2000 Johnson Amistar JM991 Tricone Resonator - w/Case

For your consideration, a 2000 Johnson JM-991 Tricone Resonator with hardshell case. This is one of the early Czech-made Johnson resonators built by Amistar, and these are a very different animal from the later budget Johnson imports. The Amistar-built metal-body instruments were short-lived, well regarded, and have developed a reputation for offering a surprising amount of real resonator guitar for the money.

And this one has blown us away. It has a bell-brass body and a real three-cone resonator system, with plenty of volume, sustain, bite, and that complex metallic sweetness that makes a good tricone so much fun to play. We have all spent some time passing this one around the shop, and it is seriously impressive for the price.

At some point, somebody upgraded the tuners and added a National logo to the headstock. To be clear, this is not a National. It is absolutely one of the Amistar-era Johnson JM-991s, and frankly it does not need to pretend to be anything else.

The finish has some haze and oxidation in spots, which is nothing unusual on an older brass-bodied resonator. You could probably spend some time polishing and buffing it if a shinier look is your thing, but we prefer these with a little age showing. It suits the guitar.

The neck is straight, the truss rod works as it should, and fretwear is minimal and does not affect intonation or playability. It has been freshly set up and restrung in our shop and is playing great.

A hardshell case is included.

Available for a test drive in our Jamestown, Kentucky showroom, and we ship worldwide. Let us know if you have any questions.

Weight: 9lbs 4oz