Coolest Production Model Axe

Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

For a regular production series, I nominate the Backlunds for totally cool retro-futuristic designs.
Not a big name exactly, but they aren't expensive boutique guitars either.




I love the lines of the EBMM Albert Lee; my HH plays well and sounds great.
Just wish they made a version with a chunky neck.



Going a bit more exotic, Zerberus makes some really striking guitars.
They sorta almost qualify as boutique, but I got my Chimaira used from GC.

 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

I think the original Parker Fly is another one of my favorite 'cool production guitars', too.
The original Parkers definitely weren't my aesthetic, but I'll agree they were great. It was the first time I'd ever picked up a guitar costing more than $1k and thought, "Wow, this is worth every penny."

A billion years ago, back before Musician's Friend merged with Guitar Center, in one of their outlet stores I encountered an Ibanez Iceman with a finish like those cheap "holographic" silver stickers. You know, you move your head, and the rainbow-reflective images seem to squirm a little under the surface. I bought an Epiphone korina Explorer that summer. I really have no idea how that Iceman sounded, but it looked bad ass, and I've always kicked myself for getting the Explorer instead.
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

Years ago at Steve's Music in Toronto I played a tiger finish Jackson V, I definitely remember how easily it played and how badass it looked in person with that yellowish-orangeish finish. If I walked in and found one today at a store with the same ~$2300 price tag I would seriously consider it.

That Ibanez H.R Geiger is sweet! Isn't that the same one Bernth plays?

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

My #1 is a Jackson Rhoads, which is hilarious, because it's a bit small looking for my 6'4" frame, but I'll never get rid of it.

There's just something bad-@ss about these guitars

Matt Tuck from BFMV on his white Rhoads:

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This is the one for me also!
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

They were both old yamaha's. One the double cutaway sg'ish style, and the 'samurai' with three single coils.

All three played and sounded great in stock form. Which is the criteria i'm going by. I only changed the tuners on the sg for some full size grovers.
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

I was back and forth between an Explorer and a Rhoads, but in the end...

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Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

Nothing gets me any more right there in the "cool" department than a really, really nice historical reproduction of:

'50s Strat
'50s Tele
Les Paul Junior single cut
Les Paul Special single cut
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

It's heartening that nobody has pointed to a fake beaten up production guitar and said it was coolest yet. Maybe that weird trend is dying out?
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

I really like Doug Kauer's stuff. I love my Banshees and his other models are a nice combination of modern and retro without being odd for the sake of being odd
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

It's heartening that nobody has pointed to a fake beaten up production guitar and said it was coolest yet. Maybe that weird trend is dying out?

Oh no, I know plenty of people that still dig that, and will keep that kind of thing in business for a long time.
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

I bought the HHH (or...mHmHmH?) instead of the HH, but I've played both and honestly, close your eyes and nothing about them actually *feels* weird. Visually, it's probably closest to a Firebird, but the feel reminds me more of a slightly smaller Explorer, because of the way your picking-hand arm is supported.

But yeah, I dig it a lot, even if I think I would have spec'd the pickups differently.

Of cool guitars I don't own but would love to try, the MM St Vincent HH calls me. It is so weird, and that is intriguing for some reason.
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

Kauer is the only guitar brand my wife follows on Instagram. Or Pinterest. Something.

Anyway, her response to most guitars is "...okay?" but she LOVES Kauer. I don't even think I'd get an eyeroll for buying one.

I really like Doug Kauer's stuff. I love my Banshees and his other models are a nice combination of modern and retro without being odd for the sake of being odd
 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

One of the best live guitar tones I've ever heard was a guy (M. Ward) playing a Johnnny A. IIRC, they're typically loaded with Classic 57s, which *I* like, but don't seem to get a ton of love from Gibson aficionados. Probably helps that he's a hell of a player. Can't imagine it would sound as good in my hands.

I like the scimitar soundholes on the Johnny A, too.

 
Re: Coolest Production Model Axe

If EBMM ever drops an SSS Albert Lee in a color I really dig, I suspect I would be willing to spend even BFR-levels of $$$ get one as a Strat-substitute.
 
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