Anybody got a Micarta fretboard?

[DawgBone]

I was looking at 77 guitars yesterday on reverb. Looks like they have re-released the exrubato jazz in the JT series which I believe is "japanese taste" i.e cheaper but it says it's got a Micarta board instead of ebony like the original. Other specs seem pretty similar. Looks like a nice axe and I like the price. I have knives with Micarta handles. It makes a good knife handle. I know Gibson turned out Richlite boards a few years back, which is essentially a countertop material. Just wondering if anyone has a Micarta board, how it sounds, and if you like it. Certified ebony addict so anything slick, dense, and fast feeling is good by me. I almost bought one of the more expensive exrubato jazz's last year but I walked cause he wanted a little more than I wanted to pay and I"m always the guy who eats the higher prices so I stuck to my guns and he wouldn't come down a hundred more bucks. Thinking about picking up a 2nd gigging guitar in the next year or so cause I'm gonna need some fret work on my main player. Must be ES-eque and be under about 1600 bucks...

Here's the guitar in question:

Seventy Seven EXRUBATO-JAZZ-JT (W-BD) 2023 Limited Edition | Reverb

[Gitterbug]

No experience on Micarta, but some on other synthetic fretboards. First, I believe the fretboard material has next to no influence on tone. Second, synthetic fretboards have been around for God knows how long. Think of Hagstroms, or even my moderately priced, yet made in USA Martin flattop. BTW, that guitar looks swell.

[nyc chaz]

You should look at Eastman '"335" style guitars.They have ebony boards and either Lollar or Seymour Duncan Pickups.Buying used you can definetly get one under $1,600.

[osloutah]

I have two Japanese Seventy Sevens and am a big fan. Don't be surprised if you find one already in the states within your budget. I don't tend to like ES bodies but I almost pulled the trigger on this just because it was such a stupid deal. Guitar Center has also had a couple this year, also within your budget.

If you're open to other Japanese instruments, you might give this History a look. I've never owned one, but they seem to be good instruments. That same seller had a History jazz box, some sort of L5 clone I think, and it sold in a really short amount of time.

[sgosnell]

I've used micarta as handle material on some knives I've made, along with many other materials. It's fine for that use, and has been used by knifemakers for a very long time. It's not the hardest material known to man, but a knife handle doesn't need to be. I like the ivoroid, which is a composite using paper, because it really looks a lot like ivory. I've also used the coarser cloth-enclosed type, and I think it might be slightly more durable, although I've never had any type fail as a knife handle. I haven't actually seen micarta used as a fretboard, but I'm pretty sure it's at least as durable as ebony, probably a lot more. It's just not traditional, thus not preferred by most jazz guitarists, who tend to be very traditional.

[DawgBone]

I appreciate the recommendations guys, I do. I guess it would be good to mention that I am 6'4" and about 200lbs or somewhere in that vicinity so most electric guitars look like toys on me. I guess what that means is it would need to be a full size ES type guitar or larger, 16" or more.

[Spook410]

I've used micarta as handle material on some knives ..

Yea.. really like it on knives. Thing is G10 is a whole lot more rigid and I think more wear resistant. Not sure how either would work on a fretboard.

[John A.]

"JT" stands for "Japan tuned", fwiw. They’re made in the Philippines and set up in Japan. Alas I have no insight into what they’re like or how micarta is as a fingerboard material (I have a MIJ Seventy Seven archtop, FWIW). There’s very little hands-on info about the JT’s, and I’d be inclined to look at stuff that’s more widely known/used.

There are several Ibanez semi models for under $1600 with ebony boards, tons if you’re considering used guitars (maybe even an AS200). I have a D’Angelico EX DC that I’m very happy with. Mine has an ebony board, though the specs on these have gone back and forth between ebony and rosewood, so you have to keep an eye on the details. Tons of ‘em used for under $1600

[Bobby Timmons]

I made a micarta nut once. That shiz is hardcore. It has a souped up synthetic acoustic sound to it. I bet it would sound crazy as a fretboard.

[Mark M.]

I have a Martin flat top that has a Micarta fingerboard. It’s hard to assess it’s influence on the sound, but the look and feel of it is almost indistinguishable from ebony.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Thinking about picking up a 2nd gigging guitar in the next year or so cause I'm gonna need some fret work on my main player. Must be ES-eque and be under about 1600 bucks.

I’d look at the Epiphone ES line. A good friend and great player had a stock Epi Lucille that was a great guitar. I bought a ‘90s Epi LP new and it’s been my regular blues axe for over 25 years. You can get a really nice 335 clone for under a grand, swap in the pickups etc of your choice, and still have $ left in your budget.

The hardware and electronics on that Lucille are pretty good, and my buddy gigged with it a lot. I replaced the tuners, pickups, pots, switch and wiring because they were junk - but I bought the guitar many years ago and Epis seem to me to be better made now. The wood and build quality are decent +.

[DawgBone]

I’d look at the Epiphone ES line. A good friend and great player had a stock Epi Lucille that was a great guitar. I bought a ‘90s Epi LP new and it’s been my regular blues axe for over 25 years. You can get a really nice 335 clone for under a grand, swap in the pickups etc of your choice, and still have $ left in your budget.

The hardware and electronics on that Lucille are pretty good, and my buddy gigged with it a lot. I replaced the tuners, pickups, pots, switch and wiring because they were junk - but I bought the guitar many years ago and Epis seem to me to be better made now. The wood and build quality are decent +.

I have already owned a Sheraton ii Pro. Monster headstock equals mega neck dive. Should've put a bigsby to balance it out because other than the junk pots and switch it was an amazing playing guitar. Pickups were usable and it had a Tusq nut from the factory. Electronics had already failed at a gig. It was affordable when I bought it now they want $750 for the same thing.

I have already had a 335 pro. Action wise it was ok. But the usual junk electronics, pickups, etc. And a plastic nut. Too much money required to get a cheap guitar to gigging standards. Sold it to a guy who put a bigsby and nice electronics in it, haha.

I must have drain bamage cause I was looking at Epiphones again last night. It's like every semi hollow model they produce has some deal breaker specs. The other sheratons don't have the five piece neck but have a normal sized headstock. The Emily Wolf models have a normal headstock but stupid lightning bolt inlays and are missing a tone control for the bridge pickup which I don't get at all. The 150th anniversary Sheraton has a normal headstock but less desirable mini humbuckers and is 1300 bucks. The 335 still seems to be about the same low buck budget instrument requiring high dollar upgrades. I just think I'm looking elsewhere from now on which is why I was asking about the micarta.