SOLIDBODY ELECTRICS

2018’s workhorses are striving even harder for your cash

VINTAGE V6 REISSUED FROM £329

If 2018 was the year of the, ahem, ‘Strat copy’, then issue 434 confirmed it as we looked at 21 Strats and Strat-inspired guitars. Also reviewed in our Audition section that issue was this Vintage V6 Reissued, representing the entry-level pricing. “Whichever way you spin it, the V6 performs well above its price with a very appealing moddedvintage vibe that is good enough for the learning player or those of us that simply can’t justify more cash.” V6 models start at £329; this one, with its tortie scratchplate, Wilkinson pickups and hardware, currently costs £349. A steal. www.jhs.co.uk

ITALIA MODENA CHALLENGE £879

Retro-inspired? Well, you could call the whole guitar industry that, but the influence of funkier leftfield brands of yesteryear is still a rich seam for many makers, from boutique builders such as Novo, down to more affordable brands like Reverend and Italia, whose Modena Challenge is archetypal of the genre. There’s Firebird-meetsJazzmaster in the body outline (in a glittery Gold Burst finish, natch), a trio of Italia mini-’buckers, plus a Bigsby B50 and roller-saddle bridge. “Well sorted,” we said, “with a thicker, smoother Stratlike palette and quite contemporary playability.” www.jhs.co.uk

FENDER ED O’BRIEN SUSTAINER STRATOCASTER £949

Yes, we’ve played a few Strats this year, but this one is different. It offers Mexican build, a superb 10/56V neck profile and 21 ‘narrow tall’ frets on a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius maple ’board. It’s powered by a Seymour Duncan JB Jr at the bridge, a slightly overwound Fender Texas Special in the middle slot, and the Fernandes Sustainer at the neck, illustrating just how adaptable the Strat can be – and that there is life after ’65. “The best Fender signature project since Johnny Marr set about redesigning the Jaguar.” www.fender.com