WOW - Aluminum Guitars!

After drooling over Travis Bean guitars for the past few years, which keep skyrocketing in price, I finally found something I like even better.

Electrical Guitar Company (http://www.electricalguitarcompany.com) makes all-aluminum and wood/aluminum hybrid guitars. At first I was just going to buy a neck, but after seeing Buzz from the Melvins playing his all-aluminum guitar, I got my most severe case of gear lust ever. I may still buy a neck for a wood-body project down the road, but I just had to have this:

http://a950.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_f8bcf8341daedad67909d91c5655a46d.jpg

It's not cheap, so I've been selling off other gear to pay for it.

The company's myspace (http://www.myspace.com/electricalguitarcompany) page has a ton of pictures. Looks like a bunch of underground bands are getting hip to these, like Steve Albini, Melvins, Isis, Sunn O))), etc.

Has anyone else played with one of these? Even the fretboard is aluminum!

xx

Veleno Guitars (http://www.veleno.net/history2.htm) date back 30 years or more - they made the ankh-shaped guitar that Todd Rundgren used on the "Utopia" tour.

yep - these Electrical guitars use ideas from Beans and Velenos.

Wow, for real. I want need and aluminum neck! :grin:

How about an all lead guitar?

How about an all lead guitar?

Remarkably responsive with a weight just under 550 pounds.

SYF

How about an all lead guitar?

Shredders already invented that decades ago.

this particular guitar weighs around the same as a Les Paul - not light but not impossibly heavy. They are machined from a solid block of aluminum like a hollow metal case -front and back with the neck screwed into the body almost the full length down to the lower bout.

They do wood bodies too, but the aluminum body is so seductive.

OK, my EGC Standard arrived today. Officially the sexiest guitar in the house. Try not to drool on your monitors:

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100008/EGC/web.jpg

it's seven below in chicago today...that guitar looks great, but i'd hate to pick it if it were in my car today!

Uh... wow. That's purdy.

Does it fingerprint like crazy?

yep, CSI would love this guitar.

And it's cold enough in Atlanta today to make the guitar pretty chilly.

Do these aluminum guitars have a truss rod, or some sort of neck adjusting device?

that is AWESOME! more pics!

nope - no need.

How about an all lead guitar?

Didn't old Gibson Les Paul guitars have lead bodies painted to look like wood? :neutral:

i'm curious... what will it look like over time will it oxidize or something ? does it show fingerprints?

Definitely post more pics - that guitar is sweet. And shiny; I love the shiny.

it's seven below in chicago today...that guitar looks great, but i'd hate to pick it if it were in my car today!
my dad says if you lick a freezing cold guitar your tongue will stick to it

Anyone remember the aluminum Telecaster that 0le Fuzzy was working on? Now THAT was cool...

I only have the iphone camera handy right now - will post more pics later.

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100008/EGC_SUNN/web.jpg

Do they play very well?

One of my friends has one of those ( and he got to pick it up at the guys shop as it's only 90 miles from here in P'cola) It weighs a frigging ton!!!! Plays good, I don't care for the flat radius on the fignerboard much. But it has a nice bright tone that works for the Shellac,Melvins,Jesus Lizard type stuff his band plays.

Did I mention it weighs a TON?

I was inquiring about having a telecaster made by him but the price was so high I could by a White Falcon for the same $$$$.

Nice guitars tho

This might sound like a dumb question, but how well does/would the grounding and shielding have to be on a guitar like that? I mean it just seems like if something wasn't properly grounded on that you run more of a risk of electrocuting yourself with one of those than a regular guitar....

Love it, if I got one I can tell the wife we can save money combining 2 hobbies.

Cars/guitars.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc186/rickybh114_photos/autosol.jpg

Didn't Fender have an aluminum Strat at one time?

This guitar is lighter than some Les Pauls I've played. While not a LIGHT guitar, it's not too heavy to me, and I'm used to playing SGs mostly. It's solid aluminum that's carved out on the inside.

These no longer have flat radius fretboards. They've been making all of their necks with a 12 inch radius for a little while now.

As far as grounding/shielding it's dead quiet. I will be careful to make sure everything else is properly grounded in the signal chain, and I won't play it on golf courses in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Pricing is very reasonable considering the amount of labor that goes into them. I think there's a shop in Chicago that carries EGC guitars, including some of the wood body models.

