What are your thoughts on the famous/infamous Tyler headstock? **Also, quick edit: with the Secret bridge humbucker, it in fact DOES NOT split in position 2, because it is so well balanced with the single coils. With their popular, higher output Super bridge humbucker, it splits in position 2 automatically to balance with the single coils.
Decades ago my mother passed. Any time she was asked about clothing or any item when she was asked what she wanted she would say "I'll know when I see it." I think she was onto something :-)
I’ve been wanting a Tyler Studio for ages…ever since Michael Casswell (RIP) raved about them non-stop next to his Valley Arts guitars. The Burning Water Studio Elite has been on my wishlist for ages and the day that I do, I’ll be fulfilled. Glad you got one, RJ!!
R.J., I discovered Tyler Guitars by seeing Mike Landau. Nearly twenty years ago I bought mine from Martin Music in Memphis, sight unseen, for the then outrageously expensive price of $3600.00. Mine is a hollow Burning Water, and it’s so lightweight the staff at the store gave it the nickname I still use for it, “The Anomaly”. Mine didn’t have the midboost, so I replaced one of the tone controls with an EMG midboost. Over twenty years I’ve used it on multiple gigs and sessions. As you observed, it’s hands down the finest superstrat I’ve ever played. The guys at Tyler are surely magicians. Oh yes, I couldn’t care less about the headstock. Strapped over my shoulder, looking down at it, it looks completely normal 😄
Why am I not surprised to see someone break out a Tyler super strat and immediately start playing Dann Huff licks? That's a pretty killer guitar! When you played the chorused part with the mid-boost on at 13:53, I was immediately 15 years old again. That was basically the sound of my teens. It was on everything I listened to, probably because Huff and Landau played on almost everything I listened to back then.
Beside the fact, that the guitar is great, I very much like that the 80's and 90's sounds get back. Chorus is not a crime and sweet, wet sounds are just pure fun. Thanks for bringing back this style, RJ. LOVE IT!!! 💕
I don't think there's a better way to bring in a video on Tylers than with quoting Dann Huff's work on 'Stay'. Beyond badass, congrats on the guitar, RJ!
I was lucky enough to work at a James Tyler dealer for a while and yeah, they really really stand out in the super strat crowd. Their quality level goes from excellent to unreal. There is no such thing as a bad guitar with that logo on it
Amazing guitar! congratulations. Now all you need is to get a Tom Anderson and a Valley Arts guitar and you will have the holy trinity of 80's coolness.
Owned an Anderson and played a bunch. They are indeed great guitars. Playing a few Tylers over the years and finally owning one, there is another level which I can't explain. All I can say is my Tyler feels like it was created just for me with every other guitar I ever played or owned coming in second place.
Just came across this and though I can't kick a guitar down stairs, It was great hearing you explain everything that went into this guitar and the history that created it. I'm glad you got it and glad it went to someone who gets it and can use it the way it's meant to be used.
Congrats to your Tyler RJ 🎸 I finished assembling an HSH Strat that comes quite close to your specs: 2 PAF’s that can be split, a Seymour Duncan SSL2 in the middle, with cabling that allows you to have the neck pickup always on in any position with a push push switch. That gives you neck and bridge (split or full) and the 3 pickups together. The neck is a tlght grain roasted maple with rosewood fingerboard, 6150 ss jumbo frets, luminlay side markers and an LSR roller nut. The tuners are Hipshot Griplocks, trem is a Wilkinson VS 100 N and the body has satin finish. Neck profile is a ‘59 with compound radius 9,5 to 12. So, it comes quite close to your specs, but for the Tyler headstock ;-) Enjoy your new guitar RJ ! 👌🏻👋🏻
Haven't finished the whole vid yet, but that intro sounded AWESOME, R.J. What's even more awesome is that you got your bucket list guitar. Congratulations! The most awesome part of it all is the fact you could make a $200 Squier sound awesome! lol. But we're all glad that you're doing on that sweet looking Super Strat!
This is brilliant Brother. I have ordered the Yellow Dann Huff and I’m so excited I could burst. My dream guitar. I can’t get enough things Tyler. Then along comes your video. Hell yes my man. Hell yes. Your a great player and a great guy. You have a new fan.
