Hey Zac, I’m Gary Talley, guitar player for the Box Tops since in 1967. After we cut “ Cry like a Baby” with Reggie on sitar, of course, I had to buy a couple of Coral sitars for Box Tops gigs. They were fragile and had flimsy cases, do the airlines broke them all the time. I sold my last one in 1974. Wheb the Box Tops regrouped in ‘96, I had to buy a Jerry Jones sitar ( turquoise alligator) and have played it on every Box Tops gig since then. Reggie bought one just like it . If you ever want to check it out, PM me on Facebook.
I worked at a Jerry Jones dealer back in the 90's, and I ordered a lot of the JJ's that we got in the shop. Absolutely fabulous guitars, and I bought a few of them while I worked at that shop. Jerry made me a shorthorn 12-string, which was the first one like that he ever made. Every time I called the factory, Jerry answered the phone himself. He was a great craftsman, and a super nice dude every single time I talked to him.
Great video! I was one of the early J.J. dealers. Love his stuff! I now own the Coral™ trademark, as well as a load of jigs, parts, etc. purchased from the Jerry Jones liquidation auction. The first Coral™ instrument built in over 50 years will be available soon, the Coral™ Stinger. Made in U.S.A..
Great to see a story on Jerry. Jerry is a great guy and a marvelous craftsman. I spent allot of time with Jerry at his shop in the 80's and early 90's. He built me one of his first double neck Silver Jones. 6 string bass and 6 string guitar. Also built me a Jerry Jones 12 string. Then there is the Acousti-caster and the Quasicaster.Jerry connected me with Webb and Bobby Field in 1985 and we went and formed The Beatnecks. Jerry also built Webb a guitar called the Fat Cat. Jerry could build anything. And....he was...is...quite the guitarist. Stellar person.
I've got a Jerry Jones 12 that's identical to the gold one you showed. It really is a terrific instrument that sounds great and works great. I share your opinion on the Rics but there was one Ric feature that I missed and that was the pickup blend knob. I had Dave at Glaser's instal a pan pot in the position where the tone control was and it was detented in the center so you could 'feel' the middle when onstage. With that pan pot you can really dial in the tone with your own blend between the neck and bridge pickups. I got my Jerry Jones 12 from Rick Kelley's Carmine Street Guitars in the '90's. It really came in handy when recording and touring w Earle because I had to play electric 12 on as many as 8 songs in a show. There was that short period where Jerry went to his own unique body shape. I think that's when he started using the Gotohs. I've always been happy with the Klusons for the tuning and the weight. Thanks for the deep dive on Jerry Jones.
I "accidentally" discovered Jerry Jones guitars in the 1990s and bought the Sitar and the 12-string direct from the factory. The orders were taken by Jerry Jones himself and he'd talk the ears off of a wooden indian---what a joy! A simple order turned into an hour long phone call with sound of table saws going in the background. I love both of them and the 12-string sounds like a harpsichord. Since I'm not living forever, I gave the 12-string to my son and explained why this guitar is so special. The fact that these instruments were built at all is an amazing story and glad it happened. The only other guitar maker's story that compares is what came from Mosrite at Jonas Ridge, NC.
I was in Linville Falls, N.C. just across the gorge from Jonas Ridge when Semie Moseley was making guitars there in the early 80's but didn't know it. I'm now trying to buy my parents' old property back and would also love to one day buy a Jonas Ridge Mosrite. P.S. his widow Loretta still lives there, hope to make her acquaintance.
Great video Zac! My JJ 3 is a fantastic guitar and I’d like to thank JJ personally (if he’s reading comments) for producing such a wonderful line instruments for guitar players.
Back in the '90s when I worked at Tom Anderson Guitarworks I built an s-type guitar loaded with Jerry Jones pickups. Tom called Jerry and asked him to wind the bridge pickup hotter. I removed the bassplates and mounted each pickup on custom 3 screw upside down tele bridge type fiber pickup bottoms that I made. Tom offered Jerry's pickups as an option in his guitars after seeing and playing my guitar. I thought that was pretty cool.
Nice video - and I have a couple of things to add. The story Jerry has told regarding how he got into manufacturing Danelectro-style instruments is different to yours. He states (Tonequest June 2004) that what triggered it was when a customer brought in a Silvertone in 1982 for a repair ; this got him thinking about how to reproduce it since he wanted to start manufacturing his own guitars and wanted to use these as a basis. The same customer brought it in again in 1986 and this time Jerry took measurements and the business took off from there The lawsuit was over who had the rights to what. When Evets corp bought the Danelectro name, they were misled by the original owners into thinking they owned everything when in truth all they owned was the name and the patent for the tone stack. The court ruled in Jerry’s favour but stated as a solution that both companies must change their shapes and not make any direct copies of Danos anymore. This is why today you cannot buy a true reissue of a Danelctro.
I found the TQ article. Interesting, as he also stated the Rafe Van Hoy guitar influenced him. Both are true. Where did you get the information on the lawsuit?
Bought two at Corner Music back in the day. First versions with the best bridge design. Had I known I would have bought them all. Still use and love ‘em. Bari and the 12. ❤️
I knew of Jerry Jones guitars early on, but always thought of them as Danelectros with better qc and consistancy. Had no idea of the backstory and Jerry's story. Knew of the lawsuit, and like any tragedy, there is peripheral damage and inside stories. I have a DC3 in a Champagne gold sparkle. It has a 5 position rotary switch like a Gibson L6S, covering all the pickup positions of a Strat. Loved this episode, Zac, and I'm going to pull that guitar out in the morning!
I never heard of Jerry Jones guitars but think you did a great service to his legacy...too bad that a big corporation buys out a smaller one and pretty much destroys anything good that was with the original manufacturer. Even tho Jerry won the lawsuit, I can see him just being fed up with all this crap. Again, this was another great video and enjoy hearing those stories......LIFE IS GOOD !
Great piece on such an incredible line of guitars. About 10-12 years ago, I came very close to buying that early Jerry Jones guitar owned by Rafe Van Hoy. This is the one featured in the 1986 Guitar Player magazine, and has the shape of the 50's Danelectro "Pro" model, along with Jerry Jones' "art deco" appointments. Really a one-of-a-kind instrument and the genesis of the Jerry Jones Danelectro-inspired line of instruments. I spoke with Rafe several times, and he is one of the nicest cats ever. I hope he is doing well. I still think about him and that guitar every so often.
