ELECTRICS
1 CHARVEL PRO-MOD DK22 £1,099
For higher than vintage-style performance, look to the Pro-Mod range. In the modern style but with a reined-in, more classic aesthetic, the new DK22 is a 22-fret (stainless steel) Dinky-sized double-cut with alder body and caramelised (roasted) maple neck with graphite reinforcement, a 305 to 406mm (12- to 16-inch) compound radius ’board, and two-point Gotoh 510 vibrato. There is a trio of direct-mount Seymour Duncans: Custom Hot Rails Strat SHR-1B at the bridge with Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 single coils at the middle and neck. The control layout is simple with master volume (500k EVH Bourns low friction pot) and a No-Load tone control, but there’s some interesting wiring from the five-way selector. It comes in two satin finishes, Electric Blue and Pharaohs Gold, and Gloss Black. A show highlight. www.charvel.com
Eastman’s single-cut S55/v-SB and double-cut SB55DC/v are hugely detailed vintage tributes to a cornerstone of the electric guitar at a very tempting price
2 EASTMAN S55/V-SB APPROX £1,239
Electrics inspired by the classic Gibson Les Paul Junior and Special models are definitely a trend for this year. Eastman’s Junior-style take sticks closely to the recipe in both single-cut (S55/v-SB) and double-cut (SB55DC/v) formats in Vintage Burst and Vintage Red antique varnish finishes respectively. Both models use Faber wrapover bridges with an intonation ridge and locking posts, Lollar 50s-wind dog-ear P-90s and No-Load tone pots.
