NAMM 2016: JHS adds new Fret-King signature

JHS is adding a new signature guitar to its Fret-King range at NAMM.

The new Fret-King Black Label ‘JJ’ John Jorgenson Artist guitar was designed in conjunction with Trev Wilkinson.

Jorgenson has collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan, and played on The Hellecasters albums alongside Jerry Donahue and Will Ray. 

The Fret-King JJ’s chambered body with faux ‘F’ holes is made from American Alder, with a Canadian Maple neck matched to a Indian Rosewood fingerboard, a Wilkinson WTB fixed bridge,  three self-intonating brass saddles and cold roll steel chrome plated bridge/pickup surround.

A Wilkinson/JJ WVOBT bridge pickup matched to a WTN/JJ neck pickup are coupled with two auxiliary ‘ghost’ coils under the pickguard. These are activated with a push-push switch on the tone control, and as per John’s request these switch between single coil tones and a hum cancelling noise reduction with no perceptible change in sound or tonality.

Adding to this is the ‘Vari-Coil’ (activated by the third control knob on the lower front bout) which dials in extra boost on the bridge pickup.

“The very first time I met Trev back in the early 80s I liked him right away” sayid Jorgenson. “He had all the knowledge and creativity regarding guitars without any of the superior attitude that seemed to always come along with that knowledge, especially in the guitar world. He always seemed to have already designed something that I had wanted and wondered if it was possible to make! Already having enjoyed a number of Trev’s innovations over the years, it’s an absolute treat to be able to collaborate on a guitar with him now. I’m really excited about what we are coming up with and think other players will be too!” 

Finished in two-tone Arcadia/Versailles Green with bound black and white faux “F” hole and reverse painted plexi-glass pickguard, it comes with a padded Fret-King bag.

You can see it on the JHS/RBI Music Booth 5279 Hall B.