6 Must-see Guitars of 2021

Though admittedly cliché, the old saying “like a kid in a candy store” accurately describes how each of us at Sweetwater feels when first entering the Guitar Gallery. As thousands of electric, acoustic, and bass guitars enter and leave our doors, there are a number of instruments that consistently catch our eye, whether based on looks alone or on their awesome stock electronics and features. Here are six of the must-see instruments coming through the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery in 2021!

EVH Striped Series Frankenstein Relic

The spirit of one of music history’s most influential guitar heroes lives on in the EVH Striped Series Frankenstein Relic electric guitar! This Frankenstein Relic wears its red, black, and white striped aesthetic with pride, a tribute to the late Edward van Halen and his immeasurable contribution to the instrument. While not a direct re-creation of its instantly recognizable inspiration, the Frankenstein Relic absolutely nails Eddie’s searing tone, thanks to a single EVH Wolfgang humbucker with a dummy single-coil in the neck. As for Eddie’s other modifications, this shred-worthy 6-string comes stock with a dive-bomb-only Floyd Rose locking tremolo complete with a handy D-Tuna for instant Drop D tuning with the flick of a finger. With its tasteful relicing and iconic looks, the Frankenstein Relic makes a fantastic addition to the collection for gigging guitarists and die-hard fans alike.

Fender Player Plus Stratocaster Electric Guitar

When Fender’s Player series of instruments first hit the
scene, Sweetwater guitarists were blown away by their consistent high quality
and top-notch sound. The Fender Player Plus Stratocaster electric
guitar builds on this blueprint with several player-focused optimizations
throughout, not to mention a range of eye-popping colors that will stand out
when you hit the stage. While the tonewood recipe stays relatively standard, a
trio of Fender Player Plus Noiseless single-coil pickups greatly improve upon
their predecessor, offering that classic spank and quack of a vintage Strat
while silencing that frustrating 60-cycle hum. You also get an ultra-comfy
maple neck shaped to a flawless Modern “C” made even better with a glasslike
matching fingerboard with rolled edges — a feature commonly associated with
boutique instruments that cost two or three times as much.

Reverend Greg Koch Gristle 90 Solidbody Electric Guitar

Reverend is a recent addition to the Sweetwater Family, but their
nearly two decades of business indicate their mark on the industry. The Greg Koch Gristle 90 solidbody
electric guitar epitomizes much of what Reverend stands for — visual elegance,
modern playability, custom-wound electronics, and premium components from head
to heel. The signature instrument of Koch Marshall Trio bandleader Greg Koch,
the Gristle 90 sports a pair of Greg’s own Fishman Fluence “Gristle-Tone” Signature
P-90s. This set of active multi-voice pickups comes stock with three distinct
P-90 tones per pickup with none of the hum, buzz, and inductance issues
commonly seen in vintage single-coils. You also get pin-lock tuners as well as
a treble-bleed circuit, a dual-contact Pure Tone jack, and 10% pots and poly
caps under the hood — whether you’re gigging or recording, it’s always a good
time to reach for the Reverend Greg Koch Gristle 90.

Gibson Acoustic Dove Quilt Acoustic-electric Guitar

We dare you to scroll past this Gibson Acoustic Dove Quilt acoustic-electric
guitar — it’s an absolute stunner! Six decades since its inception, the Dove is
still a highly sought-after instrument, this time dressed in a gorgeous Viper
Blue finish complete with the iconic Dove pickguard. Gibson outfits the Dove
with top-notch tonewoods for a sonic beauty to rival its visuals, and this
impressive acoustic-electric more than delivers. Its quilted-maple back and
sides are topped with crisp, punchy spruce for an altogether warm and resonant
sound. And, since its rosewood fingerboard and frets undergo the premium Plek
treatment, you’re guaranteed effortless playability right out of the box. Need
something solid for the stage and studio? Not only does the Dove sound
exquisite miked up, but the built-in LR Baggs VTC acoustic pickup system also beautifully
translates its natural sound with convenient volume and tone controls tucked
neatly inside the soundhole.

Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 Electric Guitar

Ernie Ball Music Man went above and beyond to ensure the John Petrucci Majesty 7 electric guitar sounds — and looks — worthy of its namesake. This super-shredder 7-string packs the heat and versatility required for Dream Theater’s incredible live sets and is comfortably contoured in all the right places for marathon performances. Its rich tonewood recipe starts with a maple-capped mahogany and okoume body, marrying sonic warmth and resonance with just enough bite. Its JP mahogany neck is razor-thin and exquisitely smooth, perfectly paired with ebony for the fingerboard. As for the electronics, EBMM and Petrucci equipped this axe with a pair of DiMarzio humbuckers — a Dreamcatcher in the bridge with a Rainmaker in the neck — to deliver the widest tonal range possible, capable of squeaky cleans, thunderous high gain, and everything in between. When it’s time for that next screaming solo, throw the whammy bar on the Majesty 7’s incredibly responsive custom piezo floating vibrato bridge, giving you the expressiveness needed for warbles and dives while adding another tonal voice in the form of shockingly realistic acoustic sounds. Be sure to check it out in the Sweetwater-exclusive Pacific Blue Sparkle finish!

PRS Private Stock #9423 McCarty 594 Hollowbody II Owls in Flight

When it comes to elite, uncompromising craftsmanship, it
truly doesn’t get any better than the heirloom-quality PRS Private Stock #9423 McCarty 594
Hollowbody II Owls in Flight. This incredible McCarty 594 Hollowbody
II has received PRS’s Private Stock treatment, each wood sourced from the
Private Stock Vault consisting of many of the globe’s finest tonewoods.
Strumming the #9423 envelops everyone in its presence with blankets of sonic
richness and warmth, amplified beautifully via an 85/15 humbucker in the bridge
and a 57/08 in the neck. PRS’s classic Owls in Flight inlay adorns the hybrid
Madagascar rosewood and curly maple fingerboard with a matching headstock inlay
for a dash of elegance and sophistication. One thing is for sure — the PRS
Private Stock #9423 McCarty 594 Hollowbody II Owls in Flight is a genuine art
piece begging to be played and displayed for generations.

There’s Always Something New in the
Sweetwater Guitar Gallery

There you
have it — six of the absolute must-see instruments hitting the Sweetwater
Guitar Gallery in 2021. While each guitar features its own distinct finish,
woods, and electronics, grabbing any of them for your next gig is a surefire way
of looking and sounding your best. Have your eyes set on one of these
masterpieces? Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800)
222-4700 and get ready
to leave a lasting impression!
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