Michael Stevens latest greatest

[matte]

(Reposted from our refugee camp @ BAM.)
From the founding father of the Fender Custom Shop, Michael Stevens, comes the futurist Fullerton twist. Meet the Stevens Slant 6. Michael is responsible for Junior Brown's Guitsteel and his first gig @ Fender was building Blackie's replacements for some guy named Eric Clapton. The late great Danny Gatton sold his main BG Tele after receiving his proto Fender sig model.

This is the proto of the new Slant 6 model and in the proud tradition of getting Jimmy Wallace's sloppy seconds (with absolutely NO regrets, a new neck and 6105s!) here's my new 6 string. Alder body, Danelectro style Alligator finish, Brazilian Rosewood board, and more sounds than Trent Reznor's sample library.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883332.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883330.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883321.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883322.jpg

[michaelg]

great finish!!!

[Darby Crash]

HOLY 1986!

I'm sure it sounds and plays great though.

[Scott Peterson]

"Shout, Shout.... Shout at the Devil!"

It's cool as heck, but pink? :jo

(Just kidding!):)

[matte]

HOLY 1986!
You're about 20 years late.
http://www.proix.com/netshop/sitar/top.jpg
I'm sure it sounds and plays great though.No though. Yes.

[fatback]

The colors aren't my thing, but I dig those assymetrical angles on the body. This is my favorite modern update.

[matte]

The colors aren't my thing, but I dig those assymetrical angles on the body. This is my favorite modern update.Chef's choice. I was happy just to get the invite. Agreed on the fave modern update vibes. BTW, thanks TC'ing me up! The pedals in racked up in my switching system.

[matte]

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883333.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883318.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145883337.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145898537.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145898542.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145898548.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/145898545.jpg

[lhallam]

Cool, like the gator.

The volume knob appears close to the pups/bridge. Do you find that good/bad/neither?

[fatback]

Matte, I'm glad those tc's are working out for you. Shoot me a pm if you have any interest in an original issue, (all black) tc chorus. I'm planning on selling it soon.

You ever jam with this guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3o2dboIhGw

Busta-zilla?!! :eek:

I look forward to hearing you put that Stevens through its' paces.

[matte]

Cool, like the gator.

The volume knob appears close to the pups/bridge. Do you find that good/bad/neither?
Perfect placement for me. It doesn't intefere with the trem travel, which is my main issue. This guitar is like a second skin.

[Strung Up]

Colors aside, (at least) three things say 'serious s***' to me:
1. Thoughtful, non-trad pickup angles. I always wondered why more builders didn't do this.
2. Improved neck boltage.
3. Migrating some of the forward-thinking body shaping that bass players have been more willing to accept into guitardom.

Q's:
1. Does the guitar consequently hang with the neck closer to 'diagonal' or 'vertical' than the sort of 'horizontal' of Tele's?
2. Does he also use thread tap inserts on the neck itself.

Thanks for posting this. I think.

[El Kabong]

You will need matching acid wash jeans on stage.

[matte]

You will need matching acid wash jeans on stage.Since you are clearly ignorant of the simple fact that this style of finish originated on the Coral Electric Sitar back in 1966, "you will need" to know something about the history of electric guitar finshing prior to 1986 to make any sort of educated commentary regarding such.

[Cheebatone]

There is something so deeply wrong with that guitar that I can't help but really like it. :cool: :AOK

[ultra]

How did I know that you would end up with this one Matte?

You are always one step ahead with an eye for style and originality.

Regards,

Alex

BTW, how does it sound?

[matte]

How did I know that you would end up with this one Matte?

You are always one step ahead with an eye for style and originality.

Regards,

Alex

BTW, how does it sound?To my head, hands and heart this is my new millennium answer to the Strat.

[ultra]

To my head, hands and heart this is my new millennium answer to the Strat.

Well said.

[HHB]

it shares the same pickups slants as the Tyler that you sold Splatt, this is a good thing on single coils in a strat layout?

[matte]

it shares the same pickups slants as the Tyler that you sold Splatt, this is a good thing on single coils in a strat layout?Wound strings have more upper harmonic content and unwound strings are "sweeter".

[BluePowder]

Pardon my ignorance but what advantages do slanted pickups yield?

