mystixboi
Well-known member
HNGD... Balaguer Astra
I ordered this a few months ago and got it last week. I wanted to give it a few days before I did any write ups about it. Around the time I placed the order, I was looking for a single cut that had modern appointments, but still had that classic vibe thing as well. Joe had been talking to me for months about releasing this model so when I had the chance to place my order, I jumped on it.
I ordered the production model... it's pretty bare bones as far as Balaguer Guitars go, but what it has is well worth the price of admission.
As much as I love humbucker tones, the neck pickup(Feral)sounds so awesome when split. I spend a majority of my time playing with the guitar in this position. It's a little bit fatter than a standard single coil, but sings.
The best part about it is the upper fret access. Balaguer designed it with a fantastic neck joint so you can get to the upper notes with zero resistance or wood to block your access.
Here are some pics:
Additional info from the BG website:
The Astra is our take on a classic singlecut design but with modern construction and appointments. The actual shape of the body is slightly offset which lends added comfort when playing. Looking beyond the shape of the body you will see a custom carved top that we designed specifically for this shape, as well as an extended joint cutaway on the back of the guitar which allows you to access the higher register with ease. The Standard Series is a stripped down rock n’ roll machine, but still boasts stainless steel frets, locking tuners, a graphite nut, and set-neck construction like The Deluxe Series.
You really have to play The Astra to understand how special this model really is, as we believe it is the perfect fusion of vintage and modern within a singlecut design.
The Astra:
– Mahogany Body
– Mahogany Set-neck (Comfy C profile, .800″ thickness at 1st fret, .880″ thickness at 12th fret)
– Ebony Fingerboard (16″ radius)
– 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets
– 25.5″ Scale
– Pearloid Block Inlays / White Side Dots
– Black Speed Knobs (Two Volumes, Two Tones w/ push pull coil tap) & 3 way toggle switch
– Balaguer Evergreen Humbuckers (Nickel Covers)
– Locking Tuners – 18:1 ratio, Graphite Nut (1 11/16″ width)
– Tune-o-matic bridge w/ Stop Tailpiece
I ordered this a few months ago and got it last week. I wanted to give it a few days before I did any write ups about it. Around the time I placed the order, I was looking for a single cut that had modern appointments, but still had that classic vibe thing as well. Joe had been talking to me for months about releasing this model so when I had the chance to place my order, I jumped on it.
I ordered the production model... it's pretty bare bones as far as Balaguer Guitars go, but what it has is well worth the price of admission.
As much as I love humbucker tones, the neck pickup(Feral)sounds so awesome when split. I spend a majority of my time playing with the guitar in this position. It's a little bit fatter than a standard single coil, but sings.
The best part about it is the upper fret access. Balaguer designed it with a fantastic neck joint so you can get to the upper notes with zero resistance or wood to block your access.
Here are some pics:
Additional info from the BG website:
The Astra is our take on a classic singlecut design but with modern construction and appointments. The actual shape of the body is slightly offset which lends added comfort when playing. Looking beyond the shape of the body you will see a custom carved top that we designed specifically for this shape, as well as an extended joint cutaway on the back of the guitar which allows you to access the higher register with ease. The Standard Series is a stripped down rock n’ roll machine, but still boasts stainless steel frets, locking tuners, a graphite nut, and set-neck construction like The Deluxe Series.
You really have to play The Astra to understand how special this model really is, as we believe it is the perfect fusion of vintage and modern within a singlecut design.
The Astra:
– Mahogany Body
– Mahogany Set-neck (Comfy C profile, .800″ thickness at 1st fret, .880″ thickness at 12th fret)
– Ebony Fingerboard (16″ radius)
– 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets
– 25.5″ Scale
– Pearloid Block Inlays / White Side Dots
– Black Speed Knobs (Two Volumes, Two Tones w/ push pull coil tap) & 3 way toggle switch
– Balaguer Evergreen Humbuckers (Nickel Covers)
– Locking Tuners – 18:1 ratio, Graphite Nut (1 11/16″ width)
– Tune-o-matic bridge w/ Stop Tailpiece
