Wilkinson guitar

Types of Wilkinson Guitars

There are several types of Wilkinson guitar models, which are as follows:

• Fender Stratocaster-style Guitar

  One of the most popular electric guitar models is the Fender Stratocaster. It features a contoured body, three single-coil pickups, and a 21 or 22 fret maple or rosewood fingerboard. Stratocasters are known for their versatility, offering a wide range of tones from clean and sparkling to bluesy and rocky. Stratocaster-style guitars with Wilkinson guitar parts incorporate the same design and functionality but may feature different pickups or hardware.

• Fender Telecaster-style Guitar

  The Telecaster is another iconic electric guitar model, recognized for its simple, solid-body design and twangy sound. It has a single-cutaway body, two single-coil pickups, and a 21 or 22 fret maple or rosewood fingerboard. Telecasters are known for their sharp, biting tone, making them a popular choice for rock, country, and blues music. Telecaster-style guitars with Wilkinson parts are designed to deliver the classic Telecaster sound with customized features.

• Les Paul-style Guitar

  The Gibson Les Paul is a legendary electric guitar known for its thick, powerful tone and beautiful aesthetics. It has a solid mahogany body with a maple top, two humbucker pickups, and a 22 fret rosewood fingerboard. Les Paul guitars are popular for rock and heavy music due to their sustain and warmth. Les Paul-style guitars with Wilkinson parts can achieve the Les Paul sound with different hardware and tuning pegs.

• SG-style Guitar

  The Gibson SG is a famous double-cutaway electric guitar with a sharp, edgy tone. It is lighter than a Les Paul, with a body made of solid mahogany, and has two humbucker pickups. The SG is known for its aggressive sound, making it a favorite among hard rock and heavy metal guitarists. SG-style guitars with Wilkinson parts offer the same tonal characteristics with customized components.

• Hollow Body Guitar

  Hollow-body electric guitars, like the Gibson ES-335, are designed with a fully hollow or partially hollow body. They have two single-coil or humbucker pickups and a thick neck with a rosewood or ebony fingerboard. These guitars produce a warm, acoustic-like tone with strong feedback when amplified. They are popular among jazz, blues, and rock musicians who need a smooth, creamy sound.

• Double Cutaway Guitar

  Double cutaway guitars are designed with two cutaways, allowing easy access to the upper frets. They have a solid body and are commonly made of mahogany or maple. The tone of a double cut guitar varies depending on the type of pickups it has. They can have single-coil, P90, or humbucker pickups. These guitars are popular among rock, blues, and heavy metal musicians.

Scenarios of Wilkinson Guitars

Wilkinson guitars find use in different music settings owing to their versatility and quality. Here are some of the usage scenarios:

• Live Performances: Wilkinson guitars are popular with performers during live gigs because of their reliability and stability. The guitar's hardware, like the tremolo systems, is made to stay in tune even after much manipulation, which ensures that the strings remain in tune even after heavy playing and during string bending. This consistency is very important during live performances, where the audience demands the best from the performers.
• Studio Recordings: In the studio, Wilkinson guitars are appreciated for their tonal versatility and accuracy. Different types of pickups, like single-coils and humbuckers, give a wide range of sounds, enabling guitarists to achieve specific tones for various genres. The fine-tuning options, like the adjustable saddles and nut, ensure that the guitar sounds exactly like it is supposed to, with a clear and smooth tone with minimal buzzing or unwanted noise.
• Session Work: Session musicians often use Wilkinson guitars for its flexibility and quality. These guitars can adapt to different musical styles, from blues and rock to country and jazz. The reliability of the guitar means that session players can focus on playing without worrying about technical issues.
• Practice and Rehearsals: Wilkinson guitars are also used in practice sessions and rehearsals. Their playability and comfort make them ideal for long practice sessions without causing fatigue or discomfort. Additionally, the tuning stability ensures that the guitar remains in tune even after extended breaks.
• Teaching and Education: Wilkinson guitars are used by teachers and students in music schools and academies. These guitars offer a good balance between quality and affordability, making them ideal for students learning how to play. The comfortable necks and adjustable features make them easy to handle and play, enabling smooth learning experiences.
• Guitar Shows and Demonstrations: Manufacturers and endorsers use Wilkinson guitars in guitar shows and demos to showcase the instrument's quality and features. These guitars are put through extreme playing techniques to demonstrate their durability, playability, and tonal versatility.
• Customization and Modifications: Guitar enthusiasts who like customizing their instruments also use Wilkinson hardware and parts. Wilkinson guitar pickups, tuning machines, and tremolo systems can be used in different custom projects, providing quality components for modified guitars.

How to Choose Wilkinson Guitars

When choosing a Wilkinson guitar, several factors should be taken into consideration.

• Understanding Guitar Types

  Knowing the various guitar types is crucial. Each model, whether an electric guitar, a bass guitar, or an acoustic guitar, is tailored to specific musical styles and preferences. For instance, electric guitars are ideal for genres like rock and metal, while acoustic guitars suit those who prefer a natural sound. Bass guitars, on the other hand, are tailored to low-pitched music.

• Body Style and Material

  The guitar's body style and material influence its sound and playability. Solid-body guitars, for example, produce a loud, sustained sound and are popular in electric guitar models. Conversely, hollow body guitars are known for their acoustic, warm sound. Additionally, the material used in making the guitar's body, such as mahogany, alder, or ash, can affect its tone and durability.

• Neck and Fingerboard

  The neck and fingerboard are crucial for a guitar's playability. Different neck shapes and sizes can impact comfort and speed. Likewise, the material used in making the neck, such as maple or rosewood, affects the durability and flexibility of the guitar. It's important to choose a neck style that suits the player's style.

