Matsumoku SP-600 Psychedelic

Price

£1,895

Another Sao Paolo style build - so named due to a fantastically famous but unbelievably shy metallist originating from that particular city. These guys really know their stuff when it comes to what they want from a touring guitar, and this configuration is the result of that project. The brief sounds simple - look like a Strat, sound like a Strat, but handle foolish amounts of gain for one song, and spacey modulated clean for the next. Gimme some new sounds too. Even though the specification may read complex, and be difficult to explain in less than 20 minutes, the actual control philosophy is easy to adapt to. The 5 way switch does what you would expect, the lower tone control will get you from chimey single coil to full on hot-rail style humbucker - treble focussed with the knob down, and bass focussed with the knob pulled up. The really interesting tones emanate from that S-1 switch which will likely have you using that middle pick-up more than most. Pressing the switch will deliver a tone you won't hear on a regular Strat - the two coils will run in parallel and provide a crystal clear tone that cuts through without any shrill spikiness, or dominating bassiness. In conjunction with the pick-ups either side of it, you will find a huge array of parallel tones that don't disappear in a band mix like positions 2 and 4 sometimes can.

There is a huge palette of tones to dial up and all with the standard switch arrangements - no hunting for mini-switches and making sure it is the right one. The master tone will work on the bridge pick-up as it will the other 2 but you may find yourself using the gradual coil split to define the bass / treble balance instead of just removing higher frequencies. The coil being cut never fully leaves the circuit - just enough remains in play to keep hum at bay but remove all the compression from the full series humbucker. Haussel was selected over the more familiar Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio options as we wanted some character beyond full-on power and shred. These pick-ups work very well clean, and many mega-bucks boutique luthiers around the world choose Harry Haussel for a reason. Phenomenally expensive, but sometimes, only the best will do. These are handmade by the man himself for the guitar in question. The revised configuration will undoubtedly take some time for familiarization, but it is unlikely that this familiarization exercise will be a chore – these Matsumoku built Grecos are an absolute dream to play. The more you explore, the more you find, and the more you can be inspired. This is a celebration of detail, quality and versatility. From the precision engineering offered by Gotoh upper end products, to the positioning of the rails on the bridge pick-up to follow the string line, this guitar is the ultimate work-horse. We love building them, and can make adjustments to the specification as you require. Oh yes, and the scratchplate - so subtle I nearly forgot. The SE-600 in 1974 was a real attempt to out-Fender Fender, and now this has jumbo frets to go with its large headstock, this thing just screams 1974. So it received a frilly collar, 19 inch bell-bottoms and Bold as Love and Disraeli Gears albums under its arm. Peace man.

Details

The Look

Roadworn but scrubs up well - the top end hardware is all new and shiny. Old and new where it matters most. An estimated 25 years ago, this originally black 1974 SE-600 was stripped and refinished in black nitro.

Headstock

Big 1970s headstock style with orignal star tuners.

Neck

The SE-600 in late 74 featured a slightly slimmer neck more similar to the early and now appreciated and adored MIJ Squiers. The 7.25 radius maple neck now features a fresh set of Jescar 45100 Jumbo frets as you would find on a premium Gibson - this was a popular upgrade to Strats during the 70s amongst the guitarists who's made a bit of money but wasn't yet having endorsements thrown at them.

Pick-ups

3 x Häussel ST Blades (Alnico V) wound for this guitar with black covers and compensated rails on the bridge unit for the angle.

Bridge

Luxurious quality and totally appropriate for these guitars - the Gotoh NS510T tremolo is about as good as it gets.

Controls

New CRL 5-way selector, S-1 Master Volume with Middle pick-up mode (series or parallel), CTS 500k Tone pot, Bourns 500k coil splitter (linear) with push/pull to direct slpit direction. Paper-in-oil capacitor for good taming. Huge versatility but retaining the aesthetical purity.