Aside from weird and wacky guitars from the 1960s and 1970s, Drew Walsh, the luthier behind Walsh Guitars, is also obsessed with Gibson-made vintage Epiphones. Though the silhouette of the Bethel is an obvious departure, it does share some resemblances with the Crestwood Custom and Wilshire. But what makes the Bethel original in its design is its offset body, semi-hollow construction, and unique neo f-hole.
The Bethel is a stand-alone guitar in the Walsh Guitars line-up for several reason, the greatest of which is the fact that it has a set-neck design. Unlike the original Epiphones and Gibson SGs which also had the same fret access, the Bethel features a tenon that goes far past the neck pickup route. This ensures stability in what could be considered a weak joint.
This particular Bethel was given some special treatment. It features a gorgeous figured mahogany body, maple top, a comfortable German carve, a figured quartersawn mahogany neck with a Macassar ebony fretboard, an ebony overlay on the titled headstock, and the best hardware and electronics in the biz. We all know the quality of a guitar is the sum of its parts, and with this guitar no corners were cut.
Other unique features include a plasticizer-free sonic blue nitrocellulose finish (just like the good ol days, which means it will eventually fade/amber and weather check naturally), extremely versatile McNelly pickups, oval MOP inlays, a TonePros ABR-1 roller bridge, and a Bigsby B5.
- Serial #: BET0008
- Body construction: semi-hollow
- Body wood: figured African mahogany
- Top wood: hard rock maple
- Finish: 100% plasticizer free nitro (sonic blue)
- Age degree: NOS
- Extras: German carve (partially painted)
- Headstock: Walsh batwing
- Neck construction: vintage modern
- Neck wood: figured quartersawn African mahogany
- Fingerboard wood: ebony
- Nut width: 1 11/16"
- Neck contour: '60s C (.82-.89")
- Fretwire: medium jumbo
- Headstock overlay: ebony
- Fret number: 21
- Radius: 12"
- Inlays: oval MOP
- Nut: TUSQ
- Neck finish: 100% plasticizer free nitro
- Scale: 25.5"
- Truss rod: headstock adjusting
- Logo: gold waterslide
- Bridge: TonePros rollers ABR-1
- Saddles: roller
- Tremolo: Bigsby
- Jackplate: nickel electrosocket
- Tuners: open-gear locking Hipshot
- Pickguard: anodoized gold aluminum
- Strap buttons: standard vintage issue
- Controls: harmony-style cupcake
- Truss rod cover: anodoized gold aluminum
- Case: Mono Vertigo
- Shielded cavities: yes
- Paperwork: included
- Strings: Stringjoy custom set (.10-.48)
- Pickups: McNelly Stagger Swagger (N) and Cornucopia (B)
- Wiring schematic: V-T-3 way
- Pots: Emerson CTS 500K
- Capacitor: NOS PIO caps (.015uf)
- Output jack: Switchcraft
- Pickup switches: Switchcraft
- Wiring: vintage
- Additional: treble bleed
- Knobs: Harmony
- Switch tip: parchment
- Rear plate: black
- Final weight: 7.0 lbs