One of the Most Perfect Guitars Ever Made!

This specially hand-made guitar (the prototype for a run of five guitars specially made for Fretted Americana)
weighs 8.10 lbs. and has a nut width of just under 1 11/16 inches and a double-octave scale length of 24 3/4 inches Chambered mahogany body with recessed brushed steel (to look like antique silver) top plate engraved with a Chinese Dragon design. One-piece bolt-on mahogany neck with a medium "C" profile typical of a '59 Les Paul Custom (this prototype has a volute behind the nut), and aluminum bound ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and aluminum dot position markers. Headstock with matching recessed brushed steel plate engraved with dragon tails and with cut-out "James Trussart" logo. Recessed brushed steel plate truss-rod cover engraved with dragon scales. Four-bolt recessed brushed steel neck plate with engraved "James Trussart" logo and serial number ("0317"). Individual WSC 'Roto-Matic' antiqued brushed steel tuners with bell-shaped metal buttons. Two Seymour Duncan® Alnico II Pro® pickups with outputs of 7.20k and 8.00k. Brushed steel pickguard which continues the engraved Chinese Dragon design of the top plate. Two controls (one volume, one tone) on the lower treble bout plus three-way pickup selector switch on the upper bass bout. Brushed steel knobs with flat tops and knurled sides. Combined Tone Pros™ Locking Bridge and Stop Tailpiece. This guitar is in mint (9.50) condition. Housed in the original shaped black imitation crocodile hardshell case with black plush lining (9.50). With a printed certificate of authenticity, dated "02/20/2006" and signed by James Trussart, with the Model "Steeltop Antique Silver Dragon" and Serial Number "0317."

"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).

The Steeltop has the look and feel of a vintage instrument while also featuring another James Trussart original invention: the recessed steel top plate. The metal plate sits in a recessed area on the face of the instrument, which keeps the edge of the metal plate covered, adding comfort as well as styling. In addition to the recessed steel top plate, our exclusive chambered wood body and custom metal appointments are beautiful to look at as well as being functional. For instance, the recessed steel head cap adds mass to the headstock and increases sustain. The steel, while also being the perfect medium to display the beautiful Trussart custom finishes and engraving, also has tonal advantages. The Steeltop tone is a uniquely classic sound that, combined with the resonant qualities of the chambered body and steel top, can range from sweet thick classic tones to the heaviest lead tones. 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, as every Trussart is loaded with unique custom details. The construction of these instruments is only half of the story; the other half is the finish. Steeltops are available with distressed finishes that come with a history and a slight element of neglect—of decay—so it has a personality all its own.

This Trussart has found it’s way into the hands of many guitarists including Rich Robinson of the Black Crows, Pete Stroud of the Sheryl Crow Band, Kirk Douglas of The Roots and Brian Ray of the Paul McCartney Band to name just a few.

"Combining the traditional warmth of wood with the striking visual appeal of metal, the Steeltop joins a lightweight chambered mahogany/maple body to a recessed steel top plate" (James Trussart Custom Guitars at http://www.jamestrussart.com/Newsite/Steeltop/DragonTopSteeltop.htm).