"The Look and Feel of a Vintage Instrument the Added Appeal of a Metal Construction"

Weighs 7.80 lbs. and has a nut width of just under 1 11/16 inches and a scale length of 25 1/2 inches. Hollow 'rusty' steel body with a holey back. Bolt-on maple neck stained tobacco red with a huge soft "V" profile, rather like a late '56 Telecaster. Slab rosewood fretboard with 21 medium frets and clay dot position markers. Headstock with rusty steel plate engraved with James Trussart logo. Individual 'Kluson Deluxe' closed-back tuners with white plastic oval buttons. Rusty four-bolt neck plate engraved with James Trussart logo, serial number ("05 098"), and "MADE IN USA." One Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro (Telecaster-style) single-coil pickup in the neck position with an output of 7.78k and one Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro ("52" Telecaster-style with flat polepieces) pickup in the bridge position with an output 6.16k. Rusty steel pickguard. Two controls (one volume, one tone) and a three-way selector switch, all on rusty steel plate adjoining pickguard. Brass knobs with flat tops and knurled sides. Individually adjustable six-saddle Vintage Bridge and "Tele"-style tailpiece. This guitar is in mint (9.50) "aged" condition. With the original printed certificate of authenticity dated "Sep 24/2005" signed by James Trussart, with the Model "Rusty Holey Back Steelcaster" and Serial Number "05 098." Original G & G rectangular brown hardshell case with black ends and green plush lining (9.50).

"James Trussart is a luthier who in 2000 moved his headquarters from Paris to Los Angeles. A guitar builder since 1980, in recent years he has upped his profile and reputation by crafting custom steel-bodied copies of Teles and Les Pauls in three finishes: rusty, chrome, and brushed. Though they offer a very distinct physical presence, the tones these instruments produce are every bit as flashy, throaty, and attention-commanding…Trussart instruments aren't necessarily every day instruments suited to everybody, but if what you want is a great-feeling, great-playing instrument with tones that live up to true classic/vintage expectations, you might want to give 'em a roll. Every Trussart comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the luthier" (Phil Feser and Bob Tekippe, "Trussart Steel: Classic Designs, Never Before Seen," at http://www.jamestrussart.com/Reviews/VintageGuitarMagazine.htm).

"Equally at home being played on stage or on display as a piece of art, you will know you have something special the moment you lay your hands on this instrument - every Trussart is loaded with unique custom details. The Deluxe Steelcaster has the look and feel of a vintage instrument with while also featuring our exclusive hollow steel body and custom metal appointments. The steel while also being the perfect medium to display the beautiful Trussart custom finishes also has tonal advantages. The Trussart Steelcaster tone is a uniquely annunciated sound that, combined with the resonant qualities of the hollow steel body can range from sweet, crystal clear tones to a really aggressive full crunch. The construction of these instruments is only half of the story, the other half is the finish, every instrument comes with a history and a slight element of neglect, of decay, so it has a personality of it’s own.

More than any other model, this guitar has found it's way into the hands of many guitarists including Billy Gibbons, Robert Cray, Tom Morello (Rage against the Machine, Audioslave), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Pearl Jam, Marc Ribot, Metallica and Joe Perry, to name only a few" (James Trussart Custom Guitars at http://www.jamestrussart.com).