• Pickups and Electronics

  Another important feature of an electric guitar is the pickups. Single coils and humbuckers are two types of coils. Single coils are known for their clean, crisp sound, while humbuckers have a deep, powerful sound. The choice of pickups will have a huge impact on the sound of the guitar. Additionally, the type of electronics and controls, such as tone and volume knobs, also affect the guitar's sound.

• Hardware and Tuning Stability

  The hardware of a guitar affects its durability and how well it stays in tune. High-quality tuning machines ensure the guitar stays in tune even with frequent use. Bridges are also important since they impact the guitar's playability and ability to stay in tune, especially when using a tremolo arm.

• Budget Consideration

  It is important to evaluate one's budget when selecting a guitar. Guitars come in various price ranges, and understanding what one can afford without breaking the bank is important. While high-end guitars offer better quality and features, there are also mid-range and entry-level guitars that provide excellent value for money.

Features, Functions, and Design of Wilkinson Guitars

Features

• Tremolo System: Guitars manufactured by Wilkinson are fitted with vibrato systems that enable players to create pitch variations and fluctuations in the notes. These systems are liked by guitarists because they help produce a unique sound that is suitable for different music styles. For instance, the Wilkinson WVS130 is a tremolo system designed to provide maximum tonal stability and a smooth whammy bar effect. This tremolo system is used in strat-style guitars.
• Nut Design: Many Wilkinson guitars are fitted with nut that locks the strings in place. Locking nuts increase the guitar's tuning stability, especially when using tremolo. In addition, some guitars are fitted with self-lubricating nuts that minimize friction between the string and nut, thus reducing string binding. This also helps to improve tuning stability.
• Bridge Systems: Wilkinson manufactures various bridge systems, including hardtail bridges and tremolo. These bridge systems are designed to enhance tuning stability and facilitate string adjustments. For instance, the Wilkinson VS100 Tremolo is a vintage-style tremolo system that offers a classic sound with modern performance. It is popular for its easy adjustability and tuning stability.

Functions

• Tuning Stability: Wilkinson designs and manufactures guitar parts, such as nuts, tuning keys, and bridges. These components are meant to minimize the effects of playing and weather on the guitar's tuning. This ensures that the guitar remains in tune, offering a better playing experience.
• String Adjustability: Many guitar models manufactured by Wilkinson are equipped with adjustable bridge systems. These systems allow players to adjust string height, curvature, and spacing. String adjustability ensures that the guitar has the right action and playability, suiting individual playing style and comfort.
• Tonal Versatility: Guitars by Wilkinson are fitted with a wide range of pickup configurations, including single-coils, humbuckers, and P90s. This allows players to customize their sound, from bright and jangly to thick and creamy. The different configurations also offer tonal flexibility, making the guitars suitable for various music genres.

Design

• Body Shape: Guitars manufactured by Wilkinson are designed with different body shapes. For instance, some models have a classic Stratocaster body style, which is known for its contoured edges and ergonomic design. This design provides comfort and easy playability. Other models, like the Wilkinson WGP Guitar, feature a solid-body design with sharp edges and a more aggressive appearance, catering to players seeking a rock or metal aesthetic.
• Finishes: Wilkinson guitars come with different finishes, including gloss, satin, and relic finishes. Gloss finishes provide a shiny and polished appearance, enhancing the visual appeal of the guitar's grain and color. Satin finishes, on the other hand, offer a smooth and muted look with less shine. This finish has a more understated and modern appearance. Relic finishes give the guitar a vintage and worn look, making it appear like an old instrument with natural wear and tear.
• Inlays: To add beauty and enhance the visual appeal of the fretboard, some guitars are designed with inlays. These inlays are made of materials such as mother of pearl, abalone, or synthetic compounds and feature different shapes, including dots, blocks, and custom designs. Some models even have themed inlays, such as skulls, leaves, or musical motifs, adding a personalized touch.

Q&A

Q1: What is the difference between a Wilkinson guitar and other guitars?

A1: One major difference between a guitar with a Wilkinson guitar setup and other guitars is the tuning stability. Guitars with Wilkinson tremolos have tuning stability that allows for whammy bar use without causing the guitar to go out of tune. The difference also lies in the smoothness of the tremolo system; Wilkinson's design offers a more user-friendly experience compared to other tremolo systems. Additionally, Wilkinson pickups set the sonic character of the guitar. The single-coil pickups offer a bright, clear tone with a good bass response, while humbuckers have a thicker, darker sound.

Q2: Where are Wilkinson Guitars made?

A2: Wilkinson Guitars are not branded guitars per se but are rather a representation of a brand that owns a line of products under the name of an individual, Ace Wilkinson. While some of these guitars are manufactured in the Orient, the Humbucker Guitar Pickup and other accessories are produced in the US, and some are also manufactured in the UK.

Q3: What is a Wilkinson tremolo?

A3: A Wilkinson tremolo system refers to a whammy bar or tremor bar designed by Trev Wilkinson, known for its tuning stability and user-friendly design. This guitar tremolo system allows players to bend notes and create vibrato effects. It uses a set of screws that help keep the tremolo arm in place, reducing friction and enhancing smoothness, thus minimizing the chances of the guitar going out of tune.

Q4: How good are Wilkinson pickups?

A4: Wilkinson pickups are known for their value and performance balance. These single-coil and humbucker pickups offer a range of tonal options, from the clear, bright sound of single coils to the thick, warm sound of humbuckers. They are designed to provide good clarity, depth, and articulation, making them versatile for different music genres. In addition, the single coils have a classic vintage tone with good bass response, while the humbucker pickups have a thicker, darker tone with more output and less noise.