High Performance Guitar Features

Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Manufacturer, Made in the USA by U.S. Masters Guitar Works • Custom Shop Factory Direct Guitars and Basses

Neck • Fingerboard • Bridges • Guitar Anatomy

The Feel of the Neck
The neck size is a medium to medium/thin thickness. Thicker than what is labeled as the flat back "shred" style neck but thinner than the large "C" style necks and with just a slight "U" shape. The typical response we get is how good the neck feels. Not only from the neck shape but also from the organic wood feel allowed by the oiled finish of the neck and fingerboard. If you like the feel of "strat-style necks" then the shape of this neck is an excellent fit. It is very solid feeling neck that is very comfortable to wrap your hand around. And the conical radius fingerboard further makes it an ease and pleasure to play.

A frequent question we get is if the maple fingerboard is brighter than the high grade pau ferro (bolivian rosewood). Due to the neck joint the guitar has exceptional response and the difference in the fingerboard is negligible so most choose by look.

Due to the oil finish, the neck stays fast and does not get sticky with heat or friction. The neck maintains a nice "wood" feel but is still protected. It's also very easy to adjust. The truss rod adjustment is at the heel so you can keep the strings at pitch and make a fast, simple adjustment if you need to.

Compression-set Captive Neck Joint (patented)
   • The neck is "captured", locked in place. It won't move or shift and is perfectly aligned. This also allows the
      heel to be smaller since heel length is not needed to combat the force on the neck on the joint.
    • The neck is compressed into the body using machine screws and metal inserts that are inlaid into the heel
     of the neck. This allows the neck to be drawn into the body with greater compression which increases the mating
      and sound transfer between the neck and body. The increased resonance can be felt and the guitar is more "alive".
    • Heel size is reduced, so access to the upper frets is increased.

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Conical Radius Fingerboard

The curvature "radius" of a fingerboard makes it more comfortable to play, less hand tension, especially at the first frets for chord work. The problem with a lot of curvature is when you move up the neck. The strings will "fret out", especially during bends, so the action has to be raised to compensate. A heavy radius neck is great for chords in the first positions. A flatter neck is great for string bends and upper fret chording. The solution is to have both. More radius at the first frets, gradually lessening to flatter at the upper frets. This is what the Conical Radius Fingerboard gives you. Comfort, less hand tension, with good string bending, and allows for lower action. Another feature of a high performance guitar.

Fixed Bridge

This bridge is considered to be the best sounding bridge because it has the most contact with the body and allows for strings to run through the body. This bridge is made in the U.S. It is constructed of quality metals for sound and durability. The saddles are polished stainless steel and are made correctly so that the height adjustment screws rest below the saddle so they do not stick into the palm of the picking hand.

Point Classic Tremolo

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A simple, ingenious, design. This is a floating tremolo that stays in tune very well, and has a very smooth feel. The basis of the design is that the "rocking" point is under the saddles instead of at the leading edge of the entire tremolo. The result is that the tremolo moves like a seesaw instead of the entire bridge lifting up. This reduces the saddle movement, and improves the return point for tuning. This rocking action also gives the tremolo a very nice, smooth feel, and is less susceptible to tuning issues from resting the palm on the bridge. The bridge is constructed with quality materials, and the saddles are well made with a good feel to the palm.

Original Floyd Rose Tremolo
This is the best Floyd, the original.

Easy Truss Rod Access
Can adjust the truss rod under string tension

ANATOMY OF A U.S. MASTERS GUITAR

1. Premium Sperzel Staggered Height Tuning Machines
   • smooth, positive tuning
   • eliminates string trees for improved tuning and pitch stability

2. Massive Neck/ Headstock Interface
   • greater strength and better sound quality

3. U.S. Masters Innovative Ever-Tru Neck Structure with
    Extended Uniform Profile and Conical Radius Fingerboard
   • unique shape and contours provide a consistent intuitive feel
      from first fret to the last.
   • reduces fatigue and increases efficiency to improve your playing!
   • improves tone, attack, and sustain
   • extremely strong and stable with an inspiring, responsive, articulate
      feel that helps you put more energy and expression into your music
4. U.S. Masters Exclusive Contoured Flex Truss Rod Assembly
   • easy, full access adjustment
   • unique design provides the most effective, playable relief core free
     of dips humps or twists
5. Custom Designed U.S. Made Pickup Sets
   • unique advanced designs and method of manufacture provide
      uncompromised clarity and tonal range to satisfy the most
      critical of players
   • designed for professional recording and touring

6. Minimum Friction Straight Line String Geometry
   • your guitar stays in tune, even with aggressive playing

7. Graph Tech Trem Nut
   • 50% slipperier than graphite
   • easier to tune, stays more in tune

8. U.S. Masters Deep Penetrating Neck Finish
   • provides an incomparable feel
   • fast and never sticky
   • unique treatment hardens, seals and protects the wood

9. U.S. Masters Exclusive Compression-Set Captive Neck Joint
   • improves attack, sustain, tone and resonance over set, thru,
     and bolt-on neck designs
   • no neck shifting or sagging
   • high notes sustain with a full bodied tone

10. Low Profile Heel and Extended Uniform Profile
   • provides virtually unobstructed access to the highest frets
     without a change in playing technique

11. Various Pickup Sets
   • available to address your musical needs custom designed
      and specially wired (most with 5-way pickup/coil selection)
      to provide a diverse range of world class, studio quality voicings

12. U.S. Masters Unique Hi Q Tone Circuit
   • highly functional
   • gives you additional voicings you’ll find very useful and expressive

13. Easy Truss Rod Access

      Click Here to see all High Performance Guitar Specs

U.S. Masters Guitar Works is a product of M-Tec Corp.
2324 Pinehurst Dr. Unit B Middleton, WI 53562
608-836-5505 Fax: 608-836-6530
Toll Free (877) 716-0000 • email: sales@usmasters.com
These products are covered by U.S. Patents Nos. 5,886,272 & 6,051,765