Product: Atlas Telstar
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
11/16/2007
at
08:00am
by
Charlie Blakesley
Features
:
9
The Telstar follows the basic design of a Strat ??? three single coils, bolt-on neck, usual Strat body contour etc. My guitar is Telstar 115, the 115 referring simply to the colour ??? arctic white. Bear in mind that Atlas are custom guiar makers and so will basically do any spec you like, but here are the main features on my Telstar:
Neck ??? one-piece flamed maple. This is an absolutely gorgeous piece of wood, which makes me want to pick up the guitar and play it! Not only does it look stunning, the feel of the finish is very comfortable ??? satin-type feel, not matt, but not a high gloss either.
Fingerboard ??? ebony. This give the guitar a richer and slightly darker sound than a usual Strat. Fingerboard dots are in very nice abalone shell. The Atlas logo is also in abalone inlay, which looks much more classy that transfer.
Body ??? Alder
Bridge and tuners ??? Gotoh. They seem to work fine, except the guitar has the tuning problems that any Strat will also have if you use the vibrato (whammy bar) arm a lot.
Scratchplate ??? I thought this was abalone, but maybe it???s ???tortoise-shell effect???. Either way it looks and feels good.
Pickups ??? Atlas ???Supersonic??? pickups, hand wound.Atlas. They have a fantastic clarity and sweetness.
Sound
:
10
This really why I bought this guitar: I wanted a Strat but am sometimes put off by the sound, which can sometimes feel brittle or a bit harsh. This guitar gives a rich sound whilst retaining the Strat-type spank and single coil sound. It's full of character. Using the bridge pickup on overdrive will give a nice liquid sustain if you want. The richness comes, I think, from the woods - ebony fingerboard and solid alder body ???and the pickups. I guess a maple neck would be brighter.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
It came with a medium action, which I will probably set a bit lower when I get around to it.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
So far, I have no problems. It seems robustly built.
Customer Support
:
10
Brilliant ??? the guy in the UK who I have dealt with has answered every email I sent very promptly and courteously. I wanted an extra end-pin, which came at no extra cost. I feel they have their customers - interests in mind when they deal with me.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for 30 years. I play jazz and blues, with valve amps and decent pedals. I have not yet gigged with the Telstar, but will do so. I would buy it again if it were lost.
