Rock 'N Roll Pilgrimage

I finally made it on October 11, 2013!

71161 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, California

So Many Bridges, So Little Time

Ibanez Jet King 1

 I had to try this just to see if it will work.  Guitar Center lists all used instruments that they carry in their nationwide network of stores.  I wanted something unique enough and inexpensive enough that it's worth my effort and at the same time, I'm not out too much if it doesn't work out.  Enter the Ibanez Jet King 1 (JTK1) guitar.

This butterscotch Ibanez is at the Guitar Center in Towson, Maryland -- about as far away from California as they get.  First of, I didn't use the online ordering forms.  I had to talk to a live person, a Guitar Center employee who can verify the guitar in that particular store inventory as well as describe its condition.

The Jet King 1 is the first of a series of Jet Kings by Ibanez and my guitar is most likely made around 2004.  According to some online sources, the JTK1 is supposed to resemble the 60s vintage Teisco with the fret markers and pickup configuration.  This Ibanez has coil-splitting switches that toggle the sound from single-coil to humbucker.

Overall, the guitar is 7.6 pounds (Made in Indonesia) but has a less than solid feel -- even though I think it's a very well made guitar.  The overall weight just doesn't give me a balanced feel when playing strapped on.  But it I am to judge this guitar as deserving to be in the collection, it is on the merits of playability and overall sound.  Did I mention the neck?  Yes, I like its overall flat radius and width at nut of 43.5 mm (strat are typically just a little over 42 mm).  It almost plays like an acoustic at the lower frets (1 through 5).

In conclusion, my experiment of online buying of a used guitar seems to be an overall success.  I think being able to talk to a salesperson who described to me every aspect of the actual instrument definitely helps.