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2nd Edition
Blue & Green Label Series - 2010
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Initially known for vibratos and other guitar and bass related hardware it was just a matter of time before Trev Wilkinson just had to design and build his own guitars, adopting the design philosophy that he used in creating Wilkinson™ hardware, that change should never just be for change’s sake, only ever for the better. Fret-King® by Trev Wilkinson was born out of the desire to address a real need, expressed by many professional ‘journeyman’ guitar players for an authentic build ‘working vintage guitar’, free of compromise and without having to pay homage to nostalgic and outmoded design criteria set many decades ago. Often referred to as a ‘Guru’, a moniker which he tolerates rather than endorses, Trev Wilkinson clearly has the respect of his peers in the guitar building fraternity with an undisputed reputation as a designer and innovator with vast experience, style, and a serious edge. The Fret-King design ethic has always been to acknowledge, recognise, praise and defer to the great designs which previous innovators have created. A long and mutually respective association with none other than Leo Fender gave Trev all the answers and solutions to dispel many of the myths of this most iconic designer and allow him to get things right from the ‘inside out’. Trev’s approach is to understand the styling, ergonomic, technical and engineering challenges of creating instruments which meet the needs of the working guitarist, and provide truly elegant solutions which enhance the player’s creative process. Fret-King by Trev Wilkinson cleverly combines the art of expressive styling, an appreciation of subtle technical nuances, the science of ergonomics, and a clear understanding of the realities of ‘total product design’ to produce a peerless master class instrument, providing a rich and emotive tactile experience.
Cover: Blue Label Ventura Super 60. Page 2/3: Blue Label Elan Super 60 HBP, Blue Label Esprit 5, Green Label Corona 60 SP with optional Vintique pickguard.
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Super-matic Self-tuning guitar
Possibly the only ‘other’ guitar you’ll need! 4
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Fret-King Blue Label Super-matic The Fret-King Super-matic™ self-tuning guitar, is the first ever guitar to feature the truly outstanding and innovative Wilkinson ATD HT440™ self-tuning hard tail guitar bridge. Built with all the hallmark Fret-King style and attributes, the Super-matic is a very cool looking beast, cut from matched, two piece centre jointed American Alder, using heritage styling cues to create a subtly nuanced classic double cut body, with cosmetics redolent of the shared history with which we are all so familiar. The 25 1/5” scale length, 24 fret, Hard Rock Maple neck, with it’s classic ‘Shallow C’ profile, matched to a premium, close grain Indian Rosewood fingerboard with a 10” radius, finished off with an immaculate fret job, using single cut, hand crowned medium jumbo nickel silver frets assures precision, comfort and provides a playing experience which can only be described as luxurious. The Super-matic features a Hum-Single-Hum pickup configuration, with Wilkinson WHHBZ33 offset pole piece ‘Zebra’ humbuckers, wound to a very authentic recipe and a Wilkinson WHSM ‘vintage voiced’ single coil middle pickup. The combination of carefully voiced and balanced pickups, and the signature Wilkinson 'Vari-coil’ control, (which allows either of the humbuckers to be progressively wound down to single coil), creates an instrument with an exceptionally versatile palette of sounds capable of literally any musical style. Available in either Black or Original Classic Burst, complete with Fret-King hard shell carry case, the ATD loaded Fret-King Blue Label Super-matic sets a whole new benchmark and opens up a host of new musical possibilities to expand any player’s performance horizons, and creativity. The Wilkinson ATD self-tuning bridge, which has been under development by Trev and his team at ‘Auto Tuning Developments’ over many years, is a super low profile, real time electro-mechanical device utilising ultra hi-tech micro gearboxes, with a micro hex pickup, controls small enough not to notice, and an intuitive one touch button controlling all the functions and features of this truly incredible device. Invisibly incorporating the microprocessor control circuitry, the ATD bridge allows the player, with just one touch of the function button to automatically tune the Super-matic to standard E-tuning. Tuning status is confirmed in the hi-visibility display, designed to be viewed whilst playing, and overall tuning is assured with the built in chromatic tuner. Press the function button again, strum, and let the ATD change the guitars tuning from standard E to open G, or change to DADGAD, then to open D - all in the space of just a few seconds, or recalibrate to five additional 'user created' tuning presets in just a few seconds more.
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Super-matic Self-tuning guitar • Fret-King style, flair and superb playability. FBSMOCB Super-matic Original Classic Burst
FBSMBK Super-matic Gloss Black
• Hum-Single-Hum ‘Zebra’ pickups for great tonal range. • Fret-King ‘Vari-Coil’ control winds humbuckers progressively to single coil. • Traditional premium materials, one-piece hard rock maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and two-piece centre jointed American alder body • Revolutionary Wilkinson ATD HT440 Self-Tuning Bridge. This outstanding technological tour de force features: • Onboard chromatic tuner for spot on tuning • Six fully user programmable tuning presets; Standard E, plus 5 others. • High visibility display designed to be viewed whilst playing. • Simple, single button operation, with fast tuning changes.
Blue Label Super-matic Specifications Body
Neck
Scale
All Super-matic instruments are supplied in a genuine Fret-King hardshell case.
Tuners
Bridge
American Alder Hard Rock Maple Bolt-On 25.5”/648mm Wilkinson Wilkinson ATD HT440 with Micro Hex Magnetic Sensor Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WHHBZ33 Zebra Humbuckers (B/N), 1 x Wilkinson WHSM Single Coil (M), Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (Humbuckers), 5-way Selector.
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“ We live in an aspirational world, and there is no more aspirational product than a guitar. Myth and mystique surrounds the instruments of old we think of as ‘Holy Grails’. My objective with Fret-King Blue Label Series™ instruments is to bring all the best attributes of our shared heritage together and produce modern classics. My relationship of decades with our Fret-King offshore production partner ensures that Fret-King Blue Label series guitars and basses are faithfully and accurately hand built to my original designs, with the emphasis on emulating the high levels of perfection associated with all Fret-King guitars. 2010 sees the introduction of some bold new models into the Blue Label range which were previously only available as more exclusive Green Label options. The exciting ‘60’s design school’ guitar design interpretation that is the Ventura Super will appeal to the more extrovert player who will undoubtedly come to appreciate the fabulous comfort factor and versatile performance offered by this interesting yet practical body shape.
Blue Label
Series
Fret-King Blue Label Series
The deluxe twin cutaway Elan Super is destined to be a popular players’ choice in Blue Label format. With its carefully chamfered and contoured body and elegantly carved top, this guitar definitely ticks the box marked ‘deluxe’. Bassists will find much to delight them with the addition of the new Ventura Super 80, which offers a veritable ‘walk through’ of the sound and looks of classic bass guitars from years past, and is surely destined to become a collectable classic itself in future years. Using the same quality of imported tonewoods associated with all Fret-King guitars, Blue Label Series instruments use custom wound Fret-King and Wilkinson pickups and circuitry, premium Wilkinson and Gotoh hardware, and authentic vintage construction to produce superb tools for working musicians.”
