Regarding this topic;....

I am interested in purchasing a single cutaway guitar, and as I already have a considerable amount of Line 6 gear, including a JTV 89, the JTV 59 is near the top of the list, (and the Variax circuitry would be a bonus).

My concern is although Tyler had developed a considerable reputation for designing Super Strat type guitars, as far as I can tell, he had never done anything other than a 25.5 scale guitar previous to the JTV-59.

I am wondering if this guitar was designed elsewhere, and manufactured at World/and Wildwood as the other JTV's, and only Branding it a Tyler.

The guitar Im most interested in is extremely similar to the JTV-59, (could be her long lost twin !!), the FGN Expert Flame.

It features a long tenon design, and is true to the Les Paul scale. Note the switch rout is very similar to the US model.

in fact, the only significant differance is the headstock design, and that on the JTV, the D and G strings tuner holes are farther in than 95% of 3 x 3 guitars, (Hipshot tuners use an extension on those tuners to clear the headstock).

The differance in price between the 69 and 59 models made at World are about $100, (7% increase). The differance between a US JTV 69, and a US JTV 59 is nearer to a  grand, (27% increase). That is strange.

Disregarding the Variax circuits, and judging on the guitar, mag pickups, etc. does the US made JTV 59 feel like a $3,900 guitar? I'm really not considering the Korean 59 at this time, but the US model is a possibility.

I would really appreciate any input from owners of the US model.

Hey there Player 99:

I've seen this thread and I don't speak up much, but I'll try to help you on this one.....

We have three JTV-59s, one US and two Koreans. We tour all three of the 59s and all are reliable mechanically.

As for the difference I can tell you that it is "subtle" but significant. It's like a Mexican Strat vs. USA Custom Shop Strat - or an Epiphone Paul vs a Custom Shop Paul. It's that kind of difference. The Mex Strats and the Epi Pauls are nice, Gibson Asia and Fender Corona do great work. For the money (which is always a factor) you can't beat them. Same with the JTV 59s. I can say that sonically our two Koreans are identical, but the US59 is just plain "different" and definitely better - it's more alive and harmonic in a very pleasing way and it just plays better overall.

Yes, as noted above, the electronics in all three are identical. But, just because the electronics are the same, that doesn't mean the Koreans sound the same as the USA's. As one of my good friends at L6 put it to me a while back - just because the guitar "models" doesn't mean that it doesn't also react to and benefit from the more lively and resonate tone woods which the USA has. There is a difference.

But again, I will offer that - definitely - the differences are subtle. At a visual glance and a quick listen and a couple of seconds playing, you might not see/hear a difference. It's when you get "deeper" that the differences reveal themselves - stuff like how sweet and buttery the neck is on the USA vs. the Korean (which is also good, but tends to be "edgy" sometimes - especially at the ends of the fret wires), the quality of the rosewood fretboard is very different and much more supple and open on the USA - really holds up better (stays more playable) when we do outside venues in higher temperatures and humidities. The fit and finish on the USA is - in a word - perfect. The fit and finish on the Korean is - in a word - good.

I can say that the 59US is every-bit as well-made as any of our Gibsons, Fenders, Rics or Tom Andersons. I will also say that the Korean feels good too though, but more like what you get from a PRS-SE (World Musical makes them too). Again, the Koreans are good and we had two of them before we ever got the USA model. One of our Koreans is now a very high-mileage guitar for its age and is holding up really well.

I would say that, if you have any doubts about which to get and you're not sold completely on the JTV concept in general, definitely go with the Korean - because it is a really good value (IMHO) for everything it brings to the table. Plus, if you're playing pro, having two is pretty much a must anyway. Then, you can always opt into the USA later - or keep the Korean in good shape and sell it when you can get your USA. Or get another Korean in a different finish (which is what we did) as your backup. Most of the top USA online retailers offer a fairly liberal return policy, so that might give you an opportunity to pick up a Korean, play it a few days and see if it is "your" guitar and if not, maybe be able to return it without losing anything.

Hope I was of some help to you - good luck.

Blessings,

Bradley GT