Guthrie Govan demos his new Charvel prototype for Guitarist magazine

In this age of production-line rock stars, there's something really great about meeting a guitarist who defies easy classification. One thing Guthrie Govan isn't, though, for all his frankly astonishing fretboard skills, is a shredder.

Watching Guthrie idly noodle on the guitar is the musical equivalent of watching someone channel-surfing on TV. One moment he's playing face-melting metal; a heartbeat later he's playing warped country licks - then rounding things off with a bar or two of straight jazz - all played with great feel and not a little wry humour.

It's no surprise then that his new Charvel prototype (it's not currently a production model, sadly) is a deceptively versatile design that departs from his first koa Charvel in some important respects. Firstly, it's got a maple-capped basswood body -- moving the game on even further from mahogany guitars Guthrie has favoured in the past.

"Mahogany is great for the barking rock, but it doesn't clean up quite as well as you want it to sometimes," he says.

Meanwhile, the new prototype has custom pickups in an H/S/H configuration made by Michael Frank-Braun, who designed the pickups on the Eric Johnson signature Stratocaster. They're designed for flexibility not out-and-out mayhem, Guthrie explains.

"I just told him I want a certain kind of honesty in the pickups. I want them to reflect all the different ways you can hit a note, which is the opposite of the flattering pickup. I want the pickup to hear every subtlety, even if it's a mistake, and also transmit the natural sound of the wood. They're not ultra-high output."

For the complete lowdown on Guthrie's latest Charvel prototype and an in-depth look at the rest of the gear he relies on - plus insider insights into his forthcoming Aristocrats album - check out our interview in issue 367 of Guitarist on sale 5 April.

[ritsmond]

Even his guitar seems like cool guy to have a beer with.

[judahbenhur]

change the title and put "charvel demos his new cyborg british guitar player prototype"

[Cheximus]

I could watch Guthrie describe the food on his plate and I'd be entranced. The guy is a guitar wizard and a master wordsmith.

[PDXguitarfreak]

Sometimes I scratch my head when I see some of the guitar players out there that have their own models and/or endorsements. Guthrie, on the other hand, deserves it all... what an amazing player.

[goonphonk]

"Unfortunately named nut sauce"

[Fensterbaum]

I just realized why I watch Guthrie Govan's vids: his personality is just as appealing as his playing. He's got sprezzatura. From wiki:

"Sprezzatura is an Italian word originating from Baldassare Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier, where it is defined by the author as a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it. It is the ability of the courtier to display an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions which hides the conscious effort that went into them."

[RADEMusic]

I love how Guthrie says "people of the internet", after all, he is an otherworldly guitarist!

[TheBrightSounds]

What a amazing... and his personality gleeful... he's true blue... humorous and smart... a shining spirit.

[TruthSurge]

"the unfortunately named 'nut sauce'" HAHAH that cracked me up.

[EvaluateAssimilate]

I had the finished model arrive yesterday and it's far from a disappointment. The guitar really does play like no other that I possess and he's certainly done a fantastic job at ensuring the buyer gets what they pay for unlike other signature models.

Plays like a dream. Thank you, sir.

[noctuamagna]

I met Guthrie at NAMM this past year: he was an extremely humble and friendly man. His advice to everyone on how to be a virtuoso is: "Take it is that makes you, you; and exaggerate it." I would have loved to stay and talk with him, but he was on his way somewhere, so that is all we get. :)

[TurboSol]

As far as mastering various techniques I think Goven is probably one of the best in the world, it's simply incredible to watch.

[TONESEEKER]

He's is so far past trying to play the instrument, he plays what ever pops in his head. The connection mind, body and soul is Much more success to the am inspired.

[boozoochavis]

Hands down one of the MOST creative guitar players and musicians on the face of this planet! Thanks for sharing yourself with the rest of us, I was really getting bored with all the crappy music we were starting to see out there - now I look forward to new music again!

[classicartfoundation]

Govan reminds me of a shrew like creature that only surfaces when there's a guitar around

[thomaspick]

I really like this man’s playing. In particular, his clean tone playing.

[FlorentGarcia]

Damn, how can you have such precision when you play with a nickel ! Great sounding, great playing !

[boddumblues]

That bridge pickup screams in the rightest of ways!!

[PeteHawthorne]

Incredible instrument. His choices of words are amazing! :D

[Potatoast]

"It pleases me greatly"

I love watching this guy play. Not just the shreddy stuff, but his whole vibe/personality. It all comes out in his playing. I found my self smiling because of this video.