PRS JA-15, Sunburst, Hollowbody, Gig Bag - Used
When Paul Reed Smith sat down with Paul Jackson Jr. — the session guitarist whose name appears on more records than most players could name, from Michael Jackson to Steely Dan to decades of television — the brief was to build the definitive modern hollowbody. The JA-15 is what came out of that conversation, and it is one of the most carefully considered instruments PRS has ever produced. A fully hollow 15" single-cut body with a spruce top and curly maple back, mahogany sides, and a curly maple neck with ebony fingerboard. The only solid wood in the body is a small block positioned directly underneath the tailpiece to improve sustain and reduce feedback — a surgical intervention that keeps the guitar usable at gain levels that would make a traditional archtop squeal. PRS discontinued the JA-15 after a limited production run, and finding a clean example is genuinely difficult.
The 53/10 humbucking pickups are the warmest of PRS's vintage-themed series — Paul Reed Smith has described the coil wire as made on the same machine that supplied legendary guitar makers in the 1950s, wound to specifications borrowed from a single-coil bridge pickup circa 1953. The result is a humbucking pickup with a sweet, bloomy, open-sounding top end that is immediately distinct from anything else in the PRS lineup. The 2-piece adjustable bridge is machined brass and aluminum — triple-weight saddles, large posts, extra mass — developed at the Private Stock level before PRS made it standard on the JA-15 and the SC58. It is the kind of hardware that you feel as much as hear.
This guitar goes well beyond jazz. Blues, rock, clean tones — it handles all of it beautifully, with a tonal range that surprises players who come in expecting something narrower. At 6 lbs 3 oz it is effortless to wear, and the ebony fingerboard feels fast and precise under the hand. A truly special and rare instrument.
Condition is Very Good. There are a few small dings and chips visible in the photo series — check all photos carefully before purchasing — along with mild play wear throughout consistent with the grade. Nothing structural, nothing that affects playability or tone. Comes with a Reunion Blues gig bag.
- Make: PRS (Paul Reed Smith)
- Model: JA-15 with Nickel Hardware
- Country of origin: USA
- Body: Fully hollow single-cut, 15" body width
- Top: Spruce
- Back: Curly maple
- Sides: Mahogany
- Construction: Fully hollow with solid block under tailpiece
- Finish: Sunburst (verify exact name — McCarty Sunburst or Smoked Burst — before posting)
- Neck: Curly maple, set neck
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard inlays: PRS Birds
- Scale length: 25"
- Neck pickup: PRS 53/10 humbucker
- Bridge pickup: PRS 53/10 humbucker
- Controls: Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2, 3-way toggle
- Bridge: PRS 2-piece adjustable, machined brass and aluminum, triple-weight saddles
- Tailpiece: Quick-change stoptail
- Tuners: PRS Phase III
- Hardware: Nickel
- Weight: 6 lbs 3 oz
- Modifications: None
- Includes: Reunion Blues gig bag
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
