to dig the blend and detail and richness of
harmonics and overtones in this position.
The neck pickup inhabits the unlikely
world where 335 and Jazzmaster meet.
As with Fender’s offset cousins, the neck
pickup can be used in two totally different configurations: When you select the
neck pickup from the 3-position switch on
the treble-side horn, it’s controlled via the
same potentiometers you use for the bridge
pickup. But when you switch to the neck
pickup with the slider switch in the upper
horn, you engage the pickup through a set
of pots adjacent to the switch that have a
much darker set of values. On a Jazzmaster
or Jaguar—which are wired in virtually
identical fashion—this setup is known as
the rhythm circuit, and the tone variations
you can derive from switching between the
two is impressive. Through the brighter
pots, the Zaftig takes on a surprisingly 335-
like character—perfect for B.B. King leads
that you can punctuate with a wiggle of the
tremolo. It’s also great for Malcom Young-style rhythm through a Marshall, and it will
drive a fuzz into delightfully huge, woolly
RATINGS
Pros: Unique tone palette. Great hardware and
electronics. Beautifully playable.
Bil T Guitars S.S. Zaftig, $1,850 street, biltguitars.com
cons: Pickups are a tad dark for jangly rhythm work.
Tones
Playability
Build
Value
lead zones, particularly when you roll the
tone control back. Because of the deeper
tonality of the Lollar Regals, the darker
rhythm circuit might prove less appealing for rockers than the same circuit on a
Jazzmaster or Jaguar where you retain more
single-coil focus. Even so, this configuration
can yield some beautiful jazz tones that are
both subdued and full of deeper-shaded
overtones, and the color you can achieve
via such a basically smoky sound is pretty
impressive.
The Verdict
Guitarists that savor the unexpected will
relish the Zaftig. The combination of
chambered body, Lollar humbuckers with a
really wide tone spectrum, Jazzmaster-style
circuitry and vibrato, and a great-feeling
neck add up to a highly playable guitar of
uncommon expressive potential. Even if
you’re not likely to delve into wild vibrato
work as you teeter on the edge of feedback,
you can easily tap into expansive, authorita-
tive blues tones and classic-rock crunch.
And if you’re an SG or 335 player looking
for something a little familiar but with a
twist, the Zaftig is worth a concerted listen.
If the Zaftig will disappoint anybody, it
might be Fender-philes looking for some-
thing a little more prototypically Fullerton
from this mélange of Fender design inspira-
tions. But just as the Jaguar, Starcaster, and
Telecaster Custom tended to be axes for
outcasts, this Bil T may be the inspiration
for a new generation of mold breakers.
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