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Read the review: http://bit.ly/VintageJerryDonahueTele

Tele master Danny Gatton once referred to Jerry Donahue as “the string-bending king of the planet.” It’s an apt description. In addition to being a member of the British folk-rock group Fairport Convention (and Fairport offshoot Fotheringay) in the early- to mid-’70s, his playing helped propel the Hellecasters and the Electric Revelators, and albums by Robert Plant and Elton John.

Several Jerry Donahue signature models have been issued over the years—the most recent being the $1,299 Fret-King JD Duncan Black Label, designed by Trev Wilkinson. The Vintage version reviewed here is a considerably less-expensive alternative to the JD Duncan, designed to put a little Donahue magic into the hands of players with more limited budgets. Despite its modest price, the V58JDAB claims to deliver much of the sonic versatility of its costlier sibling—largely by way of a proprietary 5-way pickup selector designed by Donahue and configured just like the one on the JD Duncan.

The V58JDAB is built around an unbound American alder body (the JD Duncan’s alder body has a bound ash top) with an Ash Blonde finish. The finish on the solid, hefty plank is evenly applied, though there were a few very tiny particles trapped in the finish on the top. A single-ply white pickguard adds a classic ’50s touch.

The guitar features a bolt-on, one-piece hard maple neck/fretboard with perfectly inlayed black dot position markers and a vintage-style 7 1/4" radius. The neck itself feels quite comfortable, although it doesn’t sit entirely flush with the body, and the nut is seated slightly askew. The 22 medium frets were nicely dressed, cleanly installed, and felt good to the touch except for a few sharpish edges.

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