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Ventura Super 60 HB3 & 60 SP3 Esprit 3 Esprit 5 Elan Super 50 & 60 Super 60’s Super 60 HB & 60 SP Super T & Super S Eclat Standard Eclat 2 Ventura Super 80 Bass
All Blue Label guitars are supplied with a genuine Fret-King luxury carry bag. 7
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Fret-King Blue Label Ventura Super 60 SSH Players who prefer a palette of more traditional ‘working guitar’ tones will appreciate the flexibility offered by the Ventura Super 60 SSH option. Tonal versatility is equally paramount on the Ventura Super agenda via the exciting and creative options offered by the Ventura's SSH pickup layout of two custom designed, Wilkinson vintage voiced alnico V-single coil pickups, plus bridge-mounted Wilkinson WHHB humbucker controlled by the Fret-King ‘Vari-coil’ control, rolling the humbucker smoothly from traditional humbucker to classic single coil.
Ventura Super 60 FBV60CR Ventura Super 60 SSH Coral Red
FBV60OCB Ventura Super 60 SSH Original Classic Burst
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Fret-King Blue Label Ventura Super 60 HB3 Working live, on stage or in the studio, Blue Label Ventura Super 60 guitars really capture the classic tones, feel and response of those legendary bolt-on neck Californian electric guitars, with 2-piece, centre-jointed premium American alder bodies and 60’s profile, 22 fret maple neck, 25 1/2" scale length and 10” radius rosewood fingerboard for a smooth, positive playing response with choke-free bends. The Ventura’s innovative ‘art school design’ looks are matched by premium hardware; Gotoh Magnum locking machines, complemented by a Wilkinson WVP ‘wave’ leading edge fulcrum vibrato with solid stainless steel saddles, stagger-drilled block and ultra-smooth action, all contributing to impressive total tuning stability. For the player who demands maximum performance and a high excitement factor from their guitar, the Ventura Super 60 HB3 offers the ideal solution - a ‘total firepower’ pickup option of tone-filled Wilkinson PAF-style WHHB humbuckers, unbeatable for those stand-out ‘all guns blazing’ solos... As ever with Fret-King, player control is paramount and so Fret-King's innovative ‘Vari-coil’ rotary control incrementally morphs the vintagevoiced humbuckers through to single coil format, for maximum versatility - further evidence of Wilkinson’s ‘player priority’ design approach to guitar building.
FBV60HLB Ventura Super 60 HB3 Laguna Blue
FBV60HVW Ventura Super 60 HB3 Vintage White
60 HB3 0 SSH 9
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FBES3VW Esprit 3 Vintage White FBES3CR Esprit 3 Cherry Red
LFBES3VW Esprit 3 Vintage White Left Hand
Esprit 3 Fret-King Blue Label Esprit 3 Instantly recognisable, yet radical, yet so familiar, the Fret-King Blue Label Esprit range is rooted in tradition but adds flair and innovation, offering a level of versatility which belies its looks. With set-neck construction, mating three-piece mahogany bodies with 4� centre sections to one-piece mahogany necks, the Esprit is a solid platform to build your tone on. The distinctive reversed six-in-line peghead, asymmetric body, stepped front and signature pickguard all add up to a statement of style with real attitude. Esprit has substance too, with the Esprit 3 featuring three P90-style pickups, a 5-way selector switch and master volume and tone giving a hugely useable range of sounds. 10
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Fret-King Blue Label Esprit 5 With one of the most exciting and distinctive guitar shapes around, the stylish Esprit 5 features twin vintage-voiced Fret-King WVC PAF-type humbuckers wound to the original recipe for those 'Holy Grail' guitar tones; solid-mounted Gotoh Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece; plus rock-solid set-neck construction featuring a substantial mahogany tonewood body mated to a 1-piece mahogany neck. Radical yet traditional. Imbued with the spirit of rock and roll, let the Esprit 5 take you back to the future.
FBES5TA Esprit 5 Trans Amber
FBES5BK Esprit 5 Gloss Black LFBES5BK Esprit 5 Gloss Black Left Hand
Esprit 5
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Fret-King Blue Label Elan Super 50 & 60 With its classic offset double cutaway body, the Fret-King Green Label Elan’s sophisticated look of understated elegance is now also available in Blue Label format. Designed for maximum player comfort, the Elan’s refined, ergonomic outline features a carved top with gentle upper bout scooping to accommodate the player’s forearm exactly where it needs to be, matched by a body shaped ribcage contouring for optimum ‘player fit’. Blue Label Elan Supers offer temptingly creative pickup layouts. On the 50 and 60 HBP option, between the stalwart blues rock pickup layout of twin crunching humbuckers - here, tonally authentic PAF style Wilkinson units which can be ‘rolled back’ to single coils for even greater versatility - the centre-mounted Wilkinson P90 pickup is equally a true tonal masterpiece, coupling a fat, warm output with top-end bite, especially when pushing an overdriven valve amp.
50 SSP
Players who prefer a more journeyman pickup layout on either the set-neck Elan 50 and bolt-on necked 60 can opt for the SSP’s useful and versatile Wilkinson twin single coils and fat-toned bridge-mounted P90 for a more traditional tonal palette. These truly exciting pickup configurations guarantee that the Elan Super 50 and 60 guitars shine through in any musical situation, offering the ultimate combination of tone and double cut playability in a stylish and highly desirable guitar package.
Elan Super 50 If your preference is for rock-solid set-neck construction with a hardtail format in this kind of guitar shape, the Elan Super 50 offers exactly that.
Elan Super 50 FB50BK Elan Super 50 HBP Gloss Black
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FB50TBB Elan Super 50 HBP Tobacco Sunburst
FB50PTR Elan Super 50 SSP See Thru Red
FB50PLB Elan Super 50 SSP Laguna Blue
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FB60VW Elan Super 60 HBP Vintage White
FB60PCAB Elan Super 60 SSP Candy Apple Blue
FB60OCB Elan Super 60 HBP Original Classic Burst
FB60PCR Elan Super 60 SSP Coral Red
60 HBP Elan Super 60 Guitarists can enjoy the feel, balance, outline and layout of that famous California twin cutaway favourite in the form of the Elan Super 60, with its precision Wilkinson WVP vibrato - the smoothest fulcrum vibrato unit available anywhere - and traditional bolt-on neck construction, all offering a taste of the unique poise and total versatility, and more, of that legendary instrument.