The Tyler headstocks really become quite striking with a bit of colour. I don't like them as much in wood grain. Matching color or black like you have here is where it's at. Spectacular playing btw!
I loved the head stock from the first time I saw it. It stands out and grabs you ....Now when I see it I say - AHHHHH That's a James Tyler Guitar. Genius
Wonderful instrument and excellent choice of electronics. I’ve been buying guitars since the mid 70’s (ya, I’m old). Two of the last three have been Suhr. Love them, one is a T-style Burlwood top with Thornbuckers which sound amazing on mixed settings. However the last guitar I stumbled upon, I just can’t put down -which was a simple Les Paul studio with two stock P-90s. There is nothing special about it except a plek’d neck. My wife calls it the “rat-rod” -it’s that plain- just wood grain. Cost 1/5th of a Suhr. I just fell in love with the sound, feel, tone and the neck. Ya just don’t know what guitar is going to do it for you, which is part of the magic of playing. I have a couple dozen guitars I’ve kept over the years (for those of you casing guitars, don’t forget about Boveda bags for the wood:) Congrats on that beautiful instrument. 👍
That guitar is dope, RJ. I usually go with more traditional looks but now and then I get a hankering for neon purple or something rad like that tuckerberry. Rock on! I like the headstock... It's retro modern.
I’m a big Suhr fan, got my first Suhr Classic S in 2018 and 10 Suhr’s later I realize I have issues 😅 I’ve been debating letting go of a Suhr Modern T and grabbing a Studio Elite. Absolutely love the color way of your Tyler. It’s perfection.
Congratulations on the Tyler and welcome to Tyler club! What do I think of the headstock? Well, I’m up to seven Tyler’s, they’re my favourite guitar builder. As mentioned in the video, the finishes, attention to detail, quality of the woods and awesome feeling necks make the cost worth the price of admission. I’m currently talking with Rich and my Tyler pimp (dealer) about Tyler no. 8! Enjoy!
When I saw the previews of the video I immediately thought of Shawn Tubbs. He recently purchased a Tyler, but I have a video of Crystal Lewis (Christian artist) when Mr. Tubbs was in her band. In the video, he was playing a Tyler guitar. Was nice to see that you had Mr. Tubbs in your video. Tommy Walker (Christian worship leader) also uses Tyler guitar. Those two are really the ones I've seen use Tyler guitars. Know you make three. Great video.
Having recently been burned by PRS, Tyler is something I was looking into. I ultimately went with a Sully, but I will definitely start eyeballing a Tyler for a future purchase... Great video.
lol fusion meastro wayne krantz plays a james tyler a lot,wayne loved the guitar,but stuck a black sticker over the logo,saying he didnt want to be a advert lol heard a lot of good things about them,but never played one,bit out of my price range.the japanese tyler models were made in the deviser factory,who make bacchus/momose brands,which are also top notch,with the mij ones being mostly handmade,i have a levinson blade strat mij early 90s,also made in the deviser factory,its a very good guitar.those old mij blade guitars are worth checking out,the old mij blades have a fender shaped headstock,and ones for usa market,a suhr type headstock,due to copyright laws,they moved production to korea late 90s,and became more production like guitars,and changed the headstock,which is pretty fugly too.but the 80/90s mij blades are worth seeking out used,and they made quite a few super strats .i dig the sound of the tyler
It appears what goes around comes around applies here. Chorus on overdrive/distortion - the most overused and washed out sound - has made its return. Oh well…however, you and the Tyler make it palatable. Nicely done!!!
I love the look of the Tylers, initially I too was turned off by the headstock but it has really grown on me over the years. Played a couple never owned one but all the ones I got my hands on were extremely good guitars. I have a buddy that when he got his Tyler he stopped playing his other guitars because they were not as comfortable and reliable as his Tyler guitars,
Beautiful guitar! I love how you've reverse-engineered the 80s sound that so many of us have come to appreciate. I've been into that sound ever since I found out who did the solo at the end of that Tubes song...
