"Made in Jamaica"

This incredible guitar is identical to the Ziggy Marley "Rastafari" Steelcaster that Ziggy has been using as his main instrument since 2006. The guitar weighs just 7.70 lbs. and features an antique 'worn-look' three-tone Ganja (green, red and yellow) 1 5/8 inch thick green-painted steel body with holey top and back painted yellow. Birds-Eye maple neck with a nut width of just over 1 5/8 inches and a wonderful medium profile based on a '62 Telecaster. Full scale length of 25 1/2 inches, birds-eye maple-cap fretboard with 21 medium jumbo frets and black dot position markers. Headstock with matching recessed 'gator' steel head cap (painted green, red & yellow) and cut-out "James Trussart" logo. Individual 'two-line' closed-back 'Kluson deluxe' tuners with oval 'aged' metal buttons. Four-bolt neck plate engraved with James Trussart logo, serial number "10 245", and "MADE IN USA." Two 'hand-wound and tuned' Arcane/Trussart modified '50's style Stratocaster neck and middle pickups with staggered pole-pieces (the covers painted green) and one hand-wound and tuned Arcane/Trussart '51 Experience Telecaster pickup in the bridge position (with flat pole-pieces and black cover). The outputs of the pickups are 5.63k, 5.98k and 7.05k, respectively. Telecaster style engraved red painted "gator" steel pickguard with eight screws. Two controls (one volume, one tone) and a five-way selector switch, all mounted on a Telecaster style engraved red painted "gator" steel plate adjoining pickguard. Brass knobs with flat tops and heavily knurled sides, the volume control painted green and the tone control pained red. Vintage style 'Tele' bridge/tailpiece (painted red) with six Individually adjustable saddles. This guitar is in mint (9.50) "aged" condition. With the original printed certificate of authenticity dated "August 2010" and signed by James Trussart. Also hand-wriiten is the model "Holey Steelcaster. Rastafari colors. Ziggy Marley's Model / Arcane Trussart handwound pu. 1 Tele + 2 Strat / Gator engraved pickguard / & headplate. Serial number "10 245." Date:"August 2010". Housed in the Original G & G rectangular black hardshell case with black leather ends and black plush lining (9.50).

About the inspiration for the guitar: James has been a fan of Reggae since the 70’s and has made numerous trips to Jamaica. The first Ganja SteelCaster was built in 2006 and James built it while in Jamaica and it was used in the Movie “Made In Jamaica”. The Ganja SteelCaster is now Ziggy Marleys main guitar, there are pix on the web site in the artist section of Ziggy playing one. Other Notable Jamaican artists who play Trussart guitars are Robbie Shakespear (SteelCaster Bass), 3rd World and Toots and the Maytals.

This combination of pickups makes for a super versatile guitar… all the way from sweet, crystal clear tones to a really aggressive full crunch…

"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).