James Tyler Guitars | Studio Elite - Burning Water 2K

James Tyler began his journey in the early 1970s, focusing on custom electric guitar work and repairs. As his reputation spread through word of mouth, Tyler became the go-to guitar technician for some of the biggest names in the Los Angeles studio scene throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. His passion for improving every aspect of the guitar, combined with a deep understanding of his clients' needs, cemented his status as a premier luthier. Players trusted him to deliver exceptional craftsmanship, and Tyler's hands-on experience with thousands of guitars gave him an unparalleled insight into what musicians truly want from their instruments. Today, owning a James Tyler guitar is synonymous with holding a piece of art, where even the smallest details - like the selector switch - feel like a revelation in quality and precision.

The Studio Elite models are the pinnacle of James Tyler Guitars' offerings, incorporating years of feedback from some of the most respected studio and live musicians in the world. These guitars are designed with both form and function in mind, making them the ultimate electric guitar for professionals. Whether youre recording in the studio or performing on stage, the Studio Elite delivers uncompromising sound and performance.

One of the standout models in the Studio Elite series is the Burning Water 2K, an evolution of the original Burning Water model developed for renowned guitarist Michael Landau in the early nineties. Introduced in 2000, the Burning Water 2K keeps the spirit of the original while adding modern variations, including a mid-boost preamp and an eye-catching variation of the Burning Water finish, which gives the guitar its signature aesthetic.

The body of the Burning Water 2K is made from solid alder, providing a balanced tone with tight lows and punchy mids. The neck is made from quartersawn maple for added stability, paired with an Indian rosewood fretboard that offers smooth playability and warmth. Featuring a comfortable Standard neck, this guitar feels amazing to play on with a 1959 Oval neck shape measuring .845" at the 1st fret and .975" at 12th. A 10"-12" compound radius helps to keep chords easy to fret on the lower frets and stops bends fretting out on the higher frets. Paired with a 1 5/8" nut width for a familiar feel. The guitars look is completed by a multilayer black/white/black pickguard, which contrasts beautifully with the finish.

At the heart of the Burning Water 2K is its versatile HSS pickup configuration, featuring James Tylers proprietary JTS5500 pickups in the neck and middle positions, and a Super pickup in the bridge. The JTS5500s are powered by Alnico 5 magnets, delivering a familiar, yet enhanced tone with more attack, chime, and power. Players can expect a well-rounded sound with robust low-end, sparkling mids, and clear highs. The Super pickup is ideal for high-gain settings, offering a strong low end and bright top end while retaining excellent clarity for clean tones. This makes the guitar perfect for a wide range of genres, from rock to blues and beyond.

One of the key features of the Burning Water 2K is its mid-boost preamp. The mid-boost system, which is activated by a battery, expands the frequency response of the pickups, giving players lower lows, more pronounced mids, and higher highs. Even when the mid-boost knob is set to zero, the circuit enhances the overall output by 2db. As you turn up the mid-boost, the guitar's midrange frequencies are elevated while a slight high-frequency roll-off occurs, increasing the guitars output range even further.

For players looking to switch between boosted and traditional tones quickly, the bypass button allows you to deactivate the mid-boost circuit and return to the guitar's passive, more traditional sound profile. With this feature, the Burning Water 2K can easily toggle between modern, aggressive tones and vintage-inspired sounds, making it incredibly versatile.

The Gotoh two-post tremolo or tremolo with zinc block bridges provide rock-solid stability and smooth tremolo action. Paired with James Tyler branded bent steel saddles, the guitar delivers a playing experience that is both responsive and comfortable. The locking Hipshot tuners ensure that the guitar stays in tune, even during aggressive playing or frequent tremolo use.

For those seeking a unique aesthetic, the multi-colour faux matching finish headstock adds a custom touch to the instrument, complementing the iconic Burning Water finish. The guitar also comes with a Tyler Signature Hardshell Case, ensuring your investment is well protected during transport and storage.