That reminds me of the 1987 Fender Strat (contemporary) that I had. Pearl white, black pick guard. Two singles with a humbucker, tremelo with fine tuners and a locking nut. I paid $585 for that back then. It was stolen in 1997. I was SICK.
Yeah, i’m an oddball. I’ve always loved the Tyler Headstock and I am proud to be different in that way. My quest for a Tyler has been sealed, the journey begins!
What are your thoughts on the famous/infamous Tyler headstock?
**Also, quick edit: with the Secret bridge humbucker, it in fact DOES NOT split in position 2, because it is so well balanced with the single coils. With their popular, higher output Super bridge humbucker, it splits in position 2 automatically to balance with the single coils.
Dream guitar right there! Looks and sounds great! Enjoy!
Decades ago, I saw it and didn't find it attractive. Now, I see it as a status symbol above Fender Custom Shop, Suhr and Tom Anderson Guitarworks.
@@place_desjardins Agree
Hope they gave you a discount for that ugly advertising on the neck. :/
LOVE that body finish tho!
Awful tacky headstock and lettering ruins (for me) a great guitar.
BuT tHe HeAdStoCk
That Landau clean tone was perfection
That clean sound with all 3 pickups on with the boost is ethereal, what a fantastic sounding guitar. This is basically the ultimate super Strat.
It's the sound! You really can't get it with stock Strat wiring
Decades ago my mother passed. Any time she was asked about clothing or any item when she was asked what she wanted she would say "I'll know when I see it." I think she was onto something :-)
Totally, go by feeling
Yea, my train of thought when I’m looking to purchase something big is: “It’s gotta have that WOW factor.” If it doesn’t WOW me, I walk away.
I love the headstock design. The fact that it makes people so angry is just a bonus.
Beautiful axe, RJ.
Best clean tone I've ever heard came out of a James Tyler. They nail 80s tones beautifully.
the larger headstock is killer. they play magically and effortlessly, and they sound killer and i love their pickups. damn you. i want that!
Yeah!!! I´ve been following Tyler Guitars for...maybe 2 decades, but I´ve never played one. RJ...you deserve it man. Have fun with it!!!
I’ve been wanting a Tyler Studio for ages…ever since Michael Casswell (RIP) raved about them non-stop next to his Valley Arts guitars. The Burning Water Studio Elite has been on my wishlist for ages and the day that I do, I’ll be fulfilled. Glad you got one, RJ!!
This thing has exceeded any expectation I could have had, jaw-dropping 😮well deserved my friend, congrats 🎉 🎸
I 100% cackled with delight when I saw that paint job as you opened the case. So over the top, so awesome.
Best looking and sounding guitar that I’ve ever seen. The clean ones are otherworldly.
R.J., I discovered Tyler Guitars by seeing Mike Landau. Nearly twenty years ago I bought mine from Martin Music in Memphis, sight unseen, for the then outrageously expensive price of $3600.00.
Mine is a hollow Burning Water, and it’s so lightweight the staff at the store gave it the nickname I still use for it, “The Anomaly”.
Mine didn’t have the midboost, so I replaced one of the tone controls with an EMG midboost.
Over twenty years I’ve used it on multiple gigs and sessions. As you observed, it’s hands down the finest superstrat I’ve ever played. The guys at Tyler are surely magicians.
Oh yes, I couldn’t care less about the headstock. Strapped over my shoulder, looking down at it, it looks completely normal 😄
Why am I not surprised to see someone break out a Tyler super strat and immediately start playing Dann Huff licks? That's a pretty killer guitar! When you played the chorused part with the mid-boost on at 13:53, I was immediately 15 years old again. That was basically the sound of my teens. It was on everything I listened to, probably because Huff and Landau played on almost everything I listened to back then.
I played a Burning Water over 20 years ago that still haunts me today. Best guitar I've ever picked up!
Happy you got your bucket list guitar. Glad to hear you are having fun with it. Thanks for sharing RJ!
Beside the fact, that the guitar is great, I very much like that the 80's and 90's sounds get back. Chorus is not a crime and sweet, wet sounds are just pure fun. Thanks for bringing back this style, RJ. LOVE IT!!! 💕
I don't think there's a better way to bring in a video on Tylers than with quoting Dann Huff's work on 'Stay'. Beyond badass, congrats on the guitar, RJ!
