MusicRadar

The SDC is certainly a sleek looker.

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• Review

We last looked at Vox's all-new high-end electrics back in 2008, and we liked what we saw. The Virage SC was a scaled-up single-cutaway, and the DC a downsized ES-335-inspired design, each using a unique approach to semi-hollow construction and round-your-body contouring.

Vox is now broadening the offer in both style and price to three new series - 33, 55 and 77 - alongside updated originals. Just like the critically acclaimed Japanese-made Virage, the new guitars were designed and prototyped in the San Francisco-based G-Rok design shop.

"We develop the guitars in 3D CAD [computer assisted design] and write the CNC machine code right in our facility," explains Rich Lasner, G-Rok's vice president of development. "This ensures that the factory, Indonesian in this instance, will run the same programs and produce a high-quality guitar affordably."

We've got our hands on the solid-bodied SDC-3 which, along with its single-cutaway cousin the SSC-33, acts as the entry point into the new ranges.

The SDC-33 is certainly unique, combining the Virage's 3D contoured body with thick single-ply binding and a deeply cut inverse heel join. Its elegant physique cloaks its bulk, giving us a max rim depth of 43mm (that's just 3mm thinner than a Stratocaster), before slimming down to 30mm at either horn and 21.5mm at the heel.

The build also ensures maximum comfort, whether sat or stood. You can't tell from the front, but the 3D bodies are 'curved' from endpin to the neck joint so they more or less wrap around your midriff, putting both of your arms/hands in the ideal spot, and eliminating the painful forearm rub that afflicts many a thrashing Les Paul, ES-335 or PRS player: a brilliant design.

The SDC's all mahogany neck feels very 'at home' and familiar. There's a sixties vibe here, with a good solid feel in the palm and smooth finishing on the back of the neck, which with the 22 medium jumbo frets makes it a doddle to play.

"We were going to name the neck shape Fred," jokes Lasner, "but I think calling it a traditional 'C'-shape works fine in this instance!"

The old-meets-new vibe continues with the retro-styled three-a-side headstock - a classy design, featuring a large vaguely '50s-inspired shape with an 11° headstock pitch and simple silver Vox logo.

Without doubt, the general fit and feel of the SDC is of a very high standard, without a single blemish or finishing flaw. In fact the level of finishing is on a par with that commonly attributed to a higher-end, Japanese-made instrument: good work Indonesia.