North East Guitars Spartan Natural 2026
North East Guitars Spartan, natural finish, made in Tasmania 2026. North East is the project of guitar maker Matthew Slager, producing unique instruments from local timbers from his home near Scottsdale in NE Tasmania. This example is an original shape, taking some elements from Strats and SGs and adding a certain pragmatic minimalism to the mix. The top is a thick slab of Tassie myrtle, nothofagus cunninghamii, which glows a gorgeous rich red hue and shows off some intriguing grain lines. The blackwood neck is carved to a slim C and topped with tall stainless frets, which feel amazingly quick and smooth to play. Blackwood is super dense and rigid, so the the neck has a certain reassuring sturdiness to it you don't get from maple or mahogany. The tone is impressive too: heaps of attack and clarity, balanced and open through the mids, with a weighty low end kick. If you're after a very shreddable HH Superstrat with a certain local native twist, this is a cool contender.
Model: North East Guitars Spartan
Made: NE Tasmania, 2026
Serial: 266
Finish: natural, thin satin poly finish
Body: Tasmanian myrtle top, pine back, Huon pine cavity cover
Neck: Tasmanian blackwood, doral (native olive) fretboard, 25.5 scale, 12" radius, BlacksmithDHP 29H0SL 1.4mm jumbo stainless fret wire, bone nut, zero fret
Weight: 3.840kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Warman Zebra Classic PAF humbucker x2 (more info here)
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: new. Displayed in store and used for demo video and photography.
Overall: brand new condition (10/10)
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: 10/10, minor wear only