Elan Super 60
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Super 60
FB60BMI Super 60 Burgundy Mist
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FB60IW Super 60 Ice White
FB60OVB Super 60 Original Vintage Burst
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Fret-King Blue Label Super 60’s A contemporary take on a design classic, the Blue Label Super 60 provides familiarity and innovation. Visually unique with the Fret-King stepped pickguard, featuring a two-piece centre-jointed imported American alder body, Canadian hard rock maple neck and Indian rosewood fingerboard, the Super 60 has all the foundations of greatness. Available in the traditional three single coil, humbucker and two single coils, and P90 with two single coil pickup configurations, with Wilkinson pickups fitted in calibrated balanced sets, optimised for a perfect blend of tonality, articulation, depth and power. The Blue Label Super 60 offers that traditional vibe, but with a twist, whilst the 60 HB provides the extra versatility and power of a custom designed creamy, powerful bridge mounted ballbreaker of a humbucker. Twist a little further with the 60 SP; loaded with a Wilkinson custom wound P90-style bridge pickup for a truly unique combination of the traditional and the edgy, the P90 produces a sweet but eminently useable solo tone, clean or overdriven. Tuning stability is an issue with all vibrato-loaded guitars, but the Super 60 features several class leading innovations, designed by Trev Wilkinson to ensure a totally trouble-free, smooth, return-to-pitch vibrato operation, unavailable with any other brand. Fitted with Gotoh® Magnum locking tuners with height adjustable posts, the Super 60 offers perfect rake for each string. This promotes minimum friction through the Wilkaloid™ nut, with easy stringing and fast automatic string locking. Super 60’s come loaded with the Wilkinson VS401V vibrato bridge. This twin pivot, hardened steel, wave top plate unit with its staggerdrilled steel block gives unrivalled ‘return to zero’ performance. The VSV-style bent steel saddles offer superior tone and intonation, whilst a lockable, adjustable-tension push-in arm provides a neat ergonomic finishing touch. 15
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Fret-King Blue Label Super 60 HB and Super 60 SP
Sup 60
Su u FB60HIG Super 60 HB Ice Green
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FB60HIW Super 60 HB Ice White
FB60HOVB Super 60 HB Original Vintage Burst
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per HB
FB60PIW Super 60 SP Ice White
FB60PEOM Super 60 SP Electric Orange Metallic
FB60POVB Super 60 SP Original Vintage Burst
Super 60 SP
Super 60 SP
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S FBSTBSC Super T Butterscotch
FBSTTRB Super T Trans Blue
Super T Fret-King Blue Label Super S and Super T The Blue Label Super S is a thoughtful development, subtly blending the best attributes of two classics. Offering the player all the versatility of the traditional 3 single coil pickup layout design, the Super S also offers the instantly recognisable tonality of the iconic bridge-mounted single coil pickup. For those with more traditional preferences, the Super T brings together the ergonomic benefits of a comfort contoured body, plus various other classic attributes of the original late 40’s/early 50’s single cut bolt-on neck guitar. Visually unique with its Fret-King stepped scratch plate and slanted, plate mounted pickup selector switch, the Super T and Super S feature a two-piece centre-jointed imported American alder body, Canadian hard rock maple neck and Indian rosewood fingerboard. Intonation is always an issue with this style of guitar, but the Super T and Super S feature the unique and innovative Wilkinson WT3 bridge. Constructed from thin gauge steel for authentic tone, it features fully intonatable machined brass saddles for perfect intonation, irrespective of string gauge. Fitted with Gotoh® SG38 sealed gear tuners, additional downforce for the 1st and 2nd strings is provided by an authentic circular string tree. Authenticity is the hallmark of the Super T and Super S, enhanced by sympathetic and respectful evolution. 18
FBSTMLB Super T Metallc Lght Blue
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Super T Super S
FBSSOCB Super S Original Classic Burst
FBSSTRB Super S Trans Blue
FBSSBSC Super S Butterscotch
Super S 19
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Eclat Standard FBECSHBS Eclat Standard Honey Burst
FBECSTCB Eclat Standard Triple Cherry Burst
Fret-King Blue Label Eclat Standard Not for nothing do we refer to the Fret-King Blue Label flagship, as a ‘Standard’.
FBECSBBS Eclat Standard Blue Burst
The Fret-King Eclat Standard sets an exceptionally high benchmark, with one-piece mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard, extendedtongue, set-neck construction, two-piece centre-jointed mahogany body with a natural bound 3/4” highly figured, double stained, book matched carved flame maple top. Imbued with all the traditional attributes and tonal characteristics of this classic set-neck, single cut construction, the Eclat Standard additionally features a unique forearm chamfer, rear comfort scoop and enhanced upper fret access. The attention to detail and the impact that hardware and pickups have on tone with the Eclat Standard is extreme, with a direct mounted nickel plated Gotoh Tune-o-matic bridge and nickel plated aluminium stud stop bar tailpiece. The Wilkinson WVC humbucking pickups, with solid nickel silver covers, are wound to a very authentic recipe. Controlled by a traditional 3way toggle switch, volume control and master tone, supplemented by a very non-traditional third control, the Fret-King ’ Vari-coil’, giving a continuously variable blend of humbucker to single coil. The Fret-King Blue Label Eclat Standard offers a level of versatility way beyond its traditional character. Set yourself a new standard! The Fret-King Eclat Standard.
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The Blue Label Eclat 2 features the classic format for this style of set-neck construction. With a two-piece flat front centre-jointed mahogany body and one-piece mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, this guitar additionally features a unique forearm chamfer, rear comfort scoop and enhanced upper fret access. Fitted with the Wilkinson intonatable GTB200 combined bridge/ tailpiece and custom Wilkinson P90-style pickups, the Eclat 2 delivers instantly useable tone in bucket loads. Controlled by a traditional 3-way toggle switch, master volume and master tone control, the Fret-King Blue Label Eclat 2 offers a delicious blend of versatility and simplicity.
FBEC2CR Eclat 2 Cherry Red
FBEC2YM Eclat 2 Yellow Mahogany
LFBEC2CR Eclat 2 Cherry Red Left Hand
Eclat 2
d
Fret-King Blue Label Eclat 2
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Ventura Super 80
Fret-King Blue Label Ventura Super 80 Bass Are you individual enough to take on the Ventura bass guitar concept? If so, you’ll revel in the performance level and tonal options presented by an instrument with true character in an age of often sanitised uniformity. The Ventura’s elegantly shaped, form-fitting NEW body is skilfully assembled from two pieces of American alder, precision matched to a PIC Canadian rock maple neck with gentle 12” radiussed rosewood fingerboard, equipped with a complement of 22 jumbo frets. Afficionados of classic bass tones will positively revel in the Ventura Super 80’s eclectic pickup layout; a bridge mounted Wilkinson doublepolepiece single coil unit; centrally-positioned split double-polepiece single coil; and just check that mighty hunk of tone-filled metal-cased humbucking magnificence situated at the end of the neck... And you can quickly select some very unique-toned pickup combinations via the easily-accessed 5-way lever, offering a real performance edge that is simply unavailable anywhere else, thanks to those gorgeous, full-toned Wilkinson units. From funky fingerpops to a full-on rocking roar, you can blend any combination of these pickups to suit the musical mood via the three individual pickup volume rotaries. The Fret-King Blue Label Ventura Super 80 bass. Destined to be a future classic. Here for you now. 22
FBVBOVB Ventura Super 80 Original Vintage Burst
FBVBCAR Ventura Super 80 Candy Apple Red
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a r 0
Fret-King Blue Label Esprit 4 Bass Like the instantly recognisable Esprit guitar, the Blue Label Esprit 4 bass is radical yet so familiar, rooted in tradition, but with flair and innovation, offering a level of versatility way which belies its looks. With set-neck construction, mating a three-piece mahogany body with 4” centre section to a one-piece mahogany neck, the Esprit 4 bass is a rock solid platform. The distinctive reversed 4-in-line peghead, asymmetric body, stepped front and signature pickguard all add up to a real statement of style. The Esprit 4 bass has substance too, featuring the classic ‘P/J’ Wilkinson pickup configuration with individual volume and tone controls, and a master tone control. From earth-shattering ultra-deep fundamentals to classic rock tones, if you need a bass with attitude, the Esprit 4 bass is for you.
