GEAR 23_COVER - JHS

Fret-King Super S
Build-wise, the Super S echoes the Super T
in many respects, including the intonatable
WT3 bridge and those so-neat contours and
chamfers adding greatly to the comfort
factor. This is, however, definitely a more
versatile take on the ‘T’ formula. In the way
that many bass players opted for a P/J style
of pickup layout and added an additional
pickup to give their bass improved
tonal versatility, so many
guitarists added an extra centre
single coil to the twin-pickup
T guitar for more sounds.
Not that the original
formula is lacking in
any respect, but if
you’re a session
player, the more
tones you have
available under
your fingers, the
better, especially if
it saves you having to
lug (yet) another guitar
around with you. Not that I can
talk, but hey...
This time, the up-angle pickup selector lever
offers five options - the three ‘standard’
neck, middle and bridge options are all
available, along with the funkier, glassy
S-type ‘in between’ sounds too - like, if
you fancied doing Sultans Of Swing in your
covers set, you’d have an authentic Mark
Knopfler tone right away with the
in-between mid/bridge position 4.
Conclusion
In this super-competitive £500- £1000
guitar price category, it’s important that
you should try every option you can. Other
makes of these types of guitars often exhibit
various inconsistencies of build quality and
can feel decidedly less than average, but the
build quality on these Korean-made Fret-King
Blue Labels (and other Blue Label guitars
I’ve tried) is always impressively high, with
FBSSOCB
Super S
Original
Classic Burst
FBSSTRB
Super S
Trans Blue
FBSSBSC
Super S
Butterscotch
excellent finish quality
and impressive
hardware.
Trev’s proplayer
approach
is always
refreshing and
always effective.
At £649.00 rrp, very
much the lower end of
the price category referred to
above for either the Super T or
Super S, the price is right, as the famous
TV programme has it.
And also, as with the Super T, chunky frets
and a reasonable deep C-section neck give
the guitar a robust, rugged, going-thedistance
feel in use. And the impression is
that distance is no object...
Spec Check
Fret-King Blue Label
Super S and Super T
Body: Comfort contoured,
centre-joined 2-piece
American alder
Neck: Canadian rock
maple
Fingerboard: Indian rosewood
Machineheads: Gotoh
Bridge: Wilkinson WT3 raised edge
Controls: Volume, Tone, 3-way
pickup selector (5-way Super S)
Pickups: (Super T) 2 x Wilkinson
s/c; (Super S) 3 x Wilkinson s/c
Case: Fret-King luxury padded bag
RRP: Super S: £649.00
Super T: £649.00
‘STVDIO’
&
‘ATELIER’
Series
STVDIO Series showcases
the inspirational vibe inherent
in all Fret-King ¤ guitars.
Each STVDIO Series guitar is
a one off proof of concept
instrument, unlikely ever to be
exactly repeated.
These individual and occasionally
experimental instruments embody
the talent of Trev Wilkinson as a
designer and master builder.
To own one of these amazing
instruments, created in Fret-
Kings UK workshop, is to own
a unique, intriguing, interesting
and eminently capable guitar
of peerless quality.
ATELIER Series showcases
the outer limits of the cosmetic
embellishments possible with Fret-
King ¤ GREEN LABEL Series guitars.
Each ATELIER Series guitar is
although created as a virtually one
off custom instrument, is available
to special order.
These individual and occasionally experimental instruments
embody the talent of Trev Wilkinson as a designer and
master builder.
To own one of these supremely beautiful instruments,
created in Fret-Kings UK workshop, is to own an ber
collectible work of art, as well as an interesting and
eminently capable guitar of peerless quality.
Visit: www.fret-king.com/atelier.htm
to see more
www.fret-king.com
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