Music

Back in early 1980's, when 'Valley Arts' commenced building guitars for the dedicated and discerning guitarist, they were among an elite group of emerging boutique guitar builders; that includes:- Pensa-Suhr, Tom Anderson, Zion to name but a few, with each guitar being made; to custom order and specification, one at a time. This Uber rare, Valleys Arts - Custom Pro ‘Larry Carlton’, ‘The Micker’ is one of the finest hand-built guitars from the ‘VA’ golden build period, with a serial number that dates this unique, and rare vintage; custom ordered, guitar to circa 1988/89.Custom-made one-piece (hand sculpted) ‘Mahogany’ 7/8’ body, matched with a beautiful quarter sawn  25.5" scale ‘Mahogany’ neck, with the rare additional cost, and now highly desirable, ‘Inter-lock’ neck joint spec and contoured heel, is complimented perfectly by a very fine piece of ‘Ebony’ fretboard installed with 24 medium frets This superb; visually stunning, guitar is completed with a meticulously hand inlaid ‘Herringbone’ detail to the guitar body, and headstock, and a very high quality, brown-burst nitro cellulose gloss finish.The installed EMG SA-SA-85 (SSH) pickup configuration was carefully selected to be more than capable of giving the discerning guitar players of the eighties, a palette of voicings and tonalities; from twangy ‘tele type’ cleans to the big round resonance / sustain of a Les Paul, rolled into one guitar! There is a harmonic complexity, midrange sweetness, and top end clarity that this ‘Micker’ delivers. Strummed acoustically, this guitar offers the note attack and percussive cut of the combination ‘Mahogany’ neck and ‘Ebony’ fretboard, paired with the airy, smooth qualities of the ‘Mahogany’ wood body construction, and this full, dynamic tone translates well through the pickups. The neck pickup could be described as a detailed, and round sound, while the bridge position humbucker has good smooth growl when pushed hard while retaining a chiming treble range, the middle pickup adds great body in conjunction with the neck and bridge P/ups when engaged using the combination of both the five way pickup  selector switch and the third pre-amped 'mid-boost' control pot. This superb instrument plays very comfortable, with the singing sustain afforded to a great ‘Valley Arts’ guitar of this build quality, with a low action.The one-piece ‘Mahogany’ neck profile is particularly fast and effortless to play. The ‘Ebony’ fretboard features dot inlays and clean factory frets showing only very light play wear beneath the plain strings. The neck is straight, the truss rod is ideally adjusted, and the guitar plays effortlessly in every register. The headstock sports the ‘Valley Arts – Custom Pro’ logo, as well as a set of original ‘VA’ scripted machine heads that turn smoothly and hold pitch well.Lightly played, lovingly cherished, and recently set up with new 09-46’ nickel strings this superb boutique guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set to approx. 1.75mm (b) and 1.5mm (t), with moderate relief for medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your playing style using the adjustable bridge.The original TKL plush lined hard-shell case, and rare ‘VA’ scripted fretboard cover are both present.Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. We can provide additional photos on request.Presented in excellent+ condition for its 36 years of age; save for a few minor polishing swirls, consummate with its age and careful ownership.With less than 10 made, and with only a handful that included the additional cost, and now highly desirable ‘Interlock’ neck and contour heel specification, this high quality, custom ordered, vintage instrument has significantly risen in investment value over the past few years due to ‘Collectors’, ‘Investors’ and discerning ‘Stage Players’ searching out unique ‘Valley Arts’ custom examples from the golden build period. Not only a ‘Pro’s Pro’ stellar guitar but a very sound investment piece.! Delivery Conditions: This guitar will be carefully packed before being despatched using the best couriers and shall be fully insured by a separate dedicated transit insurance policy for the purchase amount.  Please contact us for specific courier / insurance rates to your destination. No returns. CCG T&C's apply at all times (see shop policies)

The Custom S from 48th Street NYC is designed to deliver exceptional electric performance, featuring custom controls for versatile sound shaping.