Trussart Guitar Tone?

[Modulator]

I saw a Trussart Telecaster a few weeks ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. Any owners care to share how they sound in comparison to a traditional Tele? Are they all show and not as much go? Do they sound as badassed as they look?

Thinking about starting to save for one as my next big purchase, may take a while, so i'd like to know how playable they are. I don't want something that's just nice to look at, but might become my #1. I'm thinking fixed bridge, although the Bigsby Tele Trussarts look cool, I have a Gretsch, pain to keep in tune if I use the bigsby.

[frisco kid]

Having owned 3 Trussarts at one time or another, they sound surprisingly warm...with a top end zing that makes them unique. I will say they're sloppily wired and quirky...things I wouldn't expect to see on a $3-4k guitar. After the honeymoon phase I sold them and haven't missed em. Maybe I got three dogs as I've seen them back on the sales block shortly after I sold them. Others here love them and I may be the lone dissenting view. I will say they are striking and functional pieces of art.

[Modulator]

I will say they're sloppily wired and quirky...

That's a shame. The insides are just as important as the look to me. Was the running wires just sloppy, or was the soldering, component choices, assembly just not up to par for a boutique guitar? I'll have to search for videos and recordings, I like my brass dobro, and was hoping that the metal body gave it an odd metallic resonance. Like if the body was tuned to a certain resonant frequency or something like that.

Thanks for your experience and insight with them.

[guitarsenal]

I've played a Deluxe Steelcaster for years. Unplugged it is tinny and buzzy. Plugged in, surprisingly warm and full - cuts through any mix without ice-pick in the ear problems. My bandmates like its sound more than any guitar I have played in over 30 years (although I just played my first gig with a Ronin Palus Mourn). While the fretwork and the neck work are as good as it gets, there are some of the workmanship/design issues - the bridge design has two hex set screws per string that often come loose and buzz; knobs rub against the pickguard (I keep them too high to avoid that). On balance, though, on the virtue of its sound, playability and great looks this has been my number one for years.

[Modulator]

The demos I've heard, you'd never know the body was metal. I'll have to start saving, I like what I hear and see. Also I just realized his workshop is a 5 minute drive from me, so I'm not worried about any break in period, adjustments, or repairs.

Thanks for the feedback and honest opinions. :D

[guitarnut]

great guitars ... i have two. i particularly love my deluxe steelcaster with the humbucker in the neck. i agree that they are not trebly or sharp sounding at all but do have this unique presence or shimmer - a harmonic richness. i think they particularly suit fingerstyle players as you can pull some beautiful nuances out of these guitars.

these guitars rate very highly for me on feel, tone and aesthetics. i think there are genuine criticisms about some small aspects of finishing. both of mine needed new nuts as the stock nuts were cut badly. some people would find that reprehensible but although i found it a little disappointing i have been stoked with these guitars after getting them setup properly.

they are fantastic instruments that sound and look killer.

[magnus02]

I loved mine. Slight metallic sound which I wanted. Some slight issues as mentioned but they're easily fixable. I normally expect perfection but I loved the sound and look too much to care. For me, I have to love the sound and feel of a guitar AND think it looks badass to want to play it constantly and the Trussart did this for me. It's all about the guitar inspiring you...

[drolling]

I like my brass dobro, and was hoping that the metal body gave it an odd metallic resonanceWhile I've never owned a Trussart, I put in some time with a used Steelcaster I couldn't quite scrape up the cash for..

Unplugged, it sounded remarkablely like my '56 National Reso-phonic (short-scale, solid-bodied resonator); Those hollow, reverb-drenched, banjo-like sounds we love! No volume, of course, compared to my brass Dobro or steel National, but a surprisingly similar tone

As everyone's said, plugged in's another story; A warmer sound than expected.. strangely enough, closer to a 'bucker-loaded solid body, IMO

A great playing guitar, and that metallic *alligator hide* is beautiful to look at, as well - But if I were chasing an electrified quasi-resophonic tone (Which I am!), I'd go with a National Resolectric. Had to wait about 6 months for mine to be built, but it was still a lot cheaper than the second-hand Trussart I was drooling over..

[rokpunk]

i just sold my trussart tele, and i can tell you without a doubt that it was one of the nicest guitars i've ever had the privilege of owning/playing. i'll own another one eventually.

[Dave Wakely]

They sound, as others have said, very rich and full. Warm and ringing. Necks tend to be on the chunky side, which I'm not so keen on, but they sound fabulous. One day I'll take myself into buying one, and it'll almost certainly be entirely holey and rusty. The thought of rining beauty out of something that looks abandoned scrap does oddly appeal!

[frisco kid]

More along the lines of sloppy wiring and assembly for the steelcaster deluxe i owned...wish i had snapped a pic. never opened the two steeltops. really wanted to love the tones because they are SO beautiful but alas it wasn't meant to be.


That's a shame. The insides are just as important as the look to me. Was the running wires just sloppy, or was the soldering, component choices, assembly just not up to par for a boutique guitar? I'll have to search for videos and recordings, I like my brass dobro, and was hoping that the metal body gave it an odd metallic resonance. Like if the body was tuned to a certain resonant frequency or something like that.

Thanks for your experience and insight with them.

[speedemon]

Yes,

seen these on the wall at stores in Tokyo, and at NAMM show being demo'd. Way out of my reach, but incredible sounding.

[beNsteR]

played a steel-topped Trussart 'strat' at a store a few days ago. It surprised me. sounded every bit a lively vintage strat, with killer touch response..

[axe4me]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdEFkc7CzEI

[wstsidela]

I saw a Trussart Telecaster a few weeks ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. Any owners care to share how they sound in comparison to a traditional Tele? Are they all show and not as much go? Do they sound as badassed as they look?

Thinking about starting to save for one as my next big purchase, may take a while, so i'd like to know how playable they are. I don't want something that's just nice to look at, but might become my #1. I'm thinking fixed bridge, although the Bigsby Tele Trussarts look cool, I have a Gretsch, pain to keep in tune if I use the bigsby.

I own several teles and the Trussart has an edge. Cuts through the mix every time. Great looking guitar too.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/18862_235749768381_646983381_3185392_5529512_n.jpg

[kingnimrod]

http://www.electricalguitarcompany.com

Check these out too. Incredible guitars and cheaper than the Trussarts.

[Mr. Bliss]

I'd like one, they sound freakin' awesome.

Amazing quack in mix positions and rocking bridge pu.
72FWCpXaTmw

[Steve73]

I tried one at a local dealer, can't remember the model but I think it was a deluxe steelcaster, and I was VERY impressed with it. Great setup and it was a very alive guitar. I didn't think I'd want one but after playing one, it might be in my future.

[Young Angus]

i just sold my trussart tele, and i can tell you without a doubt that it was one of the nicest guitars i've ever had the privilege of owning/playing. i'll own another one eventually.

I just bought rokpunk's Trussart Tele and without a doubt, it is one of the nicest guitars I've ever owned/played and it really blew me away, even with it being one of the thinner neck models and I'm used to thicker necks...amazing instrument in every way you can think of. It is a solid back too, not a holey one, and no feedback issues so far and I've had it cranked at band practice.

Amazing guitars I want to own another one!!!

[the_Chris]

I really loved the sound of the Holey Rusty Steelcaster I had for a few weeks. I sent it back for a refund because it had some excessive fret buzz that would not go away. That was a pretty hard thing to do based off of how good it sounded plugged in and how responsive it was. As a side note, I've found James Trussart offers some good customer support.

I will get another one eventually. I'm not sure I can find a Fender Telecaster that compares to what that thing did. I was blown away.

[axe4me]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdEFkc7CzEI