Nine new electric and acoustic guitars: August 2019

Every month, we compile a few lists of guitars fresh out of the oven. Here’s one dedicated to the latest electric and acoustic guitars.

Fender Custom Shop Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Stratocaster Relic

This Stevie Ray Vaughan signature is said to be the most faithful recreation SRV axe yet. It comes loaded with hand-wound Texas Special single-coils, and a bridge system that’s apparently an homage to Jimi Hendrix. Another interesting feature on this axe is its “Oval C” neck that’s designed as an accurate replication of SRV’s favoured neck profile.

Heritage Artisan Aged H-530

This guitar is part of Heritage’s new limited-edition series based on the Standard Collection. The highlight, as hinted at in the model name, is the hand-relic’d finish. It features worn hardware, body dings and scratches that you’d expect from a hand-relic’d guitar. Otherwise its specs are identical to its Standard Collection counterpart.

Eastman Romeo

The Eastman Romeo is a thinline archtop created by master luthier Otto D’Ambrosio. The highlights of this guitar include a unique cutaway shape, a one-piece mahogany neck and a pair of custom-wound Lollar Imperial humbuckers. D’Ambrosio sums up his creation: “Romeo’s voice combines the best plug-in signal, coloured by its sweet semi-hollow body construction”.

Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HH 2PT

The DK24 HH 2PT is built for shredders. It has a Dinky-style alder body, a bolt-on caramelised maple ‘speed’ neck as well as a sculpted cut heel. In terms of tone, it has a pair of Seymour Duncans, including a Full Shred SH-10B at the bridge and an Alnico II Pro APH-1N at the neck. The former provides sparkling top-end while its neck counterpart delivers both soaring highs and silky lows.

Gretsch G5232T Electromatic Double Jet FT with Bigsby

Revealed at Summer NAMM 2019, this guitar features a chambered mahogany body with an arched maple top, mahogany neck and 22-fret laurel fingerboard. Gretsch’s new Black Top Filter’Tron humbuckers deliver that Gretsch tone we’ve become accustomed to, while a pinned bridge and B50 tailpiece provide some added versatility.

Reverend Manta Ray 390

The devilishly handsome Manta Ray 390 is a semi-hollow six-string that features a triple P-90 setup. According to the brand, this pickup configuration makes for an “incredibly versatile” instrument. Its other features include a set neck and – like most Reverend axes – a korina body.

Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster

Launched at Summer NAMM 2019, the Classic Vibe Starcaster harks back to Fender’s 2013 Modern Player Starcaster. It features a swooping headstock, tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece, and Fender-designed Wide Range humbuckers. There are three finish options available: natural, sunburst or walnut.

Godin Fairmount

Godin created quite a stir when it announced its first-ever acoustic line earlier this year. Now, it has unveiled the Fairmount, a Concert Hall-shaped model with rosewood back and sides, a solid spruce top, a mahogany neck and a Richlite fretboard.

Taylor 562ce

One of the 12-string models unveiled at Summer NAMM 2019, Taylor’s 562ce is a Grand Concert-shaped instrument featuring the brand’s V-Class bracing. Its smaller body is ideal for fingerstyle, while its tropical mahogany top and body are primed for balance and articulation.

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