So glad to hear you cite Webb Wilder. I saw him and his band live a ton of times in the late 80s and early 90s. Also spoke with him a long time at an adverting awards show we were both attending. Heckuva nice guy. I never could understand why he and his band never reached superstardom. They had great songs, a unique look and Donny "the Twangler" Roberts on guitar. They looked made for MTV but I guess they were too hard to classify and pigeonhole. Kinda like Jason and the Scorchers.
BRILLIANT work on this little known chapter of Dano related history. The JJs are truly the ultimate tribute to the genius of Nate Daniel. Thanks for this Zac!
RE Electric 12's - I had a Fender XII in the mid '60s and another sunburst one in the mid '70s, but even those necks were too narrow for me. I have small hands, but grew to appreciate the nut widths on my Guild acoustic 12's. During the '90s, I had and enjoyed the Dano electric 12's, getting a black one as soon as they came out, but sold it when the sparkle blue one was released. Those have wide nuts, too. That went during the 2008 housing debacle. Fortunately, I finally landed on the Italia Rimini 12 with a 12 saddle bridge and custom nut. I love it!
Really appreciate this video Zac; I'm lucky enough to have a late Longhorn Six String Bass that I run as a baritone tuned A-A. Was lucky enough to have a couple of emails back and forth with Jerry before he retired, and he couldn't have been more helpful. So chuffed to have it!
He was definitely a guitar artist in his time. Glad to call him a friend. Watched him building from scratch in his garage in the 80's. His work was amazing. Rafe Vanhoy and Deborah Allen own several of his beautiful pieces along with many musicians and stars ❤️🎸
Thanks Zac for the info. I love my black single cut with the Neptune bridge. Sweet sounding guitar. I called his shop twice back in the day and both times he answered the phone himself. I asked him once why he used the old style nitrocellulose paint, It scratched so easily. He told me it was because of the tone wood. And I'm thinking... it's masonite. Maybe that's true. Or maybe that was just his droll sense of humor. He was always so patient with my questions. The man's a legend. Thanks again.
I got lucky on craigslist a few years back when I found my black 3 pickup double cutaway Neptune baritone in perfect shape with a couple sets of the JJ branded baritone strings in the case. Definitely one of my favorite guitars. I'll probably never use the JJ strings, they're just too cool. Thanks so much for this!
Years ago at an Anaheim NAMM show Jerry and talked about lipstick pickup design and I complained that the ones that I was seeing in strats just didn’t have IT but his did, that they sounded so close to my original 1457 amp in the case guitar that was my secret weapon in the studio along with an original Convertible. My only real complaint about my originals was the inability to get the intonation right. About 2 weeks later I get an envelop in the mail- Jerry had handmade me two compensated bridge saddles out of rosewood which are on my guitars to this day which he wouldn’t let me pay for. I tried to get music stores around L.A. to carry the brand but a lot of stores didn’t understand how a “Silvertone” could be so expensive. Jerry was ahead of his time and one of the nicest people I ever met. I’m still looking for one of his sitars.
Thanks for this Zac - interesting story. I’ve heard of Jerry Jones Guitars peripherally, but knew nothing of the details or the history. I’ve always loved that deep twangy sound of the vintage Dano (as on “Wichita Lineman”), so knowing that sound was probably coming from a Jerry Jones guitar in later years is new information to me.
I have one of his shorty guitars. An octave 12 string which sounds amazing and is an engineering masterpiece as far as the bridge goes. It has a piano quality to the sound and unique in every way. It’s branded Neptune.
Lovely guitars -so well made. Nothing fancy but absolutely spot on craftsmanship. Side note: I believe Fat Dog at Subway Guitars in Berkeley still has a lot old Dano stuff from the Neptune, NJ factory. A great guitar shop!
Thank you Zac, this fills some gaps for me. I ordered my cream/copperburst longhorn Shorty 12-string from Saint Fishy’s Music Stand on 11/21/2010, apparently just under the wire. It has 3 lipstick pickups and a rotary pickup selector, Gotoh bridge and mini Gotoh tuners. I agree in regards to “cracking the code” on the lipsticks; this guitar sounds amazing, and could loosely be described as an electric mandolin. Everyone asks what it is because the build quality and simple beauty is stunning. By the time I went back on Jerry’s website in April 2011 the narrative had changed to retirement and auctions. I’m very glad to own a piece of the JJ history. This is one guitar I will never sell.
Thanks Zac, great to know more about JJ, I have two later guitars, ones a baritone. Love them. I was turned onto them by the band The Black Peppercorns, unusual band. The guitar prices have doubled in recent years, I still home to complete my collection.
Favorite episode so far! I love JJ's stuff and I'm impressed his work is still so obscure. I didn't know about the Jeff Senn bridge, thanks for the tip! I'll order one for my 59' U1, can the action on the saddles go lower than the original rosewood one?? Nels Cline still plays lots of JJ's guitars on Wilco, particularly live. Best electric 12 strings, hands down.
Perhaps unlikely, but my first exposure to these guitars, at least knowing what they are, I’m sure I Heard them long before on recording, was through Dave Matthews in the “every day “/“Some devil “ era. I always loved the sound of the baritone he plays. Great episode! I’ve always been curious about the company history
Been a DMB fan since around 2005 and some of my favorite DMB songs are on his Jerry Jones Baritone guitar from "What You Are" to "Break Free". "Some Devil" in the encore of a summertime Ampitheater show is one of the most powerful things I have experienced a few times going to see him live as well. Purchasing a Danelectro Baritone Electric Guitar in a few days to be able to enjoy playing some of the DMB Baritone guitar parts.
I greatly appreciate this episode. I have a Jerry Jones baritone that I love. Far superior to any Danelectro I have ever seen or played. He was no longer making them, I didn’t realize he had retired, I had heard a rumor he had passed away. Glad to hear he’s simply enjoying his retirement.
