James Tyler Guitars | Studio Elite - Burning Water

James Tyler is a name synonymous with innovation and craftsmanship in the world of electric guitars. Having started out in the early 1970s performing custom electric guitar work and repairs, Tyler quickly built a reputation for exceptional quality and precision. His work became highly sought after, especially by top session musicians and artists in the Los Angeles studio scene during the 1980s and 1990s. His dedication to listening to customers and pushing the boundaries of what electric guitars could do established him as a trusted name amongst discerning players. Decades of hands-on experience with thousands of guitars gave Tyler a unique understanding of how guitars work and what players truly want.

The Studio Elite range embodies the pinnacle of form, function, and sound, representing James Tylers mission to craft the ultimate electric guitar. These instruments cater to the needs of serious studio and gigging musicians who demand superior performance and playability.

Amongst the Studio Elite models, the Burning Water stands as one of the most iconic creations from James Tyler Guitars. Originally developed for renowned session guitarist Michael Landau, it was named after Landaus band at the time. Over the years, this guitar has become legendary not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its tonal versatility and powerful sound. Its distinctive look features the bare wood arm contour, making it a standout instrument in any collection.

Body: The Studio Elite Burning Water is crafted from solid alder, a tonewood known for its balanced tonal response and light weight. This gives the guitar a lively resonance and a clear, punchy sound.

Neck and Fretboard: The neck is made from quartersawn maple, paired with an Indian rosewood fretboard. This combination provides exceptional stability, smooth playability, and a warm, rich tonal character. 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.

Pickups: The guitar features an HSS (Humbucker-Single-Single) configuration with JTS5500 pickups in the neck and middle positions, and a Super pickup in the bridge. The JTS5500 pickups utilise Alnico 5 magnets and offer more attack, chime, and power than traditional single-coil pickups, making them full, balanced, and responsive across the tonal spectrum. The Super humbucker in the bridge provides a strong low end, plenty of top-end sparkle, and excels in high-gain settings, making it ideal for rock and modern music styles.

Electronics: The control system features a 5-way blade switch, master volume, neck tone, and middle tone controls. Great for a player that wants quite a simple control layout but still with access to a wide variety of tones, making the guitar incredibly versatile.

Bridge and Hardware: The Studio Elite Burning Water is equipped with a Gotoh two-post tremolo with James Tyler branded bent steel saddles, offering excellent tuning stability and smooth performance. Locking Hipshot tuners add to the guitars reliability, ensuring that it stays in tune even during heavy playing sessions.

Case: The guitar comes with a Tyler Signature Hardshell Case, providing premium protection and durability.

James Tyler guitars offer an exceptional experience in every aspect. Even the selector switch is a joy to use! Once you hold one, youll instantly recognise the sheer quality and craftsmanship. Tylers distinctive design make the Studio Elite Burning Water a guitar that is as visually striking as it is sonically powerful. Whether youre a studio professional or a live performer, this guitar can handle anything from smooth clean tones to high-gain distortion with ease.