Classic ProShop V75 Distinctive | Evaluate

MSRP: (Worth varies to spec)

For years, the proficient luthiers and builders within the Classic workshops have been listening to recommendations from gamers worldwide. Taking these concepts and mixing them with their personal ideas and visions, in January 2019, Classic Guitars launched the Classic ProShop Distinctive idea — that includes one-off, master-built devices created with love, care, and the standard Classic values of excessive specs. On this assessment, Nick Jennison examines an incredible instance of that in motion as he critiques this superior Classic V75 ProShop Distinctive, completed in Neon Pink.



I believe it is frequent data that I actually like Classic guitars. They provide well-made devices at a value accessible to everybody, and their vary is broad and numerous, with an instrument to go well with each participant. Maybe the one hole of their lineup was, up till just lately anyway, some high-end “premium” guitars. I believe you know the place I am going with this.

Classic’s “ProShop” is but one other masterstroke from Trev Wilkinson and the group at JHS. With a philosophy of “in the event you can think about it, we will construct it,” they’re making one-off, UK-made customized devices based mostly on the varied Classic guitar types, however spec’d precisely how the shopper needs. As such, it is onerous to present an actual overview of what to anticipate from one in all these guitars, however we will take a take a look at one of many fashions I had the pleasure of enjoying at NAMM this yr: the V75 Distinctive in Neon Pink.

At its core, this guitar is a reasonably conventional “T” type mannequin, decked out in an attention-grabbing pink-over-black relic end hand-applied by the ProShop group over a number of days. The neck and {hardware} are all equally aged, and the entire thing has the appear and feel of an outdated guitar that was re-sprayed by an ’80s street warrior and performed onerous, night time after night time, for many years. The neck, particularly, feels just like many “participant” guitars I’ve laid hands-on, with the end sanded off and a reassuring degree of grime rubbed into the naked wooden.

That “’80s participant guitar” really feel extends to the neck profile and frets too, with a shred-ready slim taper and frets which can be large however not very tall, like 6100s which have been leveled and dressed a number of occasions over. Now, this would not be my fret wire of selection, however here is the factor: have been I to order one, I may order it with completely different frets! The neck form, frets (each quantity and measurement), scale size, heel type, and all the pieces else concerning the guitar are fully as much as you. This is a degree of customization I’ve beforehand solely seen provided by costly “customized store” devices and small luthiers making one guitar each six months, however with a ProShop guitar, you will get an instrument made to your specs for lower than the worth of a USA Strat. It is nuts.

The pickups on this mannequin are a Seymour Duncan STL-1 and STL-3 set, a punchy ’50s-inspired set with loads of physique and character, however as soon as once more, the sky is the restrict with these things. Maybe you need some Bareknuckles? Wilkinson R Collection? Fishman Fluence Greg Koch signature set? Or perhaps you need three EMG81s in there! No matter you are into, you’ll be able to have it.

The V75 Distinctive is an perception into what the ProShop can do, and it’s totally spectacular. This looks like a premium, hand-aged instrument as a result of that is precisely what it’s… but it surely prices lower than an off-the-peg mannequin from a number of the “huge boys.” That is a really interesting proposition. I am off to spec one up proper now…

For extra data, please go to:

jhs.co.uk/collections/vintage-proshop

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