Silvertone is selling reissues currently. They, started back up during the pandemic after stopping production back in 2016. I'm guessing Samick Music still owns and produces them. I only have a couple of modern Silvertones, both S-styles, but they're great entry-level guitars. I swiped one up for $40 from Shop Goodwill that ended up having a figured rosewood fretboard and a figured maple neck, as well. It's not "flamed maple" but more along the lines of random figuring. It has a few streaks that look like flame but overall it's just random figuring that the grain does 180* turn so half the neck is dark and half is light. Change the angle youre viewing it at and you can watch the dark & light swap sides. It's a really good guitar overall. Especially once I decked the bridge. Since I got it in 2020, I've floated the trem from day 1. Well I finally decked it 2 weeks ago and I was utterly shocked when I got done. The action I thought couldn't go any lower is now 3/64"! I thought it wouldn't go lower than 3/32" because I thought it had a hump in the fretboard due to some problems I had. Turns out the neck & FB are nice & straight. I just needed to deck the trem. So I then did it to my main Silvertone SS10(Strat). The action on that one is even lower! I'm still blown away by that one. I still laugh every time I pick it up but I just decked it about 48 hrs ago. By now, I had accepted that these 2 guitars just had higher than average action. After decking both of them, I know that wasn't the case. They still had wayyyyy more that I could've lowered them. I just had to deck the trem first.
While on tour in the 90’s I came across one of his 6-string Longhorn Basses at Pittsburgh Guitars (great shop!) and snapped it up brand new. Still have and love it to this day. I think the receipt is even still in the case. It’s definitely worth more now…
I love my Neptune 12-string (with Gotoh tuners and Strat-style bridge) and Baby Sitar. I deeply regret never picking up a baritone when it was fairly easy to do so.
PS I'm in Toronto and we were lucky enough to have two stores here that sold JJs -- the Twelfth Fret and the now-closed Ring Music. So there were JJs to be had regularly here. I was aware that Jerry was closing the business in 2010 or whenever it was, and I should have moved more quickly to grab one of those baritones. Oh well. I see that they are now going for about $3K when they come up for sale on Reverb, which I think is almost 3x as much as they used to sell for new.
Bought a few of them back when they were relatively cheap. 2 Doublenecks (Bass 4/Twelve String, Bass 4/Six String) Baritone VI, Longhorn Bass 4 and a Master Sitar. All second runs with 4 bolt necks with accessible truss adjustments. All with Neptune bridges except the Longhorn Bass and of course the Sitar. Cool Guitars for sure.
Very interesting story. I did not know that much about the history on those. Also, can't lie, that Tone Master sounds great. I am absolutely loving mine.
I only learned about Jerry Jones guitars recently during a Nels Cline rig rundown. He played a Jerry Jones 12 string and it was easily the sweetest sounding electric 12 string I'd ever heard. I really wanted one and learned they're impossible to find and they ain't cheap if ya do.
Had a Silvertone , two lip stick pickups , stacked pots , root beer finish , flat neck .... loved that guitar ..... Stolen while in storage which was sad ...... So , What was that about tone wood for electrics ? ....... :D ...... Cheers !
extremely informative. having had a recent love affair with danelectros. this was music to my ears. pun intended ha. now we hope/wait for an “History of G&L” episode :) favorite channel on youtube. hands down.
Thanks for another great and informative episode Zac. I too have a JJ Baby Sitar that is a such a n improvement over the original Coral branded instruments as well as the Dano reissues. I love it so much in fact that I recently recorded and released an entire album of pop and rock n roll classics featuring the Baby Sitar called,”Electric Lotus”. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for doing this episode. I have played a Jerry Jones guitar, and like you said it was an excellent instrument. That’s not a bad legacy for Mr. Jones!
Great video Zac-I had a late 80’s original spec U2 JJ that was made for the NAMM show, with a custom salmon pink to black sunburst finish, with black spider webbing in the pink. Cool guitar that I bought new. One thing you didn’t mention was the change in the body shape with the Neptune “upgrades”-more angular bodies. Thanks
Back in the ‘90s when I was going to Winter NAMM shows every year, I always made a point to stop by Jerry Jones’ booth. He made some great stuff, and one instrument of his that I wanted was the doubleneck 6/12-string Longhorn. I never had the money-I think they were something like $900, and if they were being made today you could probably double that price. The othe Jerry Jones model I wanted was the shorty 12-string-the ones I remember had a smaller version of the Longhorn shape. A very cool instrument-I wish I’d been able to buy one when they were still in production. A mandolin for guitar players! They cost around $500 if memory serves. I’d love to find one now, but they’re probably a lot more than $500!
@@telerooo5213 It's 15 1/2" - 16" scale (depending on the intonation positions) and is branded Neptune. I recently sold a JJ doubleneck that was a 6-string/6-st bass Longhorn.
Hey Zac, thank you for your nice feature!!! As always very interesting and entertaining. What I miss a little bit is mentioning more the true genius behind this kind of guitar: NAT DANIELS with his Danelectro guitars. HE found the formula for these unique sounding guitars that I love so much. Not to speak of the great design and playability. How about an extra feature about Nat and Danelectro, Zac? - Please keep on your great work...greetings from Germany, Joe.
I have a Jerry Jones Longhorn 4-string bass. I bought it new in 2004. It's got a "Neptune" logo on the headstock, not "Jerry Jones". It's my favorite bass. It has Gotoh tuners and a Fender-type bridge. Actually, it's the one in my little avatar photo. I also have several Danelectro basses, and they're great also, in their own way, but nowhere near as high-quality. I always have to fiddle with them to get the best out of them--especially the bridges. Usually I end up replacing the bridges with Jerry Jones ones. If Jeff Senn made bass bridges, I'd start using them.
Great video Zac. I had not heard of these guitars but own a late '90s Korean reissue 56-U2 in a dusky pink colour. I use it for playing slide and it has a great sound despite its bargain basement price (I paid GBP 200 for it a few years ago). Have you done a video on these reissues?