Yeah, here we go - aluminum strats. I have never even seen one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/michaelwlf3/harley.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/michaelwlf3/group.gif

That's a purdy guitar.

And aluminum? That one might pass the "Pete Townshend test."

pretty guitar. does it have any finish on it at all, or is it just polished metal? i would invest in a wireless set up myself, something about a big chunk of metal and high voltage just makes me real nervous....

it is polished aluminum. The company does anodized and chrome finishes.

I'm not too worried about high voltage right now as I don't play in clubs just yet.

I had a Kramer with an aluminum neck years ago, something like this. Had walnut inserts but it was still cold to the touch.

http://www.vintagekramer.com/Alum/DMZ2000.jpg

Hey Stephent2, here's my Kramer aluminium necked bass, the sister of your guitar:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2854034118_923bdb3615.jpg?v=0

Neck heavy, back breaking and unforgiving touch. But no other bass sounds like it. Rings like a piano, freaks my drummer out whenever I bring it to the jam when my bassist can't make it.

Were your pickups replaced or did you remove the covers?

".. Pine cones go in here (points to still), party liquors comes out here and proceed to here (mouth). Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated". -- Earlie Cuyler, Squidbillies


Just had to say..... DO NOT touch the trim. Unknown Hinson rocks

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100008/EGC_SUNN/web.jpg

Remember the other thread where people's voices were discussed?

Fuggedaboudit.
I'm hearing a whole freaking CHOIR right now... :shock:

That is gorgeous!

This guys does a variation on the theme: http://www.industrialguitar.com/guitars.html

Mine is the Classic Paul under the "P Style" group. Great guitar, less than 9 pounds (8 ounces lighter than my Epi LP), sounds incredible. Indestructible and I don't worry about scratching it -- I just don't care (bought it so I wouldn't have to; I'm paranoid about my "nicer" guitars), plus the builder has offered to re-buff it if I send him the top and/or back.

Is that one of these...

http://www.bountifultreasures.co.uk/acatalog/Solid-Silver-Bass-Guitar-Pendant-325.jpg


From the makers of this...

http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Portals/0/blog-images/Sound-Waves/UK_SpinalTapDwarf_400.jpg

After drooling over Travis Bean guitars for the past few years, which keep skyrocketing in price, I finally found something I like even better.

Electrical Guitar Company (http://www.electricalguitarcompany.com) makes all-aluminum and wood/aluminum hybrid guitars. At first I was just going to buy a neck, but after seeing Buzz from the Melvins playing his all-aluminum guitar, I got my most severe case of gear lust ever. I may still buy a neck for a wood-body project down the road, but I just had to have this:

http://a950.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_f8bcf8341daedad67909d91c5655a46d.jpg

It's not cheap, so I've been selling off other gear to pay for it.

The company's myspace (http://www.myspace.com/electricalguitarcompany) page has a ton of pictures. Looks like a bunch of underground bands are getting hip to these, like Steve Albini, Melvins, Isis, Sunn O))), etc.

Has anyone else played with one of these? Even the fretboard is aluminum!


Shiny! Me like.

Buddy Miller plays a couple of Wandre guitars that have aluminum necks.

I was going to mention that it looks like the stuff Gary Kramer used to put out.... but everyone beat me to it...

Didn't Fender have an aluminum Strat at one time?


Yeah... the second post in this thread.

Yeah... the second post in this thread.


Did I mention that I have a reading comprehension problem?

The "bowling ball" thing kind of threw me...but I know someone who had one of those Strats, and he has lived long enough to regret it.

That's a cool guitar congratulations.

But I'm ASTOUNDED that nobody has mentioned the James Trussard Steelcaster yet.

http://www.jamestrussart.com/Steelcaster/Steelcaster%20gallery/DSC03296%20copy.JPG

And he also offers one in a thinline version.
http://www.jamestrussart.com/Deluxe-ConR-Roses/Deluxe%20Steelcaster%20gallery/Large/DSC03542%20copy.JPG

And he offers them with engraved PAISLEY motives...
http://www.jamestrussart.com/Steelcaster/Steelcaster%20gallery/DSC01333.JPG

That's a cool guitar congratulations.

