The SP1 has been a huge success since its launch.
Bringing it to life required a significant investment in R&D, tooling, and production. Over the past year, we’ve continued to refine our processes at every level which has led to efficiencies that have begun to lower our costs. The great news is that we have now reached a point where we can pass those savings directly to players — without changing the instrument, the materials, or what makes the SP1 an SP1.
A New Maple Option for the SP1
We’re also expanding the SP1 with a new maple fretboard option.
A maple fretboard adds a slight, but noticeable snap to the highs while pairing naturally with the maple neck for excellent stability through changing climates. Its lighter colour also provides excellent contrast with dark fret markers, making them easier to see on stage.
Getting Maple Right
Maple may be a familiar material, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple to work with.
Selecting the right lumber from reputable suppliers, preparing it properly, and creating a consistently stable neck takes time and testing. Throughout the development process, we’ve invested heavily in R&D, including glue testing for strength and tone, machining and sanding methods, material selection, and even destructive testing to make sure our necks are capable of decades of reliable use.
The goal has always been the same: build a neck that feels natural, performs consistently, and stands up to years of playing.
Same SP1. More Options.
The SP1 continues to be built with the same focus on feel, performance, tone, and reliability that defined the instrument from the beginning. The new maple option gives players another way to make the SP1 their own, while improvements to our production processes allow us to offer better value without compromising the instrument.
One year in, the SP1 keeps evolving.
