Latest and one of the last creations from the Bravewood workshop, for those that don’t know, I have ceased production of all guitars and are just using up the last remaining bodies and necks.
So potentially one of the last chances to buy an S type from Bravewood, and indeed maybe from any other small builder if Fender get their way. For those that follow guitar news, you’ll be aware that after their success in Germany in getting the strat body shape recognised as something subject to copyright, apparently the ‘cease and desist’ letters have been flying, numerous builders in the States and beyond have been told to stop making S shaped guitars. As the UK is now outside of the EU, my understanding is this ruling doesn’t apply (yet), or would be subject to a different set of rules which would have to be argued. However, I doubt it will be long before British makers are feeling the effects. All in all, I guess I’m probably getting out of this game at the right time..!! It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.....
Anyway, back to the guitar...a very cool recreation of a ‘63 style S type guitar, finished in a gorgeous warm three tone sunburst, nicely distressed, a lot of my previous creations are a bit more heavily aged, this one is a more subtle offering, not everyone like the really heavily aged stuff...!!
Both body and neck are completely hand made in the Bravewood workshop, the body is two piece alder, the neck is maple with a curved join dark rosewood fingerboard, as would have been seen at the time. The radius is 9.5”, the frets are 6105 size medium, neck depth at the first fret (not including the fret) is 21.1mm, 24.3mm at the 12th. The neck has a comfortable C shaped profile with rolled edges, the position dots are the clay type, both front and side with the correct ‘63 12th fret dot spacing. The nut is bone for enhanced tone.
The pickups are a set of Fender Pure Vintage ‘65’s, I’ve always found the Pure Vintage range to be excellent pickups, classic sounds are all present, the bridge is bright but not shrill, the out of phase sounds give the classic ‘cluck’, middle and neck are smooth, warm but not muddy. These are wired through CTS vintage style pots and a CRL 5 way switch. A new old stock Spague capacitor handles the tone duties and a Switchcraft jack ensures years of trouble free service. The bottom tone pot is wired for the bridge pickup, middle tone controls the middle and neck pickups.
Vintage style hardware is fitted throughout, the trem block is steel as per the vintage originals. The pickguard is hand made and hand aged, it has the correct 30 degree bevelled edge and correct ‘63 hole layout. It is lightly warped and shrunken, as you often see on the original guards, even the aluminium under guard shielding plate if peeping out in a couple of places..!
The distressing is accurate and detailed, plenty of wear, chips, dents, buckle rash and lacquer cracking. The guitar plays really well, is lively and resonant, weighing in at 7lbs 7ozs, a very nice weight...
It is supplied in an ABS hard case, any further questions, please ask...
‘63 style S type in distressed three tone sunburst...
On Hold
