ScottWalker Phantom £5,650
Outsideofthecutand thrustofthemainstream electricguitarmarket thereareplentyofsmaller luthiershappytopushtheboat outintermsofdesignand construction.ScottWalkerisone ofthem.He’sworkedwithSanta Cruz,andnowhashisownlineof uniqueelectrics,acoustics bassesandevenalap-steel.
ThePhantomisinspiredbythe workofthelateCalifornianluthier SteveCripe,knownfortheguitars hemadefortheGratefulDead’s JerryGarcia.Utilisinganebony/ padauk/maple/padauk/ebony sandwichconstruction,the chamberedbodyhasaLesPaullike bolt-onneckisbeautifullyfigured maple,toppedwithagrained ivoroid-boundebony’boardwith signaturediamondinlays. Unusually,theheadstockis slottedandfittedwithGotoh Waverly-styletuners.Thoselarge Jazzmaster-sizedbladesinglecoils controlledbyathree-waytoggle withdualvolumesandmaster tone.Witha635mm(25-inch) PRS-likescale,chunkywellfinished fingerboardcamber,theneckisa beautifullydeep,almostU-shape thatevokesearlyFender.Fitand finishisabsolutelysuperb.
Sound-wise,there’splentyof biteandstridency,quiteFenderfocused thevolumeandsmooththehighs alittle,andthere’sanolder-style P-90-ishvoice.Thesustainis extraordinary–andfromlowervolume toquitebarkingheavierrock, it’saguitarthathandlesalotof ground.Ofcourse,atthisprice, includingacustomhand-made ScottWalkercase,itshould. thenorthamericanguitar.com