Tom took up the guitar at the age of 15 after being inspired by his Dad’s incredible finger style guitar playing and quickly developed a love for the instrument. Being addicted to players such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci and Brett Garsed, Tom initially focused on rock technique before developing a huge interest in Jazz and Fusion. At this point Tom changed to his renowned 4th’s tuning and studied Jazz, graduating with a Jazz Performance degree in 2002 from Leeds College of Music. Since graduating Tom has developed to become one of the foremost fusion legato players in the world with a strong reputation in both the teaching and playing world, having produced a large number of highly acclaimed tuition products for his own website and Lick Library that have helped literally thousands of guitar players from every corner of the planet. He has conducted masterclasses and played all over the world giving him acclaim that means he can count Dweezil Zappa, John Petrucci, Brett Garsed, Greg Howe, Andy Timmons and Tim Miller amongst his many fans. Tom currently plays with and on the albums of some of the best fusion musicians in the world, releasing the highly acclaimed 'Elba Triangle' album in early 2017 with Virgil Donati, Alex Argento, Marco Sfogli and Allesandro Benvenutti. He has many projects in the works including lots of studio and live work with his partner in crime, Martin Miller. His highly anticipated debut album is in the works and he has produced a huge catalogue of some of the most succesful tuition material for the modern fusion genre. He is incredibly proud to play his signature TQM1 guitar exclusively.
Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
The S-TECH special roasted treatment increases the wood's stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. The neck is sealed with an oil finish which helps make it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
Rosewood fretboard
Rosewood fretboard provides a well-balanced solid tone with a focused mid range.
Maple top / Alder body
The Maple top sonically enriches the response for picking and the Alder body delivers a well-balanced bright tone, enriched resonance and sustain.
Seymour Duncan® Magic Touch-mini™ / Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickups
The Magic Touch-mini™ pickup in the neck position offers iconic tonal clarity for which this style of guitar is known, yet with extra body and articulation. The output level is also carefully configured to perfectly match the bridge pickup. The Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickup in bridge position offers up an ample supply of clarity and twang, while also delivering a nice mid-range bark.
Gotoh® Magnum Lock w/H.A.P. machine heads
GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads have an established reputation for tuning stability. Its H. A. P® (Height Adjustable Post). system allows for the adjustment of string posts for the appropriate tension of each string.
Gotoh® T1802 tremolo
The T1802 tremolo bridge features machined titanium saddles and a machined steel tremolo block for a quick response, thick lows and rich highs. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings and its snap-in construction makes it easy to load a tremolo arm.
dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch
The dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch adds a sound variation to fit so many different kinds of playing style.
Non-recessed bridge cavity
While the AZ series features a recessed bridge cavity for fluid and dynamic tremolo action, this model has non-recessed bridge cavity. The direct contact between bridge plate and the guitar body provides better resonance and helps facilitate subtle nuances in playing dynamics.
Steel pickup plate
This steel pickup plate is designed exclusively for AZS series. It’s a critical component that helps generate that quintessential "Twangy" tone, for which this style guitar is known. This plate is present on both the tremolo and hardtail versions of the AZS, something that is not typical for guitars of this type. This plate, in combination with the traditional style single coil bridge pickup, preserves this iconic sound across the entire AZS lineup.
Oil-impregnated Bone nut
The Oil-impregnated bone nut provides superior tuning stability and warm rich resonance. Stainless steel frets boast excellent corrosion resistance.
Super All Access Neck Joint
The Super All Access Neck Joint increases playability and allows for easy access to the higher frets.
Luminlay side dot inlays
The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.
Switching System
When the alter switch tilts downward, two hum tap mode is off.When the alter switch tilts upward, two hum tap mode is on. With two hum tap mode disabled: When the pickup selector switch is in neck position, the neck pickup is active. When the switch is in center position, the neck and bridge pickups are active, and the bridge pickup is in parallel. When the switch is in bridge position, the bridge side of the neck and bridge pickups are active.With two hum tap mode enabled: When the pickup selector switch is in neck position, the neck pickup is active. When the switch is in center position, the bridge side of the neck and bridge pickups are active in parallel. When the switch is in bridge position, the bridge pickup is active.
Controls
With the guitar held in the playing position, there is one knob and one switch along the lower edge of the body. Closest to the knee cutout is the three-way pickup selector switch. Closest to the end of the body is the tone knob. The volume knob is located right above the three-way pickup selector switch. Between the volume and tone knobs is the alter switch.
Neck Dimensions
Scale : 648mm/25.5"
a : Width : 42mm at NUT
b : Width : 56,4mm at 22F
c : Thickness : 20,5mm at 1F
d : Thickness : 22,5mm at 12F
Radius : 228 to 305mmR
Guitar Neck Diagram a: Width of the neck at the nut b: Width of the neck at the first fret c? Thickness of the neck at the first fret d: Thickness of the neck at the twelfth fret Radius: Radius of the fingerboard
Specifications :
neck type : AZ Oval C / S-TECH WOOD 1pc Roasted Maple neck
top/back/body : Maple (4mm) top / Alder body
fretboard : Rosewood fretboard / Mother of Pearl dot inlay
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