What a beautiful Tyler. Congratulations and thanks for the thorough road test.
Awesome guitar! My Burning Water has been my number one since i bought it in 2003. 21 years of using it for everything…..the neck is something else!
I'm all here for RJ's journey back to the 80s. Too many CZcamsrs just doing pentatonic Americana neo soul nowdays.
I was lucky enough to work at a James Tyler dealer for a while and yeah, they really really stand out in the super strat crowd. Their quality level goes from excellent to unreal. There is no such thing as a bad guitar with that logo on it
Excuse me sir, if I buy some pickups from James Tyler, would I be able to install them on a regular stratocaster?
@@somethingserious3683 I have the same question!
@@SessionGold yeah I've studied them and they have regular pickups which can be installed individually, they don't sell the midboost preamp though 🫤
@@somethingserious3683 That's a bummer... do you know if there are any alternatives out there? 3rd party mid-boost preamps?
@@SessionGold at the moment I don't of any
Amazing guitar! congratulations. Now all you need is to get a Tom Anderson and a Valley Arts guitar and you will have the holy trinity of 80's coolness.
Owned an Anderson and played a bunch. They are indeed great guitars. Playing a few Tylers over the years and finally owning one, there is another level which I can't explain. All I can say is my Tyler feels like it was created just for me with every other guitar I ever played or owned coming in second place.
Just came across this and though I can't kick a guitar down stairs, It was great hearing you explain everything that went into this guitar and the history that created it. I'm glad you got it and glad it went to someone who gets it and can use it the way it's meant to be used.
Congratulations ! James Tyler make the best super strats, for sure... And the look of them is incredible !
Always great when someone picks up their dream guitar. You make it sound awesome. Enjoy and thanks for sharing!
Congrats to your Tyler RJ 🎸 I finished assembling an HSH Strat that comes quite close to your specs: 2 PAF’s that can be split, a Seymour Duncan SSL2 in the middle, with cabling that allows you to have the neck pickup always on in any position with a push push switch. That gives you neck and bridge (split or full) and the 3 pickups together. The neck is a tlght grain roasted maple with rosewood fingerboard, 6150 ss jumbo frets, luminlay side markers and an LSR roller nut. The tuners are Hipshot Griplocks, trem is a Wilkinson VS 100 N and the body has satin finish. Neck profile is a ‘59 with compound radius 9,5 to 12. So, it comes quite close to your specs, but for the Tyler headstock ;-) Enjoy your new guitar RJ ! 👌🏻👋🏻
You're right, this is a masterpiece. I absolutely love it. Subscribed.
RJ - I got to borrow a Studio Elite years ago, and it was the best-playing guitar I had ever played! The fretwork was absolute perfection!
Thank you for mentioning Dan. ❤ Caught me off guard and teared up. God bless from the 305!
0:44 god damn that dan huff intro he’s a deep fan already deserve to earn that
Haven't finished the whole vid yet, but that intro sounded AWESOME, R.J. What's even more awesome is that you got your bucket list guitar. Congratulations! The most awesome part of it all is the fact you could make a $200 Squier sound awesome! lol. But we're all glad that you're doing on that sweet looking Super Strat!
Congrats on getting your dream guitar.
So gorgeous! It took some time to like those headstocks but, I love them now. Nice reference to Giant and Dan Huff in the beginning.
Van Halen and these tones were my whole young adulthood. Loved this vid!
This is brilliant Brother. I have ordered the Yellow Dann Huff and I’m so excited I could burst. My dream guitar. I can’t get enough things Tyler. Then along comes your video. Hell yes my man. Hell yes. Your a great player and a great guy. You have a new fan.
Awesome! That was my 2nd choice
Hey, that's mine at 18:37! Great vid, loved the Rich bits.
And by 'mine', I mean actually my one! Fantastic Japan HD-P. And as Rich says, the paint jobs are fingerprints.
Thanks for the review. I was in the fence and after seeing your review I pulled the trigger. Just waiting for it to come in.
Congratulations! Well earned! It sounds great!
