New (high)way

This was all over the gear feeds yesterday - Fender announced the new Highway (Mexico) acoustics.

Two models are currently available, the Dreadnought...

... & Parlor. Both are offered in either a solid spruce or mahogany top. Both are listed for USD999.

Is this something new & game-changing? If we look closer, the Highways are actually an iteration of the Acoustasonic design. In the interest of something 'new' that would act as a sale enticement, the body's depth are a little thicker than the Acoustasonic making it more acoustic as opposed to an acoustic that is trapped in an electric form factor. The bolt-on design here is also different from the Acoustasonics which adhered to the solid body bolt-on design. Again, this aesthetic consideration makes the Highway more acoustic in looks. If you look at the pickup, it's an acoustic unit, not an under-saddle type. These, among other things, gave the Highway a good / strong acoustic aesthetic. 

I'm personally interested in these instruments as these are the answer for electric players who detest handling a struggle-inducing standard size acoustic. However, giving it a Highway label is a little misleading as this name was used for the most affordable USA-made Fender solid body guitars (circa 2001), the Highway 1 Series. However, this could be the manufacturer's way of preparing the guitar world for a Highway 1 come-back... as a Mexican model this time. Maybe the most affordable Mexican model. On that note, I really hope it won't happen. 😅

Pics: Fender

PRS 2021: Hip hip... Fiore!

This is least expected - a PRS Mark Lettieri signature model. It's called the Fiore & another bolt-on addition to the PRS fold. After a successful episode with the Silver Sky, this makes absolute sense. My initial response to this - sure glad it didn't sport a retarded headstock outline! The body design here looks very ergonomic with rounded appointments & no drastic turns to affect comfort / playability, in fact, it looks like the Kiesel Theos. Unlike the SS, this one sports a two-point whammy bridge giving a different playing response. Do note that this will only debut around Summer 2021.

Listen to what the man himself has to say about his new guitar.

While you're at it, watch how good he is / the type of music he embraces. 

Pics: GW

HBO

Giving some playing time to my ESP Horizon bolt-on. It's actually finished in a very dark green hue which could easily be mistaken for black from a distance. 

Here's another example in a dark brown finish taken from an online listing. These were made in 1994 - 1995, listed as the Horizon Custom Deluxe. Unlike its current iteration, this one is a bolt-on version. I did not buy mine in the '90s. Back then, ESPs cost way too much for the average working person, brands like Aria & Vantage were the go-to budget references. I was still a full time student in the '90s so this was beyond reach. Davis GMC had a new old stock in their shipment back in 2012 & I managed to grab it just hours after it was displayed in store. The default pickups were ESP's in-house models & I replaced them with Duncan Distortions almost immediately. The selector was a 5-way & I replaced that one as well; 3-way plus a push-pull coil split option. 

Just days ago, Beez did a revival by replacing the dead tone knob. 

Here's my attempt to highlight the green finish by having a green pick there - not quite successful as you can see. Anyway, just glad that this came my way because it's the only ESP in my line up with an unfinished neck, something that the manufacturer will not consider in the mean time.

T Green

I kept forgetting to update this here - new PRS CE24 model is now available at Davis GMC. Why bother? Two things: 1) If you have not heard a bolt-on PRS in action before, you should take the time to do so. It sounds a little snappier so for those of us who turn down the guitar's volume for tonal variation during play, you'd appreciate the difference. 2) Also, the neck's satin finished for fans of non-gloss playability. This tampas green version is really tempting (since I've called off plans to get the Silver Sky). Hmmm...

More new Solars

Solar guitars are beefing up their bolt-on lineups which is the right thing to do. A gold hardware version is now available (FR bridge, do note) & that delicious maple flame top veneer. Seen here: SB1.6FRFM.

At the fixed bridge front, we have this wonderful AB1.6HTPB. It's not quite obvious here but the burst edges are not black, it's purple. Basically, my prayers for a non-evertune bridge version for this model is answered with this model. One more time, we rest in utmost trepidation knowing that the Solar dealer here is not pro-active when it comes to having the latest offerings in store. Damn! 

Natural bolt-on

Following the launch of its bolt-on series, Solar adds this natural finish to its line up, featuring a Floyd Rose bridge. There had been many new additions to the Solar catalog since the confirmation of its official distributor here (CLICK) but local inventory had been slow & showing disinterest till the current stock had been cleared. Sigh.

Solar bolt

Hot off the press - Solar guitars now offers a bolt-on option (Above: AB1.6S). That's right folks, the new model even features a roasted maple neck. However, I am waiting for a non-Evertune model, not that I dislike this type of bridge but I want something simple.

SL at SL

If you wish for a decent second fiddle & had been following the LP SL fanfare, then be informed that it's now available at Swee Lee for $149 (List). No, it's not gonna give you a thick LP tone with that signature sustain obviously due to the neck-body construction as well as the pickups in use. I'm actually looking forward to try one. 

