What is the Indiana?
In a world where many boutique guitar manufacturers cling to customary designs, Josh Stopford of West Valley offers a refreshing option.
Built on a longer Fender scale length, the Indiana features a mahogany neck bolted (not screwed) to a lightweight obeche back topped with maple. Its a versatile instrument that defies easy categorization. While it includes an offset-style vibrato, our review model is equipped with a tune-o-matic bridge and stud tailpiece, reminiscent of Gibson designs, complemented by a Sunbear humbucker at the bridge and a soapbar-sized staple-magnet pickup at the neck.
The controls are straightforward, featuring a master volume, tone, and a three-way toggle switch, without any additional sounds from pull-switch pots.
From the outset, the Indiana presents itself as a reliable gigging instrument, a reflection of Josh’s extensive experience in setup and maintenance for renowned bands such as Idles, Supergrass, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The The, Massive Attack, and The Stranglers.
Moreover, the craftsmanship is evident, with elegant tortoiseshell binding framing a broad black-and-white purfling, which also encircles the fingerboard with a delicate inner white line.
The guitar’s top is flat, yet the back features a subtle ribcage contour, while the heel maintains a traditional rectangular shape. The finish is noteworthy: the Vintage White top exhibits an aged appearance with noticeable cross-cracking that will become more pronounced with use. The oil/wax finish on the vertically striped obeche grain complements the neck’s almost bare-wood feel.
the aged Gotoh and TonePros hardware, along with the rear offset neckplate, contribute to an impression that this is not just another shiny new production guitar. This vintage aesthetic extends to the neck geometry.
Similar to a Fender, the neck pitch has minimal back angle, and it joins the body at a relatively high point, largely due to the tune-o-matic bridge. Both pickups are mounted high as well, suggesting that a taller mounting ring, notably at the bridge, might be beneficial.
Specifications
- PRICE: £3,350 (includes case)
- ORIGIN: UK
- TYPE: Offset twin-cutaway solidbody electric
- BODY: Obeche back with maple top
- NECK: Mahogany, ‘C’ profile, bolt-on
- SCALE LENGTH: 648mm (25.5″)
- NUT WIDTH: Bone/42.3mm
- FINGERBOARD: Bound ebony with mother-of-pearl dot inlays,254-305mm (10-12″) radius
- FRETS: 22,medium
- HARDWARE: TonePros locking Nashville-style bridge with stud tailpiece,Gotoh vintage-style tuners – aged nickel-plated
- STRING SPACING (BRIDGE): 52.5mm
- ELECTRONICS: Sunbear 58 Archive SB-PAF humbucker (bridge) with Staple V soapbar size P-90 single coil (neck), 3-way lever pickup selector switch, master volume and master tone
- WEIGHT: 3.5kg (7.7lb)
- OPTIONS: Each guitar is essentially a custom build. The base price of the Indiana is £2,995, with an estimated lead time of 10-12 weeks from order to delivery.
- RANGE OPTIONS: The Indiana slim (starting at £2,690) is a semi-solid model with a more T-style sonic character; the single-pickup Junior (starting at £2,250) offers a stripped-back approach with numerous options.
- LEFT-HANDERS: Yes
- FINISHES: vintage white (as reviewed) – aged nitro top color with oil/wax finish on back and neck
- CONTACT: West Valley guitars
Playability and Tone
True to its purposeful design, the Indiana opts for a solid body weight of 3.5kg (7.7lb), providing a satisfying heft whether played standing or seated.
This impression is enhanced by the neck profile, which combines a Fender-like width (42.3mm at the nut and 51.5mm at the 12th fret) with a deep C shape that feels fuller than its dimensions suggest: 20.8mm at the 1st fret and 23.4mm at the 12th.
The frets are expertly finished, particularly at the rounded ends and polished tops of the ‘narrow tall’ wire (approximately 2.47mm by 1.2mm). They are flawlessly installed on the striped brown ebony fingerboard,which features a radius ranging from 254mm to 305mm (10- to 12-inch),reminiscent of PRS and Gibson styles.
The setup is well-suited to the guitar, allowing for an unobstructed playing experience. Though, the square edge of the heel on the treble side can be felt in higher positions, suggesting that a bit of rounding would enhance comfort.
Unplugged, the guitar exhibits a lively character that reflects its longer scale and bolt-on construction, paired with the solid anchoring of the bridge and tailpiece. It produces a robust and resilient sound, and when paired with a Knaggs Kenai – another guitar known for its rich tone – the Indiana delivers cleaner lower mids and a brighter top end.
As with all sunbear pickups we’ve encountered, the tonal quality is impressive. The bridge pickup offers a crisp bluesy snap and a balanced midrange, while adding a touch of crunch results in a powerful sound. Rolling back the volume enhances a Fender-like resonance.
The Staple pickup at the neck, however, maintains a more subdued character, allowing the bright single-coil qualities to shine through, resulting in a lively and articulate dual-pickup blend.
When played clean, the two pickup positions exhibit a distinct single-coil character, with the neck pickup providing a rich musicality. We would love to experience this pickup configuration on the West Valley Slim model, particularly for jazz and blues enthusiasts.
While it may not be groundbreaking or offer a plethora of switchable tones,this simplicity is likely its strength. It delivers a timeless, musical quality with both subtlety and power.
Final Thoughts
Rating: ★★★★½
Though West Valley is still in its early stages, the Indiana model makes a compelling debut, signaling a strong intent for the brand.
each guitar is a custom creation based on a design that is both striking and original, evoking a sense of nostalgia while offering ample opportunities for personalization in both aesthetics and sound.
Guitar World conclusion: The craftsmanship is impressive, and this guitar prioritizes the essential elements: feel and sound, both of which are exceptional. It’s an instrument that deserves the spotlight - with classic tones, versatility, and road-ready durability. West Valley is definitely a brand to keep an eye on!
