So, I played one of these today...

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

https://www.facebook.com/THE-Guitar-Whisperer-464936657037715/ 

 

[mayfly]

ooooo!  Bet that was fun!

 

[BigSteve22]

Looking good there, Tony! How was it?

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

This was at Guitar Center in Tacompton, Wa. I really liked it, despite the Giant Redwood of a neck. The various pickup voicing with the phase switches really do yield a variety of tones of varied dynamics. I can see why Brian May was able to get some many tones with no effects & just plugging straight into the amp. Even not plugged into an AC30, but rather a Peavey Triple X amp with a High gain, medium gain, & total clean channel setup, it can hang with the big boys. This particular model needed a bit more of a setup as it was a used model. The string saddles needed to be radiused in orientation with the neck radius, and some stiffer springs in the tremolo cavity would have aided its tuning stability , but overall, it was the highlight of my GC visits this year. Just using the various 3 pickup positions without the use of the phase switches yielded convincing Stratocaster and Telecaster voicing, and the hollow body lent itself to controlled feedback sustain very easily, but again, with control. This one was strung up with 9's, which were a little loose to me as I've played on 10's for 35 years or so, plus, this is a 24" scale, unlike the Gibson 24 3/4", or Fender 25 1/2", so the tension is much lighter. I'm telling you, at $525.00 USD, it was seriously tempting, but I have workshop improvements that are a higher priority so that I can get more THE Guitar Whisperer work.

 

[AirCap]

I have serviced the Burns version for a client. I liked the neck a LOT, chunky and short scale. Would have preferred a flatter fingerboard, but whatever. Some of the pickup combos were good (especially with all of them on), and I got the rather odd trem to work pretty well once I took it apart and discerned its secrets.

 

[TBurst Std]

It’s odd you posted this as yesterday I was thinking hmmm, I may want one.
Played one back in Sept when I was in the UK.  Surprisingly nice.  Saw an AXE-FX video (for a patch setting)yesterday and he was playing one. 

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I absolutely loved the electronic array. Capable of convincing “Fender” tones, but these pickups have their own identity also.

 

[Seamas]

Did you use a sixpence as a pick?

I can see why Brian May was able to get some many tones with no effects & just plugging straight into the amp.

A Dallas Arbiter Rangemaster Treble Booster was usually in his chain.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Yup, but even without one, most amps these days can push the signal quite well, plus, there are plenty of aftermarket versions including the Fryer, as well as other clones.

 

[Unwound G]

Anyone counted the number of pickup switching on this ? Apparently it does more than a Superswitch can do.  Perhaps having a PhD will help remembering it all.

 

[Rick]

With apologies to Pablo Neruda to play a good guitar is the fire that feeds our soul.