FBES5TA Esprit 4 Trans Amber
FBEBBK Esprit 4 Obsidian Black
Esprit 4
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Fret-King Blue Label Perception 4 Bass Fundamentally powerful and expressive, the Fret-King Blue Label Perception 4 bass has the depth, definition and dynamic ability to provide the all-essential rock solid foundation a band needs. Featuring a two-piece centre-jointed imported American alder body, Canadian hard rock maple neck, and Indian rosewood fingerboard, the Perception 4 bass is built to provide profound performance.
Perception 4
Featuring the classic ‘P/J’ pickup combination using Wilkinson Alnico V ‘vintage voiced’ pickups, the Perception 4 bass rocks!
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FBPOCB Perception 4 Original Classic Burst
FBPIW Perception 4 Ice White
Green Label Series Classic tonewoods, classic tone, classic guitars. Fret-King Green Label series guitars and basses are hand-built in Trev Wilkinson's UK workshops to painstaking, faultless standards of perfection. Produced in very limited numbers, Fret-King Green Label series epitomises the excellence of world-class guitar building. Brought to life by the touch and finesse of a select handful of master builders, Green Label series represents the quintessence of luxury, the zenith of build quality and the embodiment of ultimate tone. The process starts by hand-selecting and matching korina, mahogany, maple, rosewood, swamp ash and alder, classic timbers used for their fundamental contribution to instrument stability and tone.
Green Label
Series
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And if tonewoods are the soul of a guitar, then pickups are the voice. Play a Fret-King and you’ll discover how each pickup, and pickup configuration, is carefully matched to the construction of each guitar to produce the ultimate combination of power, tone and clarity. Great care and attention is paid to selecting the components used in the circuitry. Matching potentiometer values and utilising quality switches and wire is of equal importance to any of the processes employed in building the ultimate guitar. Last but by no means least, hardware. Having a great looking, great sounding guitar is just not enough after a lifetime spent researching the subtle differences, smallest points of detail, materials and manufacture can make to functionality, tone and ergonomics. With Green Label instruments, each piece of hardware has been designed and selected to enhance playability, to be as comfortable to use as possible, and is designed to perform in a real-world onstage environment - all done to produce the best ‘players’ guitars in the world.
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Ventura 60 & 80 Esprit I, III & IV Elan 50, 50 SP, 60 & 60 SP Corona 60, 60 HB & 60 SP Corona 60 & 80 Country Squire Classic, Semitone & Semitone De Luxe Country Squire Yardbird Europa IV Bass Perception 4 Bass
All Green Label guitars are supplied with a genuine Fret-King lightweight moulded ABS flightcase. 25
Ventura
FGV60 Ventura 60 Laguna Blue
Ventura 60 The Ventura 60 features a calibrated set of Fret-King Alnico V P90-style pickups, with a medium-output neck pickup and a hot bridge pickup to give a balanced response, chiming with the ‘characteristic of era’.
Ventura 80 The Ventura 80’s twin ‘vintage voiced’ solid nickel silver covered Fret-King Alnico V humbuckers, three-way toggle switch and single tone and volume, let you tap into the sounds of psychedelia, from garage to stadium, producing an awesome and easily exploitable power. A fitting testament to the spirit and creativity of those original pioneering West Coast guitarists.
All Ventura 60 and 80 series guitars are available in these colour finishes.
VW
OCB
SF
GF
LB
CAR
CAB
DM
VG
COR
Ventura 60 26
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Ventura 80 FGV80 Ventura 80 Candy Apple Blue with optional Gold hardware and Vintique pickguard
Fret-King Green Label Ventura Daring to look different, the Green Label Ventura could be a styling studio prototype straight out of the 60’s. Ventura makes a statement about your individuality - working live, on stage or in the studio! As Trev observes, “Unlike some of the guitars from way back then however, the unique offset Ventura design benefits from hardware and pickups that actually work!” “You’ll sound great and stay in tune on stage or in the studio, with a winning combination of function, style and sound in one cool package.” The Green Label Ventura features a two-piece centre-jointed American alder body and Fret-King’s 60’s profile rock maple neck, with 22 fret, 25 1/2 “scale length and 10” radius rosewood fingerboard. By utilising an original spec, small diameter truss rod, there is a much greater ratio of wood-to-metal, retaining all that elusive ‘vintage tone’. Superb quality Gotoh® Magnum locking tuners replicate the style and light weight of the original Kluson® tuning keys. Height-adjustable tuning posts provide the perfect break angle for each individual string to rest in the self-lubricating Wilkaloid™ top nut, ensuring absolute minimum string friction. These unique tuners also feature posts which lock automatically as the strings are brought up to pitch, eliminating excess string winds, making string changing a breeze and keeping your guitar in tune even with heavy vibrato use. Keeping a vintage guitar in tune can be a nightmare, so all Green Label Ventura guitars are fitted with the Wilkinson VSV high-performance vintage vibrato system. Built to exacting standards, the VSV really is the icing on the cake. Vibrato is a fundamental part of the performance of these guitars, and you will not believe the tuning stability of the VSV on the Fret-King Green Label Ventura! 27
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Fret-King Green Label Esprit Taking style and versatility to a new level. Familiar, but different is the best way to describe the Esprit range of guitars from Fret-King. Constructed from korina, a timber first used in guitar building in the 50’s, and which has a grain structure similar in nature to mahogany, but lighter and more vibrant, this classic tonewood is the natural choice for the Fret-King Green Label Esprit. With a traditional three-piece 4” centre-section body, 2 degree neck rake, 22 frets, 25” scale, one-piece mahogany set-neck with 12” radius rosewood fingerboard, and 8 degree angled back reversed six-in-line peghead, the Esprit has unsurpassed tonal transfer and natural tone. Available in three versions, the Fret-King Green Label Esprit has individuality and attitude to spare.
Esprit I Simplicity, elegance, a true no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll guitar. Featuring a single Fret-King custom-wound high-output Alnico V P90-style pickup, with single tone and volume controls and a custom Fret-King aluminum wrapover tailpiece/bridge, the Esprit I just begs to be given a damn good thrashing.
Esprit III With its matched set of three calibrated Fret-King custom wound P90-style pickups, master tone and volume controls, 5-way selector switch and a ‘reverse-wound, reverse-polarity’ middle pickup for hum cancelling in positions 2 and 4, the Esprit III offers a terrific level of versatility - and very cool tones!
Esprit V The Esprit V is loaded with twin Fret-King custom wound Alnico V PAF-style humbuckers the archetypal rock guitar pickup configuration. The unique combination of three-way toggle, master volume, master tone and Wilkinson Vari-coil™ control, which rolls full humbuckers down to true single coils, lets you explore the outer reaches of a massive range of definitive rock tones. All Esprit series guitars are available in these colour finishes.
