Update (9/10/16): The Peavey JF-1 EX has been SOLD!
This versatile hollowbody electric guitar from Peavey is in the tradition of the Gibson ES-335 and similar guitars (but costs a LOT less than the “real thing”!). For me, the two biggest strengths of this guitar are its playability and its sonic versatility.
Its excellent playability is the result of two things: its flat, narrow neck and the fact that the neck is actually angled back slightly from the body, so that the instrument sits in a much more natural playing position than most guitars, whose neck typically on exactly the same plane as the body.
This already-eminently-playable instrument was recently set up at the legendary Glaser Instruments in Nashville, so its intonation and action are as good as it gets.
I first came across this guitar when I was the Tech Editor for Performing Songwriter Magazine, and had the pleasure of reviewing it for a Product Spotlight. Here’s what I wrote in that review:
Peavey’s marketing literature touts the new JF-1 EX guitar as “an archtop hollowbody designed for jazz/fusion musicians seeking superior playing comfort and easy access to the upper register of the fretboard.” In our tests, we found the guitar to be much more. Yes, the new neck design is very comfortable and easy to play at all positions. We also felt it achieves the perfect compromise between the wide, flat feeling that many jazz chord players like, and the narrow, rounded feeling that’s popular among many rock lead players. That was our first hint at the JF-1 EX’s multi-purpose nature.
For our first test, we played a couple of quiet jazz pieces through our Peavey Envoy 110 practice amp. With the JF-1 EX’s two (very quiet) humbuckers with individual volume and tone controls, we were quickly able to achieve that smooth, silky, classic jazz tone. “Great,” we thought, “nice guitar for jazz, just as advertised.” Just for grins, we cranked up the amp’s overdrive and got quite a surprise. The JF-1 EX screamed bloody murder on a couple of all-out, raunchy rock songs, producing an entirely different tone that was definitely NOT jazz!
In a Nutshell: Peavey may have underestimated the wide potential of the JF-1 EX. If your music tastes and playing styles range from George Benson to Ted Nugent, you’ll be happy to know that this guitar can handle both extremes, and lots more in between.
If you would like to hear this instrument’s sonic versatility first-hand, here’s an excerpt from a real Nashville studio session where it was recently used. The left channel is the Peavey JF-1 EX playing a nice, fat, chunky rhythm part; the right channel is the exact same Peavey JF-1 EX and the same guitarist (the legendary Chas Williams himself!), playing a screaming lead on the same song:
For those who are all about specs and details, here’s the skinny on the Peavey JF-1 EX:
- Maple multi-laminate body with transparent cherry finish
- Hard rock-maple neck
- Rosewood fretboard
- 24 and 3/4-inch scale
- 22 frets
- Two Peavey USA designed humbucking pickups
- Two tone and two volume controls (independent set for each pickup)
- Three-way pickup selection switch (bridge pickup, neck pickup, or both)
- Tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece
- Gold-plated hardware
- Custom Bow-tie inlay
- Die-cast machine heads with tulip buttons
- Dual adjustable torsion rod
- Weight: 8 lbs (3.628 kg)
- Comes with fitted, hard-padded case
This guitar is in mint condition and lists for $700. We’re asking $450 with the brand-new case included, and will include FREE shipping within the continental U.S. It’s an excellent deal. If you’re interested, please email us. Serious inquiries only, please.
