TOL Model 1: A 1.6kg Modular Guitar Revolution
TOL Guitars Model 1: A fully modular 1.6kg electric guitar with steel spine, 3D-printed parts, and proprietary FluxCore pickups. Now on Kickstarter.
The electric guitar market is flooded with vintage reissues and traditional builds, but an independent builder in North Devon is tearing up the rulebook. Enter the TOL Guitars Model 1—a fully modular, full-scale instrument that ditches wood entirely in favor of a rigid steel spine and 3D-printed components.
Weighing in at a featherlight 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs), the Model 1 isn't a novelty travel guitar; it's a serious 24.69-inch scale, 22-fret electric built for real-world gigging, rehearsing, and studio sessions.
A Radical Departure from Tradition
What makes the Model 1 genuinely different from anything else currently on the market is its core architecture. There is no tonewood and no truss rod. Instead, TOL Guitars has engineered a robust steel-and-PETG platform designed to evolve.
Modular Design
Because the instrument is fully modular, every component can be effortlessly swapped, upgraded, repaired, or customized by the player.
Taking this open-source ethos a step further, TOL is releasing the CAD files for selected parts. This hands the keys over to a community of makers and players, allowing them to 3D-print their own mods and push the instrument’s potential into uncharted territory.
Core vs. Fusion: Built-in Tech and Proprietary Tones
At the heart of the instrument sits the proprietary FluxCore™ pickup. Developed specifically for the Model 1's unique resonance and structure, it delivers three distinct onboard voices—Warm, Clean, and Overdrive—meaning you can plug in and get a versatile range of tones instantly.
Players can choose between two configurations across five vibrant launch colors (Void, Ember, Solar, Cryo, and Twilight):
- Core: The streamlined, essential modular experience.
- Fusion: A massively expanded setup featuring an integrated rechargeable battery, a built-in headphone amp, and a modular onboard pedalboard system.
Back the UK Kickstarter Campaign
Designed, manufactured, and assembled entirely in-house in Devon, England, TOL Guitars brings a fiercely independent, engineering-forward ethos to UK guitar manufacturing.
After four years of dedicated development, the Model 1 is finally ready for production.
It is great for us to see a local guitar builder creating something unique, and we will be following their progress closely.
MODEL 1 is Fully Funded
The Kickstarter campaign is currently live and already fully funded, with early bird rewards starting at an incredibly accessible £479. The campaign runs until November 26, 2026, making this the perfect window to get in on the ground floor of a truly revolutionary platform.
- +Featherweight at 1.6 kg with full 24.69-inch scale
- +Fully modular design—swap any component
- +CAD files released for community mods
- +Three onboard voices eliminate need for separate pedals
- +No truss rod or wood means consistent stability
- +Built and assembled entirely in UK
- −Novel construction may concern tone purists
- −Limited availability at early stage
What makes the TOL Model 1 different from a standard electric guitar?
The Model 1 abandons traditional wood construction in favor of a steel spine and 3D-printed PETG body. It's fully modular—every component can be swapped or upgraded by the player—and weighs only 1.6 kg while maintaining a full 24.69-inch scale and 22 frets.
What are the two configurations available?
Core is the essential modular experience, while Fusion adds a rechargeable battery, integrated headphone amp, and modular onboard pedalboard system for expanded functionality.
How much does the TOL Model 1 cost on Kickstarter?
Early bird rewards start at £479. The campaign runs until November 26, 2026, with the instrument manufactured and assembled entirely in Devon, England.
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