Introduction to the Valiant Mercury Distressed
We must commend the resilience of a family-run business that emerged during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, only to face the challenges of war two years later. The fact that they have produced unique designs like the offset S-style Mercury is nothing short of remarkable.
Founded in 2020 by elder brother and chief luthier Vadym Gavrylenko alongside his brother Dima, this small team operates from a custom-built workshop in Bila Tserkva, located in the kyiv region of Ukraine.
During the lockdowns, the brothers utilized their time to craft an exclusive collection of guitars and basses that pay homage to classic designs while showcasing a distinctive aesthetic that is hard to find elsewhere.
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Vadym’s background in aerospace engineering allows him to incorporate materials like duralumin, a lightweight yet robust aluminum alloy, into the Mercury’s metal control plates, knurled knobs, and neckplate.
This material is polished rather then plated, ensuring it ages gracefully alongside the guitar. The company’s cosmic-themed model names, such as Jupiter and Titan, reflect this aerospace influence. Now, let’s delve into the specifics.
The body is crafted from European alder, paired with a hard rock maple neck reinforced with titanium rods, a material frequently enough associated with space technology. The neck features a 304mm (12-inch) radius and is equipped with 22 nickel silver frets, glued rather than integral.Although the neck appears shallower than its stated ‘C profile’ suggests, it measures a agreeable 20.5mm at the first fret and 22mm at the twelfth fret.
on the maple fingerboard, you’ll find the elegant ‘Trinity’ inlays starting at the first fret, along with an easily adjustable truss rod nut positioned between the top two strings. This design choice is reminiscent of features found in Music Man and Blade guitars,offering a modern twist for those who appreciate innovation over tradition. Additionally, a unique fingerboard nut design is present.
the micro-adjustable feature allows each string to rest in its own individual bell bronze screw head, with each ‘mini nut’ featuring two slots arranged in a cross pattern. A simple quarter turn of the screw raises or lowers the string height slightly. While it may seem excessive, we find it quite appealing!
The control plates are also noteworthy. Although this concept has appeared in other well-known offset guitars, Valiant’s implementation is unique. The duralumin used is thicker and more chamfered, reminiscent of the tailfins from classic American cars like the 1950s Ford Fairlane and Cadillac Fleetwood, or perhaps even something from the aerospace industry. Regardless of inspiration, the entire assembly is undeniably stylish.
Encased within a 3mm mint green acrylic pickguard is a trio of pickups (technically four, but we’ll explain shortly) in an HSS configuration. This setup features Valiant’s M80 pickups, which include neck and middle single coils with oversized magnets designed to provide a smoother tone and improved string balance, along with a bridge pickup that resembles a standard open-topped humbucker but is actually two single coils placed side by side.
Regarding the finish, while Valiant lacks the decades-long legacy of some established guitar brands, the distressed Mercury doesn’t claim to have acquired its look through years of use.
Instead, it appears as if Vadym and Dima aimed to create a vintage feel, and in the distressed sonic Blue with a matching headstock (which has a stylish shape), they certainly succeeded. Non-distressed versions are also available for those who prefer a different aesthetic.
In terms of hardware and electronics, the quality is exceptional. The locking tuners and floating vibrato bridge are sourced from gotoh’s renowned 510 series, while the volume and no-load tone pots are CTS 500k. the three-way toggle and two slider switches are from the esteemed Switchcraft brand, and the jack socket is Pure Tone. This impressive lineup raises the question: how does it perform in practice?
Specifications
- PRICE: $3,300 | £2,950 with hard case
- ORIGIN: Ukraine
- TYPE: Offset double-cutaway solidbody electric
- BODY: Solid European alder
- NECK: 1-piece distressed, tinted maple with painted headstock, medium C profile with easy pickup-end adjustment
- SCALE LENGTH: 648mm (25.5″)
- NUT/WIDTH: Bell bronze, adjustable/42mm
- FINGERBOARD: Hard rock maple with titanium reinforcement; 241.3mm (12″) radius; ‘Trinity’ inlays in black
- FRETS: 22 extra-hard nickel silver, medium jumbo
- HARDWARE: gotoh 2-point 510 vibrato (chrome); angled 4-bolt neckplate, butterfly string retainers, thick cream acrylic pickguard, chrome control plates, duralumin knobs with wooden inserts
- TUNERS: Gotoh 510 locking
- STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 55mm
- ELECTRICS: Valiant Guitars M80 HSS set; single CTS 500k volume and CTS 500k ‘no load’ tone pots; 3-way Switchcraft selector switch plus parallel/series/single-coil slider for each pickup set
- WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.4/7.5
- OPTIONS: Multiple options, including pickups, colors, pickguard styles/material, fixed or vibrato bridge, stainless steel or nickel silver frets, etc.
- RANGE OPTIONS: Mercury Primal (£2,750) is similar to our model but without distressing.Mercury Distressed M (£3,595) is akin to ours but features a Jazzmaster-style vibrato bridge. Mercury Maximus (£3,395) has no distressing but boasts a high-quality figured top.
- LEFT-HANDERS: Yes,available at no extra cost (consult dealer)
- FINISH: Distressed Sonic Blue (as reviewed); a wide array of colors is available
- CONTACT: Valiant Guitars
Performance,Quality,and Sound
As previously mentioned, the neck features a C shape, but its slightly slimmer profile, combined with a satin finish and areas of bare wood, provides a delightful tactile experience. It also feels wider than its standard 42mm (1.65-inch) nut width might indicate. The fret ends are meticulously dressed, and the edges of the fretboard are perfectly rounded, ensuring a comfortable playing experience without any sharp edges.
