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Personalised multi-point setup included
Before dispatch, your instrument will be treated to a full setup. That's not a quick tweak, but a full multi-point setup by an experienced guitar technician who will check and adjust every single thing on your guitar, bass, ukulele or banjo to ensure it is performing at its absolute best.
This is not a quick process but we believe every instrument should go through our process to acheive an exacting standard of playability.
Frets
We start with the frets on your instrument. All guitar necks move and change over time so we will make sure that your frets are nice and flat as we go up the neck. We don't want any high or low spots as this will mean your guitar will need a higher than optimum action and potentially suffer with fret buzz.
We check and properly profile the playing surface of the frets and then make sure the fret ends are finished off properly. The fret is then polished to ensure smooth string bending.
Truss Rod
Then it's on to the truss rod. This metal rod differs from guitar to guitar (some guitars such as classical guitars don't usually have a truss rod!) and basically controls the "relief" or curve of the neck. Not enough relief and your strings won't have enough clearance over the other frets when playing. Too much relief and you'll have a high action which gets worse as you go up the neck.
The heavier the strings then the more the truss rod needs to work. Proper adjustment in the workshop means that the action will be just right for the strings fitted to your guitar.
Top Nut
The top nut is super important and is one of the two open contact points of your guitar. The technician will check and cut each slot to make sure the strings both run freely but are not sitting in a slot that's too big.
The top nut also plays a big part in the action of your guitar so we'll hit that sweet spot between too low and too high.
Saddle(s)
Another really important part of your guitar!
On an acoustic, the saddle is cut to the correct height making sure the bottom is 100% flat and straight. This means the string can transfer its vibration properly into the body of your guitar.
For electric guitars, the saddles are adjusted to ensure your intonation is perfect. We will also match the saddles to the radius of your fretboard.
Bridge / Tremolo
The bridge affects the break angle and string height of your guitar and is also responsible for holding your saddles.
For a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system or similar, the spring tension has to be just right to allow the tremolo to return to its "zero point" and keep everything in tune.
For guitars with standard tremolos, we can set it to float and be used both up or down like a true tremolo or we can lock the trem block back so the tremolo will only go downwards.... the choice is yours!
Intonation
Intonation is the measure of how in-tune the guitar string is across the length of the fretboard and a guitar with badly set intonation will get more and more out of tune as the string is shortened when you play.
Tiny adjustments are made to each string where applicable to adjust its length and ensure that the intonation is set just right.
Overall Action
Once all the above has been completed, the guitar is checked for playability and fine adjustments are made. This step brings everything together and means your guitar will be set up optimally.
Machine Heads
Every machine head is operated and checked for function. We need to ensure that the machine heads operate smoothly.
Electrics
All the functions of your guitar are checked to ensure everything is working as intended.
For acoustic guitars we will check the functions of the EQ system and controls as weel as check the internal cabling and jack socket.
For electric guitars, all the pickups are checked for function and tonal response. All controls and switches are operated to ensure they are functioning properly. The jack socket is checked.
Other Parts
All other parts such as strap pins, bushings, tuning buttons etc are fully checked.
Dispatch
All our instruments get the same premium treatment wether you purchase online or instore.
If you have purchased online, your guitar will be carefully packed ready for dispatch. You will receive a tracking link via email.
THE PHOTO ABOVE IS OF THE EXACT ITEM THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE.
Fender Ed O'Brien (Radiohead) Strat - Olympic White
SKU: 0140192305
Discontinued
This item has now been discontinued. Browse our website for alternatives or feel free to contact us on 01279 432 900 for further advice.
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Description
The Fender Ed O'Brien (Radiohead) Sustainer Strat in Olympic White is your personal invitation to explore both ambient and dystopian soundscapes that no guitar has explored before!
Born out of necessity, the idea for this very special Stratocaster was born during recording and writing of Radiohead's album Kid A as the band decided they wanted to throw convention out the window, leaving Ed desperate to push the guitar as an instrument into new exciting territories.
So why a Strat and what makes Ed's signature different? After starting out in 1986 with a Squier Strat before later acquiring a Clapton signature in 1996 for some of Radiohead's most pivitoal records and live performances, this was an classic model that felt familiar while offering the perfect foundation for his fantasy instrument.
The electronics for Ed's signature Strat are the key to the new sonic palettes it makes available. In the neck position is a unique Fernandes Sustainer Driver housed in a single coil chassis. Controlling this sustainer is easy thanks to an on/off and three-position switch found on guitar’s lower bout, with these the player can toggle beween harmonic-only, fundamental-only and blend modes. For spacey textural soundscapes this Fernandes Sustainer is truly unmatched!
For more traditional sounds and sonic duties the Radiohead man has hand selected a Texas Special Stratocaster Single Coil for the middle position bringing that classic Fender sparkle with an edge. Paired with this is in the bridge position is a Seymour Duncan JB Jr for giant humbucker tones when you need them most.
The feel of this guitar was also a very important factor for Ed. Inspired by the Clapton Strat he used for years he quickly settled on a 10/56 V shaped Maple neck, a great option for both soloing and chording thanks to the way it rounds to a "C" profile as you ascend the neck and how it perfectly pairs with narrow-tall frets.
Extra touches that really tie this Signature Model together include a "Flower of Life" custom neck plate , a set of vintage style tuners and a matching vintage Strat bridge with tremolo arm.
Co-designed with Ed O'Brien
Seymour Duncan JB Jr. humbucking bridge pickup
Texas Special single-coil Stratocaster middle pickup
Fernandes Sustainer neck pickup
"10/56 V"-shaped maple neck with 9.5"-radius maple fingerboard