JET JS-480 | Assessment

I first encountered Jet Guitars in a (now sadly closed) music retailer in my dwelling metropolis of Newcastle. I used to be handed a pink S-type guitar with a roasted maple neck and requested to guess how a lot it price. “It’s very nice, clearly high-end, however not fairly customized store degree… perhaps £1500?”… To say I used to be staggered after I was instructed I’d overestimated by an element of 5 is one thing of an understatement. It seems Mark Knopfler had reached the same conclusion earlier that month, too.

Following within the mould of the pink guitar in query, the topic of at this time’s overview can also be a pink S-type guitar providing outrageous high quality and spec for a value that sits someplace between “discount” and “peanuts” – the Jet JS-480. Completed in a gorgeous metallic “wine pink” that’s paying homage to the deep sweet apple finishes of the early 80s, and offset with gold {hardware} and cream plastics on a mint inexperienced pickguard, this guitar exudes a category that’s means in extra of it’s asking value.

These premium appointments are widespread sufficient on guitars costing 4 figures and up, however not a lot on reasonably priced guitars just like the JS-480. The result’s a slim, secure neck that feels large within the hand, and appears the enterprise, too.

Attractiveness apart, essentially the most hanging characteristic of this guitar (and plenty of others within the Jet vary) is the Canadian roasted maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. These premium appointments are widespread sufficient on guitars costing 4 figures and up, however not a lot on reasonably priced guitars just like the JS-480. The result’s a slim, secure neck that feels large within the hand, and appears the enterprise, too.

Tones come courtesy of an Alnico V HSS pickup set of Jet’s personal design. Being utterly sincere, I are inclined to dread HSS guitars, because it’s so tough to get humbuckers and single coils to steadiness nicely in the identical guitar because of the totally different pot values every pickup sort is greatest suited to. I needn’t’ve apprehensive although, since this set could be very nicely calibrated. The bridge humbucker is punchy and thick with out being excessively darkish, and the one coils sparkle and chime with out being overly brash. Place 4 is one thing of a standout right here, with a refined and percussive tone that’s excellent for funk chops and soulful blues traces.

{Hardware} clever, the JS-480 sports activities a Jet branded two-point tremolo system, matched to a set of very sturdy locking tuners. If I’m being vital, I’d favor to have seen staggered heights on the tuners quite than the string tree employed on the B and E strings, or maybe a curler string tree to scale back friction. That stated, tuning was very secure as soon as I’d taken the time to stretch within the strings correctly.

At lower than £350 on the time of writing, the Jet JS-480 represents unimaginable worth for cash for such a well-spec’d and versatile instrument. There’s treasured little this guitar can’t do, and whether or not you’re on the lookout for an improve from a bare-bones starter pack guitar or an reasonably priced working instrument, this guitar will greater than exceed your expectation.

For extra data go to: