This one is truly special - an arched top, 7/8 “mach 2” style Stagemaster Deluxe in a stunning metallic blue finish. It’s a rare occasion that I truly splurge on something I have to have - most guitars I buy I collect with my mind squarely on whether or not it is a good deal, so when this one popped up on Reverb a day or two after Christmas, it was very out of character for me to buy it.
I have been looking for a Stagemaster with dot inlays for some time, and had some cash set aside for that purpose - this doesn’t quite meet that criteria but at the moment I have 3 other Stagemasters, two in transparent Rose and another in Champagne, and the idea of adding one with a nice cool blue color ultimately was impossible to resist.
It arrived in good shape but without a case, something I will remedy immediately as a guitar this nice certainly deserves a case! It plays incredibly, and while some may not like the swapped pickups, it works out nicely since two of my other Stagemasters have factory Duncans. I already have one with EMG’s, and this one with Dimarzios means I have all of the common pickup brands covered too. This is definitely a keeper for me and I’m very pleased - what a great guitar to end the year on. Now hopefully I can work up the willpower to sell some in 2023! Happy new year!
