
Review Summary
2024-02-03T15:47:40
Got a decent deal on this guitar. Seems pretty good one string has a bit of a buzz that might need a little set-up fix but otherwise for the price, it is hard to beat.
Nathan O.
2024-01-17T08:18:27
Wonderful instrument. I am just starting my guitar journey but I can't imagine anything better to start with. This guitar sounds great and is easy to handle. It is also beautiful. Looks much nicer than the price range would suggest.
RYAN R.
2024-01-09T07:12:20
Fun little guitar. I bought to have at my parents house over Christmas break. I had to adjust the truss rods using the included key, because the action was too high. Once I did that, I really liked it.
GARRET B.
2024-01-03T03:09:37
Perfect Parlor Guitar. Exactly what I wanted, and what it's supposed to be. I've owned about 50 guitars and basses, but this little Jim Dandy will probably get played the most. Great set-up right out of the box. Just had to tune it. Stays in tune, and seems to resonate for days. The sound is bright & clear. I couldn't pass up a deal, and I'm glad I didn't.
Ziggy G.
2023-12-23T08:12:53
Just spent a couple hours with my new JD, loving it right out of the box. I always cringe when I first play a new guitar -- expecting the intonation to be off, especially going up the neck. THIS JD IS PERFECT ALL THE WAY UP!!! I don't need to retune it when I put a capo on, either! I love the boxy twangy-ish tone; I bought it specifically because it will be a great lead and accompanying instrument for my duo. I am going to buy another right now, to convert into a tres (Cuban guitar) because of the intonation and good action. RECOMMEND!! Thank you, Adorama, for offering such a deal. -San Francisco
GIL G.
2023-05-23T09:15:29
This is a fun little guitar to play. It's great to have as a couch guitar to pick up and play when the mood strikes. I also was pleasantly surprised that my medium sized hands were able to do fairly complicated chord fingerings. Of course you're limited note playing as a practical matter of 12 frets (even though there is technically 18), but no matter, it still serves its purpose to grab it while watching TV, put in some practice time, or if inspiration strikes to put a tune together, without having a bigger guitar taking up space.
STEVEN T.
2023-02-02T01:44:24
I give the JD five full stars. It sounds beautiful, is super compact and very lightweight yet still very sturdy feeling, and looks excellent too. I've been playing on and off for years but have only improved my picking techniques since purchasing this guitar. Nice little parlor model that is ready for anything. Highly recommend it!
Noah D.
2022-11-10T11:36:57
Great little guitar! Only nitpick would be the setup needed further attention to play comfortably for beginner-intermediate levels
Mark N.
2022-10-18T08:15:21
Flawless little guitar. Would be great for a student/beginner guitar, but I keep it in the livingroom, leaning up against the sofa, so it gets played every day. No, it doesn't sound like a full sized dreadnought, but that's not why you're looking into it, is it?
Paul H.
2022-10-13T13:51:25
LOVE IT! I'm learning to play and I'm so glad I picked this guitar. It's beautiful and sounds great. I'm not planning to upgrade for a long long time. Great first guitar!
DUSTIN W.
2022-10-10T08:25:12
Just a great value - perfect for starting off for my kids - it stays in tune well and didn't need too much tweaking from the get-go. Honestly, I would choose it for myself as a fun guitar to noodle around with around the house or outside
David T.
2022-09-30T05:56:01
Read many reviews claiming that this was a surprisingly good, well built guitar. They were right! It sounds great. The finish and feel exceed expectations. The action's a tad high for my tastes, but that's an easy fix ? meanwhile, it makes for good finger strengthening. I really like this guitar, I'm very happy I bought it. Fast delivery too. Good job Gretsch and Adorama.
RICHARD R.
2022-09-29T16:24:44
The guitar arrived quickly and safely. Opening up the box, I was pretty impressed by the quality of the craftsmanship. However, the neck action was too high at the bridge. A quick sanding of the saddle and a string change and it plays and sounds great, especially for the low price. I like the matte satin finish a lot. Overall, it?s just fun to play. It sounds unique, very bright and jangly and virtually no bass but it?s a cool sound. I would recommend this guitar for most beginners but I wouldn?t be afraid to play a gig with it too.
Kenneth P.
2022-09-28T13:10:52
This is the guitar everyone picks up after they own it! Very well constructed using inexpensive materials the work in symphony. Not says the Delta Blues like the Jim Dandy, but all fingerpicking sounds fantastic. The only answer I have is that its just the right combination. Period.
WALTER L.
2022-09-21T20:04:29
Great portable guitar. Has a twang to the sound. Used with gator case fits perfectly. Might be better to change the strings.
TIMOTHY S.
2022-09-21T11:08:34
This is really fun to play. I have many guitars, some very expensive, but I play this one all the time. Unbelievably good for the price. Takes a little adjustment to the neck, but don't they all!
GLENN M.
2022-09-20T09:38:06
great finish work, tuners, bridge and nut for such a cheap guitar
Cody O.
