Traditionally, most manufacturers reserve signature models for the upper reaches of their product ranges, and they don't come cheap. Recently, however, more and more companies are offering cost-effective versions, as well as their same-spec-as-the-pro instruments.
The Ernie Ball Joe Dart range rises to the uncompromising heights of the USA-built limited-edition, which carries a substantial $2,599 price tag. The Sterling Joe Dart Artist Series, which retails for a cheerful $399, bears many of the same hallmarks as the Ernie Ball range, and we’re told that Dart has been personally involved in ensuring that these more affordable instruments still meet his approval. But at a fraction of the price, how do they compare?
