The everyday “journey guitar” is a small, budget-minded instrument that gives various ranges of building and high quality, usually forcing compromise in playability and usefulness. Luthier Paul Hartmann takes a unique route, providing transportable, custom-made solidbodies pretty much as good as most full-sized devices. The Stormy Monday is considered one of a number of variations.

Utilizing neck-through building, our check guitar sandwiched items of mahogany (for tone) and maple (for power and visible enchantment). Bolt-on necks can be found, and the physique form is small and practical, providing sufficient curves to relaxation it comfortably in your lap. The flamed prime on the tester was a stunning mixture of blue/inexperienced/gray-stained maple with two bands of chocolate-brown mahogany.

Whereas Hartmann affords {custom} pickup decisions, the tones on ours got here courtesy of two Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbuckers, the bridge splittable through the push/push Quantity pot close to the enter jack (as an alternative of the standard spot beneath the bridge pickup). {Hardware} features a Hipshot string-through-body bridge and Grover locking tuners.

The star of the present is the Stormy Monday’s neck, which Hartmann says is nearly equivalent to a ’70s Martin. In hand, it has an incredible-feeling carve with a 25.5″ scale, 15″ radius, and 24 frets. It might additionally remind you of a classic Gibson profile with the way in which it completely sits within the palm.

Plugged right into a tube Vox clone, digital sims, and a Boss Katana, the Stormy Monday was brilliant and clear, effortlessly slicing via the band at a jam session. The one debit is (not surprisingly) a little bit of neck dive when performed on a strap, however that goes with the small-body design.

In all, the Stormy Monday is a “wow” journey guitar with astonishing construct high quality and higher playability than loads of full-sized guitars. Plus, its seems to be are killer and it brings a full 24 frets. Higher but, it’s a {custom} plank, so Hartmann will construct one to your specs.

This text initially appeared in VG’s December 2023 problem. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.