Ed Roman's Guitar Evaluation Process
Jaros Guitars

 

This Is the basic evaluation list I use when I am inspecting a guitar. I have given this form a lot of thought. I have tried to make it so that it would work universally on any new or used guitar. I rate on a basic 1 through 10 system.  Occasionally I may bestow an 11, because I might be overly impressed with a certain aspect of the guitar.

I expect to add to this list as I realize I may have forgotten something. I hope this helps you in your decision making process towards purchasing a guitar.

I originally did this evaluation in 1998, I revisited the Jaros Guitars in April of 2000. I have revised my evaluation, I originally bestowed an excellent 10.2 total evaluation. at this time due to the addition of the solid mounted pickups, and my better understanding of the construction technique of this instrument I changed my evaluation to an even higher 11.3.

 Guitar Being Evaluated

BRAND  Jaros 
MODEL  Double Cutaway
TYPE      Solid Body Blues Style

 Neck

10  Neck Wood;  Quartersawn Honduras Mahogany, Nicely Figured and even grained
10  Neck Finish;   Nitrocellulose Lacquer
10  Neck Heel;  Small like the Original Paul Reed Smith's* (See Note Below)
15  Neck Joint  Glued in Set Through TM Neck (the absolute best way to build a guitar)
10  Neck Design;  Available in any size you want. (no extra charge)
10  Neck Fit & Finish;   Perfect It is possibly the most stable feeling neck I have played.
10  Neck Feel;  Subjective of course but I liked it allot.
10  Neck Action;  Totally Adjustable, The one I tested came in beautiful
10  Neck Inlays;  Aztec Stairstep.
10  Neck Inlay Fit;   Tightly and Perfectly  Done (All done by hand)
10  Neck Inlay Material;   Paua Abalone and real Mother of Pearl
10  Neck Fingerboard;  Premium Ebony or Rosewood  Brazilian Available
10  Neck Scale;   25" (the only guitar of this body style available in a this the most desirable of all scales)
10  Neck Frets Size;   Medium Jumbo Dunlop 6155
10  Neck Frets Material;     18% Nickel Silver
10  Neck Stability;   Rock Solid (The neck runs almost all the way through the body right under the bridge)
10  Neck Truss Rod;  Stainless Double Action Truss rod
10  Neck Truss Rod Adjustability;  Smooth and Even
11  Head stock Overlay;   Quilted Maple no extra charge on all models
10  Head stock Logo;  Nicely Done  Burned into the Wood
10 Head stock Tuning Pegs;  Schaller Tuners

Notes

Note # 1  I compare the heel against Paul Reed Smith because like them or not PRS Guitars are today's benchmark guitar.  I believe that any guitar company worth dealing with today has to build a better guitar than PRS or just go away. The Jaros easily beats the benchmark PRS.

Body

10  Body Wood;  Maple & Mahogany combination
12  Body Wood Cosmetically;   (10 Top) and (10 Back)  no extra charge,  All models except Flatliner
10  Body Finish;  (Outstanding Finish Work)
10  Body Color & Staining;  Beautiful 3 dimensional translucent,
10  Body Overall Appearance; Excellent
10 Body Ergonomics;  Excellent
10 Body Strap Pins Fit;
10 Body Strap Pins Cosmetics;
10 Body Strap Pins Locations;  Guitar balances perfectly
10 Body Cavities;  Fully recessed
10 Body Output Jack Plate;
10 Body Output Jack Location;
10 Body Backplate Electronics Cavity Cover;  Recessed neat and tight;

Also the guitar is available in a tuned F hole model or solid body no extra charge

Electronics

10  Pickups, Tone;   Stock with Seymour 59 and Pearly Gates.  Many options available no charge
11  Pickups, Mounting; Solid Mounting is now available as of April 2000
10   Pickups, Location;  In the sweet spot of course
10   Potentiometer Quality;   USA Made
10  Potentiometer Location;
10   Switch Quality;  USA Made
10   Switch Location;  Well thought out especially the 5 way switch
10   Internal Shielding;  Hand Applied Electro Dag  (2 Coats)
10  Wiring Neatness; Excellent
10  Control Functions;  Excellent
10  Controls Ease of Use; Excellent

General & Overall

11  Builders Attitude toward Quality;  Committed Totally
11  Builders Attention to Detail;  Committed Totally
10  Setup and Action from the Factory;  Excellent
10  Intonation from the Factory;  Perfect
10  Price Structure; Excellent Price  See below under "Overall Value"
10  Overall Balance & Feel sitting;  Excellent
10  Overall Balance & Feel standing;  Excellent
10  Overall Value;  Excellent Deal, Excellent Price,  Excellent Buy,   And you get all kinds of extras like Beautiful
Woods all over, Nitrocellulose Finish, Neck Through Construction

10.5 Overall Rating

Notes
Jim Jaros has a small 2 man shop and his quality is absolutely fantastic.  I have carried his guitars for about a year at the time of this ORIGINAL review and I can state that every customer has been extremely satisfied and that Jim Jaros is committed to keeping his company small and building a quality instrument that will more than likely prove to be a great investment.

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