Jim & Henry Jaros invented a

completely revolutionary building method that married the best aspects of neck-through body construction in an arch-top guitar.  Prior to this design, it was thought that having a neck through body with an arch top would negatively impact the sound because the top (soundboard) would have been separated.  The ingenious Jaros design sets the neck into the top & body.  The neck extends down past the tailpiece (about 1-2 inches from the strap button).  The bridge & tailpiece are directly mounted into the neck.  This increases overtones  and tuning stability.

I’m a huge fan of the Jaros design (which builders such as David Thomas McNaught have copied).  Notice that there is no neck heel with this design.  It is absolutely the best thing going.  You can see what it looks like here. 

This Jaros was made by Jim & Henry Jaros prior to Ed Roman taking over.  It is very lightweight and comfortable to play.  I liken the neck profile to a medium-fat C shape Gibson 1960s era neck. 

The guitar is stereo and is called the Acoustic Electric Hybrid because the bridge includes a Fishman piezo pickup that allows the guitar to sound like an acoustic guitar.  The small toggle switch allows for magnetic pickups, piezo & magnetics together or piezo only.  With a stereo cable you can send the piezo & magnetic signals to different amps.  Push pull electronics allow for coil split.  This is an amazingly versatile combination.

The top is very unusual for an archtop electric - Spruce!  I think that it contributes to the creamy smooth sound.

Jim Jaros is no longer building guitars.

Build materials & Quality = 10

Sound = 9

Playability = 9.5

Appearance = 9

Overall design = 10