(SOLD) Crews Maniac Sound OSL Light Cherry Sunburst 2012
Crews OSL Light, cherry burst, made in Japan 2012. Crews Maniac Sound are absolutely a Topshelf favourite, they do such amazing work. The brand, named after luthier and tech-head Crews Yoshioka, started as an electronics and mods business out of Tokyo, but got into doing high end guitars not too long after. The OSL and Key to the Rock series guitars were a collaboration between Crews, the Terada factory who've make all the high end Gretsch guitars since 1989 and music retailer Musicland Key, offering updated high-end takes on some classic designs. The OSL Light model was a higher end model than the KTR examples we've previously had through, so you get two major points of difference: chambered body, and super fancy pickups. First, the body: it's proper African mahogany with a very consistent tight grain pattern, two-piece centre join, with minor chambering to get the weight down a little, capped with gorgeous plain maple top. The nitro finish means the light reflects in a particular soft way, with the details are all on full display under the thin clear coat. The pickups are made by Saytone, who've been hand winding high end vintage style pickups in Japan for quite some time. If you were to buy a new set of Saytone Sledge pickups from a retailer in Japan, you'd be up for around $750aud... they're high end. The tone is magical. The neck pickup is brimming with bell-like clarity and shimmer, balanced by a piano-like low end with a lovely roundness. The bridge pickup is chewy and complex, with a breathy midrange with great balance across the strings and a beautiful balance of detail and harmonic richness. The neck is a moderately chunky rounded '59 style shape: not a baseball bat, but thick, and super smooth with plenty of play on the clock. The finish has a few knocks and marks, but it gives the guitar a loved-not-trashed look that really complements it's convincing singing voice. If I sound like I'm gushing, sorry... it's just, really, really good.
Model: Crews Maniac Sound OSL Light
Made: Japan, 2012, Terada plant
Serial: 12068
Finish: cherry sunburst, gloss nitro
Body: African mahogany, plain hard rock maple top, chambered
Neck: African mahogany, Indian rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, 24.75" scale, '59 style shape
Weight: 3.830kg
Mods: strap pins moved with original holes still showing, pickguard removed and missing
Pickups: Saytone Sledge PAF-style handwound humbucker x2 (more info here)
Accessories: Crews lightweight hard case, original warranty card
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end and some minor scuffs on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's minor dimples and some rub wear on the back but no major marks. The back has some dents and surface scratches in the middle of the body, dimples along the elbow area and back edge, a small chip on the edge near the jack and widespread minor scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor scuffs around the whole body, as well as some dents and dimples in the elbow area and back edge and a dent and some scratches near the jack. The jack plate has minor cracks. The front has a small chip on the edge near the bridge tone knob and on the back edge near the rear strap pin, dimples around the elbow area, knobs and tailpiece and play wear on the horns. Note the guard is missing.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only