Thank you so much for the history of Jerry Jones guitars. I've mostly owned modern reissue Dano models but did have a JJ 6-String bass for awhile. You see the quality difference for sure, but for the money it's hard to beat a Dano, especially for utility guitars like a 12 string or Baritone. I really appreciate getting the background scoop on Jerry Jones. Another great topic, which you handled so well. 👍🏻
Great work again, Zac. Closest i got was a SilverTone Amp In Case about 10 years ago. Guit a 6 string sorta like here. Me,,,Sounds good,,,,We should hit this with a Distortion Plus... Owner...Nope. oh well.... :)
Curious, the baritone part, you said only the first string was unwound. The one that I have, again from the factory came with the first and second strings unwound and I have a new set still in the package the same. Interesting.
I bought the Bari and the 12 St. in Nashville. Also visited the shop to get a replacement screw for the bridge. Both of mine have the Neptune bridge. I was lucky, got the best of the run.. Cool guys. Shame he closed it down. Regrets? Only that I didn’t buy every model he made but I wasn’t as well funded in that era.
Years ago, I found an old Dan-o in a pawn shop in the MO bootheel; someone had tried to paint it a la EVH, and then they'd done a Pete Townsend impression with it, so it was cracked up pretty badly...I got it for $5. The tuners were gone, all the controls were out, but the single pickup was still there, and I salvaged it. I'm still waiting for the right project... How do the JJ pickups compare to the Neptune, NJ ones that Nat Daniels produced?
This is fantastic! I've been a fan of Jerry Jones instruments from way back. I can finally afford to buy one, but it's getting harder to find a good one and the prices are really high right now. I'm hoping to stumble upon the right one so I can snatch it up. I would love to own just about any of his guitars or basses.
Fantastic episode Zac, thanks. This detailed nitty gritty is what we subscribe for! I checked your website, are there any more photos from the Guitar Player article? I have a memory of an feature in GP with pictures of guitars by Jerry that were like “angular” Strats and Teles- similar to a Music Man Albert Lee. BTW I’m proud to still have my original 1988 copy of “It Came From Nashville “ by Webb Wilder and The Beatnecks. I’ve no idea if Jerry Jones guitars were used on the recording but I dig it all the same.
I also have that snow speeder, fun build! Yes started with the X-Wing, then the Slave-1. I have the giant Falcon in a box still since I just had a baby that build won’t happen any time soon haha. Love the content!
Good stuff. I bought 2 Jerry Jones in the early '90s ,1 longhorn 6 string bass and a single cut baritone that I special ordered with strat style 3 pickup wiring and no pickguard, both are in showroom condition with the original strings and hardshell cases . Obviously I don't use them much , my only regret is that I didn't buy a 12 string.Both are Neptunes the bass has the Neptune logo instead of Jerry Jones.
I bought a JJ TIc-Tac Longhorn at Broadway Used Music in Nashville for $550. Ended up trading it to the late, great T-Bone Wolk for his JJ 4-string single cut in red...still have it!
This was great! A lot of info I didn't know. Met JJ at the Namm show in the 90's. His products were certainly of a high quality as you said (much better than the Dano knock-offs that came later). I still have a copper coloured Guitarlin that I love to dig out occasionally. What a unique builder! Too bad the company is no more!!!
Great story and a great guitar . I've had plenty of Danelectros 12s,Dcs, and a baritone. Still have my Turquoise flake DC 3 . Thanks Zac , I bet Keith will like this too ! He does . Hahaha. One more for the history books.🎸🎸👍👍
Great vidio Zac, know Nutin about Jerry Jones guitars but you answered questions I had for 40yrs or better and did not even know how to go about asking them. I really wonder what Duane Eddy thinks of these?
Great history. The sitar and 12-strings are very unique. Thanks for sharing. What is the silver/aluminum looking device on top of the amp or is that an illusion where it is actually sitting on the shelf?
Excellent history. AND you reshot your intro in the new space. Nice detail.
Thank you, History King Keith!
Hey Zac, I’m Gary Talley, guitar player for the Box Tops since in 1967. After we cut “ Cry like a Baby” with Reggie on sitar, of course, I had to buy a couple of Coral sitars for Box Tops gigs. They were fragile and had flimsy cases, do the airlines broke them all the time. I sold my last one in 1974. Wheb the Box Tops regrouped in ‘96, I had to buy a Jerry Jones sitar ( turquoise alligator) and have played it on every Box Tops gig since then. Reggie bought one just like it . If you ever want to check it out, PM me on Facebook.
I worked at a Jerry Jones dealer back in the 90's, and I ordered a lot of the JJ's that we got in the shop. Absolutely fabulous guitars, and I bought a few of them while I worked at that shop. Jerry made me a shorthorn 12-string, which was the first one like that he ever made. Every time I called the factory, Jerry answered the phone himself. He was a great craftsman, and a super nice dude every single time I talked to him.
I called the company once and was also surprised when Jerry himself answered.
Great video! I was one of the early J.J. dealers. Love his stuff! I now own the Coral™ trademark, as well as a load of jigs, parts, etc. purchased from the Jerry Jones liquidation auction. The first Coral™ instrument built in over 50 years will be available soon, the Coral™ Stinger. Made in U.S.A..
Very cool!
Great to see a story on Jerry. Jerry is a great guy and a marvelous craftsman. I spent allot of time with Jerry at his shop in the 80's and early 90's. He built me one of his first double neck Silver Jones. 6 string bass and 6 string guitar. Also built me a Jerry Jones 12 string. Then there is the Acousti-caster and the Quasicaster.Jerry connected me with Webb and Bobby Field in 1985 and we went and formed The Beatnecks. Jerry also built Webb a guitar called the Fat Cat. Jerry could build anything. And....he was...is...quite the guitarist. Stellar person.
Oh yeah...they called me " The Twangler"
I've got a Jerry Jones 12 that's identical to the gold one you showed. It really is a terrific instrument that sounds great and works great. I share your opinion on the Rics but there was one Ric feature that I missed and that was the pickup blend knob. I had Dave at Glaser's instal a pan pot in the position where the tone control was and it was detented in the center so you could 'feel' the middle when onstage. With that pan pot you can really dial in the tone with your own blend between the neck and bridge pickups. I got my Jerry Jones 12 from Rick Kelley's Carmine Street Guitars in the '90's. It really came in handy when recording and touring w Earle because I had to play electric 12 on as many as 8 songs in a show. There was that short period where Jerry went to his own unique body shape. I think that's when he started using the Gotohs. I've always been happy with the Klusons for the tuning and the weight. Thanks for the deep dive on Jerry Jones.
