Gibson Joan Jett Melody Maker, black, 2010. Back in 2010, I attended the now defunct Falls Festival in Marion Bay Tassie, and one of the acts I saw was none other than Joan Jett. JJ and her band kicked arse; she's been delivering the nasty grungy glam bangers for many decades now and she's as good as anyone in the biz. Later on that same year, this cute little signature model dropped. It's based on Joan's original sixties melody maker, her guitar of choice since 1977, but with some cool little visual touches: pearled red inlays with some hearts on the 12th fret, a zebra humbucker, tune-o-matic and stoptail bridge and a truss cover emblazoned with her signature. Aside form looking cool, it sounds terrific. The slim neck and lightweight thinline body are super responsive, helped along by the thin nitro finish and sturdy hardware. The single humbucker delivers a rich, juicy growl, with a convincing thump on the low end and a wide, complex midrange. Just plug it straight into a dirty amp, and with nothing but the volume control and a varied right hand attack and you can get all sorts of tasty sounds out. These are increasingly difficult to find, and the couple of others currently available globally are listed for a lot more cashola than this one. Put another coin in the dukebox baby... or toss it to your Witcher, whatever works!
Model: Gibson Joan Jett 'Blackheart' Melody Maker
Made: USA, 2010 (serial 108200438)
Finish: black, open pore satin nitro
Body: solid mahogany, thin depth
Neck: mahogany, ebony board, 24.75" scale slim 60s profile, 12" radius
Weight: 2.815kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson BurstBucker 3 humbucker
Case: Gibson deluxe hard case, inc docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of scuffs on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs and rub wear on the back only. The back has a little bald patch a couple of inches from the top horn, a couple of small dents on the bottom horn and in the middle of the body and some dimples in the around the elbow area. The sides have minor dimples on both horns, the elbow area and near the jack, but no major marks. The front has a couple of dimples behind the bridge and up from the pickup, as well as some rub wear on the top horn and elbow area, plus the standard marks on and around the guard. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 9/10 for life left. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