But I'm ASTOUNDED that nobody has mentioned the James Trussard Steelcaster yet.

http://www.jamestrussart.com/Steelcaster/Steelcaster%20gallery/DSC03296%20copy.JPG

And he also offers one in a thinline version.
http://www.jamestrussart.com/Deluxe-ConR-Roses/Deluxe%20Steelcaster%20gallery/Large/DSC03542%20copy.JPG

And he offers them with engraved PAISLEY motives...
http://www.jamestrussart.com/Steelcaster/Steelcaster%20gallery/DSC01333.JPGI saw those at NAMM last year...

My father in law has Harley Davidson Strat # 4. I've posted this before....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/HarleyGuitar008.jpg

He's not a guitar player; he's a biker and a bike collector who used to work for Harley. He bought this during the era when people were waiting 14 months for bikes and paying list price for bikes. Unique Harley collector items were the rage.

The guitar sounds great but it has the top end noiseless custom shop pickups.....everything is the best of the best of the best. It's a very unique Strat. I see it as more of a Harley thing than a Fender thing so I feel weird when I play it.

The double cutaway aluminum guitar looks great. The simplicity is beautiful...strinking.

I'm wondering if the all aluminum guitar is safer in the cold than a wooden Les Paul. I'm guessing that cold cannot damage an aluminum guitar. It's 10 below zero here tonight. I have a Rainsong Carbon Graphite acoustic that I bought for winter travel. Some of the alternative materials have some great benefits.

The AWS1000......100% Carbon Graphite....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/johnlg-2006/Rainsong023.jpg

The Graphite guitar has been a trooper and I would think that an aluminum guitar would be great in super dry or humid or extreme hot or cold....no worries about mother nature.

Congratulations on the aluminum wonder!

John

Hey Stephent2, here's my Kramer aluminium necked bass, the sister of your guitar:

Were your pickups replaced or did you remove the covers?

I had the single coil version with chrome covers that adjusted from the back, it did sound really good. I couldn't find a picture of one on "The Google".

The basses sounded even better, looks cool!

Some of the alternative materials have some great benefits.
John

You got that right, John. Wood is a terrible material for guitars. :grin:

I ordered one of these in August, and it arrived about two weeks ago.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4332541295_392ff96407.jpg

More Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benadrian/sets/72157623243036439/

Cheers!
Ben

That rules kingnimrod. I wonder what an aluminum fingerboard feels like though.

How are the p/ups? He says he uses alnico 5 mags with a steel baseplate for more top end i think.

woot~

There's a Finnish company that makes guitars out of steel. Here are some images and a video:

http://www.jhsguitars.com/Images/Guitars/Reallybig/JHS_TELE_steel-1.jpg
http://www.jhsguitars.com/Images/Guitars/Reallybig/JHS_TELE_rock-3.jpg

3l0kYOAFe5s
1vkv-ErtCQ8

Ovation made an acoustic! with an aluminum slab neck years ago. A great guitar for the money for someone just starting out.

Looks great, but I do wonder about the "cold to the touch" factor that people used to encounter with Kramers and Beans.

Yeah, here we go - aluminum strats. I have never even seen one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/michaelwlf3/harley.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/michaelwlf3/group.gif

I've seen the Harley one locally, with a $35,000 price tag on it.

I doesn't do much for me. My hands sweat profusely when I play I'd be sliding all over the place. Congrats on the guitar. Chicks would love it they could always check their makeup.

I have a Kramer Duke bass, with a headless aluminum neck. Unique, but the heat from your hands would make it go sharp, so you had to retune a few times at a gig. My Precision would stay in tune for days at a time.

you know if you played that at a gig with a whirly disco ball you would get all kinds of reflections bouncing off that thang!!

We NEED a video of this thing!!!

That rules kingnimrod. I wonder what an aluminum fingerboard feels like though.

How are the p/ups? He says he uses alnico 5 mags with a steel baseplate for more top end i think.

woot~

Honestly, you quickly forget the neck is aluminum. It's very comfortable to play. If it's very cold it takes a couple minutes to warm up, but this guitar is my new favorite.

