Rarebird Osprey Phoenix

The features of this guitar are perfect for me. I had it set up with only one knob(volume), and this is on a push/pull pot to tap the single coil. I used sperzel tuners with a hipshot baby grand bridge, and if you haven't checked this type of system out before, you don't know what you are missing. I can change and tune a string in about a minute or so if I am taking my time. The body is a carved top, hollow body piece of alder that utilizes Clay's unique body joint. The neck is of 3 individual pieces of maple, and the fingerboard is birdseye with abalone inlay. Clay's trademark symbol has been inlaid in the headstock in abalone as well. Pickups are both passive DiMarzio's, a Steve's special in the bridge, and the HS-3 in the neck. Because I knew the body would be painted by a friend, I did not choose any fancy woods, although Bruce Clay has access to some of the finest woods you could ever hope to see. I was after simplicity with one 3-way switch and one volume knob, and it couldn't be any better.

I could kill small animals with this tone. It is everything I dreamed of and more. The sustain on this guy's guitars are something you need to hear. This guitar was built in my head long before I got it, and it sounds better than I imagined. I've had it now for about 3 weeks, and I am still finding new tones. It is not a particularly dark sound, but that is not what I wanted. The maple is a brighter sound anyhow, but with these pickups, it is about ideal for my style. I play mostly blues rock and dig the tones of SRV and EJ quite a bit, but I also venture into the metal arena. I believe that tone is about 85% in a player's hands, but a guitar like this lets you "feel" the resonance of the wood much more than any off the self custom guitar. As a result, the nuances and sublte tones available make the player more aware of "tone". Better control of the natural tone equals better tone overall. A $3000 les paul sounds like $2000 les paul, pickups and bridges the same. I built this guitar with the intention of having a very unique sound, which it has, but I had no idea I would get amazing versatility as well.

There is a slight buzz coming from the headstock on the truss rod cover plate. The guitar vibrates so much, the cover plate rubs the back of the nut. It is not noticable with any amp volume, but acoustically, it bugs me some. In all fairness, the guitar needs some time to "break in", and Bruce will give it a tune up in about a month or so. As far as finish goes, this is the most kick-ass rock and roll guitarsI have ever seen. I had Bruce Clay of Rarebird paint and prep the body in jet back, and at his suggestion, we added an abalone flake to the body as well. A custom paint job was done by professional artist Monte Michael Moore. Monte is a professional illustrator that has done the covers of many books and magazines, as well as work on the "Harry Potter" series, dungeons and dragons, etc. etc. In keeping with the theme of Bruce Clay's "rarebirds" (all his guitars incorporate a bird type. ie telehawk, osprey, falcon reguito) Monte came up with a bird shape image that evolved into "THE PHOENIX". Afterall, there is no rarer bird. The paints used were from Monte's standard arsenal of colors, but we took a chance on some expensive stuff from House of Kolor, and used the chameleon auto paint with astounding results. The "PHOENIX" appears to be in outer space, and every time I move the surface of the guitar, the bird changes color. Clay's clearcoat over Monte's paint job really enhances the effect. JPEGS will soon be available on Monte's website: www.mavarts.com. The back side of the guitar is a very classy topless painting of a girl riding the back of the PHOENIX. No chameleon paint was used on this painting, but the jaws certainly do drop when I flip it to this side. For a quote on such a paintjob, you can contact Monte through his website. Monte is prompt with his replys and fair with his pricing. Given the fact that he can sell a pencil drawing for up to 500.00 or more and a real painting for $5,000.00 or more, you can expect a price quote of $800.00 to ??? per side of the instrument. Keep in mind, this is not some scanned-on cheezy graphic like you'll find on some celeb's guitars. This is a one of a kind, hand-eye coordination thing that goes beyond artistry. This is the first guitar Monte had ever painted, but I bet it won't be his last. If you don't want one of Clay's exotic wood beauties and really want a custom paint job, look no further than Monte Moore's talent.

This is my first one, so I don't know how long it will last. Best described as tank made of air. Ever notice how some guys look like the hunchback when they take off that les paul? The balance of this hollow body is fantastic, but his necks are unreal. Clay gave me a "loaner" while mine was being built. Paint was off, dings all over, but it was a tank. It was one of his earlier guitars, but his necks are second to none for strength. Mine is at least 1" thick BEHIND the nut. Rock solid

This could be an encyclopedia. Dealing with Bruce is an experience to say the least. I have an advantage in that I live in the same state, so a drive over to the shop usually answers all questions. Over the past 2.5 yrs, I developed an understanding of Bruce because I could see him personally. I have read previous reviews about his customer support, and if I had lived out of state, I might have gone nuts. But let me say this. Bruce is honest, Bruce is fair, and Bruce is human. These guitars are made one by one. Imperfections in materials, clients bugging him ever 2 minutes, people with champagne taste and a beer wallet, it all adds up. Bottom line...if you have $1500 or less but want TRUE custom features, listen to more Areosmith and Dream On. Clay will not win any speed records with his style, but he also doesn't have 10 million dollars in cnc machining, a lacquer shop cooking finishes on at 300 degrees, and a host of helpers sanding, filing, and wiring. This is a one man show, a place where you get real saw dust on your feet when you walk in. The man is a guitar buliding artist first and foremost. Because of that, his business skills suffer. I don't care what anybody else says, expect a minimum of 18 months if you are starting from scratch. I suggest paying on a monthly basis. I paid mine off fast becasue I couldn't wait, and the agony 2 years later almost did me in. If you have the patience, you will own the finest instrument a human can build. I give this category "no opinion" because I can go over to the shop whenever I need to settle something, but not everyone has that convenience.

I have been playing now for about 10 years. The best guitar I owned before this was a '91 PRS. I hadmade it a point to play the finest and highest priced electric guitars I could before I went down this road. I bought the PRS in 1991 to be different. Then when everyone else jumped on the bandwagon, I wanted off in the worst way. I guess that was rather silly, but it did lead me to Rarebird. I have played on the florentine(?) les paul (hollow), pensa, zion, robin, fender,esp, ibanez, tom anderson, brian moore. Most were excellent feeling and playing, most with$2200 plus price tags. Their switching, their pickups, their bridges, etc. Most custom options are paint, fretboard, pickups, trem or fixed bridge, tuners. This is my shape, my thickness, my neck, my fret size, my string spacing, my jack position, switch position, and all the other features mentioned above. All can be yours for $1800 or so. Keep in mind my special paint job was extra. The word "Custom" is thrown around way too much in the guitar world. If you have the means, play a Rarebird and find out what custom really is. Super fancy woods or bizzare requests are obviously more. I would order from Clay without reservation, knowing full well it is 18 months or more. Rating the set-up and action is somewhat trite to me. Everyone plays differently. Go to Satriani's site and see how his tech sets his necks up. Do you think Ibanez gets it right for him? Hell no, and Joe is their go-to guy. This guitar could never be replaced. It is a one of a kind that came out right. I hope you guys publish this review because Clay is the last of a dying breed. I watched him chisel the top of my guitar down and I almost fainted when I thought he was taking too much wood. I figured "that body is done." turns out he really does know how to build a guitar. If only he had gone to Wharton's school of Business...