Solidbody ElEctricS

Workhorse electrics with thoroughbred performance

FEndEr AmericAn ProfessionAl TelecAsTer Deluxe shAwbucker £1,499

Fender’s successful upgrade of its American Standard range into the American Professionals covers most bases with Strats, Teles, offsets and basses. Using unusual mixed magnets in the mainly Tim Shaw pickup designs adds a boutique-style twist to this very mainstream range. This Tele though adds two ‘Wide Range’style Shawbuckers, again designed by Tim, to create a bright humbucker voice that we haven’t stopped playing all year. If you haven’t played an American Professional, you really should. www.fender.com

FrEt-King coronA fluence £749

Combine the huge production and design experience of Trev Wilkinson with the electronics nous of Fishman and here’s a slice of Strat-inspired guitar that punches so far above its price we questioned if we had the figure correct when we reviewed it. The active Fishman Fluence ‘Single Width’ pickups might not be for everyone but with rechargeable battery, dual voices and all the advantages of active, for the right player you have a pre-modded modern bolt-on for very little cash. We like that, a lot. www.fret-king.com

PrS se cusTom 24 £849

To many they’re still the new kids on the block, but PRS have now been making instruments of the highest level for the past 32 years. The SE range are sourced from Korea but don’t let that put you off. The upgraded-for-2017 SE range includes the original Custom 24 with Korean-made versions of the pukka USA 85/15 humbuckers, a partial tap circuit on the pull/push tone control for improved single coil voices and cosmetic improvements to that classic headstock. It’s a lot of guitar for the money and “one of the best sounding SEs we’ve played.” www.prsguitars.com