What type of body wood is used in the Hartwood Drifter?

The guitar features a lightweight basswood body. This material is chosen for its balanced tonal properties and reduced weight for player comfort.

What are the benefits of the roasted maple neck?

The roasting process involves heat-treating the wood to remove moisture and impurities. This increases the neck's stability against temperature changes and provides a smooth, modern playing feel.

What pickups are installed on this model?

The Hartwood Drifter is equipped with a set of two P90 pickups. These deliver a bright, punchy sound that bridges the gap between single-coil clarity and humbucker thickness.

What is the fretboard radius of the Drifter?

The guitar has a 16-inch fretboard radius. This is relatively flat, which supports low action and prevents notes from fretting out during large string bends.

Does the guitar include a tremolo system?

Yes, it features a vintage-style tremolo bridge. This allows the player to add vibrato and expressive pitch shifts to their performance.

What is the neck profile of the Hartwood Drifter?

The neck is shaped to a 'Modern C' profile. This design is intended to offer immediate comfort and control for a wide variety of hand sizes and playing styles.

What material is the nut made from?

The guitar uses a synthetic bone nut. This material provides consistent string friction and helps maintain tuning stability during play.

How many frets does the guitar have?

The Hartwood Drifter features 22 frets on a laurel fingerboard. The layout is designed for smooth movement and easy access across the entire range of the neck.

What controls are available for tone shaping?

The electronics are straightforward, featuring a three-way pickup selector switch, a master volume control, and a master tone control for intuitive sound adjustments.

Is the Hartwood Drifter suitable for high-gain music?

Yes, the P90 pickups are designed to handle gain confidently. They provide enough grit and output for rock and blues while maintaining clarity through the distortion.

What is the scale length and general feel of the instrument?

The Drifter is a full-sized electric guitar with a sleek offset body design. It combines vintage aesthetic elements with modern playability features like the 16" radius and roasted maple neck.

How does the Hartwood Drifter compare to a Les Paul Standard 50s P90?

While both use P90 pickups, the Drifter features a lightweight basswood offset body and a bolt-on roasted maple neck. The Les Paul Standard 50s typically features a heavier mahogany build and a set neck, resulting in different sustain and ergonomic characteristics.

Gear article

Hartwood Drifter Electric Guitar

The Hartwood Drifter is a sleek, UK-designed offset electric guitar featuring a lightweight basswood body and a roasted maple neck. Equipped with a pair of P90 pickups and a vintage-style tremolo, it combines retro aesthetic cues with modern performance features for a punchy, versatile sound.

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Background and Design

The Hartwood Drifter was designed in the United Kingdom as a contemporary take on classic offset guitar silhouettes. It is positioned as an accessible instrument that offers professional-leaning features, such as heat-treated wood, at a competitive price point. The Green model is distinguished by its high-gloss finish, which emphasises the guitar's characterful body shape and vintage-inspired hardware.

Construction and Playability

The guitar is built around a lightweight basswood body, chosen for its balanced resonance and comfort during long playing sessions. A key feature of the Drifter is its roasted maple neck, a process that increases stability and provides a smooth tactile feel. The neck uses a 'Modern C' profile and is topped with a 22-fret laurel fingerboard. The 16-inch fretboard radius is notably flatter than traditional vintage guitars, facilitating easier string bending and fast fretwork without the risk of notes 'choking out'.

Electronics and Hardware

The Drifter is equipped with two P90 pickups, which are known for occupying the tonal middle ground between single-coils and humbuckers. The controls are kept intuitive, consisting of a single volume knob, a master tone knob, and a three-way toggle switch for selecting between the bridge, neck, or both pickups. For pitch manipulation, the guitar features a vintage-style tremolo bridge. Stability is supported by retro-style tuners and a synthetic bone nut, ensuring consistent performance.

Sound Profile

The combination of P90 pickups and a basswood body produces a bright, punchy tone with significant clarity. The pickups provide enough grit to handle overdrive and high-gain settings confidently, making the guitar suitable for genres ranging from surf rock and indie to classic rock. The natural brightness of the roasted maple neck contributes to a crisp attack and immediate note definition.

Suitability and Market Position

Given its price point and ergonomic features, the Hartwood Drifter is aimed at both students seeking a stylish first instrument and experienced players looking for a reliable, P90-equipped offset guitar. Its modern neck specifications make it particularly appealing to lead players who prefer a flatter fingerboard radius, while the lightweight body is beneficial for performers who play standing for extended periods.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of body wood is used in the Hartwood Drifter?: The guitar features a lightweight basswood body. This material is chosen for its balanced tonal properties and reduced weight for player comfort.
What are the benefits of the roasted maple neck?: The roasting process involves heat-treating the wood to remove moisture and impurities. This increases the neck's stability against temperature changes and provides a smooth, modern playing feel.
What pickups are installed on this model?: The Hartwood Drifter is equipped with a set of two P90 pickups. These deliver a bright, punchy sound that bridges the gap between single-coil clarity and humbucker thickness.
What is the fretboard radius of the Drifter?: The guitar has a 16-inch fretboard radius. This is relatively flat, which supports low action and prevents notes from fretting out during large string bends.
Does the guitar include a tremolo system?: Yes, it features a vintage-style tremolo bridge. This allows the player to add vibrato and expressive pitch shifts to their performance.
What is the neck profile of the Hartwood Drifter?: The neck is shaped to a 'Modern C' profile. This design is intended to offer immediate comfort and control for a wide variety of hand sizes and playing styles.
What material is the nut made from?: The guitar uses a synthetic bone nut. This material provides consistent string friction and helps maintain tuning stability during play.
How many frets does the guitar have?: The Hartwood Drifter features 22 frets on a laurel fingerboard. The layout is designed for smooth movement and easy access across the entire range of the neck.
What controls are available for tone shaping?: The electronics are straightforward, featuring a three-way pickup selector switch, a master volume control, and a master tone control for intuitive sound adjustments.
Is the Hartwood Drifter suitable for high-gain music?: Yes, the P90 pickups are designed to handle gain confidently. They provide enough grit and output for rock and blues while maintaining clarity through the distortion.
What is the scale length and general feel of the instrument?: The Drifter is a full-sized electric guitar with a sleek offset body design. It combines vintage aesthetic elements with modern playability features like the 16" radius and roasted maple neck.
How does the Hartwood Drifter compare to a Les Paul Standard 50s P90?: While both use P90 pickups, the Drifter features a lightweight basswood offset body and a bolt-on roasted maple neck. The Les Paul Standard 50s typically features a heavier mahogany build and a set neck, resulting in different sustain and ergonomic characteristics.