Crews Maniac Sound KTR TL-01C Candy Apple Red 2015
Crews Maniac Sound 'Key To The Rock' TL-01C, candy apple red, made in Japan 2015. This is an outstanding guitar. Crews stuff rules, double bound Teles rule... what a delight. The 'Key To The Rock' series is a collaboration between Tokyo-based boutique guitar builders Crews and Japanese music retailers Musicland Key. The idea was to take some classic vintage designs and add some modern sensibilities, and execute the build to an eye-wateringly high standard. This is made at the iconic Terada factory, the same folks who made Gibson's Orville guitars and still makes Gretsch's high end Pro Series stuff today. In the hands, the love and care that's gone into the guitar is obvious. The neck is made from quartersawn hard rock maple and Madagascan rosewood, carved to a moderate vintage C and finished in satin nitro. The piece of maple has a gorgeous subtle flame to it, it catches the light beautifully and feels great in the hands. The lightweight body rings loudly unplugged; it all feels very alive in the hands. The neck pickup is original, offering a gooey warm sweetness with a glassy clarity on top and a weighty plonk on the low end. The bridge pickup is pretty hot: send it into a driven amp, and it's all sorts of fun. It's warm, wide, fat and creamy, with that trademark T-twang adding detail and texture and making sure every note of every chord comes through clearly. The 'cloudy lacquer' finish on the body is a semi-gloss thin nitro, which reflects the light more subtly than a gloss poly and adds some depth and softness to the shimmering pearl of the candy apple red... add in some binding and phwoaaar... it looks good. This will scare guitars at thrice the price for feel and sound, so hey, do yourself a favour.
Model: Crews Maniac Sound 'Key to the Rock' TL-01C
Made: 2015, Japan, Terada factory
Serial: 150391
Finish: candy apple red, semi-gloss 'cloudy lacquer' nitro topcoat
Body: alder, 2-piece centre join
Neck: quartersawn maple, Madagascar rosewood slab fretboard 25.5" scale, 8.25" radius, vintage C style profile, satin nitro finish
Weight: 3.390kg
Mods: bridge pickup replaced, original not included
Pickups: KTR Original single coil (neck), Seymour Duncan Hot Rails humbucker (bridge)
Accessories: Crews gig bag, original docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has a dent an inch or so down from the top edge in the waist area, dimples in the elbow area and some scuffs on the top horn, near the ferrules and in the bottom corner. The sides have minor dimples on the top horn and elbow area and a couple of dents and scuffs near the jack. The front has a couple of dimples in the elbow area and around the bridge, scuffs near the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear but playing evenly with no major buzz issues