Damian Probett Rocket ‘59, 2015

Damian Probett first gained attention and renown for his LP recreations. He then decided to repurpose those concepts into a more ergonomic platform. Thus was born the  Rocket '59, named in honor of the greatest LP. This preowned 2015 offering is one of six built with a carved (and glorious) eastern maple top - just like a vintage LP. The condition is near mint.

As a guitar shop owner and player, I bring a lot of history to discovering and bringing new instruments to offer at CR Guitars. While there are many fine builders out there, I'm always on the lookout for new makers that excite and inspire me. It's not easy. I was spoiled at a young age. My father was a professional musician and owned a guitar store. The guitarist in my father's band, Don Alterman, owned a newly minted D'Angelico NY Special. That incredible instrument was, in fact, the very first guitar I ever played. I was probably 9 years old at the time. Don told me the story of having it made by the man himself, about woods and neck shapes and about how the guitar made him feel and how he couldn't wait to play it every day. I've never forgotten that guitar. It imprinted in my mind and soul what an otherworldly guitar could and should be. Here I was, not even past my first decade of life, and already I couldn't get guitars out of my head.

I try to bring all of that history and experience as working musician to the instruments I offer here at CR Guitars. That's why I was so pleased to be introduced to Damian Probett. Damian is a serious builder from Great Britain, with a sterling reputation. I had heard about Probett for years but until now I've never had one in my hands. They're rare and delightful.

After playing this Probett Rocket '59 for a week, I'm incredibly pleased to introduce you to him and his fine instruments. Damian Probett, welcome to CR Guitars!

Damien's skill as a builder is of the absolute highest level, up there with the best of any. It meets all the qualities I was fortunate enough to first experience as a young man.

The top carve and fit and finish are tight and right. There are no compromises here. The neck profile is what a real '59 Burst should be. It's what Gibson should have done years ago. The tone is superlative, with just the right amount of compression and bloom. It's rich and full with no flabbiness in the low end. The guitar has a warm buttery feel with just the right amount of string tension due to its wonderful geometry and right on scale length.

The Probett '59 Rocket might just be the most comfortable Burst I have ever played. And I don’t say 'Burst' lightly here. It sounds like the real deal; a great '59 LP.  If you slipped this into the hands of a great vintage Burst player I doubt he would hear the difference. But he would sure feel it - it only weighs 7.8 lbs.

To be fair, it took me a moment to get my head around the combination of that Strat body shape and 6 in line tuners esthetic with the LP sonic qualities, but I have to tell you, I am now totally, completely, overwhelmingly sold. This really is the most comfortable and ergonomic LP style guitar I have played.

Bottom line here: after playing this guitar, I decided to order more Probetts for the shop and to work closely with Damian in the journey for that hand selected guitar that truly inspires a player to create your own personal magic.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.