Eternal Guitars – “Micawber” T-type Review

This review was submitted by Guitar Jar contributor: Steve Fry

I have an imaginary list in my head and not (as yet) on paper of guitars I would like to own. This list does fluctuate but there are a hard core of models and makes. One of these has been an early telecaster with a humbucker at the neck, the greater its similarity to Keefs fabled axe the better.

…I’m very happy with this guitar and pleased to have been able to deal with its maker personally…

Enter the review of Micawber in the Jan 2011 issue of Guitar & Bass Magazine. To cut a long story short, I contacted Dave Walsh at Eternal Guitars through his website and over the Xmas to New Year 2010 took delivery of the very guitar reviewed in the mag. The list is now shorter by one!

Features:

Micawber is a guitar inspired by its famous namesake rather than an exact copy, so along with the vintage spec single coil at the bridge, PAF style humbucker at the neck and aged blond nitro finish, it has a full complement of strings, pole pieces and three brass saddles.

The body is Swamp Ash and the bolt on neck is a single piece of maple. In short everything you might want in a replica ’53 Tele which has been modded with a humbucker. All of the Eternal guitars come with a case – I opted for a modern Hiscox rather than a vintage type because it had to be delivered by post.

Ease of use:

Initially, i.e. for the first few minutes, I was a little unfamiliar with the vintage size neck. Its 24mm depth at the 12th fret appeared quite a handful. However after 20 mins or so it stopped being an issue and felt very comfortable. Other than that it’s a Tele, one tone and one volume and a three way selector, surely one of the simplest machines on the planet.

Sound Quality:

It’s all very well for guitars to look the part but we buy them to listen to and be heard with. On this front, Micawber does not disappoint. The bridge single coil is as representative of the Tele sound as I have ever come across, biting and brash, great for cutting through a band mix.

The humbucker is full and warm toned whilst the mid position has a chiming quality I tend to use for rhythm parts. It’s the tonal variety that this Tele mod provides over the standard two single coils that appeals to me.

Reliability:

I have not owned this guitar for long, only one gig to date but it is built to last. The neck joint could not be tighter and I anticipate many years of rehearsal, gig and home use in this guitar.

Overall Rating:

I am very happy with this guitar and pleased to have been able to deal with its maker personally. This is a one off guitar and however many Micawbers Eternal build, they will not be exactly like mine because at the end of the day they are hand built and aged.

The Eternal Guitars website – www.eternal-guitars.com – is well worth visiting as they can produce guitars customized to your specifications and you can talk person who is going to build it!

This review was submitted by Guitar Jar contributor: Steve Fry