Since diving head first into the Rabbit Hole about a year ago, I’ve tested the limits of my marriage by purchasing all kinds of equipment from rukind members. Most recently, I took a major step forward in getting an incredible new Jerry Ax from Brian White at IO Guitars. I couldn’t be more thrilled the guitar – and working with Brian was about as positive of an experience as one could hope for.
I reached out to Brian because I was blown away by some of the guitars that he built – which I found to be incredible works of art. They all sounded amazing (a couple of the dudes who play his guitars – members of this forum -- are phenomenal players, which obviously is a factor!) For me, I think it’s a little early to do a full custom, as I am still relatively new to the Jerry game, and unsure of exactly how I would even customize it.
So I called Brian with the idea of doing a partscaster, to at least get the neck scale right, and use parts that would get closer to the sound than I could get with my PRS (I used to play at AO Jerryfied PRS SE 24, which was great, but ultimately I think you can only get so close with a PRS). Brian said he could certainly do that for me, but for a little more, he could do something way better. What he offered was his Eclipse guitar, that he had played for years (and I think even put up once on this site). He built the body himself, but the neck is a strat neck that he found, and fell in love with. So -- I think the body was really built around that neck. For me – it was perfect. Custom-ish – but much cheaper than an actual custom – but with far more personality, better feel and tone, than I would have gotten with a partscaster.
Brian had been using it as an Alligator type guitar, but gave me the full Jerry package, which I had wanted, since it’s my only Jerry ax. I couldn’t be happier with it. It looks and feels amazing and it always inspires me to play. The notes ring out like I’ve never heard in a guitar that I’ve owned. It's also very well-balanced and just feels right.
As I said above, working with Brian was a real joy. He was super patient with me (I had a fair amount of dumb questions), and you could tell, he really cares. At one point, when he was getting it ready for me, I could tell it was actually kind of painful for him to let the guitar go -- as I think he had forgotten how much he loved it. It's a real honor to get such great guitar with so much character and positive energy from so many years of use by the guy who built it.
Here's a couple pics and short clip from a show I played 2 days after I received the guitar. It's not a great example of classic Jerry tone -- I think I'm in humbucker mode with both the earth drive and solar flare. But you can tell how much I love it – and how stunned I am at the way it screams – like I’m not really even sure what to do with myself. It gets incredible Jerry tones as well (obviously -- that's what I got it for.).
If anyone is thinking about a custom or Jerry mod, I would highly recommend Brian. He's a great guy, does incredible work, and really cares.
I reached out to Brian because I was blown away by some of the guitars that he built – which I found to be incredible works of art. They all sounded amazing (a couple of the dudes who play his guitars – members of this forum -- are phenomenal players, which obviously is a factor!) For me, I think it’s a little early to do a full custom, as I am still relatively new to the Jerry game, and unsure of exactly how I would even customize it.
So I called Brian with the idea of doing a partscaster, to at least get the neck scale right, and use parts that would get closer to the sound than I could get with my PRS (I used to play at AO Jerryfied PRS SE 24, which was great, but ultimately I think you can only get so close with a PRS). Brian said he could certainly do that for me, but for a little more, he could do something way better. What he offered was his Eclipse guitar, that he had played for years (and I think even put up once on this site). He built the body himself, but the neck is a strat neck that he found, and fell in love with. So -- I think the body was really built around that neck. For me – it was perfect. Custom-ish – but much cheaper than an actual custom – but with far more personality, better feel and tone, than I would have gotten with a partscaster.
Brian had been using it as an Alligator type guitar, but gave me the full Jerry package, which I had wanted, since it’s my only Jerry ax. I couldn’t be happier with it. It looks and feels amazing and it always inspires me to play. The notes ring out like I’ve never heard in a guitar that I’ve owned. It's also very well-balanced and just feels right.
As I said above, working with Brian was a real joy. He was super patient with me (I had a fair amount of dumb questions), and you could tell, he really cares. At one point, when he was getting it ready for me, I could tell it was actually kind of painful for him to let the guitar go -- as I think he had forgotten how much he loved it. It's a real honor to get such great guitar with so much character and positive energy from so many years of use by the guy who built it.
Here's a couple pics and short clip from a show I played 2 days after I received the guitar. It's not a great example of classic Jerry tone -- I think I'm in humbucker mode with both the earth drive and solar flare. But you can tell how much I love it – and how stunned I am at the way it screams – like I’m not really even sure what to do with myself. It gets incredible Jerry tones as well (obviously -- that's what I got it for.).
If anyone is thinking about a custom or Jerry mod, I would highly recommend Brian. He's a great guy, does incredible work, and really cares.
. But, this one is THE one for me. How much is it setting you back if I may ask? Respond in a pm if you wish. Thanks.