Cool Z ZLS-1, transparent black burst , made in Japan 2011. Spooky and smooth! Cool Z is the house brand for Japanese music retailers Shimamura Gakki, who used to team up with the always-excellent Fujigen Gakki factory to produce a line of reimagined classics for sale exclusively through their stores. This one references the iconic Les Paul Standard, but adds a whisker of extra break angle over the headstock and adds an easy-access heel join for slick movement. The execution is top notch: beautiful fret and finish work, excellent wood selection, extremely tidy workmanship. It feels lively and reassuring in the hands, with a fairly slim fast neck and plenty of natural resonance. The finish is pretty unusual for a guitar in this genre: it almost look like a black and white photograph of a sunburst, fading from an intriguing grey-blue to a transparent black around the outsides. The cream plastics, dark rosewood board and uncovered pickups make for a mysterious and classy look; it's very swish. The pickups are great too: thick and juicy from the neck, rich and creamy on the bridge, both offering plenty of balance and clarity. This is a frightfully good guitar, and even looks a little ghostly to match. 

Model: Cool Z ZLS-1
Made: Japan, 2011, Fujigen plant (serial H110676)
Finish: transparent black fade over plain maple top, slightly transparent black back/sides, gloss poly
Body: 2-piece mahogany, 2-piece hard maple cap
Neck: 1-piece mahogany with rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 10.5" radius, slim 60s profile
Weight: 4.535kg
Mods: none
Pickup: BH-1 humbucker x2
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs on the back only. The back has minor dimples around the cavity and some scuffs on the bottom horn, elbow area and middle of the body. The sides have minor dimples on the elbow area and bottom horn. The front has minor scuffs near the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have very little wear, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.