The pickups in mine are Gibsons, but I have a limited edition wood body/aluminum neck on order that I'll get in a couple weeks that has his single coils in it. His pickups sound great.

Honestly, you quickly forget the neck is aluminum. It's very comfortable to play. If it's very cold it takes a couple minutes to warm up, but this guitar is my new favorite.

The pickups in mine are Gibsons, but I have a limited edition wood body/aluminum neck on order that I'll get in a couple weeks that has his single coils in it. His pickups sound great.


That is super. Congrats on both. I would be so curious to try one of those guitars to see what it would be like.

just received my super-limited edition wedge from EGC. These are wood bodied/aluminum neck and based on the Travis Bean wedge. No longer available. I feel so lucky to have this. EGC #2 in the house:

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100008/EGC%20wedge/web.jpg

This guy's business is about to explode (you will know why soon). If you are thinking about buying something from him, I'd put an order in soon before they get a lot more expensive.

Killer guitar!

I have an acoustic guitar with an aluminum neck. It's a Matrix by Applause (Ovation)...circa 1978. The frets are part of the aluminum neck...so I dread a fret job.:grin: But seriously, it plays and sounds great.

This old thread has new life? Cool!
Last year I recorded with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. I used one of his aluminium necked (and bodied) Veleno guitars for a few of the second guitar parts. I just picked it up and played it like any other guitar. It was really quite cool, great sound. He also showed me his main guitar, the Travis Bean, the one he used on stage with Shellac, it had a wood body that was quite mashed up from his metal pick. Pretty cool that a company like The Electrical Guitar company are making these kinds of guitars.

Interestingly, my wedge was originally going to be Albini's, but he wanted something different done to the body of his.

better shots:

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100069/wedge_1/web.jpg

http://gallery.me.com/sleepwalk/100069/wedge_2/web.jpg

my project, a tele resonator, with aluminum floral etching body
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs457.ash1/25148_1336142882120_1187540433_30921727_8889_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs457.ash1/25148_1334981053075_1187540433_30919580_6723885_n. jpg

here the progress (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2046178&id=1187540433&l=5508ae78b9)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/open-g/2004mar15HoFBolinTele_KevinMazur.jpg
pic by Kevin Mazur

John Bolin Tele. from the 2004 R&R Hall of Fame jam after Keith inducted ZZ Top.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/open-g/Bolintelecloseup_mathijs-1.jpg

the twins (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2046178&id=1187540433&l=5508ae78b9) shown :)
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198081_1794137691704_1187540433_31872359_1161411_n .jpg

yeesh sorry but this thread has got to be filled with some of the ugliest guitars i've ever seen! that aluminum/metal look doesn't work for me at all. looks more like a statue or trophy than a guitar.

Check these guys out.

http://www.normandyguitars.com/guitars/custom-alumicasters.htm

I had a Travis Bean TB 500 that I wish I'd kept. I sold it for much less then it was worth. The neck had imron paint/coating on it, so it felt like a normal finished guitar. It was very bright sounding. Sustain for days.

I had a Travis Bean TB 500 that I wish I'd kept. I sold it for much less then it was worth. The neck had imron paint/coating on it, so it felt like a normal finished guitar. It was very bright sounding. Sustain for days.

http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/49523.jpg

how bout this?

Has anyone with an aluminum guitar have any comment about tuning issues?

I recall some Travis Bean players give up after a few years because the expansion rate of the aluminum neck would cause tuning issues under stage lights.

Regarding bringing an aluminum guitar from a freezing car, makes me want to paraphrase Charlton Heston, "You'll have to pry this guitar from my cold, frozen fingers . . . "

Has anyone with an aluminum guitar have any comment about tuning issues?

I recall some Travis Bean players give up after a few years because the expansion rate of the aluminum neck would cause tuning issues under stage lights.

Regarding bringing an aluminum guitar from a freezing car, makes me want to paraphrase Charlton Heston, "You'll have to pry this guitar from my cold, frozen fingers . . . "

When I pull my EGC out of the case, I tune it and start playing. After about 10 minutes, the strings have usually pulled a little sharp. I'll retune it and then it's fine for quite a while.

