The new 1950’s Series of single cut guitars are available in five distinct “Tele” style models with features, fit, finishes and the playability of much higher end instruments. At under $1,000 MSRP each, all feature exotic wood tops and contoured arm cut, master volume and tone controls, a three-way pickup selector and coil taps for sonic range and versatility.
I took a look at the 1953 model MK1953CB with Caramel Burst finish over a flame maple top, alder binding and body, rosewood fret board on a bolt-on maple neck, bone nut, and 25.5-inch scale. The action felt good for “right out of the box” and I especially liked the sound I got splitting the pickups and playing through my (stock) Fender Blues Junior amp.
Cleaning up the amp and switching to the bridge pickup only offered oodles of super-bright and spanky tone great for country pickin’ or traditional funk/R&B playing. A great line of 1950’s tribute guitars, they range in price from $549 to $875 and are available with chrome or black hardware.
Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com