I "accidentally" discovered Jerry Jones guitars in the 1990s and bought the Sitar and the 12-string direct from the factory. The orders were taken by Jerry Jones himself and he'd talk the ears off of a wooden indian---what a joy! A simple order turned into an hour long phone call with sound of table saws going in the background. I love both of them and the 12-string sounds like a harpsichord. Since I'm not living forever, I gave the 12-string to my son and explained why this guitar is so special. The fact that these instruments were built at all is an amazing story and glad it happened. The only other guitar maker's story that compares is what came from Mosrite at Jonas Ridge, NC.
I was in Linville Falls, N.C. just across the gorge from Jonas Ridge when Semie Moseley was making guitars there in the early 80's but didn't know it. I'm now trying to buy my parents' old property back and would also love to one day buy a Jonas Ridge Mosrite. P.S. his widow Loretta still lives there, hope to make her acquaintance.
Great video Zac! My JJ 3 is a fantastic guitar and I’d like to thank JJ personally (if he’s reading comments) for producing such a wonderful line instruments for guitar players.
Back in the '90s when I worked at Tom Anderson Guitarworks I built an s-type guitar loaded with Jerry Jones pickups. Tom called Jerry and asked him to wind the bridge pickup hotter. I removed the bassplates and mounted each pickup on custom 3 screw upside down tele bridge type fiber pickup bottoms that I made. Tom offered Jerry's pickups as an option in his guitars after seeing and playing my guitar. I thought that was pretty cool.
Nice video - and I have a couple of things to add. The story Jerry has told regarding how he got into manufacturing Danelectro-style instruments is different to yours. He states (Tonequest June 2004) that what triggered it was when a customer brought in a Silvertone in 1982 for a repair ; this got him thinking about how to reproduce it since he wanted to start manufacturing his own guitars and wanted to use these as a basis. The same customer brought it in again in 1986 and this time Jerry took measurements and the business took off from there
The lawsuit was over who had the rights to what. When Evets corp bought the Danelectro name, they were misled by the original owners into thinking they owned everything when in truth all they owned was the name and the patent for the tone stack. The court ruled in Jerry’s favour but stated as a solution that both companies must change their shapes and not make any direct copies of Danos anymore. This is why today you cannot buy a true reissue of a Danelctro.
I found the TQ article. Interesting, as he also stated the Rafe Van Hoy guitar influenced him. Both are true. Where did you get the information on the lawsuit?
Bought two at Corner Music back in the day. First versions with the best bridge design. Had I known I would have bought them all. Still use and love ‘em. Bari and the 12. ❤️
I knew of Jerry Jones guitars early on, but always thought of them as Danelectros with better qc and consistancy. Had no idea of the backstory and Jerry's story. Knew of the lawsuit, and like any tragedy, there is peripheral damage and inside stories. I have a DC3 in a Champagne gold sparkle. It has a 5 position rotary switch like a Gibson L6S, covering all the pickup positions of a Strat. Loved this episode, Zac, and I'm going to pull that guitar out in the morning!
Great biography, Zac. And the tone on that 12-string is crystalline: perfect for arpeggios.
I never heard of Jerry Jones guitars but think you did a great service to his legacy...too bad that a big corporation buys out a smaller one and pretty much destroys anything good that was with the original manufacturer. Even tho Jerry won the lawsuit, I can see him just being fed up with all this crap. Again, this was another great video and enjoy hearing those stories......LIFE IS GOOD !
Great piece on such an incredible line of guitars. About 10-12 years ago, I came very close to buying that early Jerry Jones guitar owned by Rafe Van Hoy. This is the one featured in the 1986 Guitar Player magazine, and has the shape of the 50's Danelectro "Pro" model, along with Jerry Jones' "art deco" appointments. Really a one-of-a-kind instrument and the genesis of the Jerry Jones Danelectro-inspired line of instruments. I spoke with Rafe several times, and he is one of the nicest cats ever. I hope he is doing well. I still think about him and that guitar every so often.
So glad to hear you cite Webb Wilder. I saw him and his band live a ton of times in the late 80s and early 90s. Also spoke with him a long time at an adverting awards show we were both attending. Heckuva nice guy. I never could understand why he and his band never reached superstardom. They had great songs, a unique look and Donny "the Twangler" Roberts on guitar. They looked made for MTV but I guess they were too hard to classify and pigeonhole. Kinda like Jason and the Scorchers.
BRILLIANT work on this little known chapter of Dano related history. The JJs are truly the ultimate tribute to the genius of Nate Daniel. Thanks for this Zac!
Thank you very much!
RE Electric 12's - I had a Fender XII in the mid '60s and another sunburst one in the mid '70s, but even those necks were too narrow for me. I have small hands, but grew to appreciate the nut widths on my Guild acoustic 12's. During the '90s, I had and enjoyed the Dano electric 12's, getting a black one as soon as they came out, but sold it when the sparkle blue one was released. Those have wide nuts, too. That went during the 2008 housing debacle. Fortunately, I finally landed on the Italia Rimini 12 with a 12 saddle bridge and custom nut. I love it!
Really appreciate this video Zac; I'm lucky enough to have a late Longhorn Six String Bass that I run as a baritone tuned A-A. Was lucky enough to have a couple of emails back and forth with Jerry before he retired, and he couldn't have been more helpful. So chuffed to have it!
He was definitely a guitar artist in his time. Glad to call him a friend. Watched him building from scratch in his garage in the 80's. His work was amazing. Rafe Vanhoy and Deborah Allen own several of his beautiful pieces along with many musicians and stars ❤️🎸
Thanks Zac for the info. I love my black single cut with the Neptune bridge. Sweet sounding guitar. I called his shop twice back in the day and both times he answered the phone himself. I asked him once why he used the old style nitrocellulose paint, It scratched so easily. He told me it was because of the tone wood. And I'm thinking... it's masonite. Maybe that's true. Or maybe that was just his droll sense of humor. He was always so patient with my questions. The man's a legend. Thanks again.
