Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Jameson Guitars 979 is an acoustic-electric guitar that offers a versatile and quality option for guitarists looking for a great acoustic sound at an affordable price point. Part of Jameson's Stratocaster series, the 979 marries classic acoustic guitar construction with modern appointments like a pickup and tuner to provide amplified tones when needed.

With its thinline body shape, the 979 is comfortable to hold and easy to play while still projecting volume acoustically. The combination of a spruce top with mahogany back and sides delivers a balanced, full-bodied tone. An onboard preamp with built-in tuner allows you to plug in for live performances or recording scenarios. Overall, the Jameson 979 provides excellent bang-for-the-buck if you want classic acoustic sound and flexibility.

Appearance

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE has a thinline acoustic-electric body style with a single-cutaway design. It features a smaller body depth compared to a traditional dreadnought acoustic, making it lightweight and comfortable to play for long periods.

The guitar has a sleek, modern look with its matte black finish. The body is made of spruce with mahogany back and sides. It has a 25.5" scale length with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The headstock matches the black finish with chrome die-cast tuning machines.

Overall, the appearance of the Jameson Guitars 979 leans towards a contemporary style while retaining some classic acoustic elements like the wood combination. The single-cutaway thinline design provides good accessibility to upper frets while still producing balanced acoustic tone. Players looking for a versatile black acoustic-electric will appreciate the modern aesthetics of this model.

The Martin GPC-X2E 11GPCX2E-01 is another great option for players wanting a stylish, modern acoustic-electric guitar. This Grand Performance model has a sleek cutaway body design with solid Sitka spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. It features a rich brown sunburst finish that accentuates the beautiful wood grain patterns. Chrome enclosed tuning machines provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. The fingerboard and bridge are made from solid black richlite, an eco-friendly composite material. Overall, the GPC-X2E has an elegant, refined aesthetic perfect for contemporary acoustic playing styles. The thinline body depth improves comfort and playability while still delivering Martin's signature tone. Players who want the versatility of plugging in combined with gorgeous visual appeal will love the Martin GPC-X2E 11GPCX2E-01. You can learn more about this model here.

Build Quality

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE features solid construction and quality materials, reflecting good attention to detail in its craftsmanship.

The top is made from select spruce, a classic tonewood prized for its resonant qualities, while the back and sides consist of mahogany. Mahogany is appreciated for its rich midrange and good note separation. These tonewoods should produce a balanced and detailed acoustic tone.

The neck is crafted from nato, an affordable wood sometimes used as an alternative to mahogany. It has a smooth feel and pairs well with the solid spruce top. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret in a comfortable cutaway design to facilitate access to higher frets.

The bridge and fingerboard are both rosewood, an attractive tonewood that offers warmth and definition to each note. The strings pass over a synthetic bone nut and saddle. Overall, the choice of quality tonewoods and reliable hardware indicates this is a thoughtfully constructed instrument.

While not built to the highest standards, the materials and workmanship of the Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE should result in an attractive, resonant, and playable instrument that punches above its weight at this affordable price point. The build quality makes this guitar a great choice for new and advancing players.

When comparing the Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE to other acoustic-electric guitars in its price range, it's worth looking at the Fender 0970923137. This is another affordably priced acoustic-electric with solid construction and quality materials.

The Fender features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and die-cast tuners. This combination of tonewoods provides balanced tone and good resonance. The slim neck profile offers comfortable playability.

Like the Jameson, the Fender 0970923137 has a cutaway body style to allow easier access to higher frets. It also includes a built-in preamp and tuner for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. The Fender has a nice classic styling with tortoise binding and pickguard.

When comparing build quality between these two acoustic-electric guitars, they are fairly comparable. Both use solid spruce tops and quality tonewoods for good sound. Hardware and electronics are reliable on both models. They have similar neck shapes and cutaway body styles.

The Jameson may have a slight edge in craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Fender likely has better brand recognition and resale value. However, they are both good options in this affordable price tier, offering new players the chance to own a worthy acoustic-electric guitar.

Players looking for their first acoustic-electric should consider the well-constructed Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE. They should also look at comparable models like the Fender 0970923137. Comparing specs, materials, and pricing will help find the right choice. Either of these guitars would make a solid entry-level acoustic-electric with good playability and sound.

Sound Quality

The Jameson Guitars 979 produces excellent acoustic tones thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides construction. The solid spruce top contributes to the guitar's balanced, warm tone. The spruce provides crisp highs, pronounced mids, and tight low end.

The mahogany back and sides add some depth and richness to the guitar's acoustic voice. They warm up the treble tones while also providing strong low-end. Overall, the tonewood combination results in a dynamic and balanced acoustic sound.

This is further enhanced by the use of Aquila nylon strings. The Aquila strings have amazing resonance and harmonic clarity. They are securely intonated on the Jameson's nut and bridge, optimizing the guitar's bright yet warm acoustic tone.

When plugged in, the guitar's electronics maintain the impressive tone. The under-saddle piezo pickup and 3-band EQ allows for quality amplified tones with a natural acoustic voice. You can sculpt your amplified sound while retaining the Jameson's lush spruce and mahogany resonance.

