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COMPARISON
OK, lets forget about price for a minute.
After all quality lives on long after price is forgotten. Lets just theorize that Gary's guitar was
exactly the same price as a PRS. Lets talk about about why it's smarter to buy a Jacobs:
- Jacobs Guitars are completely handmade numbered and hand signed entirely by Gary Jacobs himself. PRS
hasn't signed his guitars for almost 10 years and PRS guitars are totally, fully, entirely machine made. Even the sanding operations are robotically controlled.
- The Jacobs neck joint is a far better design. You have probably heard me rave about PRS's old neck joint being superior to
their new neck joint. Well the Jacobs neck joint is superior even to the
original early PRS models. Plus Jacob's are available in a 5 piece laminated
neck (this is one of the main reasons I like Gary Jacob's guitars).
- Jacobs Guitars can be ordered with a set in neck or neck/thru/body. PRS guitars come only as set
in or bolt in.
- Jacobs offers the traditional 2 piece Gibson style Tuna-matic bridge by Tone/Pros, at no extra charge.
PRS has built less than 300 guitars with that option and the option brings the value up well
over $5,000.00. As far as I can tell PRS hasn't offered it since 1991.
- Jacob's Guitars utilize an inlaid logo and matching headstock for no extra charge. PRS only offers this on their most expensive models. Gary also uses real Abalone and PRS uses man made
Abalaminate.
- Jacobs Guitars are available for a nominal cost with ebony fingerboards and bound necks. PRS absolutely
does not offer these options even on some of their $8,000.00 and up guitars.
- Jacob's necks are laminated 3 or 5 piece with opposing grain for superior strength and stability. PRS uses a quarter sawn single piece. Both methods are good, but Gary's will be stronger and it definitely
costs more to do. Of course Jacob's offers all different neck options see below.
- Jacob's offers 6 tremolo systems including the Pearlcaster Ball Bearing Tremolo.
PRS offers only one, and it's a knife edge model. For a moderate, very fair additional cost, Gary
Jacobs offers several specialized models that PRS does not offer at all.
- Jacob's guitars are also available with a unique new tremolo system that
allows conversion to hardtail.
- Jacob's offers any option including custom inlays, left handed and 24 frets on all models. PRS only offers
these amenities on several selected models.
- PRS guitars are extremely right on and made to computer grade accuracy. The fit and finish
is spectacular. Jacob's handmade guitars rival PRS tolerances and computer grade accuracy. Each guitar is
voiced by Gary himself.
 Aren't PRS Guitars Handmade?
NO
I prefer to think that the term handmade should only apply to a situation where there are a very
small number of hands under the direct supervision of one master luthier. Handmade is always better.
The use of some power tools does not detract as long as one or two men guide the entire process,
from initial guitar design, through wood selection, carving, fretting, finishing, final assembly
and setup.
These guitars must each be treated individually as unique work. Mass produced guitars suffer from
the natural variances involved in the marriage of the different woods used.
Handmade guitars produced under the close scrutiny of one master luthier, can easily overcome these
variances through careful selection and tuning of all the parts. This process effectively creates a
unique quality and a vast improvement on the product especially where tone is a major concern.
Be careful when you buy a supposedly hand made guitar!
Most of the time they really are not handmade at all.
In the case of Gary Jacobs I will personally guarantee that all his guitars are handmade.
Gary takes about 4 to 5 months to build a guitar. Let us order one for you!
Ed Roman
Allen Lanier
Blue Oyster Cult
Jacob's Guitar
Buck Dharma was in the store recently picking out several new guitars. He
had played a Jacobs once before at a show in White Plains N.Y. & he asked me to
bring it to the gig along with 2 other guitars.
BOC was playing one of the big Casinos in Vegas and it was a sold out show
so no tickets were available. Buck was cool enough to supply us with 15
backstage passes to the show that night. Needless to say my whole crew went to
the show.
When we got there Allen Lanier who mostly does keyboards picked up the
Jacobs and simply would not put it down. I don't think Allen even went near his
keyboards the whole show. Eric Bloom who usually plays 2nd guitar played most
of the keyboard parts. It was a different show than I had ever seen. I have
seen BOC at least 25 times. And I hope to see them at least another 25 times.
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