VW
BK
LB
III 28
CG
CAR
CAB
TR
NK
FGES1 Esprit I Vintage White
FGES3 Esprit III See Thru Red
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FGES5 Esprit V Obsidian Black
I
V
Esprit
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Fret-King Green Label Elan The Green Label Elan is the classic set-neck double cutaway guitar, infused with understated elegance. Using a ‘form follows function’ approach, the Elan features a carved top incorporating a unique and elegant forearm ‘comfort scoop’, eliminating the usual sharp edge and providing an infinitely more comfortable playing position.
Elan
Constructed from solid korina, with 22 frets, 25” scale neck with 12” radius rosewood fingerboard and 8 degree, angled-back six-in-line peghead, the Elan is a perfect conjunction of classics. If you’re a die-hard fan of the iconic double cutaway bolt-on neck, but have always hankered after the set-neck tone associated with the iconic single cutaway, the Fret-King Green Label Elan is your guitar. Great sustain and awesome tone are the undisputed hallmarks of the Fret-King Green Label Elan series!
Elan 50 The Elan 50 comes loaded with twin Fret-King ‘vintage voiced’ humbuckers with Alnico V magnets and solid nickel silver covers. The combination of three-way toggle, master volume, master tone plus the Fret-King Vari-coil™ control, which rolls full humbuckers down to true single coils, with all the sounds in-between, provides a huge palate of sounds.
Elan 50 SP The Elan 50 SP features a balanced set of Fret-King custom wound P90-style pickups, wired ‘reverse wound, reverse polarity’ in the centre position, for hum cancelling mode when both pickups are selected. With three-way toggle switch, individual pickup volume controls and a master tone control, the SP is wired for solo work. This innovative arrangement makes the Elan 50 SP a very adaptable and versatile guitar. Contributing to the great tone of both versions of the Fret-King Elan 50 is the intonatable Wilkinson GTB 100 wrapover tailpiece, a bridge of understated elegance and real functionality. Free of moving parts, the GTB100 transfers all the string energy directly to the body, maximising power and definition.
Elan 60 and Elan 60 SP With identical timber, pickup and control specification to the Elan 50, the Green Label Elan 60 adds the tuning stability and expressiveness of a Wilkinson VS401 vibrato bridge to produce a capable and creative hybrid. Tuning stability, the hallmark of all Fret-King guitars, is further enhanced on the Elan 60 with Gotoh® Magnum locking tuners, capable of holding tune with even the most extreme vibrato technique. Whether you prefer the classic humbucker sound or the P90 option, the FretKing Elan 60 is a world-class instrument which other guitars can only aspire to live up to. All Elan series guitars are available in these colour finishes.
VW
BK
LB
CG
TR
TB
NK
50 SP 60
30
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:24 Page 32
FGE50 Elan 50 Laguna Blue
FGE50P Elan 50 SP California Green
FGE60 Elan 60 Obsidian Black
FGE60P Elan 60 SP See Thru Blue
60 SP 31
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:24 Page 33
Fret-King Green Label Corona “No guitar range would be complete without paying homage to the most famous double cutaway guitar shape of all time. Making a guitar this shape is easy; however, knowing how to build one from the inside out is a lesser-known skill! I have owned many of these guitars and repaired many hundreds more over the decades. These years of knowledge and experience are the essence of FretKing’s ‘authentic vintage construction’, and imbue my guitars with that true ‘vintage vibe’. Built with either a hand-selected, two-piece centre-jointed alder or swamp ash body, the Fret-King Corona is a classic combination of aesthetic and tonal perfection. In keeping with the sixties tradition this model has a familiar and comfortable shallow ‘C’ profile maple neck with 25 1/2” scale length. Available as standard with a rosewood fingerboard, or the option of a one-piece maple neck with skunk stripe, both styles of neck utilise a 10” fingerboard radius to facilitate easier string bending, with a low, fast playing action. By utilising an original spec, small diameter truss rod, there is a much greater ratio of wood-to-metal, contributing to retaining all that elusive ‘vintage tone’. Add to this the extra benefit of hardware that keeps you in tune and you have a truly rare instrument - one that really works live, on stage or in the studio. Superb quality Gotoh® Magnum locking tuners replicate the style and light weight of the original Kluson® tuning keys. Height-adjustable tuning posts provide the perfect break angle for each individual string to rest in the self-lubricating Wilkaloid™ top nut, ensuring absolute minimum string friction. These unique tuners also feature posts which lock automatically as the strings are brought up to pitch, eliminating excess string winds, making string changing a breeze and keeping your guitar in tune even with heavy vibrato use. Keeping a vintage guitar in tune can be a nightmare, so all Fret-King Corona series guitars are fitted with the Wilkinson VSV high-performance vintage vibrato system. Built to exacting standards, the VSV really is the icing on the cake. Vibrato is a fundamental part of the performance of these guitars, and you will not believe the tuning stability of the Wilkinson VSV on the Fret-King Corona. Corona series guitars feature custom-wound Fret-King pickups, specific to each application. ‘Vintage voiced’ and ‘hi-output’ single coils and humbuckers, in matched, calibrated sets for a perfect balance between each pickup combination and selection.”
60 32
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:25 Page 34
60 SP
FG60SP Corona 60 SP Candy Apple Blue with optional Vintique pickguard
Corona 60 The Corona 60 is fitted with Fret-King custom pickups with the classic three single coil layout, in a balanced calibrated set, each with staggered-height Alnico V polepieces mounted in authentic fibre bobbins. Wound for that classic ‘sparkle’, with a slightly overwound bridge pickup to balance the output over the whole set, the ‘reverse wound, reverse polarity’ middle pickups give hum cancelling in positions 2 and 4.
Corona 60 HB One of the earliest customising mods performed on this style of guitar was to replace the bridge single coil with a humbucker. This endows the guitar with the two most popular voicings of the electric guitar world, creating a real ‘workhorse’ capable of performing virtually all playing styles. Fitted with a bridge mounted Fret-King ‘vintage voiced’ humbucker with Alnico V magnets and solid nickel silver covers, the Corona 60 HB features the Wilkinson ‘Vari-coil™’ control giving the added advantage of being able to continuously adjust the output of the humbucker from ‘full’ to ‘single coil’ modes and all sounds in between, providing supreme flexibility.
60 HB
Corona 60 SP The Corona 60 SP employs one of the most usable pickup combinations ever. By replacing the usual bridge pickup with a custom-wound Fret-King P90-style single coil, the Corona 60 SP becomes a particularly versatile guitar giving all the sounds you would expect, enhanced by the additional power to push your amp, or drive your effects more efficiently when it comes to that all-important solo. ‘Reverse-wound, reverse polarity’ middle pickups give hum cancelling in positions 2 and 4.
All Corona 60 series guitars are available in these colour finishes.
