LPMojoGL
Well-known member
Played my buddy's new Hype 3.
No pics or clips, yet.
Specs: satin finished mahogany body with polished flame maple drop top and matching headstock, satin finished 5pc slim (.74-.827") D shaped maple/wenge neck with flat radius (16"?), multiscale (25.5-27.8), ebony fretboard, ss jumbo fanned frets, locking tuners (gotoh or hipshot, like Suhr/Anderson), hot A5 neck/cermaic bridge 4 conductor pups, 3 way switch volume and push/pull for single coil tone controls...
Looks like this:
Initial impression:
Niiiice.
Thin neck (like Ibanez Wizard, with more shoulder), flat radius with minimal relief and medium low string height is EZ to play, no buzzing, barely notice fanned frets. Fretting hand hits true, and easier than most of my other guitars. Rivals my buddy's Anderson Icon, which is possibly the best playing guitar I've handled.
The extended scale on bass strings makes for splendid chuggability. 9s in Drop C# has zero floppiness, sharp pick response.
Superb clarity. All the gain, clean, volume rolled back, plethora of effects...doesn't matter. Rings like a bell. The sound is quite balanced, like a basswood Ibanez RG. No mid pokiness or murkiness here.
The sound is also open, resonates, not choked like a lot of PRS type guitars with all that finish. It breathes.
Super comfortable, light weight <7 lbs, thin body (like Ibanez S series or SG) with angled cutouts makes it a joy to cradle, fitting like a glove against the body, standing or sitting.
The playability, clarity and comfort are reminiscent of top tier Strandberg, without the silly triangle neck shape and missing headstock. Speaking of the headstock, I imagine the harpoon shape is a love hate thing. I dig it.
Modern vibe, with a classic touch, is how I'd describe it.
It's like they took the best parts of Strandberg and Ibanez shreddrers, and mixed in some some cool new features. I could thrash, djent, shred, fingerpick crystalline apreggios, and also pull off surprisingly convincing classic rock riffs.
I spent over an hour geeking out, reaching for and nailing things I can’t do on other guitars, while my buddy dozed on the couch in a food coma.
It inspires awesomeness.
Naturally, I want one. But, the Hype 3 prototypes are sold out. I'd have to put down a deposit and wait 3+ months to grab a Hype 3.
However, they have a Hype 1 prototype in stock. The lower tier Hype 1 has an alder body, rock maple neck (no wenge), and A2 neck/A5 bridge pups that are more EVH than LOG.
I assume the playability is the same.
I wonder how the sound differs, and if I would be as smitten with the Hype 1 vs Hype 3.
I definitely prefer the looks of 3. Easily remedied with some strategically placed stickers. The sound is what I'm most concerned about. It's not like I could just slap some different pickups in there, since they have angled baseplates to match the multiscale.
What do y'all think?
No pics or clips, yet.
Specs: satin finished mahogany body with polished flame maple drop top and matching headstock, satin finished 5pc slim (.74-.827") D shaped maple/wenge neck with flat radius (16"?), multiscale (25.5-27.8), ebony fretboard, ss jumbo fanned frets, locking tuners (gotoh or hipshot, like Suhr/Anderson), hot A5 neck/cermaic bridge 4 conductor pups, 3 way switch volume and push/pull for single coil tone controls...
Looks like this:
Initial impression:
Niiiice.
Thin neck (like Ibanez Wizard, with more shoulder), flat radius with minimal relief and medium low string height is EZ to play, no buzzing, barely notice fanned frets. Fretting hand hits true, and easier than most of my other guitars. Rivals my buddy's Anderson Icon, which is possibly the best playing guitar I've handled.
The extended scale on bass strings makes for splendid chuggability. 9s in Drop C# has zero floppiness, sharp pick response.
Superb clarity. All the gain, clean, volume rolled back, plethora of effects...doesn't matter. Rings like a bell. The sound is quite balanced, like a basswood Ibanez RG. No mid pokiness or murkiness here.
The sound is also open, resonates, not choked like a lot of PRS type guitars with all that finish. It breathes.
Super comfortable, light weight <7 lbs, thin body (like Ibanez S series or SG) with angled cutouts makes it a joy to cradle, fitting like a glove against the body, standing or sitting.
The playability, clarity and comfort are reminiscent of top tier Strandberg, without the silly triangle neck shape and missing headstock. Speaking of the headstock, I imagine the harpoon shape is a love hate thing. I dig it.
Modern vibe, with a classic touch, is how I'd describe it.
It's like they took the best parts of Strandberg and Ibanez shreddrers, and mixed in some some cool new features. I could thrash, djent, shred, fingerpick crystalline apreggios, and also pull off surprisingly convincing classic rock riffs.
I spent over an hour geeking out, reaching for and nailing things I can’t do on other guitars, while my buddy dozed on the couch in a food coma.
It inspires awesomeness.
Naturally, I want one. But, the Hype 3 prototypes are sold out. I'd have to put down a deposit and wait 3+ months to grab a Hype 3.
However, they have a Hype 1 prototype in stock. The lower tier Hype 1 has an alder body, rock maple neck (no wenge), and A2 neck/A5 bridge pups that are more EVH than LOG.
I assume the playability is the same.
I wonder how the sound differs, and if I would be as smitten with the Hype 1 vs Hype 3.
I definitely prefer the looks of 3. Easily remedied with some strategically placed stickers. The sound is what I'm most concerned about. It's not like I could just slap some different pickups in there, since they have angled baseplates to match the multiscale.
What do y'all think?
. I also have a 7 string SX Joe Haley that’s equally as good