TEST: Electric Guitar Company Standard

 The ever-popular smart-ass question right at the beginning of the article, what material are guitars made of?... Logically, the material wood will probably be the first thing that crosses everyone's lips here. Second question, why?.........Here the answers are a bit more hesitant, but after thinking about it for a moment, the answer “for sound reasons” will probably take first place. But now the flank from the ambush, paired with a classic three-way pass: “What alternatives are there?”, “How do the instruments differ in sound from plastic?” and the all-time favorite “Are guitars out, for example?” Acrylic (e.g. Ampeg), carbonates (e.g. Ovation) or metal (e.g. Dobro) worse instruments?”

At this point at the latest, a general silence is likely to fill the room, if only because the necessary comparison options are missing. The fact that traditional instruments are primarily made of wood is probably primarily due to the fact that, at the beginning of instrument making centuries ago, there were no suitable materials available outside of wood, or their processing had not yet been sufficiently researched.

In fact, wood has a highly complex vibration behavior, depending on the various characteristics of the wood, which also changes over the decades depending on the style of play and age. Huge amounts of books and specialist literature of all kinds have already been published on this subject. The most used adjective is probably the word “warm” when it comes to describing the sound culture of the instrument. But what if you take modern processing methods and materials and use them to make instruments?

This has been implemented with absolute consistency by the Electrical Guitar Company, which not only uses a partial replacement of wood as a material with its standard guitar model, but also makes the entire instrument exclusively from aluminum.



Construction:

But whoops, if you didn't know that the instrument is made of metal, you'll notice "where dad gets the cider" when you reach into your guitar case. The Standard weighs a whopping 4.6 kg, which means there is only the “real men” version in terms of stamina, assuming strong back muscles. The body is made up of two halves screwed together and is hollow inside. A well-planned measure, a massive body would probably no longer be “endurable” by anyone in terms of weight.

The entire instrument is made of T6061 aluminum with the appropriate behavior in terms of thermal conductivity. The entire instrument naturally feels cold when you pick it up for the first time, a fact that some people have to get used to. Even the old school of posing with a bare upper body on stage will probably flinch briefly when the instrument is slung around your neck ;-) However, this impression disappears very quickly; after a short time you will already have gotten used to this fact.

You have the impression of holding a single mirror in your hand, the body, neck, even the headstock and the fingerboard can even be used as an emergency mirror for self-checking if the wardrobe is overcrowded shortly before the show ;-) With the appropriate light show, especially with white light, you can You can achieve really great effects with this “varnish”, but it is advisable to carry two cleaning rags with you at all times, as the instrument will quickly become covered in fingerprints.

It's not enough that the Standard was made from a different material, no, the Electric Guitar Company is also taking a completely independent approach when it comes to playability. The one-piece neck (width: nut - 1.64", 22nd fret - 2.125") has a very flat "D" profile (thickness: nut - 0.60", 22nd fret - 0.66") as shaping and a fingerboard with a radius of 0 “! Yes, you read that right, the fingerboard is absolutely flat, but can also be delivered with a 12” radius if required.

The instrument has a 25.5" scale length, the fingerboard is equipped with 22 narrow and medium-high frets made of stainless steel, black plastic dot inlays ensure orientation on the fingerboard. The hardware is supplied by Gotoh (bridge) or Grover (tuner) and, as expected, the workmanship is beyond any doubt. The six tuners do their work evenly and without any effort, and the six individually adjustable riders on the bridge mean that there are no problems with readjustment. The strings are guided through the body and anchored on the back; Schaller strap pins ensure the necessary security when locking the strap.

Two P-90 style single coils from our own production do their work on the standard; if desired, the instrument can also be equipped with split coil humbuckers with push/pull pots. The pickups are managed via a three-way switch, each with a volume and a tone control.




Practice:

Oh my goodness, what sustain. Anyone who ever thought that their well-rehearsed Paula was the spearhead when it came to long-lasting vibration behavior needs to be proven wrong. In direct comparison to one of my old Paulas, a '69 Custom, which really has a breathtaking sustain, the Standard can only smile wearily. The individual strings were able to exhibit almost twice (!) the oscillation duration, and this was also the case with a standard 010 string set on the Standard compared to my 013 set on the Paula. In addition, no deadnotes or dropouts were noticed, every note has the exact same attack, the exact same attack and release behavior.

This means that completely different playing techniques are possible. Extended chords, which normally fade harmonically after a short time due to phase cancellations caused by vibration, remain tight here and vibrate evenly.

The straight fingerboard presents a real challenge at first grip. As always with extreme solutions, there are “two sides of the coin”. When it comes to solo playing in relation to scales, the Standard shows its strengths due to a very low string position and perfect alignment of the fingerboard. Anyone who knows the racing fingerboards of the Powerstrats from Ibanez and colleagues can go one step further here. All modern playing techniques including tapping, sweeping and similar “Punch and Punch” ;-) are extremely easy to do.

