PRESTIGE ELECTRICS

Exemplary electrics from the world’s finest luthiers

GRETSCH G6228FM PLAYERS EDITION JET BT £2,099

We were already big fans of Gretsch’s Players Edition improvements, so this was a unanimous inclusion: a Jet that actually plays and sounds as good as it looks, with a more rock-aimed voice via its Broad’Tron BT65 pickups that owe more sonically to an overwound PAF than something you’d expect from TV Jones. “It’s more like a 2018 Ford Mustang,” we said. “You get the curb appeal of the vintage original but the power and performance are as contemporary as it gets. This is the Jet you buy instead of a Les Paul.” ’Nuff said. www.gretschguitars.com

PATRICK JAMES EGGLE MACON JR £2,990

Here in the UK we’re blessed with many worldclass guitar makers, but Patrick James Eggle is one of the most revered. We described this Macon Jr as a “stripped-down single-cut that recalls a Gibson Les Paul Special… with a twist of Gretsch flavour”. Its subtly flamed roasted maple neck, with a worn-through nitro finish, might be the sole reason to drop the cash on this piece, while the Mojo Mojotron at the bridge and a ‘staple’ pole P-90 at the neck produce a sonic stew that references past Juniors and Specials but with plenty of clarity, presence, subtly and power. www.eggle.co.uk

LOWDEN GL-10 WA £2,995

A Lowden electric solidbody guitar? Before making some of the most sought-after acoustics in the world, George Lowden loved his blues – his sonic reference here was recalling seeing Peter Green back in the day. He was given a ‘nudge’ by Ed Sheeran to make it, and the GL-10 is Lowden through and through: a hugely considered single-cut with a beautiful oil-finished, stealthlike feel. “Timeless, versatile, musical and beautifully made in a very classic handmade style, it’s a welcome reminder that not every modern electric guitar has to be a clone of a past design.” www.lowdenguitars.com