VW
FG60 Corona 60 Candy Apple Red
IW
OVB
OCB
COR
LB
FG60HB Corona 60 HB Ice White
CG
CAR
CAB
DM
BK
VG
FG60SP Corona 60 SP Candy Apple Blue with optional Vintique pickguard
Corona 60’s FG60HB Corona 60 HB Original Vintage Burst with optional Vintique pickguard and Gold hardware
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Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:26 Page 35
Corona 70 ‘Hot’ is the best description for the Corona 70, featuring a matched set of Fret-King ‘vintage voiced’ humbuckers with Alnico V magnets, solid nickel silver covers and the Wilkinson Vari-coil™. This is a guitar which performs way beyond its looks. With a master volume, master tone and 5-way pickup selector, the Corona 70 is ultra-simple and tonally diverse.
Corona 80
Corona
Featuring a matched set of Fret-King ‘vintage voiced’ humbuckers with Alnico V magnets and solid nickel silver covers, and a single coil centre pickup, the Corona 80 is for the guitarist who wants every classic sound in one guitar, but without compromise. Master volume and tone controls with 5-way switch, and the Wilkinson Vari-coil™ control makes the Corona 80 one of the most versatile guitars on the market today.
All Corona 70 and 80 series guitars are available in these colour finishes.
VW
IW
OVB
OCB
CR
LB
CG
CAR
CAB
DM
BK
VG
FG70 Corona 70 Laguna Blue with optional Maple neck and Vintique pickguard
34
C
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:26 Page 36
70 FG70 Corona 70 Dubonnet metallic with optional Vintique pickguard
FG80 Corona 80 Ice White
Corona 80
35
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:26 Page 37
Fret-King Green Label Country Squire
FGCSV Country Squire Semitone D Thru Red with optional Vintique pickgu
As the name suggests these guitars will appeal to country players, but no matter what kind of music you play, the ultra simple, single cutaway, bolt-on neck guitar that first appeared at the start of the 1950’s lends itself to many diverse musical styles. Throughout the history of rock ’n’ roll, guitars like the Country Squire have been at the heart of so many musical genres; country, soul, blues, rock, jazz and more. The Country Squire range is Fret-King’s nod to the guitar that started it all! With the Green Label Country Squire we have taken the liberty of respectfully raising the bar, with a 22-fret neck with medium jumbo frets, in either a maple/rosewood combination, or one-piece maple, both with a deliciously comfortable 60’s shallow ‘C’ profile. Both styles of neck utilise a 10” fingerboard radius to facilitate easier string bending, with a slinky, fast playing action. By utilising an original spec small diameter truss rod, there is a much greater ratio of wood-to-metal, all contributing to keeping the vintage tone you would expect from this style of guitar. There’s a lot of mystique about original three-saddle bridges and why they sound so good. It’s simple really - with only three saddles, there are two strings to hold each saddle down firmly, so much less of the string’s energy is dissipated trying to stop the saddles moving, greatly enhancing sustain. The principal drawback of the original design, however, was poor intonation. With the addition of the fully intonatable Wilkinson WT3 multiadjustable three-saddle bridge, that unmistakable tone is now achievable; and perfect intonation, too! Country Squire Classic Improving the original is hard to do but we just had to try. Fitted with later 60’s style design pickups, with raised polepieces and slightly under-wound to 6K Ohms, the Country Squire offers plenty of bite. In addition to all the enhancements above, the Fret-King Country Squire Classic features a two-piece centre-jointed swamp ash body, and as the name suggests, is as real as it gets!
VW
IW
BS
HYB
OCB
SF
GF
CAR
CAB
VG
Country Squire Semitone Acoustic chambers in a double bound swamp ash body create a refined and resonant guitar, which retains the spirit of those hallmark 50’s sounds; spectacular looking, too. In keeping with the Fret-King philosophy we’re out to give you that little bit more, where beauty is more than skin deep. In stock mode, the neck mounted humbucker uses only the front coil, giving the selection of sounds expected from this iconic style of guitar; pulling up on the tone control, switches the neck pickup to full humbucking mode, essentially creating two guitars in one. The Country Squire Semitone is an immensely versatile ‘workhorse’, a truly professional instrument.
OVB
OCB
TR
HB
BBS
Semitone De Luxe FGCSV Country Squire Semitone De Luxe Thru Red
GBS
Country Squire Semitone De Luxe Created at the request of many pro players who needed even more versatility from their guitar, the Fret-King Semitone De Luxe is loaded with two Fret-King Alnico V vintagevoiced single coil pickups and a bridge mounted Fret-King humbucker. A five-way switch offers the traditional selection of sounds, plus the power of a full humbucker and middle pickup in position four. The versatility of the De Luxe is further enhanced with the precision engineered Wilkinson VSV high-performance vintage style vibrato.
OVB
36
OCB
TR
HB
BBS
GBS
Country Sq
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:27 Page 38
tone De Luxe e pickguard
Classic FGCC Country Squire Classic Original Classic Burst
quire
Semitone FGCS Country Squire Semitone Original Vintage Burst
37
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Fret-King Green Label Country Squire Yardbird “...I couldn’t resist building this!” says Trev. FGCYHB Country Squire Yardbird
“After seeing Jeff Beck and the ‘Yardbirds’ in the 60’s, his Esquire® was the guitar I wanted more than any other.
Country Squire
“ The audacity of someone taking a grinder to a slab bodied ‘Holy Grail’ guitar was just so cool!”
38
“That actual guitar now resides in my friend Seymour Duncan’s collection, but I did have the opportunity to spend some time with it, and the result is the Fret-King Green Label Country Squire Yardbird.” “It’s common knowledge that the front of the guitar was contoured with a forearm chamfer, but unless you’ve actually held and played the original guitar, you’d never know that the back also had a ribcage chamfer contoured in.” “The Fret-King Yardbird is loaded with a Seymour Duncan® Broadcaster® repro pickup, voiced by the man himself, and the body is even routed for a front pickup if you would like to fit one later, just like the original.” “Just like the original Esquire, the 3-way pickup selector on the Yardbird is actually a tone selector. In forward position the tone control is bypassed and a preset bassy tone, created by running the pickup through two capacitors and a resistor, is accessed.” “With the selector in the middle position both tone and volume work as normal; whilst in the last position the tone control is bypassed, allowing the pickup to go direct with all of its power and tone.” “It doesn’t get more real!”
HYB
Paul Weller
Yardbird
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:27 Page 40
Europa Bass IV VW
BK
TR
NK
Fret-King Green Label Europa IV Bass The perfect compliment to the Fret-King Esprit range of guitars, the Green Label Europa IV bass is a radical design which is firmly rooted in tradition; its one-piece korina set neck and three-piece korina body with 4” centre are a classic combination. FGEB1 Europa IV Vintage White
At first glance you might think you’ve seen it before, on closer inspection you’ll find the Europa bass is a truly unique instrument in its own right. The distinctive reverse peghead, asymmetric body, stepped front and signature pickguard all add up to a real statement of style. You can almost see the low frequencies tumbling out of the giant EBO-style front pickup, its sound is so big and round it will fill the biggest of venues with profound and penetrating bass. The middle and bridge pickups are a matching pair of Fret-King EB2style mini humbuckers which give the Europa its high end punch, cutting through with chilling clarity, providing definition and detail. With a volume control per pickup and a master tone, complimented by a five-way lever switch, five distinctly different sounds can be accessed, with total control over the balance between them. Using a super resonant tonewood such as korina demands a solid bridge to transmit all of the string energy, fundamentals and harmonics through to the body, so the Europa bass features a no-nonsense, functional Wilkinson wrapover stop-bar tailpiece as a bridge, but with the strings anchored through the body to ensure massive sustain. The Europa bass will rattle fillings at a thousand paces, looks so cool, and is such unmitigated fun to play, whether it’s rock, reggae, retro or metal. Why should guitar players have all the fun? 39
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:28 Page 41
Fret-King Green Label Perception 60
Perception 60 PJ
Complementing the range of Corona guitars, the Green Label Perception 60 bass range brings together the best features of the two most successful bass concepts of our time, to give great sound and stability under the most extreme playing styles.