I've figured out a way around this at live shows. First thing I do is set up my amp and turn it on. Then, I pull out the guitar and lay it on top of the amp. the amp is tube, so the warmth from the tubes rises up and heat up the guitar. I then set up pedals, get some water, use the bathroom, and then when I go out, I tune up one last time, and it's good for the set.

Of course, if I have a backstage area, I just play guitar for 5-10 minutes before the set, and that works too.

There's a Finnish company that makes guitars out of steel. Here are some images and a video:

http://www.jhsguitars.com/Images/Guitars/Reallybig/JHS_TELE_steel-1.jpg
http://www.jhsguitars.com/Images/Guitars/Reallybig/JHS_TELE_rock-3.jpg

3l0kYOAFe5s
1vkv-ErtCQ8

I'm surprised by how normal those sound. Maybe a slight boost in upper mids. Do you guys notice much difference in the sound of your metal guitars?

http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=60&lang=fr
A French aluminium guitars Builder: Meloduende Guitars

http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=52&lang=fr#

http://www.meloduende.fr/cache/multithumb_thumbs/b.200.200.16777215.0.http...www.meloduende.fr.imag es.stories.meloduende.oldhoney.oldhoneybrownsugar. jpg

The Old honey model

http://www.meloduende.fr/cache/multithumb_thumbs/b.200.200.16777215.0...images.stories.meloduende.B lacksword.blacksword2hawk.jpg
Blacksword model (relic Aluminium)

I had a Travis Bean, back in the mid-70's. Killer pickups, extremely heavy and well playing.

The biggest drawback that I encountered was that the neck was extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and as a result, it would not stay in tune. Your hand would heat the neck, and the tuning would change.

Still, a very nice looker...and THE ONE guitar I most regret selling....but, mostly because it would be worth major $$$ TODAY.

http://www.liquidmetalguitars.com/

http://simplemachineguitars.com/smg_index.html

Peter Haycock of Climax Blues Band played a Veleno aluminum guitar. I saw them play in 76 and he played one then (IIRC). I've heard that the guitarist for Hole, Eric Erlandson collects Veleno's.

I remember Jerry Garcia playing the Travis Bean guitars too. He liked them but, the issue with these guitars is that the neck is very cold to touch. Not conducive to comfortable playing.

i don't know much about aluminum guitars, but I have an aluminum bass

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1945/l45621cdbfd344b79a97828.jpg

I have had a Kramer bass with the aluminum neck since 1977. It sill plays and sounds fantastic. I have never really noticed any tuning issues - but I tend to play with a heavy hand so maybe as I am stretching the strings flat the neck is adjusting in the other direction! :lol:

who knows! I still like this bass - but it is a little heavy on the shoulder after a while.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may04/images/todd2guitarhero.l.jpg

http://www.veleno.net/ToddRcovr.jpg

The Veleno ANKH...late 70's

i don't know much about aluminum guitars, but I have an aluminum bass

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1945/l45621cdbfd344b79a97828.jpg

That's awesome.:grin:

First post, hi all!

For those who prefer an archtop: http://www.normandyguitars.com/

5eE-_p-CYJ0
aluminium guitars telecaster vidéo:From France (Meloduende Guitars)

Very awsome awsome guitar. How do they refret one of those? Heli arch weld? or is it a bolt/glue on the entire fingerboard with attached frets?

Spruce Hill guitars is in business again. I waited 6 yrs to get a guitar body from Marty. Luckily he has some new partners and was able to get my product. Thanks to John Sabbin for expediting my order! Their new guitars go for $5000 or so. I'm trying to figure out how i want to finish mine, chrome or hard anodize. I'll post pics when that project is done.

Hi just joined the forum Thanks. I to have some solid aluminum guitars.Started building them about 6 years ago. Found this site by google.I will try and post some pics.

Always wanted a Kramer bass with aluminum neck.

http://http://www.meloduende.fr/images/stories/meloduende/oldsword/oldsword6.jpg the old sword guitar by Meloduende Guitars ( still in aluminium !!)

http://http://www.meloduende.fr/images/stories/meloduende/oldsword/oldsword6.jpg :razz:

http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=82&lang=fr#

http://www.meloduende.fr/cache/multithumb_thumbs/b.200.200.16777215.0...images.stories.meloduende.P hantom.phantom15.jpg

Meloduende guitars: Phantom model
An esquire like still in aluminium

http://http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=82&lang=fr (http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=82&lang=fr)

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHHaYafFpI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgHHaYafFpI)

Jamming with Mike "Sugar" Cahen and Judge Fredd

Could I make a mold and melt tons of aluminum cans to make a body and neck?