2022-07-28T08:10:59
Great guitar and sounds great. It?s a less expensive guitar and you can tell while tuning but it sounds good and looks great!
CAMENISCH G.
2022-07-20T08:28:25
Needed a smaller guitar to pick on porch/couch, etc. This one looks good, sounds good and stays in tune. No problems so far.
Joseph D.
2021-06-22T04:59:03
Great travel guitar, even better with d-addario light strings, I lowered the action a bit but that is a personal preference. Indonesia seems to make a very good quality instrument, no finish flaws, straight neck etc. A very good choice in a travel guitar, has a " honky tonk" sound but not a toy.
Thomas S.
2019-06-30T09:10:53
Pretty good deal, fast shipping.
B F.
2019-01-11T13:49:36
For beginner, traveling, having fun, blues acoustic... It does it all!! This Gretsch for under $ bucks is FAB! Perfect Guitar for anyone to learn on. It's very easy to play, stays in tune and has a warm sound. Also for kids starting it's not too big, wish I had one of these when I was young, not only for size but would have learned much faster as it wouldn't have killed my fingers. Purchased many guitars over the years in all price ranges. This is simply the best guitar I've ever purchased for the money. Note, the action was a bit high. After lightly sanding the bridge it has low action, no buzz and easy to play. If you're new and not sure how to do this, take it in to a luthier. Will be worth the cash.. won't cost much either.
David L.
2018-12-27T22:54:05
Researched this guitar before ordering quite a bit. Read articles and watched various YouTube Vids, kept hearing the same thing over and over... " a small guitar with a big sound for the size, easy to play and way better than it should be for the price". Sounded too good to be true!! This guitar has a nice warm tone, More volume than I thought it could possibly make. Yes, it IS very easy to play!! Other guitars out there for under two hundred usually are finger breakers with very high action, the Jim Dandy isn't. The Dandy I received has low action for an acoustic and is a pleasure to play. Every time I pick it up, still smile and shake my head what a great value it is! If your looking for a travel, campfire, second cheaper priced guitar you don't want to take out of the house.... This is it! For kids or adults wanting to learn guitar it's a great option, Not expensive yet very playable. There's nothing worse than trying to learn on a guitar that is hard to play, you'll give up without really getting started, won't happen with this. Sure it doesn't have a shiny finish and have a beautiful wood grain. The sides, back and neck are black. However the neck with it's non gloss finish "feels" great. One of the biggest surprises, this guitar stays in tune very well (even with a drop down tuning). the Rosewood fretboard (get one now if you can, hear they may be changing it soon) is lovely. Also something I didn't see in any reviews, It has a string through bridge. Making string changes faster, NO pins to deal with and helps with sustain and tuning stability. Ordered this via Adorama since most everywhere they are the same price. However Adorama offers the Jim Dandy with a Matching size Gator gig bag for just a few bucks more. Well worth it.If you're looking for a bargain priced guitar that's smaller for travel or kids to start learning on. The Jim Dandy may almost look like a toy but certainly isn't. Great tone, play-ability, stays in tune, portable and overall fantastic Lil Guitar worth every cent. Highly recommend!
David L.
2017-03-07T15:11:39
Bought two great guitars here and will look to buy again!!
Nicholas T.
2017-03-06T05:06:19
Great little guitar, smaller than a standard acoustic but has a very nice sound.
JASON H.
2017-02-28T13:18:03
Well made. Sounds good.
Jiachun Z.
2017-01-10T09:03:36
Slickdeals made the price ($) w/ free shipping. I had to roll the dice and rolled a 7. Like the size and the sound.
Chris H.
2017-01-01T13:28:46
This was a gift for a friend, and she loves it. Nice sound, great look, and small. But I really want to praise the customer service from Adorama. They are amazing, and helped me correct a shipping address error to make sure that the guitar arrived at the right place before Christmas. I highly recommend Adorama because of their customer service.
Richard J.
Great Little Guitar
By GLENN M.
This is really fun to play. I have many guitars, some very expensive, but I play this one all the time. Unbelievably good for the price. Takes a little adjustment to the neck, but don't they all!
Best Bang For the Buck
By David L.
For beginner, traveling, having fun, blues acoustic... It does it all!! This Gretsch for under $ bucks is FAB! Perfect Guitar for anyone to learn on. It's very easy to play, stays in tune and has a warm sound. Also for kids starting it's not too big, wish I had one of these when I was young, not only for size but would have learned much faster as it wouldn't have killed my fingers. Purchased many guitars over the years in all price ranges. This is simply the best guitar I've e...
View full Review
Crackerjack quality at a sober price! Faithful to the Gretsch "Rex" parlor guitars of the 1930s, '40s and '50s, the G9500 Limited Edition Jim Dandy Flat Top parlor-style model embodies everything that was great about everyone's first guitar. Everything and then some that is, because the G9500 is crafted with select guitar woods and is fully lined and braced for warm and pleasing tone, with a 24" scale for endless hours of playing comfort. Available in a limited edition Chieftain Red Burst finish.