Johnson JR-998

Best bits: didn't realise this had Wilkinson branded Tuners and they work an absolute treat. The neck finish is absolutely beautiful - it's satin and so easy to glide up and down. The heel is nice and the fingerboard is also very smooth and well finished. I also like the slight bronze colour on the inside of the guitar, and it looks great overall. I don't think you can get a better cutaway electro-resonator for the same money. Smaller than I thought it would be, which is a good thing. It's the size of an electric guitar (but deeper) rather than an acoustic guitar which suits me perfectly.

Worst bits: with that being said, this guitar is made in China and has some quality control issues. Though the neck is beautiful, there is a dent on the top half behind the third fret, which is annoying as I feel it every time I play. There's also a slight dent in the body at the base of the neck, and some slight blemishes around the edge of the body and on the front of the guitar which won't rub out. The control pots are also a bit rough/gritty and don't feel great quality (I haven't tested it plugged in yet so can't comment on the pickup). None of these were caused in transit as the guitar was delivered very well packed in a polystyrene cocoon inside a box, both of which were fine. The logo on the headstock is also patchy and looks half rubbed off. I was expecting the strings to have a flatter profile for slide playing, but it's still not bad and the action is good.

I didn't realise this was coming from Germany when I ordered it - something to bear in mind. Overall it's a good guitar and would be perfect with a bit more quality control, which it should already have at this price. If it was £300-400 I would have no complaints at all, but at this price I was expecting fewer flaws.

Overall I'm happy, it's not perfect but you can spend a whole lot more on one of these if you want to. Even with the flaws, it's still good value if you know what you're getting. And it looks great with the cutaway and mesh type holes instead of F holes.

although this is my first of this kind guitar i can say that is a very good instrument with lots of sustain with very nice and warm sound. i found 3 negatives. first is a little heavier that i expect. and the second is that there is no strap button under the neck and you should tie the belt near the nut which is not so comfortable for me.
the third and more annoying is that i send several e-mails at the johnson's company and ask them about which is the reccomended string gauge for the instrument so their answer help me to choose strings but they NEVER reply...!!!!!

This is a stunning looking resonator guitar with a great sound when played in acoustic. It just sounds great. I have not tried to use the pickup with a real amplifier yet.
I have tried to plug it in the "Fluid Audio Strum Buddy" - but the pick up, even with the volume at its maximum, is a bit too quiet for that.

Superior craftsmanship, bright and warm sound (also when amplified), awesome look and feel. It is hard to find anything better for the price

looks great
sounds great
versatile resonator with pickup
delighted with the purchase