Crews Maniac Sound 'Key To The Rock' TL-01C, candy apple red, made in Japan 2017. Around here, we love a double bound Tele, and we love Crews stuff... so combine the two, and we're happy campers indeed. The 'Key To The Rock' series is a collaboration between Tokyo-based boutique guitar brand Crews and major Japanese music retailer 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 fretwork is perfect, the grain on show is tight and consistent and it feels absolutely magic in the hands. You can make out the subtle grain marks of the alder body beneath the super thin nitro finish, which has a lovely semi-gloss topcoat and a charming gleam in the rich red. Double bound in cream, this looks absolutely superb. The pickups are wound especially for this series, offering a very accurate take on the sixties style Telecaster tone. The neck pickup is glassy and rich with a pleasing balance of sweet clear treble and tuneful, talkative low end. The bridge pickup has an assertive midrange that adds growl and fullness to chords, cleaning up beautifully or pushing your amp to a gorgeous creamy breakup when cranked. It's no exaggeration to put this in the same quality bracket as Fender Custom Shop or Suhr stuff, it's seriously good. Magical.  

Model: Crews Maniac Sound KTR TL-01C
Made: 2017, Japan, Terada factory (serial 170350)
Finish: candy apple red, semi-gloss nitro, double cream binding
Body: alder, 2-piece
Neck: quartersawn maple, Madagascar rosewood slab fretboard 25.5" scale, 8.25" radius, vintage C style profile, 7.25" radius, satin nitro finish
Weight: 3.500kg
Mods: none
Pickups: KTR Original single coil x2
Case: basic gig bag 

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor scuffs from a string winder on the top edge. The neck has no major marks, just some very minor dimples on the back. The back has no major marks, just some minor scuffs in the middle and on the bottom horn. The sides have no major marks, just a couple of tiny dimples on the top horn and light scuffs near the jack. The front has no major marks, just some minor rub wear near the switch and in the elbow area and some light scuffs from play on the guard and top horn. Overall: excellent condition (9/10). 

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear only, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.