Rob Lutz

An instrument that can define the sounds of artists as far apart as BB King, Johnny Marr, Ryan Adams, Noel Gallagher and Keith Richards has to be a classic tone machine. An artists’ staple for over half a century, this upscale 335 is at home across genres from Jazz to country. Is it worth the extra dish for better bindings, inlays and varitone? Only if you own one.

The addition of a bridge piezo to a mini floating humbucker gives this jazz archtop tonal possibilities way beyond the norm. Designed by Martin Taylor, this instrument really shines with finger-style playing where the brightness of the bridge pickup adds crispness and definition. With figured sycamore, an ebony fretboard and gold hardware, it looks as great as it sounds.

Has the rich presence of the JC 120 without the need for a forklift to tote it around. Not only does it recall the bright chorus sounds of 80s while providing a solid palette for your favourite jazz tones, but it offers a perfect, clean solid state foundation to build your pedalboard tone-house upon. Distortion is a bit limited but that is not why you bought this anyway.