Brian Eastwood Bender Distortocaster
An Optical Distortion With A Lateral Twist…

1990 Brian Eastwood Bender Distortocaster.

This 'optically distorted' guitar weighs just 8.20 lbs. Two synthetic moulded halves bonded to a central core of  West African obeche, contoured on back and lower bass bout. The 'distorted' body shape makes understanding the body size a little confusing. The body measures 18.00 inches across the two horns and 15.50 inches across the lower part. The thickness of the body varies from 1.62 inches to 2.46 inches. One-piece 'flamed' maple neck with a nut width of just under 1 11/16 inches, a nice thick profile and a scale length of 25 inches. Maple fretboard with 21 original medium-jumbo frets, black dot position markers and black dot side-markers. Individual Kluson DeLuxe style tuners with oval metal buttons. Headstock decal with "Bender" in gold with black trim & "Distortocaster" in black. The headstock is unique in that is it also 'distorted'. Four-bolt neck plate engraved "Eastwood / Bender / 165-23 / Made in Bacup [Lancashire, UK]". Three Kent Armstrong "Vintage" single-coil pickups with outputs of 5.21k, 5.11k & 5.10k. Single-layer white plastic pickguard with eleven screws. Three controls, one volume, one tone, one 'blender', plus five-way pickup selector switch with white plastic tip. White plastic Fender Stratocaster style control knobs. Vintage style Fender Stratocaster combined bridge/tremolo unit. The underside of the neck is signed in pencil "Brian Eastwood / No 165-23 / May 1990." A few small surface marks on the lower bass edge of the body - otherwise this highly unusual guitar is in near mint (9.25) condition. Housed in a (non original?) three-latch rectangular black hardshell case with black plush lining (9.25).

"Despite the seemingly impossible appearance of the instrument, it actually functions like a normal top-notch electric, thanks to numerous unique aspects of the design. Quality of construction and components ensures that this is not just a looker - playability and sounds are equally impressive. Visually, the Bender 'Distortocaster' obviously speaks for itself, but here are just some of the not-so-apparent details concerning this larger than-life instrument: The body is constructed from synthetic moulded halves bonded to a full-length central core of  West African obeche. This method provides strength, reduces weight and ensures manufacturing consistency. The all-maple neck incorporates a fully-adjustable truss-rod and, in addition to the various optical distortions, features a lateral twist to aid string-bending in the higher positions. Armstrong 'Vintage' single-coils are fitted as standard, ensuring a faithful reproduction of the real thing. The centre unit is reverse wound/reverse polarity for hum-cancelling operation when combined with neck or bridge pickups. The middle control progressively blends centre and bridge pickups in series-humbucker mode, providing high-powered tonal variation. The other two controls comprise master volume and tone"

Brian is one of the UK's top guitar builders and repairers with over 30 years experience. He can be found in Stacksteads - just north of Manchester in between Rawtenstall and Bacup. Although rightly famous for his creations, repairs still take up a large portion of his working day. No job is too big or too small, he will happily cure your squeaky whammy bar, set-up your new Fujisama Twang-o-Blaster or refinish your '58 Les Paul. However, Brian is never happier than when he's making a new guitar for someone. If you would like a unique hand-made guitar, built to your own specification, get in touch right now - you won't regret it! Brian Eastwood Guitars was established in 1973. All Brian Eastwood guitars are custom built in the UK. Brian Eastwood Guitars is not affiliated with Eastwood Guitars manufactured in the Middle East, or any other guitar company.