I got lucky on craigslist a few years back when I found my black 3 pickup double cutaway Neptune baritone in perfect shape with a couple sets of the JJ branded baritone strings in the case. Definitely one of my favorite guitars. I'll probably never use the JJ strings, they're just too cool. Thanks so much for this!
Just watched this. Fantastic, as always, and thanks for the shout out, Zac!
Thank you so much, Duke!
I have a Jerry Jones Shorthorn bass that I absolutely love. Thanks for the history lesson.
Years ago at an Anaheim NAMM show Jerry and talked about lipstick pickup design and I complained that the ones that I was seeing in strats just didn’t have IT but his did, that they sounded so close to my original 1457 amp in the case guitar that was my secret weapon in the studio along with an original Convertible. My only real complaint about my originals was the inability to get the intonation right. About 2 weeks later I get an envelop in the mail- Jerry had handmade me two compensated bridge saddles out of rosewood which are on my guitars to this day which he wouldn’t let me pay for. I tried to get music stores around L.A. to carry the brand but a lot of stores didn’t understand how a “Silvertone” could be so expensive. Jerry was ahead of his time and one of the nicest people I ever met. I’m still looking for one of his sitars.
Thanks for this Zac - interesting story. I’ve heard of Jerry Jones Guitars peripherally, but knew nothing of the details or the history. I’ve always loved that deep twangy sound of the vintage Dano (as on “Wichita Lineman”), so knowing that sound was probably coming from a Jerry Jones guitar in later years is new information to me.
Jerry started building guitar in the mid 80s, so Lineman was absolutely a Dano
Thank you for doing this episode! I am a huge collector of JJ guitars and this is the best information out there! Thank You
My pleasure!
I have one of his shorty guitars. An octave 12 string which sounds amazing and is an engineering masterpiece as far as the bridge goes. It has a piano quality to the sound and unique in every way. It’s branded Neptune.
Lovely guitars -so well made. Nothing fancy but absolutely spot on craftsmanship. Side note: I believe Fat Dog at Subway Guitars in Berkeley still has a lot old Dano stuff from the Neptune, NJ factory. A great guitar shop!
Thank you Zac, this fills some gaps for me. I ordered my cream/copperburst longhorn Shorty 12-string from Saint Fishy’s Music Stand on 11/21/2010, apparently just under the wire. It has 3 lipstick pickups and a rotary pickup selector, Gotoh bridge and mini Gotoh tuners. I agree in regards to “cracking the code” on the lipsticks; this guitar sounds amazing, and could loosely be described as an electric mandolin. Everyone asks what it is because the build quality and simple beauty is stunning. By the time I went back on Jerry’s website in April 2011 the narrative had changed to retirement and auctions. I’m very glad to own a piece of the JJ history. This is one guitar I will never sell.
Thanks Zac, great to know more about JJ, I have two later guitars, ones a baritone. Love them. I was turned onto them by the band The Black Peppercorns, unusual band. The guitar prices have doubled in recent years, I still home to complete my collection.
Amazing information! The Dano saga goes way beyond what most people know. Thank you!
Thanks for this great video. That's a lot of research and history. Thank Zac..and a nod to Jerry and his amazing experience!
You bet!
Chris Camp also worked at the Picking Parlor and is now the Martin Guy in San Diego.
Favorite episode so far! I love JJ's stuff and I'm impressed his work is still so obscure. I didn't know about the Jeff Senn bridge, thanks for the tip! I'll order one for my 59' U1, can the action on the saddles go lower than the original rosewood one??
Nels Cline still plays lots of JJ's guitars on Wilco, particularly live. Best electric 12 strings, hands down.
The Senn bridge will go lower
Perhaps unlikely, but my first exposure to these guitars, at least knowing what they are, I’m sure I Heard them long before on recording, was through Dave Matthews in the “every day “/“Some devil “ era. I always loved the sound of the baritone he plays. Great episode! I’ve always been curious about the company history
Been a DMB fan since around 2005 and some of my favorite DMB songs are on his Jerry Jones Baritone guitar from "What You Are" to "Break Free". "Some Devil" in the encore of a summertime Ampitheater show is one of the most powerful things I have experienced a few times going to see him live as well. Purchasing a Danelectro Baritone Electric Guitar in a few days to be able to enjoy playing some of the DMB Baritone guitar parts.
Thank you for putting this together Zak. Very interesting!
I greatly appreciate this episode. I have a Jerry Jones baritone that I love. Far superior to any Danelectro I have ever seen or played. He was no longer making them, I didn’t realize he had retired, I had heard a rumor he had passed away. Glad to hear he’s simply enjoying his retirement.
His baritones are masterpieces -- you are fortunate to own one!
I have a jerry jones baritone and owned a Korean Danelectro baritone at the same time. The JJ absolutely destroyed the Korean guitar in every way.
Great history lesson Zac. This is one of your best videos.
Thank you
Silvertone is selling reissues currently. They, started back up during the pandemic after stopping production back in 2016. I'm guessing Samick Music still owns and produces them.
I only have a couple of modern Silvertones, both S-styles, but they're great entry-level guitars. I swiped one up for $40 from Shop Goodwill that ended up having a figured rosewood fretboard and a figured maple neck, as well. It's not "flamed maple" but more along the lines of random figuring. It has a few streaks that look like flame but overall it's just random figuring that the grain does 180* turn so half the neck is dark and half is light. Change the angle youre viewing it at and you can watch the dark & light swap sides. It's a really good guitar overall. Especially once I decked the bridge.
Since I got it in 2020, I've floated the trem from day 1. Well I finally decked it 2 weeks ago and I was utterly shocked when I got done. The action I thought couldn't go any lower is now 3/64"! I thought it wouldn't go lower than 3/32" because I thought it had a hump in the fretboard due to some problems I had.
Turns out the neck & FB are nice & straight. I just needed to deck the trem. So I then did it to my main Silvertone SS10(Strat). The action on that one is even lower! I'm still blown away by that one. I still laugh every time I pick it up but I just decked it about 48 hrs ago.
