2009
Schroeder Guitars Radio Lane
A gorgeous singlecut semi-hollowbody,
the Radio Lane (November 2009) is clearly
inspired by the Les Paul, but has some
appointments based ofn the D’Aquisto Solo.
In addition to the “S” hole on the top, the
Leaf Maple quilt top, the headstock inlay
and the truss rod cover are all finished in
hazel, which helps give this axe a unique
flare. Plugged in, the Radio Lane continues
to give off the Les Paul vibe, excelling at
blues while remaining great at rock and jazz.
“In one sitting,” wrote Ben Friedman, “we
played a series of classic rock tunes and did
find the need to adjust the settings accordingly on the amp. I adjusted the guitar set-
tings and my pick attack and let the Radio
Lane do the driving!”
MSRP $4200 (base); $4950 (as tested)
schroederguitars.com
Click here to read the full review
Michael Tobias Design
MTD 535-24
The red-to-orange finish on maple burl top
of this ash-bodied bass is striking; the instrument almost appears to be made out of a
flame. The MTD 535-24 (May 2009) and its
tonewoods easily yield an aggressive sound,
perfect for slap-and-pop style playing. While
it’s clearly a modern funk-oriented bass, it
sounds great in nearly any style, thanks to the
incredibly transparent Bartolini pickups. With
Volume, Pickup Blend, Treble/Midrange/Bass
knobs, and a toggle to choose the midrange
center, finding the right sound is merely
a matter of fiddling with the controls. “It
isn’t a question of good or bad—if this bass
matches your preferences and your budget,
it would be a fantastic choice for a new axe,”
said Dan Berkowitz.
List $4400 (basic instrument);
$6190 (with case and options)
mtdbass.com
Click here to read the full review
www.premierguitar.com
PREMIER GUITAR DECEMBER 2009 115
