What is it?
How comfortable is your electric guitar? It might have soft contours, it might be lightweight or, if you’re using a spiky axe for your extreme metal project, it might leave you with bruises every time you play it.
But was it designed specifically for ergonomics – to be optimal for playing posture and physical health? If you play any of the traditional shapes we’re used to, the answer is unlikely to be yes.
Even the best-designed of those shapes has some ergonomic setbacks that can be detrimental to the player’s body over time. In theory, that’s where the so-called ‘ergonomic guitar’ comes in, none crossing over into the mainstream quite like Sweden’s Strandberg Guitars.
Ola Strandberg’s innovative output with his company is beloved of the contemporary progressive metal scene, several technique-forward fusion and rock artists also adopting the company’s most prominent model, the Boden.
This distinctive design has proven itself adaptable to multiple configurations and has spawned successful seven and eight-string variants. Now, Strandberg has ushered in a new generation of Boden models, branded N2, and after the review of the higher-priced Boden N2 Original model from Matt Owen, I’m going to see how the entry-level N2 six-string Standard option stacks up.
I use the term ‘entry-level’ somewhat loosely here; more affordable than its stablemate it may be but, of course, at $1,799 for the six-string model, the Standard N2 isn’t a cheap electric guitar by most standards.
It’s up against some serious competition in the non-ergonomic guitar market – the ever-impressive Ibanez Premium series (as well as headless models like the Ibanez Q54W), and the tops of the import lines from the likes of Jackson and Schecter.
In terms of finding a more comparable design for that price, though, Strandberg has the market fairly well sewn up. If it delivers on quality with the N2 Standard…
Specs
- Price: $1,799/£1,699/€1,959
- Made: Indonesia
- Type: Six-string headless electric guitar
- Body: Basswood
- Neck: Roasted maple, Strandberg EndurNeck profile, titanium-reinforced,
- Fingerboard: Roasted maple
- Scale length: 25″-25.5″/635-648mm
- Nut/width: Plastic, 42mm
- Frets: 24, DHP 28HFS, stainless steel
- Hardware: EGS Arc headless bridge and string lock
- Electrics: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (bridge) and Sentient (neck), volume and tone, 5-way switch
- Weight of test guitar: 5.4lb/2.45kg
- Options: Seven-string ($1,899) and eight-string ($1,999) models available. The Boden N2 Original range starts at $2,499.
- Left-handed options: N/A
- Finishes: Transformative Teal Metallic (as reviewed), Black Satin Metallic (acrylic satin lacquer)
- Case: Strandberg Standard gig bag included
- Contact: Strandberg
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★★
It may not be the flagship N2 but it’s certainly not like you’re merely making do with this Standard iteration, quality-wise. Like the Original, this Boden is from the PT Cort facility in Indonesia, which builds for several high-profile brands; it’s beautifully constructed and finished. The fretwork is immaculate, the build is tight enough to squeak and the componentry looks and feels great.
Smoothly satin-finished, in a gorgeous ‘Transformative Teal’, a headline feature is the new curved body design, introducing a very subtle arch to the top of the solid basswood body. The colour palette is limited to this Teal and Black Satin Metallic, and only satin as yet.
Neck-wise, we have the patented EndurNeck profile for which Strandberg is famous, fashioned from roasted maple and now reinforced with titanium for stability.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★★
The Boden was never lacking in its ergonomics, but the N2 is truly inspiring in terms of playing comfort
If you’re unfamiliar, the EndurNeck appears as a series of straight planes meeting in edges, rather than a round carve. The central spine of the neck runs at an angle, the bass side shoulder sloping inward, guiding the fretting-hand thumb to its optimal position for hand comfort, everywhere on the neck. Confused? It’s tough to describe, for sure – play it, and it’ll make sense instantly.
We also have 24 stainless steel frets, in a fanned arrangement (although the difference between low and high strings is only half an inch – 25” to 25.5”).
The Boden was never lacking in its ergonomics, but the N2 is truly inspiring in terms of playing comfort. It’s very difficult to imagine how a guitar could be less physically taxing than this.
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It’s incredibly light, and that body shape, of course, is designed to be unobtrusive and work with the body. When seated, it’s best positioned on the left knee (for a right-handed player), letting the neck tilt upwards.
I came to the Strandberg feeling a little out of practice, having played much more bass than guitar for the previous couple of weeks – but it immediately put me at ease, helping me play at my absolute best.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★★
Sound-wise, most will have no complaints either. The Seymour Duncan Pegasus and Sentient are popular medium-output humbuckers with a clear, punchy tone that doesn’t overpower a clean amp, but still provides plenty of definition for high-gain tones. The five-way switch is a nice addition too, giving the snappy and defined in-between sounds prized by many modern guitarists.
Running through the various presets I’ve created on my Line 6 HX Stomp rig, everything from crystalline clean to gated metal distortion is ably covered, with plenty of space in the middle for all the other solidbody, passive humbucker sounds one would expect – in a package that offers maximum playing comfort too.
Verdict
This Strandberg may be one of the best guitars available new at its price point. The only reason to plump for the more expensive Original model would be the combination of posher woods and finishes, and the Fishman-designed active pickups.
For a simpler, solid-bodied, passive instrument that gets all the important parts nailed, this is a killer choice.
Try one – you might be surprised how much better you play with a guitar that removes the physical obstacles inherent in lots of others.
Guitar World verdict: It’s hard to fault the Boden N2 Standard as a package. It’s a fabulously comfortable, lightweight and beautifully built instrument which provides all the sounds one would expect from a twin-humbucker guitar with aplomb. At this upper mid-range price point, it’s hard to think of a guitar to rival it.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build quality |
A flawless build and it’s very pleasing that, relative to posher models, the money has been saved on luxury rather than the quality of construction or componentry. |
★★★★★ |
|
Playability |
If you’ve played a Strandberg, you already know why this is a high score. If you haven’t, seek one out and then you’ll understand. |
★★★★★ |
|
Sounds |
It does everything you’d expect of a two-humbucker guitar with a five-way switch, so quite a bit – but with those Duncan pickups, the quality of each sound is fabulous too. |
★★★★★ |
|
Overall |
Headless or not, this is one of the best electrics on the market right now for high-performance playing. |
★★★★★ |
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