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Being a guitar player I always take notice to what guitars Jimmy is playing. Is has for the most part been playing his new Martin Acoustic 000-JBS. I saw at the Dallas show he was using his HD-18JB. Anyone know why the change or why he like one guitar over another. Also, when he plays his PRS Semi-hollow bodie electrics, what amplifier does he use? Just trying to gain some insight on JB the guitarist.

I don't know the answers and I'm not much of a guitarist. All I can do is put it back at the top where one of the musicians might see it.

im a big martin fan myself.

I know that either the "News" section and/or the Sounding Board newsletter of the Martin Co has some info that might help. JOHN

On the Martin website I'm prettty sure it lists what Jimmy uses.

I listed what he uses, just wondered why he has been using different guitars for different shows.

My parents went to Columbus, it was their first show. The first thing they noticed was that he changed guitars almost every song.

MargaritaMatt wrote:I listed what he uses, just wondered why he has been using different guitars for different shows.

PM Key Lime Lee he might know.

I just bought a new Ibanez accoustic. Had a very similar sound to a very nice Taylor guitar.

The sound man may tune his guitar's between songs at times.

Also, when he plays those newer martins he will give them away at charity events. Maybe this will be a donation in the future.

His older Martin(i do not know the #) he has obviously had for a long time judging from the scars across the face.

Not sure if this helps all that much.

Taylor 314ce

His old Martin was a HD-18, that is what his first Martin Signature Guitar was designed after.

Through a very weird set of circumstances I was able to get backstage during the stage setup for the Atlanta show (didn't get to meet him though). At any rate, I'm a Martin and Taylor junkie and I was fortunate enough to get to talk with one of the guitar techs. We were talking about the Martins and the tech said that JB (with the tech's input) picks his guitars based on three factors:
1. Acoustics of the venue-Martins are the best guitar made because of their full response but that is also their curse when plugged in. In rooms where the acoustics bounce around they are prone to howl and have to be heavily eq'd. He uses the smaller bodied O model more there and the D model in arenas with better acoustic designs.
2. Second is that when possible, he likes to play the same type (D or O body type) acoustic that he used to record the studio version.
3. And third, as those of us who play alot know, sometimes he just likes one over the other for that particular night.

He also said that sometimes as the tour gets into the later dates, JB will play alot more electric (Paul Reed Smith exclusively) than acoustic as they are easier on the fingers night in and night out. (Oldies like me remember when he used to play acoustic for One Particular Harbor and now he almost always plays electric)

PS. By the way, backstage ain't all its cracked up to be. In my humble opinion-I know it is their job but his personal bodyguards were pretty nasty to some sponsor folks while I was there-and he wasn't even in the room yet.

Bishop Jim wrote:Through a very weird set of circumstances I was able to get backstage during the stage setup for the Atlanta show (didn't get to meet him though). At any rate, I'm a Martin and Taylor junkie and I was fortunate enough to get to talk with one of the guitar techs. We were talking about the Martins and the tech said that JB (with the tech's input) picks his guitars based on three factors:
1. Acoustics of the venue-Martins are the best guitar made because of their full response but that is also their curse when plugged in. In rooms where the acoustics bounce around they are prone to howl and have to be heavily eq'd. He uses the smaller bodied O model more there and the D model in arenas with better acoustic designs.
2. Second is that when possible, he likes to play the same type (D or O body type) acoustic that he used to record the studio version.
3. And third, as those of us who play alot know, sometimes he just likes one over the other for that particular night.

He also said that sometimes as the tour gets into the later dates, JB will play alot more electric (Paul Reed Smith exclusively) than acoustic as they are easier on the fingers night in and night out. (Oldies like me remember when he used to play acoustic for One Particular Harbor and now he almost always plays electric)

PS. By the way, backstage ain't all its cracked up to be. In my humble opinion-I know it is their job but his personal bodyguards were pretty nasty to some sponsor folks while I was there-and he wasn't even in the room yet.

Great post! Thanks a lot, some great info there. If you ever wanna talk guitars let me know!

NO PLANE ON SUNDAY wrote:The sound man may tune his guitar's between songs at times.

That'd be tough considering the sound man is out in the audience...



Most musicians have what are called "techs" ie a guitar tech, or a drum tech. Their job consists of getting the instrument set up and ready before the show, fixing anything that goes wrong during the show, and packing the instrument up after the show.

In the case of guitar techs, the generally spend most of the show tuning guitars and, if need be, replacing broken strings. They're also the ones who run out and handle the swapping of guitars.

Bishop Jim wrote:PS. By the way, backstage ain't all its cracked up to be. In my humble opinion-I know it is their job but his personal bodyguards were pretty nasty to some sponsor folks while I was there-and he wasn't even in the room yet.

I've always found them to be cool as long as the people were... I mean, they don't joke around when they're working but...

Which songs does Jimmy usually play his 12-string?

I think I've noticed it on SOASOAS and I know he comments about playing 12-string when he plays Everybody's Talkin.

What kind does he play?

conched wrote:Which songs does Jimmy usually play his 12-string?

I think I've noticed it on SOASOAS and I know he comments about playing 12-string when he plays Everybody's Talkin.

What kind does he play?

I believe it is a Martin, but not positive. He also plays a lot of 12-string at the acoustic shows in East Hampton.

The only 12 I've seen him play is a Guild. That was a few years ago though.

As for the songs...I've seen him play
Chanson por les petits enfants
Jolly Mon
Son of a Son of a Sailor and
Stars on the Water

12vmanRick wrote:

MargaritaMatt wrote:I listed what he uses, just wondered why he has been using different guitars for different shows.

PM Key Lime Lee he might know.

I just bought a new Ibanez accoustic. Had a very similar sound to a very nice Taylor guitar.

I also just got an Ibanez accoustic this past X-mas and love it. It's an Artwood 20 with a solid maple top.