Heatley Model T

I have a 2004 Model T in all black with matching black headstock. It has the standard T control and pickups configuration with Wolfetone custom pickups. It has a maple neck, ash body, and an amazingly dark Brazilian Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays. Very classy. The neck is rounded, not too big, and definitely not too small. Sperzel locking tuners (Of course). Came with a Gator hardshell case. A very classy looking guitar.

Sound is phenomenal. I was never a Tele man and gave this a shot because of how much I love the rest of my Heatley guitars, and he really nailed what I wanted. With traditional Telecasters, it is very hit or miss. A hand made guitar just brings something intangible to the table. Pickups are clear and articulate, with great lows and clear highs.

Guitar was set up perfectly, as usual. No flaws that I could see, and I always check it out like an investigator. Can't tell if the top was bookmatched because it is black! Pickups were adjusted properly and the black really shined.

This guitar is build like the rest of Scott Heatley's guitars...perfect. He won't let a guitar leave his shop in Canada if there are any flaws. Each guitar is a representation of the builder, and he appreciates that fact and keeps quality control at the forefront of every guitar he builds. The black probably won't hold up because I beat the hell out of the guitar, but what black guitar would? It is supposed to get scratched. It is a guitar afterall.

I have known Scott for several years now and own enough of his guitars that I need to use more than one hand, put it that way. That tells you one thing...he knows how to build and price a guitar that will keep you coming back. Period.

I have two Model Ts. In this review I'll cover off "The Toad", which is the green Tele featured on Scott Heatley's website (www.heatleyguitars.com).

The Toad began its life as a neck. My guitar teacher bought a Model T from Scott and was offered a choice of two necks. My teacher, Grant, opted for the cheaper neck. Scott had the more expensive one laying around, and wanted to sell it, so he called me. For $100 Canadian (about US$66), I was the proud owner of this beautiful, flame maple Tele neck. I kept tripping over it in my den for about a year before I decided it should have some appendages, such as a body, attached.

I called up Scott and told him I wanted a really wacky Tele. I already had the quilted maple that was used on the top of the guitar, so we sat down and planned the other components.

The most unusual features are the mahogany body, plus the two humbuckers. I had Scott install a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck, and a Duncan Invader in the bridge. In terms of the electronics, there are no tone controls. I put volumes for each pickup, and that's it.

I also wanted maple binding on the top of the body, and Scott scooped out the back, Strat style, so that it fits more comfortably.

The quality of workmanship is top notch. I have a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Strat, and the assembly and finish on The Toad is comparable in quality to the Custom Shop Strat I have that was handbuilt by Jay Black. It is a thoroughly beautiful instrument and exceeded my expectations.

I call this guitar The Toad because it is green and ugly -- tone wise.

The neck pickup sounds really dark and sinister on this guitar and the Invader sounds like nothing else I've ever heard. I built this guitar to have an awesome, monstrous sound, and it delivers. While the guitar looks conventional, it sounds anything but conventional.

I have a Fender Blues Deluxe amp, and if I set it up clean, and keep my volume pots turned down, The Toad sounds pretty tame.

However, I have a Soldano Astroverb 16, and a Fender ProSonic head and Peavey 4x12 cab, and through both of these rigs, the guitar distorts fantastically.

Because the body is mahogany, the sound is darker, more diffuse, and fuller than a traditional alder-bodied Tele. The maple top and fretboard give the guitar some brightness, but basically, it's pretty midrangey.

However, it's a versatile guitar. I've played it at my church, I've taken it to jams, and it has done everything I've asked it to do. But it works best with the amplifier gain turned way up, which was the way Scott and I planned it.

As previously mentioned, as delivered the guitar was flawless. Everyone who picks up my guitars hates the way I set them up, but Scott does it perfectly. I use Thomastik Power-Bright Heavy Bottom strings, which go from .11 to .53 and my action is ridiculously high. Scott's guitars come from the factory just the way I like them.

Everything was in proper alignment when the guitar was delivered. The fretwork was flawless and the neck is a dream. It's a workout to play the guitar, but that's because of my setup. I still think I'm getting better tone this way.

I've had the guitar for more than a year now and it hasn't given me a moment's grief. It is reliable, dependable and has held up very well. I like to take care of my guitars and it is still in showroom condition. I have played the guitar regularly and I expect that I will continue to do so for years to come. I don't part with my guitars. Axes like this one are a lifelong investment for me. This one is built like a tank. I am sure I could drive fence posts with it. The only thing that's going to break down on this beast is strings.

Scott and I live five minutes away from each other. Scott and I go to jams regularly so he sees the guitar all of the time. I know that if I need something tweaked, it's no problem. However, I also know it's no problem for people living on the other side of the continent. Scott really cares about his guitars and is big on customer service. That's why I now deal with a custom builder. It's not that "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" stuff that you get from retail outlets.

I'm a newcomer to the world of guitars. I couldn't afford to play until I was nearly 40. I'm 45 now, so I am basically a beginner. However, I spend two to three hours most days noodling, and I get tremendous pleasure from doing so.

Scott is a total gearhead, just like me. We spend hours talking about gear. Consequently, each feature of the guitar has been mulled over and carefully planned. Scott is quite tolerant of this foible of mine. He also offers good suggestions when I get a little bit off track.

Because I planned and handpicked every component of this guitar, I'm in love with it. There is no way I could get a guitar like this from a major manufacturer without paying huge coin. The reason why I can't remember what I paid for it is that it was build in phases, and I already owned a number of the components. It's not like I just handed Scott the money and said "produce". However, I do know that it was a lot cheaper than having Fender or Gibson build me a guitar.

I realize my critique reads like a paid testimonial, but the fact is, I am so enamoured of Scott's guitars that I only buy Heatleys now. They are beautiful, they sing like angels and are great value for my money. Scott has built me four and we will soon be starting on a Les Paul. I've already bought the quilted top, the pickups have been ordered, and assembly will be in the not so distant future. I'll review it after delivery.

Anyone wanting to know specifics is welcome to e-mail me.