Joe Pass, with a Guild pickup (and before that a PAF) is a rare gem. Easily among my favourites ever. Their consistancy was uncanny.
Note: before the pickup change, felt amazing, loved it acoustically but plugged in...enh...
David

[lawson-stone]

Here's a clip of Joe DeNisco playing his JP20

[2bornot2bop]

Thats because both guitars come from the same drawing board. All Peerless do is make cheaper variants of D'aquisto guitars and the JP-20 was designed off a D'aquisto :-)

Okay, so the Peerless Cremona 17" would be a clone of what D'Aquisto?

[Max405]

Anybody have an Ibanez JP20 and what do you think of it? Been looking at Peerless, Comins and Eastman and almost forgot about these - could be a contender.

Skip, I have one and I love it. The videos I've made with mine were recorded with Chromes. I appreciate the Guitar even more now with TI Jazz swings. Like I've said in the past, its nice to have a jazz guitar that brings something different to the tone table. You can get any sound you like out of the JP20. But there are BEAUTIFUL sounds JP20's make that don't come easy on other Jazz Guitars. Its a great Guitar.
And, Joe Signed the label. It is not a toy.
JD

[lawson-stone]

And, Joe Signed the label. It is not a toy.
JD

That's just.... Priceless!

[jazzimprov]

"Every time I see the JP20 I think of my Peerless Monarch, which has almost the identical design except the Peerless is solid wood"


Yep!


......same here!

(Monarch 16)

[Max405]

Well, if Jimmy can't collect a royalty from it then the next best thing is have his brilliance live forever in the sincerest form of flattery. Jimmy was brilliant. And in a crazy way, he was lucky. His unfortunate death at only 59 has been followed by 21 years of admiration, by complete strangers, no less. That doesn't happen to most people.
JD

[neatomic]

jimmy d's designs were dreams based on years of being around john d'angelico...to the modern artist who enters the world of luthiery the possibility of dream is always going to be attractive...why jimmy d is revolutionary..he added freedom to the mix..vs. formalism....and that freedom is always going to be appealing and exciting

cheers

[Max405]

Here's a clip of Joe DeNisco playing his JP20

Thank you Lawson. I played that guitar tonight. Johnny Smiths Tenderly, through a beautiful little Polytone Minibrute ii..
You get the exact same dark smokey tone like JS got, with one exception, every note - perfectly crisp and clear. Volume holding sustain allows you wait out the chord changes until until the very last millisecond.
I think the JP20 is a tool every jazz guitarist should have in their toolbox. It adds variety that makes the whole experience fulfilling. The contours of the body allow you to position the body of the guitar off your right side (ala Joe Pass) so the neck is right under chin. Makes the stretchies less, stretchy...
Joe D

[lawson-stone]

Thank you Lawson. I played that guitar tonight. Johnny Smiths Tenderly, through a beautiful little Polytone Minibrute ii..
You get the exact same dark smokey tone like JS got, with one exception, every note - perfectly crisp and clear. Volume holding sustain allows you wait out the chord changes until until the very last millisecond.
I think the JP20 is a tool every jazz guitarist should have in their toolbox. It adds variety that makes the whole experience fulfilling. The contours of the body allow you to position the body of the guitar off your right side (ala Joe Pass) so the neck is right under chin. Makes the stretchies less, stretchy...
Joe D

It's not often I hear someone comment on the way Joe Pass held the guitar, but I've always been impressed with that part of his technique. When I'm playing seated, i often find the guitar slipping into that position.

[Rolf van de Velde]

Hi There,
I own a jp20 for about 10 years now. Still working on the sound. Tried some amps with it. I play it over an old Yamaha fifty112 solid state amp. A lot of bass, mid's and treble at 9 o'clock. A little bit of reverb. that's all
I'm still searching for a guitar with a bit "fatter" sound. Tried a lot of guitars but every time it's like homecoming when i feel the jp20's neck. It seems to be made for my hands. The sound isn't very dark/deep but the guitar sings.
I'll never sell it. Very well built. It's much better then the new artcore series.
I play it with Dáddario flatwounds .11.
It's really a wonderful guitar. If you can get one, don't hessitate to buy it.

[Jim Soloway]

"Every time I see the JP20 I think of my Peerless Monarch, which has almost the identical design except the Peerless is solid wood"


Yep!


......same here!

(Monarch 16)

Isn't the Monarch a 24.6" scale length while the JP20 is a 25.5"? If so, that's a very big difference.