Fret King Eclat

This is a LP/SC style guitar that has been slightly redesgined so features are limited-but they aren't reinventing the wheel....merely making it more round!

The two main areas that differ from traditional models are the switching and the arm profile on the body.
The switching sees the usual three way switch with one volume (perfect place for violining), One vari-coli (a coil-tap that blends between the two sounds) and a tone control.
The body has a curve that is designed to reduce friction on your forearm while playing. It is very effective and comfortable but takes some getting used to on a visual level.

The neck is all one piece which will reduce the potential for neck breaks and improve the tone/resonance.

Overall, Trevor has just tweaked the original design enough to make it interesting but not scare too many off!

The sound is the best bit! This is a wolf in sheeps clothing. It has very quiet pickups that really sing-Mr Wilkinson certainly knows what he is doing! I find every sound very usable and the sustain is gorgeous with my Orange R50C. The coolest part is the varicoil. I can actually make a LP sound like a Start! It is scary!
When I tested this guitar, the first thing I did was select the neck and have a clean setting on the amp. I wanted the true warm LP sound. However, it doesn't just sound like a LP - it is more defined! I sometime find my genuine LP neck pickup unusable unless I back off the bass eq. This is not the case here. I could spend hours messing on the guitar with that tone! Infact....why am I sat on my computer and not with my guitar!?

This is a a pro level guitar. Dont think Tokai or Epi....think Gibson and PRS! It has a lovely neck and not tacky at all. The action is low and I havent needed to touch it. Every note is true.

Mine is a beautiful Trans Blue and it looks stunning. My only gripe (which is minor) is the fake-binding has a slight bleed of paint on the edge (eg it isn't as neat as it could have been!) This is minor and doesnt annoy me at all.

I cant wait to gig with this and know it will attract the attention of the guitarists in the audience. I have no qualms that it will cut the mustard. The pickups and hardware should tarnish nicely with time too. I would be more than happy to use this as my sole guitar and ,although I usually change my instrument for the songs I am playing, I wont need to so much with the Varicoil feature!

I dont think I will need them (other than for ordering another guitar!) I got mine via the Ivor Mairants stand at Music Live 08. Trevor Wilkinson (a genuis in the world of guitar design) talked me through the ethos of his design and impressed me with regards to the whole range. The big boys don't always know best and noone knows this better than Trev!
I.M. were out of the deluxe gigbags, but they are posting one out to me shortly. Great guys all around!

Try and then buy a Fret King! The range is impresive and I happened to settle on the Eclat as I have always been a SC man. I have owned Gibsons and PRS and most other brands. Never have I fallen for a brand new guitar in such a way! It sings and it plays like butter! 'Nuff siad!