JG Dotmaster Brand New 2015

Johan has amazed me once more with this beautiful Dotmaster. Just off the charts from an esthetic point of view. As far as I'm concerned, Johan's semi-hollow models (both the Dotmaster and the Bluesmaster S) are some of the very finest instruments available anywhere, by anyone, in the world today.

From the lowest note to the very highest, it sounds just like itself - its personality shines through every note. It never loses who it is anywhere on its neck. Full, rich, glowing with subtle dynamics and fantastic response to your pick or finger pressure.

The neck itself is a wonder. I think the best way to put it is that it is like the best ’59 Les Paul you’ve ever held in your hands. By the way, there is a common misconception that every ’59 Les Paul has a ‘perfect’ neck. Having played dozens of them over the years, I can tell you that even among these holy grail guitars, some have better necks than others. They’re all great. But some are extraordinary. This Dotmaster has an extraordinary neck. Like you took all the finest ’59 Les Paul necks and somehow combined them into one piece of sublime beauty and effortless hand feel.

I’ve been asked about the sonic qualities of the korina that Johan uses to make these Dotmasters (versus the mahogany he uses for his Bluesmasters). Johan and I have spoken at length about it, and though korina has a bit more of a pronounced midrange, ultimately, what I think distinguishes these Dotmasters from the Bluemaster S isn’t the wood type as much as it is the weight. Dotmasters come in about a half-pound lighter than a Bluesmaster Semi.

As you can see, the eastern maple top is, along with all of the workmanship, simply impeccable. Johan makes his own aluminum bridge and brass saddles himself. Every detail is refined and customized for every guitar. And it all came together, beautifully, here.

Everything you’ve read, every glowing report, every superlative you’ve heard about Johann’s guitars is true in this instrument. The legend lives up to all your expectations.

Whoever has a chance to get this guitar, I’d urge you to do so. It’s a simply astounding instrument. One you’ll love for years to come.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT JOHAN GUSTAVSSON GUITARS
It's probably fair to say that there have been few builders who’ve made as deep an impact on the contemporary guitar world as quickly as Johan Gustavsson. He’s taken the ’59 burst to a level that you likely haven’t experienced from any other builder. Johan's first exposure to a fine guitar was via his teacher, Robert Larsson, who had (as Johan puts it) “an old beaten up 1960 Les Paul Standard.” It was then he realized just what a great guitar could be. The experience continued when Johan got a part time job at one of the few places importing vintage guitars to Sweden from the U.S. (fifties Gibson Les Paul Goldtops, Juniors, pre-CBS Strats, Teles and Jazzmasters, etc). The exposure to that level of guitar and to that many great instruments had a great influence on his work as a guitar maker. Again – the quality of those guitars showed the possibilities inherent in the instrument. Johan has always been more attracted to the Gibson style of making guitars (with carved maple tops and glued in necks), and this is reflected in his most famous, and current model, the Bluesmaster Custom 59. A Gustavsson guitar is a Gustavsson guitar. His shop consists of Johan and an able assistant who was trained at the London Guild Hall University (and is a wonderful guitarist). That’s both good and bad news. The good news is that Johan’s genius is evident in every guitar he creates. The bad news is that since he makes them all himself, there are never many available. It’s a rare treat to play one. Simply superb.