Abel Axe Silver No Trem

One of the 200-250 with the holes instead of the slots, manufactured only until '96 or so in the US. 22 jumbo (6100) frets, maple neck, aluminum body, Warmouth neck which is thin with a low profile. One volume, 1 3-way switch, 2 hums, strat-shaped, replaced stock bridge saddles with Graphtechs, Sperzel locking tuners. No whammy :(

This guitar sounds killer. The output on the hums provides cutting highs for distorted leads, but also a very deep, dark, warm low end which could work for jazz when played clean. Since the body is made of aluminum, you can feel it resonate while you sustain notes for DAYS. The sustain also helps with tapping runs, as do the jumbo frets. Basically, it's built for shredding, and it looks like a heavy-metal guitar, BUT DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU: it can swing back effortlessly to rich, cleaned-up jazz tones and even some raunchy blues or country tones (but you may want a single-coil guitar for those last 2...)

I replaced the saddles on the guitar to Graphtechs to reduce the string-spacing, but this was not absolutely necessary (just a matter of taste) because it was set up just fine the way it was. The action is killer because of the high frets, and since the body is only an inch thick, it was very comfortable for me to make the transition from a Gibson SG, which is also a very thin guitar. Consequently, the neck heel is virtually non-existent (another BIG plus for players who like the higher frets!). It weighs approx. 7 pounds: not as light as my old SG, but lighter than a Les Paul. Finally, since it's made of aluminum, I don't have to worry about banging it against anything and getting a ding: except for the neck, this thing could probably survive a 3 story drop (but I haven't tested that, so don't quote me! : )

Solid as a rock and MORE. You'd have to really go out of your way to hurt the body on this thing. It'll probably look a lot better than I will in 50 years.

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I've only been playing for about 7 years, and I own a Johnson Mirage Combo Amp. I used to own a 70s gibson SG which I loved, but I wanted larger frets, and didn't want to get a refret because I wanted to try something new. I'm VERY GLAD I did. This guitar is outstanding and very smooth and easy to play. It may look kinda funny, but who cares?
There are models with whammies, which would be nice for me to have, but I can definitely live without it. I don't gig with it because I'm primarily a vocalist, but when I do start playing out my biggest worry would be that my Abel Axe would get stolen. If it were, I'd GO NUTS and try my hardest to get another one. It might also make an excellent last-resort weapon if you're accosted by thugs or groupies! Give this Axe a try: no guitar is for everyone, but the sound and sustain will amaze you!