 The Turner "Model T" is a blues and bottle-neck player's
dream. Declared "Best of Show" for retro guitars at the 1996 NAMM show by Tom
Wheeler of Guitar Player Magazine, the Model T is becoming a new/old voice for
players as diverse as Martin Simpson and Henry Kaiser. The heart of the Model T
sound is the Turner "Rick" double horseshoe pickup, a modern version of the
original early 1930's Rickenbacker pickup used on the "frying pan" and
"bakelite" lap steels which proved the commercial viability of electric guitars.
After several years of research into what made the original pickups sound so
unique Turner discovered how to get that vintage sound but made their pickups
much more reliable and rugged using modern magnetic materials, precision coil
winding equipment, and more advanced wire designs.
Turner's electronics consist of a passive volume and tone control with a
push/pull volume knob which switches the pickup direct to the jack, bypassing
all controls and giving maximum output signal to your amp. The Model T body
design is a nod to the 1928 Kay Kraft guitars and mandolins, and Turner's
use of Formica laminate for top and back conjures up images of an old
diner.
The body core is made of genuine Honduras mahogany for sustain and warmth
of tone. For those wanting a more conventional appearance, Turner custom makes
Model T's with natural wood finishes, and fancy maple or walnut top laminates
also available;. The neck is made of hard rock maple with two graphite bars in
addition to an adjustable truss rod. Fingerboards are Formica or rosewood.
Hardware includes "Kluson" style tuners, Schaller Roll-a-matic bridge, and either
a Turner stop tailpiece or the Hipshot "Trilogy" multiple tunings tailpiece for
those who want to be able to switch in and out of standard and open tunings.
All hardware is nickel or chrome plated.
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