By now, I had accepted that these 2 guitars just had higher than average action. After decking both of them, I know that wasn't the case. They still had wayyyyy more that I could've lowered them. I just had to deck the trem first.
This was a great episode. So much great info on a brand I knew about but not the whole story.
Very interesting and full of goodies as always, thanks Zac!
My pleasure!
While on tour in the 90’s I came across one of his 6-string Longhorn Basses at Pittsburgh Guitars (great shop!) and snapped it up brand new. Still have and love it to this day. I think the receipt is even still in the case. It’s definitely worth more now…
Oh wow!
Another great video! I first became aware of Jerry Jones guitars seeing NRBQ with bass player Joey Spampinato who played a JJ bass.
Love Joey and NRBQ
I love my Neptune 12-string (with Gotoh tuners and Strat-style bridge) and Baby Sitar. I deeply regret never picking up a baritone when it was fairly easy to do so.
PS I'm in Toronto and we were lucky enough to have two stores here that sold JJs -- the Twelfth Fret and the now-closed Ring Music. So there were JJs to be had regularly here. I was aware that Jerry was closing the business in 2010 or whenever it was, and I should have moved more quickly to grab one of those baritones. Oh well. I see that they are now going for about $3K when they come up for sale on Reverb, which I think is almost 3x as much as they used to sell for new.
Bought a few of them back when they were relatively cheap. 2 Doublenecks (Bass 4/Twelve String, Bass 4/Six String) Baritone VI, Longhorn Bass 4 and a Master Sitar. All second runs with 4 bolt necks with accessible truss adjustments. All with Neptune bridges except the Longhorn Bass and of course the Sitar. Cool Guitars for sure.
thank you for this history. I bought a JJ Page style danelectro but with 3 lipsticks. I was told it was ideal for slide.
Wonderful!
Very interesting story. I did not know that much about the history on those. Also, can't lie, that Tone Master sounds great. I am absolutely loving mine.
I recently had the chance to buy a 3 pickup Neputne baritone. I regret not buying it. Great video Zac!
I only learned about Jerry Jones guitars recently during a Nels Cline rig rundown. He played a Jerry Jones 12 string and it was easily the sweetest sounding electric 12 string I'd ever heard. I really wanted one and learned they're impossible to find and they ain't cheap if ya do.
Had a Silvertone , two lip stick pickups , stacked pots , root beer finish , flat neck .... loved that guitar ..... Stolen while in storage which was sad ...... So , What was that about tone wood for electrics ? ....... :D ...... Cheers !
Thank you for the history, JJ geetars have always been a mystery
extremely informative. having had a recent love affair with danelectros. this was music to my ears. pun intended ha.
now we hope/wait for an “History of G&L” episode :)
favorite channel on youtube. hands down.
Thanks for another great and informative episode Zac.
I too have a JJ Baby Sitar that is a such a n improvement over the original Coral branded instruments as well as the Dano reissues. I love it so much in fact that I recently recorded and released an entire album of pop and rock n roll classics featuring the Baby Sitar called,”Electric Lotus”. Keep up the great work!
THANKS!
Thank you for doing this episode. I have played a Jerry Jones guitar, and like you said it was an excellent instrument. That’s not a bad legacy for Mr. Jones!
Great video Zac-I had a late 80’s original spec U2 JJ that was made for the NAMM show, with a custom salmon pink to black sunburst finish, with black spider webbing in the pink. Cool guitar that I bought new. One thing you didn’t mention was the change in the body shape with the Neptune “upgrades”-more angular bodies. Thanks
Back in the ‘90s when I was going to Winter NAMM shows every year, I always made a point to stop by Jerry Jones’ booth. He made some great stuff, and one instrument of his that I wanted was the doubleneck 6/12-string Longhorn. I never had the money-I think they were something like $900, and if they were being made today you could probably double that price. The othe Jerry Jones model I wanted was the shorty 12-string-the ones I remember had a smaller version of the Longhorn shape. A very cool instrument-I wish I’d been able to buy one when they were still in production. A mandolin for guitar players! They cost around $500 if memory serves. I’d love to find one now, but they’re probably a lot more than $500!
I adore my Shorty 12. Secret weapon in the studio!
@@bobspector2112 Hey Bob, we all would love to see some pictures of the "Shorty 12". What is the scale length??
@@telerooo5213 It's 15 1/2" - 16" scale (depending on the intonation positions) and is branded Neptune. I recently sold a JJ doubleneck that was a 6-string/6-st bass Longhorn.
@@telerooo5213 p
Looks like the history of Danelectro guitars. Love the show!
I have and love a Jerry Jones longhorn 4 strings bass. Thanks for the informative video
Hey Zac, thank you for your nice feature!!! As always very interesting and entertaining. What I miss a little bit is mentioning more the true genius behind this kind of guitar: NAT DANIELS with his Danelectro guitars. HE found the formula for these unique sounding guitars that I love so much. Not to speak of the great design and playability. How about an extra feature about Nat and Danelectro, Zac? - Please keep on your great work...greetings from Germany, Joe.
Great point!
I have a Jerry Jones Longhorn 4-string bass. I bought it new in 2004. It's got a "Neptune" logo on the headstock, not "Jerry Jones". It's my favorite bass. It has Gotoh tuners and a Fender-type bridge.
Actually, it's the one in my little avatar photo.
I also have several Danelectro basses, and they're great also, in their own way, but nowhere near as high-quality. I always have to fiddle with them to get the best out of them--especially the bridges. Usually I end up replacing the bridges with Jerry Jones ones.
If Jeff Senn made bass bridges, I'd start using them.
Great video Zac. I had not heard of these guitars but own a late '90s Korean reissue 56-U2 in a dusky pink colour. I use it for playing slide and it has a great sound despite its bargain basement price (I paid GBP 200 for it a few years ago). Have you done a video on these reissues?
Fantastic review Zac. I have a wonderful Jerry Jones Neptune but didn’t really know much about the company. Thanks for your diligent research.
My pleasure!
Thank you so much for the history of Jerry Jones guitars. I've mostly owned modern reissue Dano models but did have a JJ 6-String bass for awhile. You see the quality difference for sure, but for the money it's hard to beat a Dano, especially for utility guitars like a 12 string or Baritone. I really appreciate getting the background scoop on Jerry Jones. Another great topic, which you handled so well. 👍🏻
Thanks, Will!
