Tyler Bastar Studio Elite Anniversary (1997)

Whoever offers a guitar with the finish option "Wine-Ou-Shmear" either doesn't have all cups in the cupboard anymore, or is so good that he can afford it. In the case of James Tyler, the latter is the case. As a boutique guitar outfitter to just about every studio great, the California manufacturer has proven enough since the late eighties that he builds world-class instruments that meet any professional standard. And this Bastar with HS pickups is no exception. Even dry, the guitar impresses with a full but percussive, "snappy" tone, just as you'd want from a Tele-style guitar with a rosewood fingerboard (in this case: Pau Ferro). And as comfortable as the neck plays, you can see why Tyler guitars have been the tool of choice for the busiest studio guitarists. At the amp, the pickup blend of single-coil and humbucker impresses with versatility - here you can switch instantly from a warm blues solo at the neck to a mean drive at the bridge. Even in the intermediate position, you have to shed a few friend tears, so bell-like it smacks out of the amp here. The neck singlecoil was exchanged for a Staufer Custom pickup, at the bridge is the original humbucker from Tyler. All in all, this is exactly the right guitar for those who are missing a professional instrument with a fancy look in their arsenal!

• incl. case
• Weight: 3510 grams