What is the Ancoats Granada Special?
The Ancoats lineup, crafted in Manchester, currently features three distinct models: the original New Islington, the NQ, and the latest Granada Special.
However, these guitars are not just one-size-fits-all; each model can be extensively customized to suit your preferences. As an example, the base price for the granada starts at £1,099, which includes a gig bag, and offers a more T-style variant than the one we are reviewing.
“This is the Granada Special,” explains Ancoats founder,Dave Roberts. “The ‘Special’ designation comes from relocating the pickup selector switch to the top horn, as the traditional Telecaster position can interfere with strumming for some players.
these guitars typically carry a higher price tag than the standard Granada due to the intricate work involved in routing the rear cavity for the controls-this is done manually in my workshop, rather than using CNC machinery.
“If you were to order this exact guitar as a custom build, it would currently cost £1,494,” he shares, ”but this particular model is part of a limited batch where I sourced the body from the same manufacturer that produces my necks [Dave collaborates with a local CNC partner for consistent neck production].
This approach reduces labour time, allowing these models to be priced from £1,350, with an additional 10% discount available for mailing list subscribers, bringing the total to £1,215. the materials and craftsmanship are identical to the custom builds, but I can select components in bulk to save costs and streamline production, enabling me to offer them at a lower price point.”
The value for money is evident in the construction. One notable change is the body wood, which has transitioned from obeche to okoume, a wood similar to mahogany (with korina and swamp ash being the standard for Ancoats), featuring an overall depth of 40mm and a finely executed ‘German-carve’ along the edges that enhances its aesthetic appeal.
Ancoats is a fresh brand that employs proper threaded bolts (not screws) for neck attachment.The guitar features an elegant aluminum neck plate, and the neck is crafted from a beautifully roasted plain maple, complemented by a matching fingerboard adorned with neat offset dot inlays.
The overall craftsmanship is extraordinary, highlighted by the satin finish on the neck and the textured ‘open-pore’ finish on the body, which Dave has dubbed ‘Future Relic’: “this is my take on pre-relic’d or roadworn guitars,” he explains.”While it may not be a groundbreaking idea,it involves a thin-skin,water-based finish from little Greene Paint Company in Manchester,with a hidden color underneath.
“If you play it vigorously, the finish will wear naturally, resulting in a beautifully aged instrument over time. If you prefer to keep it pristine, simply avoid heavy playing and take care of it.”
the hardware is more utilitarian,featuring die-cast tuners without branding that provide minimal string angle behind the nut. The ‘cut-off’ T-style bridge by Wilkinson includes compensated brass saddles, but interestingly, it does not support through-body stringing, only top-loading.This limitation is due to the body not being drilled for the latter.
What sets this model apart from the standard Granada is the pickup configuration, which features a humbucker/P-90 setup crafted by green Pickups, also based in Manchester. The controls are straightforward: a shoulder-mounted toggle switch selector, a master volume, and tone controls, along with a side-mounted output jack.
Specifications
- PRICE: £1,494 (approximately $1,999 including gig bag)
- ORIGIN: United Kingdom
- TYPE: Lightly double-cut bolt-on solidbody electric
- BODY: Okoume
- NECK: Roasted maple, medium ’C’ profile, bolt-on
- SCALE LENGTH: 648mm (25.5″)
- NUT WIDTH: Bone/42.5mm
- FINGERBOARD: Roasted maple, white dot inlays, 305mm (12″) radius
- FRETS: 22, medium jumbo
- HARDWARE: Wilkinson ’Short Bridge’ with compensated brass saddles, non-locking die-cast tuners
- STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
- ELECTRONICS: Green Pickups GoldFoil HB (Bridge) with Staple P90 at neck,3-way toggle pickup selector switch,master volume and tone with oversized control knobs.
- WEIGHT: 2.90kg / 6.38lb
- OPTIONS: Numerous! The Ancoats configurator provides all necessary details. All models start at £1,099
- RANGE OPTIONS: Other available models include the New Islington and the NQ, all sharing the same base price and extensive customization options
- LEFT-HANDERS: Yes, available at the same price
- FINISHES: jewel Beetle Green (as reviewed) from a vast selection of water-based colors – open-pore ‘future Relic’ finish
- CONTACT: Ancoats Guitars
Build Quality, Usability, and Sound
The ’Special’ features of this guitar lend it a distinctive feel. While it may dive slightly when resting on your lap, it feels well-balanced when worn with a strap, offering a weight that is only marginally heavier than the previous obeche New Islington model we reviewed a couple of years ago.
The neck is expertly crafted, following a relatively thin depth/full-shoulder profile, and the medium-gauge frets are well-finished, providing good height on the 350mm (12-inch) cambered fingerboard. These meticulous details,including the satin Osmo oil finish,are all applied by dave,resulting in a fantastic feel reminiscent of bare wood. While it may not replicate the vintage Fender experience, it certainly feels right, producing a clean, resonant tone when unplugged.
We’ve had the possibility to test Leigh Greenhough’s Green pickups, and thay pair exceptionally well with the Granada Special. The Staple P-90 at the neck is notably impressive, delivering a percussive and hollow sound-it could easily be the centerpiece of an entire build. On this platform, it serves as a wonderfully funky, choppy rhythm pickup, but rolling back the volume reveals a vintage jazz warmth with just the right amount of clarity.
The GoldFoil HB at the bridge is equally impressive. Rather than a traditional ‘Gold foil’, it offers a clean and articulate sound with enough power and midrange for compelling lead tones, matching its aesthetic appeal.
if we were customizing this guitar, we would opt for a coil-split feature to create a more T-style single coil at the bridge, adding another texture to the jangly mixed position. however, as it stands, this pickup set is well-balanced and surprisingly versatile, perfectly complementing the guitar’s capabilities.
Final Thoughts
Final Verdict: ★★★★½
The UK guitar-making scene is thriving, with brands like Fidelity and West Valley producing unique instruments that break away from traditional designs. Ancoats is certainly part of this innovative movement.
While the standard Granada model leans more towards a T-style, the Special offers a distinctive twist, moving away from the conventional bridge and control plate designs that have dominated for decades. There are ample customization options available through the user-friendly configurator on thier website, and although we reviewed this model at its highest price point, there are certainly deals to be found.
Guitar World verdict: The craftsmanship and style are commendable. A few minor adjustments could enhance the experience, but thanks to its straightforward construction and excellent pickup configuration, this guitar stands out as a stylish and refined instrument. We eagerly anticipate more from Ancoats in the future.
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