Taking cues from ’50s automobiles and Las Vegas casinos, these affordable models stand apart from any other electric guitars you’re likely to see this year
(Image credit: Joe Doe Guitars)
NAMM 2023: UK guitar brand Joe Doe is building a reputation for its off-kilter designs – who could forget the Punkaster, its literal Strat-Tele mash-up? – and it looks set to continue that wacky streak with a trio of new designs for 2023.
With aesthetics inspired by ’50s automobiles and casinos, the Ben Court-designed Gambler, Hot Rod and Gas Jockey are certainly distinctive lookers, and have a host of neat electronic and hardware touches, not to mention affordable price tags.
Joe Doe itself is the brainchild of UK-based JHS Distribution and Vintage Guitars, which determines to offer something a little different from your common-or-garden Strat and Tele copies.
Just 100 of each electric guitar will be produced, and come accompanied with a hardshell case and certificate of authenticity. Here’s the full lowdown…
Joe Doe Gambler
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(Image credit: Joe Doe Guitars)
(Image credit: Joe Doe Guitars)
The Gambler is Joe Doe’s tongue-in-cheek pairing of a Thinline Tele and a Las Vegas casino, replacing the conventional f-hole with an ‘arrow’ soundhole, badged ‘rub for luck’ and directing to your eyes to a body-mounted poker chip. Because of course.
That body is of the USA alder variety, with a bolt-on maple neck that comes with ‘card suit’ inlays on either a rosewood fingerboard for the guitar’s Gloss Black finish, or a maple fretboard to match the Butterscotch version.
Pickups are Wilkinson WOVTN and WOVTB single coils, while the brand’s WJ55 tuners and WTB compensated bridge also appear, alongside a Graph Tech nut.
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Available in Silverburst and Goldburst finishes, the Hot Rod is also notable for its sure-to-divide-opinion ‘Big Ernie’s Hot Rod Maniacs’ print along the back of the mahogany neck.
Other features include a solid mahogany body, bound carved maple top and a 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard.
Once again, Wilkinson supplies the hardware: WOCH humbuckers, WJ15 tuners and a GTB wraparound bridge.
£699 (approx $850) is the asking price for this one.
Joe Doe Gas Jockey
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(Image credit: Joe Doe Guitars)
(Image credit: Joe Doe Guitars)
Arguably the most conventional-looking of the three, the Gas Jockey is still visually striking for its combination of Stratocaster and Firebird features.
Available in Gas Pump Red and Sparkling Gold Sand finishes, the Gas Jockey features a raised center strip on its mahogany body, with three Alnico V Wilkinson WOCMHB mini-humbuckers onboard.
There’s a maple set neck with a 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard here, topped off by a black gloss headstock facia, while hardware includes a Wilkinson T.O.M bridge, WJ55 machineheads and a Graph Tech nut.
Price tag for this one is £799 (approx $1k).
For more information on all the new Joe Doe designs, head to Vintage Guitars.
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
