Sound

With the type of wood used i was expecting a higher based sound but i am delightfully surprised by a mid range to slightly lower sound. Assuming that as with all instruments age will do nothing but add to the richness that it already has. When compared to my Dobro, the notes from one end of the fret board to the other seem a bit easier to find and there is less final adjust to get the wavelength that pleases the ear best.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

Top: Curly Maple, Back & Sides: Palo Escrito, Neck: African Mahogany, Fret Board: Peruvian Walnut, saddles are Ebony capped maple.

I'm a hard critic in some ways, but a realist in all areas. Fact is you can hand me any guitar (martin,you name it) ever made and i can find something that could have been done better. When building guitars of any kind the up front investment is in your grill, you cant take it apart and start over, you cant throw it away... lumber is at a premium, so is cost. That being said the two things i noticed about this guitar are minor and will never effect the sound or the life expectancy in any way. Nor are they one of those things that is noticed easy. There is a few slight lacquer blemishes, perhaps a flake of dust or something along that line easy to fix if your in the mind set of perfection, i am not unless your referring to sound, and on the inside side of the saddle there is a slight blemish where the ebony cap and the palo escrito meet. If you aren't looking for it, one would pass it without catching it as part of the palo grain, its not until you hold it back and really take a long look that you find it. There is nothing poor about this guitar and absolutely nothing that would stop me from buying a another one from Harry for any reason. Little imperfections give character and life to an instrument and a builders style... Harry James is both a artist and a character, and that's just what you want in a musical instrument investment.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

Harry and the Missus,.
If everyone in the world was as efficient, kind and reliable, the TV court shows would fade into history. You couldn't ask for a smoother transaction and support team. Sent funds express on Friday, received Guitar on Thursday following. Trust is NOT an issue here.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

The experience and pleasure is all mine. I got more than I paid for, and may well have started a lasting friendship that i hold and will continue to hold very near. People like Harry and his wife are hard to come by these days and i cant say enough about the fact that if you want a really nice Reso Guitar, you can find one with your name on it fom Harry. Thanks Harry and Margaret !

This guitar is J093 not J095 as the review states in the heading...

Overall Rating

10