Kiesel 2018: Zeus

No idea if these guys will be at NAMM this year but this is worth highlighting- the Zeus (bolt-on) model. I used to find headless guitars weird & out of place but the Kiesel chaps make headlessness very desirable. All the best to them in 2018! 

PRS CE ver 2017: Salute!

Two days ago, I managed to squeeze some time to test out PRS' CE model which was re-introduced this year. At the back of my mind, I was rather upset that PRS is misallocating resources to reinvigorate a done deal. This bolt-on take on the manufacturer's renowned outline was discontinued in 2008 & it wasn't a strong selling point given the different neck-body attachment.

But having played one in person, the CE is indeed worth the resurrection. First up, the satin finish was crucial in both playability & comfort. This somehow managed to supplement the wide-thin neck profile, there's this sublime grip factor going while the instrument was in use. Secondly, the pickups there- a pair of 85/15- are deserving in getting some clarity through. They are great with any amount of drive dialled in but those clean aficionados might find the break-up factor of the neck humbucker a little troubling; it happens too soon so some volume play might be necessary to keep things dirt-free. Is bolt-on a desecrative construction profile for PRS? Not if you are splitting hairs & insists the manufacture should bend only one way for their instruments' tone in general. The increase in snap here is likeable & I personally find it non-wayward in any aspects. Even if it's not a flagship tone for the manufacturer, it's done in good taste.

I'm trying to resist the notion of a bolt-on PRS being 'good' or even acceptable because this will lead to tone dichotomy more than the tone appreciation per se. This CE proves to be difficult because it is good in its own right, regardless of the manufacturer's segue into other construction philosophy in trying to prove a point. Good manufacturers will remain successful regardless of any guitar-making adventure & PRS is one of them. Forking out more than $2K for a bolt-on PRS is quite foolish but we fork out more than that amount for a Fender or a Suhr without batting an eye. Decisions, decisions.

Rating: 80/100

PRS: CE 24 (ver 2016)
Availability: Davis GMC
List: $2,400

Glendora

This is something new by GJ2, the Glendora models- bolt-on makes compared to their initial through-body models. While there is an implication to tone in this respect, there is also an implication to prices :-)

LTD: H-330NT

I've referred to this guitar before (white finish) which is now available at Davis GMC. This is the manufacturer's take on affordability (List: $680) without trimming quality. It won't hurt your wallet (too much) because it's a bolt-on make & the pickups are ESP's in-house units. I deem this as a top-of-the-line blot-on LTD before the selections move into the set-neck models (about $200 more for the H-351). 

No hidden agenda when it comes to the QC here. I certainly like the weight offered, it's suggesting a very resonant response if you choose to do away with those active humbuckers. While still on the subject of ESP's in-house pickups, these are great pickups if you do not wish for too much gain but require that active push to increase presence. I'd say they're not as overpowering as EMGs but still perform differently compared to some passive units; something unique here, you'd know after trying. The test model I messed with didn't come with a smooth set of knobs but I don't see this as a hindrance, I'm very happy with everything else offered. For a moment, I'd forgotten it's a bolt-on make because ESP makes it a point for majority of their guitars to be bolt-free less the M-Series. In terms of playability, this is definitely above-average but the manufacturer's thin U-neck profile shouldn't be confused with Ibanez's Wizards. Recommended for those of us who wish to dwell in the active zone but not too keen with overpowering pickups, also for those of us keen on a super player without having to spend too much- you'd need some $$ for a bag anyway, it's not included.

LTD: Active + bolt-on

It's good to know that LTD's H-330NT is already in store at Davis GMC (pending list price). This is one of the manufacturer's affordable series of instruments featuring a pair of active (in-house) ESP humbuckers as well as a bolt-on neck feature.

ESP: Horizon bolt-on (Part 4)

This is a familiar sight by now, a push-pull coil split switch. There wasn't any in this guitar unlike the current generation of Horizons where a push-push switch is quite the norm. Note the binding there, it's a faux-type, meaning- this part of the ash wasn't stained blue to make it look like there's binding there. The black stains are the ash's inherent stripes.

The default 5-way switch is a Schaller unit which I've done away with. I prefer a 3-way option for a twin humbucker guitar with a push-pull coil split option.

The humbuckers in there now are the Distortion model for both bridge & neck. The pickup selector position is also not at the usual slot, it's nearer to the bridge, just behind the volume knob.

ESP: Horizon bolt-on (Part 3)

The current ESP guitars- those equipped with passive pickups- are equipped with Orange Drop caps. This picture is proof that it's a 'recent' consideration by the manufacturer because my Horizon blot-on model was still equipped with those budget caps.

The default pickups- unmarked models. At best, they could be ESP's in-house units, nothing awful but they didn't click with me. As you can see here, they were removed to make way for Seymour Duncans.

.To be continued... :-)