James Tyler Studio Elite Charcoal Frost, 6.2 lbs

A brand new Tyler has graced the shop. It's yet another reminder of why these guitars hold such a special place for me. This brand-new Studio Elite in Charcoal Frost is the latest from my ongoing relationship with Tyler Guitars, and it arrived exactly as I'd hoped.

Tyler first became famous as the guitar loved and played by L.A. studio musicians. It's become equally famous for bold, eye-catching finishes. And rightly so. But the guitars I find myself drawn to again and again are the classics, the ones that carry a hint of vintage soul and whisper instead of shout. This Charcoal Frost with gold hardware and matching headstock has that quality. It's elegant and timeless, and it reminds me of why my relationship with Tyler Guitars has endured for so long. The artistry runs deeper than color.

This Studio Elite features Tyler's hollow body construction in Mamywo, Jim's prized Malaysian mystery wood. Jim believed the hollow design let each wood speak more honestly, and Mamywo had a voice he loved: dark, warm, and full of character. At 6.2 lbs, you feel that openness the moment you pick it up, a lively resonance that solid bodies simply can't replicate.

The roasted birdseye maple neck paired with the darkest Indian rosewood they could source is both stunning and purposeful. The ST64 profile feels like home. The HSS layout pairs JTS5500 single coils in the neck and middle with Tyler's Secret humbucker at the bridge, the same pickup Michael Landau chose for his Tyler models. Between the series/split/parallel switching, midboost preamp, and bypass, this guitar covers vast territory without ever feeling busy.

After 30 years of Tyler guitars in my life, they still light me up every time I sit down and play one. That says everything. These are beasts of beauty and playability, and this Studio Elite is no exception.

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.