MusicRadar

An offset Les Paul-style outline and mini humbuckers. Interesting...

1 of 3 » View in gallery

• Review

Suddenly, with our cranked, on the edge of crunch Fender-style channel, the 360 is almost Tele-like with more guts and a smoother nose. Switch to neck pickup and roll down the volume and tone and there's a beautiful jazz voice.

It's the volume and tone controls (500k ohm CTS pots and .022 microfarad capacitors) that are the key to the guitar. In combination with these pickups they sound so well-matched and hugely versatile.

There's a noticeable 'hump' towards the end of the volumes, so it's easy to achieve a clean/ dirty set-up without touching your amp or barely moving the volume control. Certainly if you only run this guitar full-out you would be missing quite a few tricks.

It doesn't match the hugeness of a great Les Paul, but cranked there's a beautiful musical focus to the resonant and soulful sounds that'll lift you above a dense mix without sounding shrill or thin.

Okay, so not everyone will enjoy the 'radical' offset outline, and the near £500 up-charge for what is a subtly flamed maple top seems steep. But, as an electric guitar that sits perfectly between a Les Paul and a Tele, it's one of the finest we've ever played. Perfectly made, a perfect weight, with a great feel and sounds to die for.