Excellent story! 👍🏽
Love my Jerry Jones Sitar🔥❤️😀
Great work again, Zac.
Closest i got was a SilverTone Amp In Case about 10 years ago.
Guit a 6 string sorta like here.
Me,,,Sounds good,,,,We should hit this with a Distortion Plus...
Owner...Nope.
oh well.... :)
I’ve got 3 ! All black. 12 strings big and small and a bass. We should all be thanking Joey Spampinato ! 😄
Using them in the studio today.
Curious, the baritone part, you said only the first string was unwound. The one that I have, again from the factory came with the first and second strings unwound and I have a new set still in the package the same. Interesting.
I think the owner put an unusual set on his. The stock set had 2 unwound strings.
Excellent episode! Loved the Longhorn6 bass I had for several years.
I bought the Bari and the 12 St. in Nashville. Also visited the shop to get a replacement screw for the bridge. Both of mine have the Neptune bridge. I was lucky, got the best of the run.. Cool guys. Shame he closed it down. Regrets? Only that I didn’t buy every model he made but I wasn’t as well funded in that era.
Years ago, I found an old Dan-o in a pawn shop in the MO bootheel; someone had tried to paint it a la EVH, and then they'd done a Pete Townsend impression with it, so it was cracked up pretty badly...I got it for $5. The tuners were gone, all the controls were out, but the single pickup was still there, and I salvaged it. I'm still waiting for the right project...
How do the JJ pickups compare to the Neptune, NJ ones that Nat Daniels produced?
Awesome insight as always, Zac. Great stuff!
Always a great share Zack! Thank you!
My pleasure!
This is fantastic! I've been a fan of Jerry Jones instruments from way back. I can finally afford to buy one, but it's getting harder to find a good one and the prices are really high right now. I'm hoping to stumble upon the right one so I can snatch it up. I would love to own just about any of his guitars or basses.
Thanks again Zac for the excellent information, history.
My pleasure!
Never had any experience with a Jerry Jones but I do love my Danolectro.
Fantastic episode Zac, thanks. This detailed nitty gritty is what we subscribe for! I checked your website, are there any more photos from the Guitar Player article? I have a memory of an feature in GP with pictures of guitars by Jerry that were like “angular” Strats and Teles- similar to a Music Man Albert Lee. BTW I’m proud to still have my original 1988 copy of “It Came From Nashville “ by Webb Wilder and The Beatnecks. I’ve no idea if Jerry Jones guitars were used on the recording but I dig it all the same.
www.askzac.com/post/the-history-of-jerry-jones-guitars-ask-zac-95
@@AskZac Thanks Zac, as always, for the history. The pictures on your web site are awesome brother...
Great Zac. The black twelve string with the white knobs looked a bit like the old Danalectro series
I also have that snow speeder, fun build! Yes started with the X-Wing, then the Slave-1. I have the giant Falcon in a box still since I just had a baby that build won’t happen any time soon haha. Love the content!
I’m familiar with a great double cutaway late Neptune baritone … fabulous.
Good stuff. I bought 2 Jerry Jones in the early '90s ,1 longhorn 6 string bass and a single cut baritone that I special ordered with strat style 3 pickup wiring and no pickguard, both are in showroom condition with the original strings and hardshell cases . Obviously I don't use them much , my only regret is that I didn't buy a 12 string.Both are Neptunes the bass has the Neptune logo instead of Jerry Jones.
Thanks, Zac! Excellent history lesson for a great builder....Btw, I currently own, and play, a turquoise Neptune 12-string
Very cool!
I bought a JJ TIc-Tac Longhorn at Broadway Used Music in Nashville for $550. Ended up trading it to the late, great T-Bone Wolk for his JJ 4-string single cut in red...still have it!
Sweet, Tom!
This was great! A lot of info I didn't know. Met JJ at the Namm show in the 90's. His products were certainly of a high quality as you said (much better than the Dano knock-offs that came later). I still have a copper coloured Guitarlin that I love to dig out occasionally. What a unique builder! Too bad the company is no more!!!
Very cool!
Thanks Zac! I had no idea these were such interesting guitars...
Super interesting video Zac - thank you! Do you know by chance how the JJ wiring differs from the Danos?
JJ's have better hardware, tuners, pickups, and are better made in general.
Great story and a great guitar . I've had plenty of Danelectros 12s,Dcs, and a baritone. Still have my Turquoise flake DC 3 . Thanks Zac , I bet Keith will like this too ! He does . Hahaha. One more for the history books.🎸🎸👍👍
THANKS!
Thanks Professor Zac ♥️
My pleasure!
I worked for him ,a very smart guy !
Great video and story. I love this kind of stuff.
Glad you enjoyed it
I used to have a Jerry Jones baritone in the late 80's, early 90's (I think?) lol Awesome guitar that sounded great.
Awesome!!! Are there any shots of Hag with his Jerry Jones Guitar anywhere?? Thanks. 👍🏼👍🏼🤟😎
www.askzac.com/post/the-history-of-jerry-jones-guitars-ask-zac-95
Great vidio Zac, know Nutin about Jerry Jones guitars but you answered questions I had for 40yrs or better and did not even know how to go about asking them. I really wonder what Duane Eddy thinks of these?
Thanks for doing this one! I’m still digging my gold shorthorn!
You bet!
Wow, that really was an excellent post, really enjoyable. 😎🎙🎸✅
Thank you kindly!
Zac when you talk to Jimmy see if he will do some more YT videos. He may be doing some that I am not aware of but really enjoyed his older ones.
I'll ask him
Always an education, Zac! Thanks!
Thank you for another interesting episode 👍🏻😎
Great history. The sitar and 12-strings are very unique. Thanks for sharing.
What is the silver/aluminum looking device on top of the amp or is that an illusion where it is actually sitting on the shelf?
The selector switch for the pickup testing prototype JJ guitar
@@AskZac Thanks. I must’ve looked away when you identified it.
Thanks again for an awesome video.
Thanks for watching!