Guitar Spotlight - Campbell American / Nelsonic Transitone
The concept and design philosophy behind Massachusetts-based Campbell American Guitars is simple: build guitars in America using old New England craftsmanship; utilize sensible designs and top-shelf components; and always retain a commitment to quality, integrity and ingenuity. In addition to making guitars for artists like Paul Barrere of Little Feat, Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses, Danny Kortchmar and Dave Fiuczynski, Campbell American recently created a limited edition, retro-styled, signature model for UK guitar great and Be Bop Deluxe founder, Bill Nelson, called, aptly, the Nelsonic Transitone, which Nelson co-designed.
The Nelsonic sports a Honduran mahogany body and neck with 25 ½” scale, 22 frets, and an ebony fingerboard. The bridge is Gotoh, the tuners Sperzel, and the strap locks are Schaller. The finish is Rocket Ship Red nitro cellulose lacquer. The Nelsonic generates its “Deluxe” tone from a duo of gold-covered Duncans: an SH-1b ’59 Model humbucker in the bridge and an SH-2n Jazz Model humbucker in the neck, both of which are wired to coil splitters. Each ships with a certificate of authenticity and an original
lithograph signed by Bill Nelson.
If you’d like to get your hands on a $2,600 Nelsonic, check www.campbellamerican.com to find your nearest dealer. But hurry, only 100 will be made.
The Nelsonic sports a Honduran mahogany body and neck with 25 ½” scale, 22 frets, and an ebony fingerboard. The bridge is Gotoh, the tuners Sperzel, and the strap locks are Schaller. The finish is Rocket Ship Red nitro cellulose lacquer. The Nelsonic generates its “Deluxe” tone from a duo of gold-covered Duncans: an SH-1b ’59 Model humbucker in the bridge and an SH-2n Jazz Model humbucker in the neck, both of which are wired to coil splitters. Each ships with a certificate of authenticity and an original
lithograph signed by Bill Nelson.
If you’d like to get your hands on a $2,600 Nelsonic, check www.campbellamerican.com to find your nearest dealer. But hurry, only 100 will be made.