Headstocks a giveaway eh 😊….ridiculously well made/playing/feeling guitars. Ol’Ty comes home to join the fleet!!!
I just noticed it autocorrected Ty to Tommy…that has been fixed 😊
Wow man. I’m stoked for you. Definitely a once in a lifetime buy. Enjoy
The Tyler headstocks really become quite striking with a bit of colour. I don't like them as much in wood grain.
Matching color or black like you have here is where it's at.
Spectacular playing btw!
Dan Huff is how I found out about Tyler Guitars. Huge influence of mine!
Wow! That’s an awesome looking (and sounding) guitar. Congratulations
🔥🔥🔥 congrats RJ!!!
Playing the song " Stay by giant " as an intro for a guitar review is beyond words. Congratulations on your new Tyler guitar.
That song is soooo catchy. Love Giant.
Straight into Dann Huff and Giant! I love it! 🔥🔥
That’s some gorgeous tone. Clear, belly, nuanced
I loved the head stock from the first time I saw it. It stands out and grabs you ....Now when I see it I say - AHHHHH That's a James Tyler Guitar. Genius
Love it - congrats on the Tyler!
That black finish with the red sides really makes that headstock easier on the eyes,Very Cool guitar,Congrats.
Smooth transition from humbucker to single coil
Wonderful instrument and excellent choice of electronics. I’ve been buying guitars since the mid 70’s (ya, I’m old). Two of the last three have been Suhr. Love them, one is a T-style Burlwood top with Thornbuckers which sound amazing on mixed settings. However the last guitar I stumbled upon, I just can’t put down -which was a simple Les Paul studio with two stock P-90s. There is nothing special about it except a plek’d neck. My wife calls it the “rat-rod” -it’s that plain- just wood grain. Cost 1/5th of a Suhr.
I just fell in love with the sound, feel, tone and the neck. Ya just don’t know what guitar is going to do it for you, which is part of the magic of playing. I have a couple dozen guitars I’ve kept over the years (for those of you casing guitars, don’t forget about Boveda bags for the wood:)
Congrats on that beautiful instrument. 👍
That guitar is dope, RJ. I usually go with more traditional looks but now and then I get a hankering for neon purple or something rad like that tuckerberry. Rock on!
I like the headstock... It's retro modern.
Yooo I didn’t even know about these until I saw Kristian Larsen playing them. Sounds great!
Giant Intro! Great vid, RJ!
Congrats RJ! It looks stunning! Shred the hell out of it!
I’m a big Suhr fan, got my first Suhr Classic S in 2018 and 10 Suhr’s later I realize I have issues 😅
I’ve been debating letting go of a Suhr Modern T and grabbing a Studio Elite. Absolutely love the color way of your Tyler. It’s perfection.
Congrats on your new guitar R.J.! Looks and sounds fantastic.
So cool! Love your build. I have a Studio Elite HD shipping to me this week & can't wait.
Love the video, R.J. Always wanted a Tyler!!
Congratulations on the Tyler and welcome to Tyler club! What do I think of the headstock? Well, I’m up to seven Tyler’s, they’re my favourite guitar builder. As mentioned in the video, the finishes, attention to detail, quality of the woods and awesome feeling necks make the cost worth the price of admission. I’m currently talking with Rich and my Tyler pimp (dealer) about Tyler no. 8! Enjoy!
Wow! I need to catch up hahaha
Congrats on your Tyler RJ!!
🙏🏾
Welcome to the JT family, R.J.. That boost with the dial rolled all the way down makes those single coils sound magical as well. Give it a try!
Congrats brother -- must be a great feeling to finally have a guitar you lusted after for so long, and have it meet all your expectations.
Love the Tyler headstock. Congratulations on your Tyler Studio Elite HD. Love the finish. Enjoy the Tyler guitar in good health.
When I saw the previews of the video I immediately thought of Shawn Tubbs. He recently purchased a Tyler, but I have a video of Crystal Lewis (Christian artist) when Mr. Tubbs was in her band. In the video, he was playing a Tyler guitar. Was nice to see that you had Mr. Tubbs in your video. Tommy Walker (Christian worship leader) also uses Tyler guitar. Those two are really the ones I've seen use Tyler guitars. Know you make three. Great video.