The Perception 60 PJ features the classic Fret-King split double polepiece pickup, producing that signature profound, soulful, warm bass tone, with the double polepiece, single coil bridge pickup adding bite and definition.
Perception 60 JJ
Constructed from carefully selected swamp ash, with optimal weight and density, the Perception 60 body is designed for perfect balance, and comfort.
The Perception 60 JJ features a balanced set of Fret-King double polepiece, single coil pickups providing a depth and breadth of sound, from silky, mellifluous jazz tones, to classic funk, to an edgy and assertive rock tone.
The wide, slim profile, hard rock maple neck and thin rosewood fingerboard add to the subtlety of the Perception 60’s tonal palette and provides a feel of reassuring familiarity.
All Perception series basses are available in these colour finishes.
By utilising an original spec, small diameter truss rod, there is a much greater ratio of wood-to-metal, retaining all that elusive ‘vintage tone’.
VW
IW
BK
OVB
OCB
COR
LB
CAR
CAB
DM
VG
Attention to detail with the hardware includes Wilkinson authentic ‘elephant ear’ style tuners, a Wilkinson WB2P original style bridge with two fully intonatable brass saddles, which transmit all of the string energy to the body. A single string tree and low friction, high density Wilkaloid™ nut contribute to the overall positive feel and tone of the Perception 60.
PJ
The Fret-King ‘vintage voiced’ Alnico V custom pickups, dual volume controls and master tone control imbue the Perception 60 with a breadth of timbre which covers the needs of the most discerning studio and live performance bass player.
FGP60J Perception 60 JJ Obsidian Black
FGP60 Perception 60 PJ Laguna Blue
JJ
40
FGP60J Perception 60 JJ Original Callsic Burst with optional Maple neck and Vintique pickguard
Perception 60
The optional one-piece maple neck with traditional skunk stripe, offers the journeyman bass player a true workhorse; versatile, positive and precise.
STVDIO & Atelier
p
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:28 Page 42
Atelier™ Series Beyond even the excellence of Fret-King Green Label Series, Trev Wilkinson, working in the Fret-King workshop - a beautiful atelier space in an elegant Victorian building in the North West of England - crafts the occasional extra special, unique 'Atelier' Fret-King guitar, based upon stock Fret-King Green Label designs, as an expression of his own personal style - and to show what can be done when the creative process is allowed to break free of the bounds of conformity and employ stunning custom finishes.
STVDIO™ Series Exotic and truly unique, UK-built Fret-King STVDIO Series instruments can be many things; a particular combination of esoteric specifications, or materials; it can be rare and beautiful tonewoods, or an embellishment of precious metal, an experimental pickup configuration or switching, a new take on a body shape, but whatever, whilst hovering between the boundaries of master-built musical instruments, exclusive luxury goods, and art, a Fret-King STVDIO Series guitar is the embodiment of the imagination of the Fret-King styling studio, and will always be an awe-inspiring and highly desirable object of beauty. No Fret-King ‘Atelier’ or ‘STVDIO’ Series guitar will ever be repeated exactly, and the discerning few who will own one will have a peerless and very collectable player’s guitar. Visit www.fret-king.com for details of recent Fret-King ‘Atelier’ or ‘STVDIO’ additions, along with details of where these unique, one-off instruments can be viewed and purchased. Conceived and crafted by
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Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:28 Page 43
Blue Label Series Specifications
All Blue Label series instruments are supplied in a genuine Fret-King luxury carry bag.
Model
Body
Neck
Scale
Tuners
Bridge
Ventura Super 60 HB3
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WVP Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 3 x Wilkinson WHHB Humbuckers, 3+3 screw polepieces, solid nickel silver covers. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (Humbuckers), 5-way Selector
Ventura Super 60 SSH
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WVP Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Wilkinson WHHB Humbucker (B) 2 x Wilkinson WTS Single Coils (N+M). Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (Humbucker), 5-way Selector
Esprit 3
3pc Mahogany
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Gotoh SG38
Gotoh Tune-o-matic
Pickups & Controls: 3 x Fret-King W90 Single Coils - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Esprit 5
3pc Mahogany
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Gotoh SG38
Gotoh Tune-o-matic
25”/634mm
Gotoh SG38
Wilkinson GTB Wrapover
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King WVC Humbuckers.. Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Elan Super 50 HBP
Mahogany
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WVC Humbuckers (B+N), W90m P90 (M). Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (for WVC’s), 5-way Selector
Elan Super 50 SSP
Mahogany
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Gotoh SG38
Wilkinson GTB Wrapover
Pickups & Controls: Wilkinson W90bSK Stacked P90 (B), WTS Single Coil (M+N) - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (for stacked P90), 5-way Sel.
Elan Super 60 HBP
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25”/634mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WVP Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WVC Humbuckers (B+N), W90m P90 (M). Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (P90), 5-way Selector
Elan Super 60 SSP
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25”/634mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WVP Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: Wilkinson W90bSK Stacked P90 (B) Wilkinson WTS Single Coil (M+N) - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil (P90), 5-way Sel.
Super 60
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VS401V Vibrato
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VS401V Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 3 x Wilkinson WHS Single Coils, calibrated. Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Super 60 HB
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WHS (N+M), 1 x Wilkinson WVC Humbucker (B). Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Super 60 SP
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VS401V Vibrato
Gotoh SG38
Wilkinson WT3
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WHS (N+M), 1 x W90 (B). Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Super T
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Wilkinson WVTN (N) Single Coil,1 x WVTB (B) Single Coil. Volume, Tone, 3-way Selector
Super S
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh SG38
Wilkinson WT3
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Wilkinson WTS (N),1 x WTS (M). 1 x WVOB (B) - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Eclat Standard Mahogany Mahogany Set Neck 24.75”/628mm Gotoh SD90 Pickups & Controls: 2 x Wilkinson WVC Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, Varicoil (Humbuckers), 3-way Selector
Gotoh Tune-o-matic, Stud Stop Tailpiece
Eclat 2
Gotoh SD90
Wilkinson GTB Wrapover
Wilkinson WJ200
Wilkinson WBB4
Mahogany
Mahogany Set Neck
24.75”/628mm
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Wilkinson W90 (N) P90 style,1 x W90 (B) P90 style. Volume, Tone, 3-way Selector
Ventura Super 80 Bass
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
34”/864mm
Pickups & Controls: 1x Wilkinson WJBR J-type (B), 1 x WPB P-type split, 1 x EBO (N). 1x Volume per pickup, 5-way Selector
Esprit 4 Bass
Mahogany
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
34”/864mm
Gotoh GB2
Wilkinson WGBB
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Wilkinson WJBR J-type (B), 1 x WPB P-type split. 1 x Volume per pickup, Master Tone
Perception 4 Bass
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
34”/864mm
Gotoh GB2
Wilkinson WBBC
Pickups & Controls: 1x Wilkinson WJBR J-type (B), 1 x WPB P-type split. 1x Volume per pickup, Master Tone
Blue Label series colour finishes
42
BMI Burgundy Mist
IW Ice White
OVB Original Vintage Burst
IG Ice Green
EOM OCB Electric Orange Metallic Original Classic Burst
MLB Metallic Light Blue
HBS Honey Burst
BBS Blue Burst
TCB Triple Cherry Burst
CR Cherry Red
BK Gloss Black
TR See Thru Red
LB Laguna Blue
CR Coral Red
TBB Tobacco Sunburst
YM Yellow Mahogany
TRB Trans Blue
BSC Butterscotch
VW Vintage White
TA Trans Amber
Fret King 2010 Version 2_Layout 1 07/09/2010 15:28 Page 44
Green Label Series Specifications
All Green Label series instruments are supplied in a genuine Fret-King lightweight moulded ABS case.
