Patina Guitars could also be a comparatively recent identify on the scene, however the PJ-6 Oxblood Relic makes the corporate’s intentions very clear. That is an offset electrical that leans closely into classic aesthetics whereas quietly packing in a specification that’s significantly extra trendy than its road-worn look may counsel. With a light-weight paulownia physique, real reliced nitrocellulose end, roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, chrome steel frets, locking tuners and a pair of custom-wound Alnico V P90s, there’s a lot occurring right here.

Slightly than trying to recreate a classic offset down to each final element, Patina has taken the character gamers affiliate with these devices and mixed it with options aimed squarely on the trendy gigging guitarist. The result’s an intriguing mix of old-school perspective and modern playability.

Physique

On the coronary heart of the PJ-6 is an offset solidbody produced from paulownia. That is an exceptionally light-weight timber, serving to to present the guitar an instantly comfy really feel whether or not you’re taking part in seated or standing. For gamers accustomed to heavier conventional designs, the lowered weight is definitely noticeable and makes the PJ-6 notably engaging as a guitar for lengthy rehearsals and gigs.

Visually, nonetheless, the Oxblood end is arguably the star of the present. The physique is completed in real nitrocellulose lacquer and given Patina’s gentle relic therapy, introducing checking and put on to create the impression of an instrument that has already seen years of use. The deep Oxblood color has a very darkish and understated character that works extraordinarily effectively with the offset silhouette.

There’s a vintage-style offset tremolo onboard too. Mixed with chrome locking tuners, this offers the PJ-6 the power to deal with refined pitch motion and atmospheric chord work whereas including some completely trendy practicality in relation to restringing and sustaining tuning stability.

Neck

The neck is the place the PJ-6’s modern intentions change into far more apparent. Patina has opted for quarter-sawn roasted maple with a satin end and a Fashionable C profile. Roasting the maple helps with stability whereas additionally giving the neck a horny darker look that enhances the aged physique fantastically.

Extra importantly, the satin therapy makes the neck really feel instantly inviting. There may be not one of the resistance that may generally come from a closely glossed neck, whereas the Fashionable C profile ought to really feel acquainted to a broad vary of gamers slightly than forcing the hand into a very classic or aggressively trendy form.

The rosewood fingerboard carries 22 jumbo chrome steel frets with rounded edges. Chrome steel remains to be a specification incessantly related to significantly costlier guitars, offering a easy floor for bending and vibrato alongside wonderful resistance to worry put on.

Luminescent aspect dots are one other considerate trendy addition, notably for anybody utilizing the PJ-6 on a darkish stage, whereas a 42mm bone nut completes a formidable neck specification.

Pickups

The PJ-6 is fitted with two {custom} hand-wound P90 pickups utilizing Alnico V magnets. It’s a configuration that fits the guitar’s offset persona extraordinarily effectively, offering significantly extra muscle than a standard vintage-style single coil with out shifting utterly into humbucker territory.

The neck place presents the fullness and heat related to a superb P90 whereas retaining sufficient definition to maintain chord voicings articulate. Swap to the bridge and there’s extra chunk and midrange aggression obtainable, making the PJ-6 equally comfy tackling crunchy rhythm sounds and extra assertive lead tones.

Add some achieve and the P90 character actually begins to make sense. There’s a muscular midrange response that offers energy chords and riffs loads of authority, however with out sacrificing the uncooked edge that makes this pickup design so interesting. Cleansing issues up reveals one other aspect of the PJ-6, with brighter indie, different, blues and basic rock textures all sitting comfortably inside its tonal vary.

The electronics are saved intentionally simple, permitting the basic character of the 2 P90s to stay on the coronary heart of the instrument. It’s an strategy that fits the PJ-6 notably effectively: uncomplicated, speedy and centered on helpful guitar sounds slightly than an abundance of switching choices.

Scale Size

The PJ-6 makes use of a 25.5-inch scale size, giving it the acquainted response related to many basic bolt-on electrical guitars.

That longer scale works notably properly with the P90 configuration. There’s a agency, outlined really feel to the strings, serving to lower-register riffs retain their readability whereas offering loads of snap for cleaner rhythm work. It additionally makes the PJ-6 really feel instantly acquainted to gamers coming from conventional S- and T-style devices regardless of the radically completely different offset physique form.

The mix of the 25.5-inch scale, light-weight physique and trendy neck specification provides the instrument a vigorous taking part in response. There may be sufficient resistance beneath the fingers to maintain rhythm elements exact, whereas bends and vibrato stay comfy because of the jumbo frets and comparatively flat fingerboard.

Fretboard Radius

Maybe one of many clearest indications that the PJ-6 just isn’t making an attempt to be a slavish classic recreation is its 13.75-inch fingerboard radius. That’s significantly flatter than you’d count on from many genuinely vintage-inspired designs and contributes significantly to the guitar’s trendy taking part in expertise.

Mixed with the jumbo chrome steel frets, the flatter radius makes string bending and sooner lead taking part in notably comfy. Gamers preferring a comparatively low motion must also admire the geometry, whereas there’s nonetheless sufficient curvature for chord work to stay pure.

It’s an clever specification as a result of it permits Patina to protect the visible character of a classic offset with out inheriting a number of the taking part in traits related to older designs. The PJ-6 may look many years previous from throughout the room, however underneath the fingers it is vitally a lot a contemporary instrument.

General

The Patina PJ-6 Oxblood Relic occupies an fascinating place. There may be definitely no scarcity of offset guitars obtainable at the moment, however the mixture of a real nitrocellulose relic end, quarter-sawn roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, chrome steel jumbo frets, locking tuners, bone nut and custom-wound Alnico V P90s provides this guitar a very complete specification.

Its strongest attribute is the best way these substances work collectively. The light-weight paulownia building retains issues comfy, the P90s present sufficient tonal perspective to match the looks, and the neck specification ensures the classic aesthetic doesn’t come on the expense of latest playability.

The Oxblood Relic end will naturally be a matter of private style—as is the case with any intentionally aged instrument—however right here it feels integral to the idea slightly than merely being a further beauty possibility. Beneath that intentionally worn exterior is a guitar outfitted with most of the sensible appointments trendy gamers more and more count on.

For guitarists who love the visible persona and uncooked character of classic offsets however desire flatter fingerboards, giant chrome steel frets, locking tuners and a extra modern taking part in really feel, the Patina PJ-6 Oxblood Relic presents a particular assembly level between these two worlds. It appears to be like prefer it has already lived a life, however its specification is unmistakably designed for the trendy stage.

For extra info, please go to www.patinaguitars.com