Nice guitar! I love it! I have a penchant for all things weird and that goes for guitars as well.

Tyler finishes here I come!:)

[matte]

Pardon my ignorance but what advantages do slanted pickups yield?

Nice guitar! I love it! I have a penchant for all things weird and that goes for guitars as well.

Tyler finishes here I come!:)The idea of a slanted pickup is to warm up the wound strings while enhancing the upper harmonic content of the wound strings. Tighter bass, warmer high end.

[1959burst]

nice axe !!!! stevens is very talented, now go clean the pool matte!:BEER

[matte]

nice axe !!!! stevens is very talented, now go clean the pool matte!:BEERWe open the pool next week. Rough life here. BTW, I had a 3 PU BB from the same series as the one you're selling. Incredible Lester, did a shitload of tracking with it around 1990. Does it have a square or round wire channel?

[Old Tele man]

...looks like Ernie Ball's "Albert Lee" Tele slept with Ron Parker's Southern Fly and wears Coral's "Vinnie Bell Sitar" clothes! (ha,ha)

[HHB]

that's true;
sometimes, though, some luthiers (even mike stevens, fwiw) will set the slants going in the *opposite* direction, depending upon what kind of tones they're seeking from the instrument.

and,

no, actually my tyler pickups have no slants, at all!

dt / spltrcl

oh I'm thinking about Ed DG's new hazmat , so many cool looking Tylers floating around it's hard to keep up LOL

[tradarama]

http://members.cox.net/kjpallotta/72.jpg

[Douglas Baines]

http://members.cox.net/kjpallotta/72.jpg

now that is just flat-out cool

[Jray]

7 string LJ, nice!

[1959burst]

We open the pool next week. Rough life here. BTW, I had a 3 PU BB from the same series as the one you're selling. Incredible Lester, did a shitload of tracking with it around 1990. Does it have a square or round wire channel? if my memory serves me right?????? a square one.........i'll look next time i change strings.:RoCkIn

[El Kabong]

Well Matte, 'clearly' you are mistaken. My former student's company manufactured the re-issues of the electric sitar product, along with cheap Arion stomp boxes, etc.

The original didn't use 80's, era specific paint which is an obvious connection to acid wash given the striations of the alligator finish. Is the colour and name below not analogous? Otherwise, if you are offended by the comment about your new acquisition, my apologies.

http://www.kimssouthwestcreations.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=231&osCsid

[matte]

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901204.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901203.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901202.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901201.jpg

[drezdin]

Hey Matte,
Congrats on the new guitar. I'm curious about the leg carve that is on the Stevens guitars. Does it change the position of the guitar when sitting or is it just for comfort?

[BluePowder]

Wow that white one reminds me of a modern mary kaye.

Very nice!

[TNJ]

Stevens is a visionary.
With hands to match.

Nice, Matte...
S.
j

[Aint Life Hell?]

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901204.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901203.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901202.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146901201.jpg
Wow, I really like that guitar very much.

[matte]

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146944227.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146944223.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146944221.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146944218.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL898/463210/10178748/146944214.jpg

[Saul Koll]

Matte,
Those are cool!
Somehow I am reminded of this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/Saul-Koll/Fracture_tsq.jpg


Fracturecaster by Phil Sylvester

[Sam Evans]

I love it.

[larrylover]

That is one bitchin' guitar. I love it -- the color, the finish, pickup angles and the shape. Any way for sound clips to be posted.

Tremendous looking guitar. I would love to play one.

[larrylover]

The idea of a slanted pickup is to warm up the wound strings while enhancing the upper harmonic content of the wound strings. Tighter bass, warmer high end.

And my last post referred to the aesthetics of the prototype. This design's effect on the sound is even better.

[ultra]

Apart from the Stevens Slant that Matte has posted pics of, I'd like to show you guys another new model from Michael Stevens..... "Les Plank" which Michael will offer in humbucker or P90 (one or two) configuration.

Here are some pics of his Korina Les Plank with 2 humbuckers and a Pigtail intonated tailpiece. Enjoy.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/10256952/147170770.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/10256952/147170778.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/10256952/147170773.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/10256952/147170781.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL22/558358/10256952/147170869.jpg

[drezdin]

That pickguard is too cool.