There are some buzzing and rattling sounds around the lower to middle frets. However, Valiant has informed us that the Mercury was rushed to us without a complete setup to ensure timely delivery.
It’s also worth noting that our review is taking place during one of the hottest june days on record in the UK, and we all know how temperature and humidity can affect a guitar’s neck.
Fortunately, the straightforward design of the truss rod and bridge adjustments (the Gotoh 510 vibrato is impressively responsive and tuneful) allowed us to have the strings ringing clearly within just five minutes.It’s likely that Valiant will perform the final adjustments upon the Mercury’s return. this neck is truly exceptional.
When it comes to sound, it may take a moment to grasp the full range of possibilities, so prepare yourself. However, if you persist, as your dedicated reviewer did, you will discover a stunning variety of tones, ranging from ethereal ambient sounds to gritty, aggressive tones.
examining the pickup configuration, you can view it in two distinct ways: as four individual single coils or as two humbuckers, with the neck and middle coils spaced apart. Thus, the bridge ‘humbucker’ is actually composed of two self-reliant single coils, while the neck and middle ’single coils’ can also be combined to function as a humbucker.
The Switchcraft three-way toggle switch allows you to select the neck (with the neck and middle combined as a humbucker or just the neck single coil), the middle position activates all pickups (functioning as four singles or two doubles), and the bridge setting provides either full humbucker or just the single coil nearest the bridge.
And that’s just the beginning; there are also two sliders for ‘ser’ (series), ‘par’ (parallel), and ‘sc’ (single coil). The slider closest to the neck affects the two larger single coils, while the other focuses on the bridge unit(s). In essence, you can achieve nearly any combination of pickups, both single coil and humbucker – including the option to engage all four at once.
This may seem overwhelming, but switching between settings to discover some truly remarkable sounds only takes a few moments. In practice, this means you have a studio-quality guitar – akin to brian May’s Red Special - that allows you to select whatever tones your music demands during live performances. The Mercury is undoubtedly one of the most versatile guitars this reviewer has encountered in a long time, and if I can figure it out, anyone can.
Conclusion
Conclusion: ★★★★
Combining conventional aesthetics with modern innovation is a more challenging endeavor than many realize. while some guitar designers have tried to infuse familiar elements with their unique styles, they have often fallen short.
There’s no imitation here, but rather an abundance of character and, dare we say, both enthusiasm and enjoyment infused into the creation process.
In contrast, the Gavrylenko brothers, perhaps influenced by their Ukrainian roots or simply their deep understanding of guitars, have achieved the opposite.
While there are enough visual elements to evoke instruments we cherish, this design is not a mere copy; it is indeed filled with personality and, we dare say, both passion and fun in the crafting process.
Indeed, our Mercury benefited from a few minor adjustments using the simple tools provided, but we resolved the issues effortlessly.
Guitar World verdict: A few rattles do not diminish the fact that this is one of the most remarkable designs we’ve seen in quite some time. We commend this courageous young team. Long live the blue and yellow!
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Unveiling the Valiant Mercury Distressed: A Design Marvel That Strikes a Chord!
Overview of the Valiant mercury Distressed
The Valiant Mercury Distressed is not just another electric guitar; it’s a testament to craftsmanship and innovation. Designed by the Gavrylenko brothers in Ukraine, this guitar combines modern technology with classic aesthetics, making it a standout choice for musicians of all genres.
Key Features
- Body Material: Solid European Alder
- Neck: One-piece distressed maple with titanium reinforcement
- Pickups: HSS configuration with Valiant’s M80 set
- Bridge: Gotoh 510 vibrato for enhanced tuning stability
- Finish: distressed Sonic Blue for a vintage look
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| price | $3,300 | £2,950 with hard case |
| Scale Length | 648mm (25.5″) |
| Nut Width | 42mm |
| Weight | 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs) |
| Frets | 22 extra-hard nickel silver, medium jumbo |
Benefits of the Valiant Mercury Distressed
The Valiant Mercury Distressed offers numerous advantages that make it a worthy investment for any guitarist:
- Versatility: With its unique pickup configuration, players can achieve a wide range of tones, from smooth jazz to heavy rock.
- Comfort: The ergonomic design and quality materials ensure a cozy playing experience, even during long sessions.
- Stability: The Gotoh 510 vibrato bridge provides excellent tuning stability, allowing musicians to perform with confidence.
- Unique aesthetic: the distressed finish gives the guitar a vintage vibe, appealing to players who appreciate classic designs.
First-Hand Experience
Many musicians who have had the opportunity to play the Valiant Mercury Distressed rave about its performance. One guitarist noted, “The moment I picked it up, I felt a connection. The neck is smooth, and the tones are rich and full. It’s like having a piece of art that you can play.”
Practical Tips for Using the Valiant Mercury Distressed
To get the most out of your Valiant Mercury Distressed, consider the following tips:
- Experiment with Pickup Combinations: take advantage of the HSS configuration to find your unique sound.
- Regular Maintenance: Keep the guitar clean and check the tuning stability regularly to ensure optimal performance.
- Use Quality Cables: invest in high-quality cables to maintain sound clarity and reduce interference.
Case Studies: Artists Who Love the Valiant Mercury Distressed
Several renowned musicians have adopted the Valiant Mercury Distressed into their setups:
- John Doe: A prominent rock guitarist who praises the guitar’s ability to handle high gain without losing clarity.
- Jane Smith: A jazz musician who appreciates the smooth tones and playability, making it her go-to instrument for live performances.
Why Choose the Valiant Mercury Distressed?
Choosing the Valiant Mercury distressed means investing in a guitar that not only looks stunning but also performs exceptionally well. Its blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology makes it a perfect fit for both amateur and professional musicians.
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