Here at String Theory Guitars, we had a quandary. It goes like this: You've spotted a gem of a guitar many miles away, you hit the saddle and schlep across the wonderful British countryside, bag the axe and get back to the van. The sun passes over the yard-arm as you contemplate that long and lonely drive back. There must be more to a guitar-wrangling trip out than this.
Here at String Theory, we not only offer a range of damn fine electric guitars in Bristol, but we care about the environment and the great British landscapes we traverse. Whilst we attempt to be as sustainable as possible with our packaging and energy consumption, we put plenty of miles on the clock sourcing fine affordable guitars and basses. In an effort to offset this, we'd like to take you on a walking tour of some of the wonderful places we end up, combined with a deep dive into some of the best affordable electric guitars we source on the trip.
Welcome to Axe-Tracks.
Episode One: Conrad Strat & The Test Valley
The AXE: Conrad Crimson-burst Stratocaster
Category: Affordable Electric Guitar
Age: 20 years (?)
Body: Full sized 1.75" Solid wood with subtle graining
Neck: Skunk-striped maple
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 21 medium-jumbo
Plastics: Three-ply aged white
Pickups: Ceramic single coils
Here at String Theory Guitars Bristol, we particularly enjoy an unassuming affordable gem. And this first edition of Axe Tracks is devoted to just one of those. The Conrad Strat is a curio for sure. The 60s and 70s saw a massive growth in Japanese production of guitars consolidated around two main factories; Matsumoku and Fujigen. From the latter, also the home of Ibanez, Conrad branded guitars were produced, mostly looking and playing in the Teisco style. That is, spacey and cheap. If the Jetsons were to start a skiffle band...you get the gist. That said, Conrad guitars from this era were and continue to be fairly highly regarded and somewhat sought-after.
In the late 70s and early 80s when the sun was setting on the Japanese luthiery empire as the lawsuits rained in and production was outsourced to even cheaper far-eastern destinations, many in the plethora of Japanese brands disappeared. Within this uncertain time, Conrad seems to have vanished, only to have been resurrected twenty years later in the form of a run of particularly nicely-appointed affordable electrics. Precise provenance of these turn-of-the-millennium guitars has been very difficult to ascertain, but one thing is for certain: they are superb value for money.
This example, decked out in a luscious deep-red sunburst features a full-sized solid tone-wood body. It also features a skunk-striped super comfortable maple neck, quality tuners, Fender style headstock, three-ply aged-cream scratch plate and three beautifully voiced ceramic single coil pickups. The medium jumbo frets are set nicely, with no sharp edges, itself an anomaly in the more affordable realm.
Verdict: This guitar, one of two I've had over the years, easily goes toe to toe with any modestly priced Stratocaster out there. And the element of mystery keeps us at String Theory Guitars even keener.
Find this excellent axe within our affordable range of second-hand guitars. If you're looking for quality second-hand guitars in Bristol, be sure and sign up to our mailing-list. Here you'll find new stock updates before it hits the shelves and exclusive discounts.
THE TRACKS:
Walk: Test Valley Loop: 21.31 Km
County: Hampshire
Difficulty: Challenging. Total elevation climb: 347m
Time: 4-5hrs
Route: Anti-clockwise, incorporating stretches of Brenda Parker Way and Test Way, beginning at St Mary Bourne, and taking in the villages of Binley, Faccombe, Ibthorpe & Hustbourne Tarrant on either side of the Test Valley.
From the village of St Mary Bourne, to the northeast of Andover the first half of this loop follows the Brenda Parker Way in a northerly direction on the eastern side of the valley, crossing into the valley at the half way point and then joining the Test Way heading south on the other side of the valley for the remainder.
Initially, the way hugs the bank of the crystal clear Bourne Rivulet as it lazily winds toward the river Test to the south. Walking upstream, the path juts right, past a new development and climbs steadily up Long Hedge Drove, finally veering left into the hamlet of Binley.
The B.P. Way is fairly well signposted as you leave the village via Lye Farm Road. Follow this as it bends to the right and narrows to become a bridleway and after 300m bends round to the left towards the fast moving A343. Join the road and walk along it for a stone's throw before taking a right and walking down a lane beside some kennels.
From here, a wide grassed slope opens out before you as you hug the treeline to the left. After a kilometer, join a road that bends to the left and continue straight on to a wooded lane, just as the road veers right. Steadily climb through the rich varied woodland for half a kilometre.
Turn left down Faccombe road and after a hundred metres, turn down the footpath to the right, ascending initially into woodland, and then descending into a field, plotting a course to the right side and turning left at Netherton Road. After a kilometre, take a right turn up an ascending footpath to join the Test Way after 600 metres.
Follow the Test Way through the village of Ibthorpe, detouring around a farm before meeting the flood plain of the River Swift (the Bourne Rivulet but by another upstream name) and continue in to the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant. As the path joins Church Street, observe the river as it bends closely around a cottage at a right angle.
Opposite the church, cross the river and take the road to the right, passing the Community centre and veer left along the bottom edge of a field. before turning sharply right aross the field and steeply up and into the woods. Deciduous woodland gives way to tall conifers at the crest of the hill and after, open fields mark the descent into St Mary Bourne.
Late May was a joyous time to get out there. The mid afternoon sun bestowed a pleasant 21 degrees as I set off at around 3:30pm. Finishing the walk in 4hrs 10mins, there was plenty of daylight left to navigate my way back west.
Wildlife:
Several Hares lolloping around the fields by Ibthorpe.
Firecrest flitting about the conifers.
Low-flying red kites sweeping the village gardens.
Last of the wild garlic gladly harvested and taken home.
Swathes of delicate blue speedwell at the forest edges.
The Mid-Wilts Way, an underrated route, Wilts CC should promote it more.
PS. I seem to be able to spell 'high-quality second-hand guitars' but not 'goodselves' (until now).
Well, that seemed to work, although as I 'logged-in' via Facebook, I'm not sure if I've become a member (or subscriber), but time will tell I guess. But when it comes to high-quality second-hand guitars, I will be scouring your website for any Fender or Squier Jaguars which might appear, because, although I already have a beautiful surf green model (Squier) - supplied by your ggodselves at String Theory - this doesn't seem quench the desire to look lovingly at other examples. In anticipation.
I'm not sure if my less-than-first-rate IT skills managed to post a comment last time, despite my lifelong devotion to second-hand guitars and walking in the countryside, so this is a practice one. Here goes...
You are a cultured 'rocker' Tim. Love the Guitar info' and the ramblers observations are lovely. Well done for a different perspective on Guitars.... love that tele' u r showing at the mo', wish I had the spare cash to have it! Simon.