Model
Body
Neck
Scale
Tuners
Bridge
Ventura 60
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
25”/634mm
Gotoh SD91
Fret-King Wrapover Bridge/Tailpiece
25”/634mm
Gotoh SD91
Fret-King Tune-o-matic, Stud Stop T/piece
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V P90’s. Volume, Tone, 3-way Selector
Ventura 80
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, 3-way Selector
Esprit I
Korina
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Fret-King High Output P90. Volume, Tone
Esprit III
Korina
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
Pickups & Controls: 3 x Fret-King P90, calibrated - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Esprit V
Korina
1pc Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Gotoh SD91
Fret-King Tune-o-matic, Stud Stop T/piece
Gotoh SD91
Wilkinson GTB100 Wrapover
Gotoh SD91
Wilkinson GTB100 Wrapover
Elan 60 Korina Mahogany Set Neck 25”/634mm Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 3-way Selector
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VS401 Vibrato
Elan 60 SP
25”/634mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VS401 Vibrato
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 3-way Selector
Elan 50
Korina
Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 3-way Selector
Elan 50 SP
Korina
Mahogany Set Neck
25”/634mm
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King P90’s. 1 x Volume per pickup, Master Tone, 3-way Selector
Korina
Bolt-On
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King P90’s. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 3-way Selector
Corona 60
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
Pickups & Controls: 3 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coils, matched and Calibrated - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, 2 x Tone, 5-way Selector
Corona 60 HB
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coils (N+M), 1 x Alnico V Humbucker (B). Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 5-way Selector
Corona 60 SP
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coils, 1 x P90 - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, 2 x Tone, 5-way Selector
Corona 70
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 5-way Selector
Corona 80
Alder
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Humbuckers, 1 x Single Coil (M) - middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity. Volume, Tone, Vari-coil, 5-way Selector
Country Squire Classic
Swamp Ash
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WT3
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WT3
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coils. Volume, 2 x Tone, 5-way Selector
Country Squire Semitone
Swamp Ash Semi Acoustic
Maple Bolt-On
Pickups & Controls: 1x Fret-King Alnico V Humbucker (Splits to single coil), 1 x Single Coil (B). Volume, Tone/Coil Split, 5-way Selector
C. S. Semitone Deluxe
Swamp Ash Semi Acoustic
Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson VSV Vibrato
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coils (N+M),1 x Alnico V Humbucker (B). Volume, Tone, 5-way Selector
Country Squire Yardbird
Swamp Ash
1pc Maple Bolt-On
25.5”/648mm
Gotoh Magnum Locking
Wilkinson WT3
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Seymour Duncan® Broadcaster®. Volume, Tone, 3-way Selector
Europa IV Bass 3pc Korina 1pc Korina Set Neck 34”/864mm Gotoh FB3 Wilkinson Stop Bar Tailpiece. Wrapover, Thru-Body Stringing Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Mini Humbuckers (B+M), 1 x Bass Humbucker (N). 1 x Volume per pickup, Master Tone, 5-way Selector Perception 60 PJ
Swamp Ash
Maple Bolt-On
34”/864mm
Gotoh FB3
Wilkinson WB2P
Pickups & Controls: 1 x Fret-King Alnico V Split Single Coil (M), 1 x Alnico V Single Coil J-type (B). 2 x Volume, Master Tone
Perception 60 JJ
Swamp Ash
Maple Bolt-On
34”/864mm
Gotoh FB3
Wilkinson WB2P
Pickups & Controls: 2 x Fret-King Alnico V Single Coil J-type. 2 x Volume, Master Tone
Green Label colour finishes
Please refer to the individual model pages to see colour availability for each instrument.
Colour code reference: BBS Blue Burst, BK Obsidian Black, BS Butterscotch, CAB Candy Apple Blue, CAR Candy Apple Red, CG California Green, COR Coral Red, DM Dubonnet Metallic, GBS Green Burst, GF Gold Flake, HB Honey Burst, HYB Honey Blonde, IW Ice White, LB Laguna Blue, NK Natural Korina, OCB Original Classic Burst, OVB Original Vintage Burst, SF Silver Flake, TB See Thru Blue, TR See Thru Red, VG Vintique Gold 24 Carat, VW Vintage White.
Green Label options MN
One-piece maple neck/fingerboard - Available on all Corona series, Country Squire Classic, Country Squire Semitone, Country Squire Semitone De Luxe and Perception basses.
GDHW Gold hardware - Available on all models except Country Squire Yardbird. GDPG
Vintique gold pickguard 24 carat - Available on all Corona, Country Squire Classic, Country Squire Semitone, Country Squire Semitone De Luxe, Ventura and Esprit guitars, Europa and Perception basses.
LHD
Left hand version - Available in all Corona, Country Squire and Ventura series.
Green Label availability
Fret King Green Label series guitars and basses are individually hand-built in the United Kingdom at the Fret-King custom shop in Southport, Lancashire and are supplied in a genuine Fret-King lightweight moulded ABS flightcase. Stock availability of finished instruments will be limited. Orders for new guitars to go in to build, based upon the model range, colours and options detailed above, will be accepted on an irrevocable basis only, and subject to a quoted lead time at point of order.
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WW W T I S VI
INFO E R O FOR M
www.jhs.co.uk WORLDWIDE TRADE DISTRIBUTORS:
JOHN HORNBY SKEWES & CO. LTD., SALEM HOUSE, PARKINSON APPROACH, GARFORTH, LEEDS LS25 2HR, UK. ©2010 JHS & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Specifications and colours are subject to change without prior notice. Fret-King® is a registered trademark of JHS & Co. Ltd. Wilkinson® is a registered trademark of Trev Wilkinson Design Associates. Wilkaloid™ and Vari-coil™ are trademarks of Trev Wilkinson Design Associates. Gotoh® is a registered trademark of Hosokawa and Co. Ltd. Kluson® is a registered trademark of W.D. Music Inc.