Winter NAMM 2008 News : Handle Guitar
This just lobbed into my inbox this morning. First bit of NAMM news I have received yet and it is something very interesting.
The revolutionary Handle guitar will be present for the first time in USA at the Namm Show, next January.
The guitarist’s ultimate dream is coming to the USA. XOX Audio Tools is presenting one of the most revolutionary electric guitars
for the first time at NAMM 2008, made of high tech carbon fiber, its name is the Handle. Why carbon fiber? First of all, carbon fiber offers a much wider harmonic range than wood. The extreme rigidity of this material combined with the Handle’s mono-chassis construction favors perfect transmission of acoustic vibrations for everlasting sustain. Its hollow section creates a resonance chamber for extra warmth. Carbon fiber, originally developed for the aerospace industry, and used in F1 race cars is ultra light and incredibly resistant, it won’t bend or deform under high temperatures or humidity.For those who aren’t interested in following masses, the Handle has so many advanced and innovative qualities that it truly distinguishes its players from all the rest. The Handle is a high-end guitar in every detail. The all European construction begins with the highly skilled and technological carbon lay-up process, and is decked out with top of the line American components such as; two incredible DiMarzio pick-ups, a Graphtech nut, Planet-waves Autotrim tuners, and the Hipshot Babygrand bridge. This guitar was built from the guitarist’s dreams up. Designed for the richest of playing experiences the Handle boasts a slim neck for all 24 frets, light weight and a concave body, all of which breathing speed and comfort. Designed by Peter Solomon, the Handle guitar won the prestigious “Good Design” Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum. Conceived as a single body from which superfluous material has been removed, the organic contours of the Handle immediately attract one’s eye while at
the same time recalling a note of familiarity with its assuring outline.Great news for those who must be one of the first to have one of these striking guitars, the first 100 the Handle guitars are numbered, and issued in limited edition. It is possible to reserve one of these directly on the internet site www.xoxaudiotools.com, at the NAMM show, or through a XOX authorized dealer. But, how does it sound? The Handle emanates warm rich tones which scream with personality and transmit a full sensorial experience to its player.
Now, guitars like this always leave me torn. I’m a geek. I love technology and often fall into the automatic mode of “newer is better”. But when it comes to guitars I’m a traditionalist. I love the feel of a well built guitar, the wood, the neck, the curves and visual aesthetics. So this guitar ticks all the right and wrong boxes, all at the same time. Unfortunately the demo video on their website is in a big reverby room and you can’t get a good idea of how it does sound. Oh, and the cable jack is on the back of the guitar.
I’m interested, but not sold. But I am encouraged by people trying new things with guitar design. This is how things evolve, but sometimes just not in such a giant leap as to forget where it’s come from. If anyone goes to NAMM and plays one of these then let me know.
Wookie is a fulltime PC tech, part time web developer, part time (wanting to be full time) singer / songwriter and lifetime guitar nut. 
Rossco is everything Wookie is, only better, but not so good with the computer stuff.