I'm surprised that the cork sniffers haven't whinged that aluminium isn't a "tone wood" :mrgreen:

Huh, I always thought the point of an aluminum neck was that it wasn't as sensitive as wood, being non-porous and all.

So what is the point, if that's not true? What are the advantages, besides looks?

Consistency, perhaps?

I read an old Guitar Player Magazine interview with Jerry Garcia in which he said he toured with Travis Beans because if he broke a string and needed to switch to a backup, it was exactly the same as the first one, whereas two wood guitars would have subtle differences due to coming from different trees.

Huh, I always thought the point of an aluminum neck was that it wasn't as sensitive as wood, being non-porous and all.

So what is the point, if that's not true? What are the advantages, besides looks?

I don't know what the advantages would be at all. I do know that it will suck all the heat out of your hand in a cold room. :mad:

http://www.meloduende.fr/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=102&lang=fr

http://www.meloduende.fr/images/stories/meloduende/Dihocustom/diho6.jpg The Diho Custom !!

http://www.meloduende.fr/images/stories/meloduende/Aluhaelectversion/aluhaelectr3.jpg

"Aluha" guitar by Meloduende. A weissenborn style made with Aluminium !!

Kinda makes you wonder what you could do with a machine shop, some 3/8 inch sheets of aluminum and a welder.

There was a Documentary coming up about Travis Bean a few years ago, what happened?

128279



128280

The Bass Phantom!!!

Has anyone with an aluminum guitar have any comment about tuning issues?

I recall some Travis Bean players give up after a few years because the expansion rate of the aluminum neck would cause tuning issues under stage lights.

Regarding bringing an aluminum guitar from a freezing car, makes me want to paraphrase Charlton Heston, "You'll have to pry this guitar from my cold, frozen fingers . . . "

I have an all aluminum EGC. When it's cold, if you tune, after playin your first song you'll find it's half a step sharp and have to retune. After that no problem... Stays in tune.

I had a TB1000s - it was just always in tune.i think cuz the neck was a fat heavy beast compared with the infinitely better designed EGC.

I tend to not care too much about this stuff though... The playability, the feel, the rich lush harmonics... The balance... The ease of accessin the entirety of the fret board and the fact that I get excited every time I look at it.. Well... So what if u have to retune on stage after song 1?

I'm surprised by how normal those sound. Maybe a slight boost in upper mids. Do you guys notice much difference in the sound of your metal guitars?

Yes! But I think not all metal guitars are created equal. My TB 1000s was a bit of a fight to play some areas of the neck, had some imbalances across the fret board etc (it was a REAL players version...)

the Kramer 450g i had a bolt on neck rather than the neck through and it lacked low end and the amount of sustain and incredible volume the TB produced... Maybe too cuz of the wood inserts in the neck? Both had rosewood fretboards.

My EGC is all aluminum, neck through... P90s... It buries both the TB and Kramer in a few ways: it matches the balls of the TB but is way better balanced tonally and volume wise, it's also tonally richer (which I hadn't thought was possible) than the TB and is always a pleasure to play. The neck is thin and I'm no shredder... But the feel is sooo comfortable, natural and infinitely more playable. There are no dead spots - and the radiused neck is an improvement.

It has a louder harder sound with a LOT of sustain. It's very articulate. It's a standard scale but I can tune it down to say CGDGBD and it still holds well defined notes.

I have 2 vol, 2 tone, 3 way selector and phase switch which all provides a good spectrum of possibilities.

For me the sound difference is really apparent from me as a player's perspective... It's so responsive and just seems to have less in the way between your idea, your action and the beauty or menace that hits yours ears.

So do the mfg's stick a zinc block inside the body to prevent corrosion? :lol:

hey,
This specific alloy enhances note definition and clearer high end frequencies. It also prevents any disturbance of the guitar pickup's magnetic field. No risk of interference or hum, even with single coils :)

new customs...