Gretsch has announced the release of a highly anticipated, limited-edition electric guitar developed in partnership with the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The Gretsch Abbey Road Studiomatic Hollow Body is a unique instrument explicitly engineered for the demands of the modern recording studio, featuring an exclusive onboard filter circuit inspired by a classic Abbey Road innovation.
Available in a stunning Classic Walnut Stain, this collaboration piece has been assigned its own official Abbey Road Recording Studio (RS) number: RS 201—a designation traditionally reserved for groundbreaking technical equipment that underscores the significance of this release.
Abbey Road’s Secret Weapon: The Onboard Rumble Filter
The defining feature of the Studiomatic is its custom-voiced Rumble Filter circuit. Developed in collaboration with Abbey Road’s sound engineers, this two-position filter is a modern take on the studio’s vintage 1950s RS 97 Rumble Filter.
The circuit addresses a common studio challenge: “muddy” low-end and low-mid frequencies. The innovative design allows players and engineers to easily sculpt out problematic low frequencies, ensuring the guitar sits perfectly in any mix right from the source.
-
Functionality: The filter is individual to each pickup. Players can engage and adjust the circuit by pulling up the respective tone pot.
-
Target Audience: The Studiomatic is primarily aimed at professional musicians, producers, and engineers seeking a true “mix-ready” instrument that excels in recording sessions.
Premium Gretsch Construction Meets Studio Precision
The RS201 Studiomatic pairs classic Gretsch aesthetics with construction refined for recording clarity.
The guitar features a thin, 2.25” deep all-maple hollow body with parallel bracing, designed to minimize unwanted resonance and enhance tonal precision. It is equipped with Custom Filter’Tron pickups that blend vintage inspiration with a modern, clear voicing.
Key features include:
-
Neck: Classic “C” shaped maple neck.
-
Fretboard: 12” radius bound ebony fingerboard with pearloid Neo-Classic™ Thumbnail inlays.
-
Hardware: Gold hardware, including a Bigsby® B60 V-Cutout vibrato tailpiece and an Adjusto-Matic™ bridge.
-
Visual Flair: A custom Abbey Road Studiomatic metal head badge adorns the bound headstock.
The ability to instantly roll off low-end frequencies—a feature previously explored by instruments like the Fender Jaguar’s ‘Strangle switch’—makes the Studiomatic exceptionally versatile for both studio and live applications, allowing the instrument to cut through a dense band mix.
A Legacy of Innovation
“Abbey Road Studios has shaped the history of recorded music,” stated a Gretsch representative. “The Studiomatic is not only an homage to that continuing legacy but also a unique and incredibly versatile guitar.”
The Gretsch Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic Hollow Body with Bigsby is a limited-run offering, positioned to appeal to both Gretsch collectors and guitarists seeking the ultimate instrument for optimal studio performance and sonic clarity. Each guitar comes complete with a custom hardshell case and exclusive case candy.
Pricing and Limited Availability
The Abbey Road RS201 Studiomatic is a limited-run model available from Gretsch-authorized dealers worldwide.
Available at Andertons, price £1499
Available at Sweetwater, priced $1579.99
Available at Thomann, priced €1289
More Information
#Gretsch #Abbey Road
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Fender, Gear4Music, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
