James Tyler Mongoose Retro, Preowned 2017

A new take on an old favorite, the Mongoose Retro combines simplicity with a touch of class, showing that it is meant to be played.

Straight out of a collection and originally sold right here, this Tyler Mongoose Retro is in near mint condition with no issues whatsoever. What follows in my original write up for this guitar.

Right before Winter NAMM, I called Jim Tyler to get a sneak peak at what he was building for this year's show. The moment I received a picture of this decked out Mongoose Retro I knew I just had to have it for the shop. So I immediately put a reserve on it. To me, a long time Tyler player, lover, fan, and dealer, this guitar had all the luscious qualities of what makes James Tyler a guitar building legend. It has inspired styling, ultra premium wood selection and now that it's been in my hands, I can add off the charts playability and tones that just ooze out of it.

The Tyler Mongoose Retro model is a favorite of mine. In fact I personally own one and it is a crucial part of my studio arsenal. And this one has the extra benefit of the fine craftmanship of the genuine multilayer binding.

It is sort of a muscle car version of a traditional Tele. A kind of Fender meets Gibson vibe. Immediately familiar to Fender Players, but with a bit of added attitude and, well, muscle. To get an idea of what I mean, check out the relaxed duet I did playing my Mongoose with Jostein Gulbrandsen here: http://bit.ly/2lN1xZq

This Mongoose is a player's dream, with incredible sonic consistency and a simply fantastic feel. Tyler's reputation speaks for itself, and I can’t imagine any guitarist not falling in love with this guitar and finding music and inspiration from it.

As for the neck, I'm not sure what to say beyond "It’s a Tyler." A knockout quartersawn piece of '59 shaped birdseye greatness. It's just an astounding neck. Jim's "I don’t know how he does it" rolled fingerboard edges give it a played in feel (but not in a relicy way). There’s just something magical about the way Tyler achieves this. It feels like I was born with it in my hands.

It’s a simple, gorgeous, mouth-wateringly beautiful guitar, visually and sonically. It represents Jim Tyler at his very best. I don’t know what higher praise I can give it than that.

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.

ABOUT TYLER GUITARS
James Tyler has had a guitar in his hand almost every day since he first picked one up the summer after seventh grade, in 1964. In college, Jim studied Architecture, Design, Music, Photography and for a couple years, Theology. He paid his way through these years of collage doing guitar repair work at local guitar stores, and as a factory trained auto mechanic for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, BMW and Fiat. Later into the 1970’s, he got connected with the guys at Norman’s Rare Guitars in the San Fernando Valley, and became their main repair and restoration guy. Jim’s abilities continued to expand and soon he had enough experience and reputation that he opened his first repair shop in Reseda, CA in 1980. Since then its been a whirlwind of successes, including being chosen to be displayed among the great California guitar companies such as Fender, Rickenbacker, Mosrite and Charvel in the Museum of California's exhibit The Ultimate Guitar Show and building for artists such as Michael Landau, David Williams, Steve Lukather, Michael Anthony, and Dan Huff. James' design shapes and various ground breaking guitar finishes and most recently his line of pickups have virtually transformed the guitar building industry.