In order to understand what Jaslite is, it may help to understand first and foremost what it is not. Jaslite is not a mass production factory.

Jaslite holds to many time tested traditional methods handed down by the great luthiers. Jaslite has a passion which is clearly visible, and more importantly audible, in each instrument made. Although modern power tools and machinery are employed. Each instrument is the unique, hand-crafted creation of a master luthier.

Jaslite deals directly with each customer, engaging in an ongoing consultation and feedback process during building of the instrument. The instrument is tailored to the customer's specific requirements, much in the way of an item of clothing from a bespoke tailor. The guitars are hand-built from start to finish, beginning with an individual design in consultation with the customer and careful choice of timbers and other materials most appropriate for the new instrument, and ending with meticulous hand-finishing and precision set-up in accordance with the customer's preferences. All instruments are subjected to a constant process of evaluation and checking, right through to the last operation of setting up, before final delivery to the customer.

This level of dedication to perfection takes time. Although you must expect to wait for your Jaslite instrument, remember that this waiting period is being employed in the creation of a fine instrument which you can treasure for a lifetime. Only a production line factory can pop out an instrument in days or weeks.

Jaslite instruments bear only a superficial resemblance to the run of the mill production instruments which can be seen lining the shelves of music shops everywhere. The bodies are not fabricated from tone-deadening laminated sheet timber (plywood), as many off-the-shelf instruments are: they are made of solid select tonewoods, with the result that the resonance and richness of timbre, only achievable by the use of these natural materials, is assured. The bodies of all archtops are hand-carved, graduated and tap-tuned.

Tap-tuning is a process where the soundboard and other relevant components are tapped in a sequence of key areas with a felt-covered wooden hammer, much like the ones which hit the strings of a piano when a key is struck. The plates and bracings are tapped to produce soundwaves which are then interpreted by the human ear. After that comes a further round of tapping and evaluation using a precision strobe tuner for a more objective and precise reading. The whole sound-producing structure of the instrument is shaped and graduated in order to obtain the best tone and most even response across the soundboard.

*Footnote The text of this website was partially contributed and entirely proofread gratis by Erica Mackenzie . ( We can all blame her for any spelling mistakes. ) She is a serious, dedicated professional guitarist of 35 yrs standing, and has owned a number of expensive off-the-shelf instruments, including guitars made by Guild, Epiphone, Gibson and Fender. Erica has also had prior personal experience with hand-made instruments and the luthiers who created them, and owns a custom-made violin and lute amongst other hand-made items. Erica says " My Jaslites have those intrinsic X factors within them that I hear, feel and look for. They are a pleasure to play. "