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Hatsubai « First Satch model »
Published on 06/27/11 at 14:31This was the first model released for the famous Joe Satriani. The guitar isn't that much different from today's guitars, surprisingly. The JS-1 features a basswood body with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, pearl dot inlays, an Edge tremolo (later changed to the Lo Pro, I think), HH configuration (although some had HSH), one volume, one tone and a three or five way switch depending on the configuration.
UTILIZATION
The fretwork on this was nice, but there was some serious wear from it being used. We had to discount it a good bit because of that. The body also had some nicks and dings, so I can't comment on the overall finish. The neck joint itself was fairly tight, and that's always a good thing. The neck joint itself is an older style, so it will get in the way when playing up on the higher frets. This could bother some people, but I find these older neck joints sound better. The guitar had some decent weight going on it, but it might have been a touch too heavy. These basswood guitars can really vary in weight sometimes, so keep that in mind.
SOUNDS
This guitar sounds unique, and it's thanks to the bridge pickup. The DiMarzio FRED is an interesting pickup when it comes to harmonics and overall sound. The harmonics really jump out, but the FRED is kinda like an oddly tweaked PAF Pro. It can work for rhythms, but it's more of a lead pickup. The PAF Pro in the neck with basswood is heaven. Basswood helps mellow out the PAF Pro, and the additional midrange really boosts this thing into a shred machine. You can also get some extremely nice clean tones with this thanks to the coil split in the bridge.
OVERALL OPINION
These models can be a bit hard to find, and I find the prices they go for are a bit much. You can find a newer JS with less wear for a good bit less on eBay. Those are the ones that I'd personally seek out as they're pretty much the same thing.
UTILIZATION
The fretwork on this was nice, but there was some serious wear from it being used. We had to discount it a good bit because of that. The body also had some nicks and dings, so I can't comment on the overall finish. The neck joint itself was fairly tight, and that's always a good thing. The neck joint itself is an older style, so it will get in the way when playing up on the higher frets. This could bother some people, but I find these older neck joints sound better. The guitar had some decent weight going on it, but it might have been a touch too heavy. These basswood guitars can really vary in weight sometimes, so keep that in mind.
SOUNDS
This guitar sounds unique, and it's thanks to the bridge pickup. The DiMarzio FRED is an interesting pickup when it comes to harmonics and overall sound. The harmonics really jump out, but the FRED is kinda like an oddly tweaked PAF Pro. It can work for rhythms, but it's more of a lead pickup. The PAF Pro in the neck with basswood is heaven. Basswood helps mellow out the PAF Pro, and the additional midrange really boosts this thing into a shred machine. You can also get some extremely nice clean tones with this thanks to the coil split in the bridge.
OVERALL OPINION
These models can be a bit hard to find, and I find the prices they go for are a bit much. You can find a newer JS with less wear for a good bit less on eBay. Those are the ones that I'd personally seek out as they're pretty much the same thing.