Adrian Smith SDX MN SW : What an instrument

Adrian Smith was the guitarist who first inspired me to pick up and try to learn to play. Nearly 30 years later, I decided to treat myself to a new guitar, and it just had to be this. I was not disappointed.

Some may not like the lack of tremolo cavity, but I appreciate the security of not being able to pull back too hard on the strings - I have broken them at awkward times doing that in the past. Single volume control means you can't blend the pickups when selecting more than one, which also doesn't bother me, but might bother others.

It sounds tremendous, either through my modelling board or my Bugera 333, from chunky blues to 80s thrash, it can cover it all. And the single coils sound lush played clean with a little chorus.

The neck is fast, easy and the action very low (OK, I did lower it a bit more myself).

I've tried out guitars that cost twice as much that I'd not rate above this one. If you want a Floyd equipped guitar for rock or metal, you can't really go wrong with this.

Also, "Up the Irons!"