Kiesel Unveils the Antares: A Razor-Sharp, 27-Fret Weapon Ready for Battle

The name “Antares” originates from Ancient Greek, translating essentially to the “rival to Ares” (the god of war). It’s an apt title for a weaponized metal guitar designed to dominate the stage and the studio.

Engineered as a direct spiritual sibling—and rival—to Kiesel’s flagship Aries range, the Antares combines razor-sharp styling with the elite ergonomic features that have made the brand a powerhouse in the modern guitar market.

At a Glance

A Ground-Up Aesthetic Revolution

The push to innovate fresh electric guitar body shapes has gathered serious momentum in recent years, spearheaded by boutique brands like Abasi Concepts, Ernie Ball Music Man, and FM Guitars. With the Antares, Kiesel injects much-needed variety into an extended-range market heavily dominated by traditional S-type shapes.

Visually, the Antares features a chiseled offset body with sharp, angular horns and an elongated lower bout, giving it a distinctly futuristic, metal-inspired profile.

The upper cutaways depart from conventional double-cut layouts, utilizing steep, acute angles. To complete the aggressive look, the guitar adopts the scythe-like headstock originally found on the Kiesel Kyber.

“Well, today is the day,” said Kiesel VP Jeff Kiesel during the official unveiling. “Back in 2015, we launched our Aries line of guitars, and it set some trends. Well today, I give you the Antares, which is the rival of Aries. It’s got a more aggressive, totally ground-up styling, [it’s] more angular, and I’m excited about this guitar.”

According to Jeff Kiesel, the model has been closely guarded since its inception. “The Antares actually started its life back in December of 2024,” he revealed. “That’s when I started working on this design, in between the break around Christmas to New Year’s when I kind of have the shop to myself. And the reason why this model took so long is we wanted it to appeal to so many people as far as your needs, right?”

Unparalleled Specs: The Debut of the 27-Fret Fingerboard

True to Kiesel’s reputation, the Antares is a chameleon of tone and texture, boasting an incredibly deep customization sheet.

For the first time in Kiesel history, players can opt for a 27-fret fingerboard alongside the standard 24-fret layout, giving lead players unprecedented upper-register access.

Wood & Hardware Options:

• Body Woods (7 Options): Choices include premium Alder, Mahogany, Walnut, and regular or Roasted Swamp Ash.

• Top & Fingerboard Woods: Over 15 exotic varieties to choose from.

• Strings & Scale Lengths: Available in 6-string (25.5” and 26.5”), 7-string (25.5” and 27”), and 8-string (27”) configurations. Multi-scale options are available across all string counts.

• Bridges (4 Options): Players can select an Evertune, Floyd Rose, Hipshot tremolo, or Hipshot fixed bridge.

• Electronics: Outfitted with premium high-output options, including active Fishman Fluence humbuckers or Kiesel’s own passive Lithium, Thorium, and Vantium humbuckers.

Extreme Styling Meets Ergonomic Comfort

Guitars with wild, angular silhouettes often sacrifice player comfort for visual attitude. Kiesel has actively subverted this stereotype with the Antares.

Despite its razor-sharp edges, the body features purposefully sculpted, deep bevels that maximize forearm comfort and ergonomics. This design addresses a major historical criticism of offset metal guitars, ensuring the Antares feels as at-home during long studio sessions as it does hanging low on stage.

Ordering and Production Timeline

Like all Kiesel instruments, the Antares is built entirely to order via the company’s highly customizable digital ordering system. Buyers can tweak every single variable to match their exact playing style. Once an order is locked in, Kiesel’s expert build team reviews the spec sheet for accuracy before production begins.

Kiesel currently estimates a build time of 10 to 14 weeks, though custom exotic woods or intricate finishes may cause slight variations. Guitarists ready to spec out their dream weapon can visit the Kiesel Custom Guitar Builder to begin their build.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What makes the Kiesel Antares different from the Aries?

While the Aries is Kiesel’s flagship modern double-cut, the Antares is designed as its more aggressive, “weaponized” rival. It features sharper, acute body angles, an elongated lower bout, an offset silhouette, and the scythe-like Kyber headstock style.

Does the Kiesel Antares come in a multi-scale version?

Yes. The Antares is highly flexible and offers multiscale options across all of its 6-string, 7-string, and 8-string configurations.

Can I get a 27-fret neck on the Kiesel Antares?

Yes! The Antares proudly debuts Kiesel’s first-ever 27-fret fingerboard option, alongside their standard 24-fret configuration.

What bridges can I choose for the Antares?

Kiesel offers four distinct bridge options for the Antares: Evertune, Floyd Rose, Hipshot tremolo, and Hipshot fixed bridges.

Verdict & Score

Pros

• Stunning Aesthetic: A refreshing, aggressive look that injects new life into the modern offset market.

• Massive Innovation: The debut of the 27-fret neck is a massive win for shredders and prog-metal virtuosos.

• Unmatched Customization: Endless combinations of elite woods, hardware, scales, and pickups.

• Ergonomic Smart Design: Deep forearm bevels prevent the “sharp edge” fatigue common with angular guitars.

Cons

• Polarizing Look: The aggressive, futuristic styling won’t appeal to traditionalist players.

• Wait Times: A 10-to-14-week production queue requires patience for players eager to play.

Final Verdict

The Kiesel Antares is a triumph in modern guitar design. By successfully pairing a hyper-aggressive, “battle-ready” silhouette with the meticulous ergonomic contours Kiesel is famous for, they have created an instrument that looks ferocious but plays like a dream.

The addition of a 27-fret option and seamless multi-scale integration makes this an absolute must-have for the contemporary metal guitarist.

Final Score: 8.4 / 10