Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 2783 Location: Chino, CA
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:36 am Post subject: NGD: .strandberg* US Custom Shop Boden 6 Prototype
My latest new axe arrived while I was at NAMM so I couldn't see it until late Sunday night but it was certainly worth the wait. This guitar is the first Boden 6 prototype built at the Washburn Custom Shop. The flame maple top is rather plain but I actually prefer it that way these days. Just not into fancy figured woods anymore...
Again, I haven't had much time with all the new gear due to the whole "post-NAMM" recovery phase but I've noodled with it somewhat and I absolutely love it. I honestly can't decide between this guitar and the Charvel GG but that's how it will stay. One isn't better than the other - just different. After having only played the Boden 8 and the new Boden OS 7 from .stranberg*, I've been anxious to get a 6 in my hands (especially after Plini got his) and it has really exceeded all of my expectations.
I estimate that the guitar weighs slightly over 4 pounds. It's lighter than most dreadnaught acoustic guitars. It literally weighs nothing but still feels great and resonates like no other electric I've ever held in my hands. For me, the sound is what matters the most. It's like the inner beauty of a woman. Yes, the physical look and the feel of the guitar in your hands are what attracts you to a certain instrument but, ultimately, you have to love the sound or the surface stuff doesn't matter in the long run.
I feel totally at home with this guitar. It plays and feels so good in your hands and against your body. Sound-wise, it's almost the opposite from the Charvel GG. The Charvel's natural acoustic tone is beefy, thick, punchy and solid with a lot of mids while the Boden 6 is bigger sounding with more lows and highs with an almost acoustic-like chime and excellent sustain. I also like the fact that this guitar doesn't have a trem. It makes me work harder on the string bends and vibrato. Sometimes the trem arm just becomes a crutch to grab and use when you run out of ideas or get lazy. A hardtail bridge does make you play a little different and I think that's cool and makes the guitar very complementary to a trem-equipped guitar.
These are just my initial thoughts. I'll want to plug into my AxeFx II rig as well as into the new Atomic Amplifire. I'm also anxious to try it through a good tube amp just to get a better feel for how it really sounds compared to the Charvel GG and other "normal" guitars. More to come soon! _________________ Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic
BOING Music LLC - Managing Partner
.strandberg* Guitars USA
Ed Yoon Consulting & Management
Guitar Center Inc.
This US Custom Shop guitar features curly Koa top on swamp ash body, ebony fingerboard on maple neck, satin gold hardware and Bare Knuckle Juggernaut pickups. _________________ Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic
BOING Music LLC - Managing Partner
.strandberg* Guitars USA
Ed Yoon Consulting & Management
Guitar Center Inc.
Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 2783 Location: Chino, CA
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:20 am Post subject:
A nice promo pic of Plini with his US Custom Shop Boden 6... Yes, a headless guitar can still look very cool... I have to admit that I pick up the Boden 6 more than any other guitar right now. I love the Charvel GG but it seems I just gravitate towards the Boden 6 more because it's so inviting, is so light, and so friggin' resonant and loud acoustically. Unplugged, it's the most "acoustic-sounding" electric I've ever played or heard.
_________________ Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic
BOING Music LLC - Managing Partner
.strandberg* Guitars USA
Ed Yoon Consulting & Management
Guitar Center Inc.
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