Playability

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE thinline acoustic-electric guitar features smooth playability thanks to its comfortable C-shaped neck and rosewood fretboard.

The neck is crafted from mahogany and has a 25.5" scale length with 20 frets. It has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, fluid movements up and down the neck. The C-shaped profile is a comfortable middle ground that accommodates various playing styles.

The fretboard is rosewood which provides a warm, rounded tone while still having enough brightness and clarity. The rosewood feels smooth under the fingers. The fretwork from the 1st to the 20th fret is well-done with no sharp ends to irritate the player's hands.

The compensated saddle helps improve the guitar's intonation, allowing it to stay relatively in tune even during aggressive bends or heavy playing. The synthetic bone nut also helps with tuning stability.

Overall, the neck, fretboard, and bridge on the Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE provide a quality playing experience that both beginner and more advanced players will appreciate. The smooth feel and comfortable profile facilitate versatile playing styles.

Electronics

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar features basic but quality electronics that get the job done for gigging and recording.

The guitar has a built-in preamp and EQ that provides equalization control for shaping your amplified tone. The preamp features tone and volume controls. The tone control allows you to boost treble or bass frequencies to dial in your ideal amplified sound. The volume knob controls your overall output level.

While the EQ controls are basic, they provide enough tone shaping ability for live performances and studio work. The preamp and EQ deliver a balanced, quality amplified tone without excessive noise or hum.

The Jameson also includes a built-in tuner for quick and convenient tuning on the fly. The tuner is easily accessible and allows you to keep your guitar in tune both on stage and in the studio. While the tuner display is small, it is accurate and handy to have onboard the instrument.

Overall, the electronics on the Jameson 979 BLACK CSE provide reliable amplification and tuning in an affordable package. The preamp, EQ, and tuner get the basics done well, although more advanced players may want upgraded electronics down the road. For beginners and intermediate players, these electronics will handle practice, gigs, and recording sessions.

Versatility

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE offers excellent versatility for both acoustic and electric playing. As an acoustic-electric guitar, it can be played unplugged just like a traditional acoustic guitar, taking advantage of the full acoustic resonance of the solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The cutaway body style provides easy access to the higher frets, expanding the guitar's range and playability for lead playing and solos.

When amplified, the 979 BLACK CSE shines thanks to the onboard piezo pickup and preamp system. The undersaddle piezo pickup accurately reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic tone and dynamics when plugged into an amp or PA system. This makes the guitar suitable for playing larger venues where acoustic projection alone is insufficient. The preamp provides tone shaping controls including volume, bass, mid, and treble adjustment so the amplified tone can be dialed in. From acoustic singer-songwriter performances to bigger amplified gigs, this guitar provides excellent versatility for a wide range of musical situations.

Price and Value for Money

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE thinline acoustic-electric guitar provides excellent value for money given its quality components and construction.

This guitar is priced very competitively compared to other acoustic-electric guitars in its class from major brands like Fender and Yamaha. Considering the all-laminate construction with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, diecast tuners, and built-in electronics, the Jameson model is economical without feeling cheap.

For intermediate players or those looking to upgrade from a beginner instrument, the Jameson 979 offers professional features and impressive tone at a wallet-friendly price point. The cost is reasonable for a guitar of this caliber that can handle both acoustic and plugged-in playing.

While not as inexpensive as some entry-level acoustics, the Jameson represents a sweet spot between affordability and quality. Overall, it provides great bang for your buck that outperforms other guitars at the same price.

Pros & Cons

The Jameson Guitars 979 BLACK CSE thinline acoustic-electric guitar has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Attractive all-black design and thinline body make it lightweight and comfortable to play
• Solid spruce top contributes to balanced and bright acoustic tone
• Fishman pickup and preamp provides quality plugged-in sound
• D'Addario strings installed from factory for optimal intonation and tuning stability
• Low action and slim neck profile facilitate easy playability
• Versatile for both acoustic and electric applications
• Reasonable price point for features offered

Cons

• Laminate basswood back and sides don't resonate as much as solid wood
• Electronics can be prone to feedback at high volumes
• Thinline body generates limited acoustic volume unplugged
• No onboard tuner or EQ controls to shape amplified tone
• Factory setup may require adjustments for optimal playability
• Lower-end hardware and electronics compared to premium acoustic-electric models

Conclusion

Jameson Guitars' 979 BLACK CSE offers excellent quality for an affordable price, making it a great option for both beginners and intermediate players. The thinline cutaway body provides comfort and accessibility while still producing full, balanced tone thanks to the solid spruce top.

The electronics allow you to plug in for amplification and effects, expanding the guitar's versatility. The hardware and components are built to last, so you can play this instrument for years to come.

While the tone may not blow away more advanced guitarists, the Jameson delivers solid sound and playability in an attractive package. For those looking for an acoustic-electric that punches above its weight without breaking the bank, the 979 BLACK CSE is easy to recommend.

It provides a quality playing experience that will grow along with you, all at a very reasonable price point. If you're searching for great bang-for-your-buck in an electro-acoustic model, put the Jameson 979 BLACK CSE on your short list.