Even a tasteful finger vibrato meets almost no resistance and is unexpectedly easy to implement. When it comes to bending, the lack of “meat” in the neck may cause confusion at first, as the torque is limited to the base of the fingers and the palm of the hand can no longer provide support. In return, you will be rewarded with the aforementioned sustain, which is second to none. A drawn tone that vibrates with the same intensity as a normally fingered tone, and with a vibration duration as if a sustainer were built into the body. Really extremely impressive, without question

Slight compromises inevitably have to be made in the playability of large barre chords. Here the barre finger must be placed on its side to ensure even pressure on all strings. So if you are used to placing your finger curved on the fingerboard, for example with the old Fender baseball bat league with a very round fingerboard, you should definitely prefer the 12" version.

In terms of sound, the two single coils cut a very good figure, especially in the crunch area. The sharp, sometimes cutting sound, which is massively boosted by the aluminum construction, has a very high assertiveness and puts competitors in their place. Clean sounds bubble beautifully from the speakers, also impressive due to their independence.

Caution is advised in the high-gain area. On the one hand, the single-coilers are inherently less suitable for this area, and on the other hand, the aluminum resonance curve has a strong over-presence in the overtone behavior. This behavior can be equalized by reducing the treble control of the amp, but the design always prevails in terms of sound



Conclusion:

All respect, who would have thought that? Even if the use of modern materials is not entirely new, I have not yet been presented with a result. The Standard from the Electrical Guitar Company impresses with its sound, vibration behavior and high degree of independence, and it also has an exotic bonus like the Linux operating system a few years ago.

There will always be people who reject an instrument made of metal on principle, precisely because the material wood appears to have many positive characteristics, while metal is more likely to be martial. But hey, until a few years ago a football was always made of leather and was then replaced by plastic.

With that in mind, keep your mind open…

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Additional Informations:

When it comes to guitars, wood has traditionally been the material of choice for crafting instrument bodies. However, in recent decades, a new trend has emerged – guitars made entirely or predominantly from metal. These metal guitars, known for their distinctive tone, durability, and striking aesthetics, have carved out a niche in the world of electric guitars. From aluminum to stainless steel, titanium to carbon fiber, the evolution of metal guitars is a fascinating journey that showcases the ingenuity and creativity of guitar makers and players alike.

Early Experiments:
The concept of metal guitars dates back to the mid-20th century when pioneering guitar makers and enthusiasts began experimenting with alternative materials for constructing instrument bodies. One of the earliest examples of metal guitars can be traced to the work of Paul Bigsby, who crafted aluminum-bodied guitars in the 1940s. These early experiments laid the groundwork for future innovations in metal guitar design and construction.

The Birth of the Aluminum Guitar:
In the 1970s, Travis Bean and Gary Kramer emerged as key figures in the development of metal guitars with their pioneering designs. Travis Bean guitars featured aluminum necks and bodies, offering players a unique combination of sustain, clarity, and stability. Similarly, Kramer guitars incorporated aluminum necks with wooden bodies, providing a balance of tonal warmth and metallic punch. These early aluminum guitars gained popularity among rock and metal musicians for their distinctive sound and sleek, futuristic aesthetics.

The Rise of Stainless Steel:
In the 1980s, stainless steel emerged as a preferred material for metal guitar construction, thanks in part to the efforts of companies like Status Graphite and Parker Guitars. Stainless steel offered several advantages over traditional materials, including superior durability, corrosion resistance, and tonal consistency. Status Graphite's pioneering use of stainless steel in guitar necks and fretboards helped establish the material as a viable option for high-performance instruments. Parker Guitars further pushed the boundaries of metal guitar design with their innovative carbon fiber and stainless steel hybrid guitars, setting a new standard for playability and versatility.

Titanium: The Ultimate Metal:
As the quest for the ultimate metal guitar continued, titanium emerged as a game-changer in the world of guitar construction. Known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resonance properties, titanium offered guitar makers unprecedented freedom to explore new sonic possibilities. Companies like Vigier Guitars and Ernie Ball Music Man embraced titanium as a core material for their instrument designs, creating guitars that deliver unparalleled sustain, clarity, and responsiveness. Titanium's unique combination of strength, flexibility, and sonic characteristics has made it a favorite among discerning players seeking uncompromising performance and tone.

Carbon Fiber and Beyond:
In addition to traditional metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, guitar makers have begun exploring alternative materials such as carbon fiber, magnesium, and aerospace-grade alloys. Carbon fiber guitars, pioneered by companies like Composite Acoustics and Rainsong, offer players a lightweight, durable alternative to traditional wooden instruments, with a distinctive tone that combines the warmth of wood with the clarity of metal. Similarly, guitars made from magnesium and other advanced materials promise to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of tone, playability, and aesthetics.

The Future of Metal Guitars:
As technology continues to advance and materials science evolves, the future of metal guitars looks brighter than ever. With ongoing innovations in materials, construction techniques, and electronic components, guitar makers are poised to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of tone, playability, and aesthetics. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an aspiring musician, metal guitars offer a unique blend of sonic versatility, durability, and visual appeal that continues to captivate players and audiences alike.