A guitar finish that is synonymous with a fingerprint. Perfect!!!
Looks and sounds great and unique. Lots of tone variety and much more! Congrats on NGD RJ!
I have wanted one forever myself,,, now your video has made me map out every thing I need to sell to get one
Having recently been burned by PRS, Tyler is something I was looking into. I ultimately went with a Sully, but I will definitely start eyeballing a Tyler for a future purchase... Great video.
That purp-blue Tucker looks right for you dude. Not sure why but it does. Happy for you man. Rock on 🤘🤙✌️
I love my Burning Water 2K. Great Dann Huff example at the start
That's a great breakdown and history. Beautiful instrument. Congrats!
Congrats! my one and only electric gtr - the best imo. the headstock represents TONE to me.
Congrats on that beautiful guitar. I got myself a Jake e Lee Charvel. One of my bucket list guitars. Enjoy your new ride.
lol fusion meastro wayne krantz plays a james tyler a lot,wayne loved the guitar,but stuck a black sticker over the logo,saying he didnt want to be a advert lol heard a lot of good things about them,but never played one,bit out of my price range.the japanese tyler models were made in the deviser factory,who make bacchus/momose brands,which are also top notch,with the mij ones being mostly handmade,i have a levinson blade strat mij early 90s,also made in the deviser factory,its a very good guitar.those old mij blade guitars are worth checking out,the old mij blades have a fender shaped headstock,and ones for usa market,a suhr type headstock,due to copyright laws,they moved production to korea late 90s,and became more production like guitars,and changed the headstock,which is pretty fugly too.but the 80/90s mij blades are worth seeking out used,and they made quite a few super strats .i dig the sound of the tyler
Hey RJ, I also have a Tyler. I agree 100%. Those guitars are amazing, nothing plays like it
That was great!
Congratulations!!! Greetings from Barcelona!!
Amazing gift from the guitar gods 😊
It appears what goes around comes around applies here. Chorus on overdrive/distortion - the most overused and washed out sound - has made its return. Oh well…however, you and the Tyler make it palatable. Nicely done!!!
Wild West Guitars in Pasadena is the best place to buy a guitar, great price and great service.
Dude, I don't know if it's you, the guitar or the amp, but your tone is sick. Your playing is beautiful too.
That seems like a great guitar, full of subtleties. No wonder you are playing it all the time. Congraulations!
Jim Tyler is an old friend of mine. Still, without bias I say, he makes the boutique electric guitar in the world. AND he still does them all by hand
Loved the Giant licks, perfect
Signed up for another class. You deserve THE BEST R.J.
Awesome way to start the video with Stay - Giant!
I love the look of the Tylers, initially I too was turned off by the headstock but it has really grown on me over the years. Played a couple never owned one but all the ones I got my hands on were extremely good guitars. I have a buddy that when he got his Tyler he stopped playing his other guitars because they were not as comfortable and reliable as his Tyler guitars,
Beautiful guitar! I love how you've reverse-engineered the 80s sound that so many of us have come to appreciate. I've been into that sound ever since I found out who did the solo at the end of that Tubes song...
James Tyler is a must have in the Korean professional guitar scene lol
That finish looks rad! Awesome tones out of it, too! Thanks for sharing.
That reminds me of the 1987 Fender Strat (contemporary) that I had. Pearl white, black pick guard. Two singles with a humbucker, tremelo with fine tuners and a locking nut. I paid $585 for that back then. It was stolen in 1997. I was SICK.
Congratulations RJ !!!! ....thats a beautiful Instrument!!!...enjoy!
Yeah, i’m an oddball. I’ve always loved the Tyler Headstock and I am proud to be different in that way. My quest for a Tyler has been sealed, the journey begins!
I have a couple of James Tyler Variax guitars. They play very well
I have two Variax Jtv-69 guitars as well. Really fun and inspiring to play.
Now you need the trichorus and the entire refrigerator rack to make justice to that beautiful axe
Great review bro. Thanks for opening my eyes and ears to this brand. I never knew all those ppl used it !
Greetings from NZ 🤘🎸😎
1:36 Glorious Clean Chorus ⭐