During NAMM at the Anaheim Convention Center, we unveiled our latest addition to the family: the Boden Essential. Naturally, we sat down with our founder Ola Strandberg to go check up on him now that the cat is out of the bag on this new model.
- Available in the spring of 2024
- Available finishes: Black Granite, Astro Dust, Elemental Blue
- Approximate weight: 2150 g
- Price: $999
Hi Ola. How do you feel now when this latest model is finally unveiled and all information is available to the public?
– Hey there. I’m feeling pretty great, actually. It’s like finally letting a secret out that you’ve been keeping for ages. A lot of heart and hard work went into this, and now that it’s out there for everyone to see and eventually play, I’m just excited and hopeful that it’ll inspire and resonate with folks as much as it does with us here at Strandberg.
Can you tell us about the idea behind the Boden Essential?
– We really just wanted to get more people into playing and enjoying music. We thought a lot about how we could retain the Strandberg soul – comfort and how the guitar feels when you’re playing it – in a more accessible package. The Boden Essential is all about being easy and fun to play, kind of like a friend that’s always ready to play with you. It’s not just a guitar; it’s about making your music more enjoyable and letting your creativity flow naturally.
How long have you been working on this guitar?
– In some shape or form, we’ve been at it with the elements of Boden Essential for a few years now. It’s like nurturing a plant; you know the species, in our case, the Boden series, but each new breed or model takes its own time and care to grow. This one’s been a journey, for sure, but seeing it come to life has been incredibly rewarding.
How is the Boden Essential different from other Strandberg guitar models?
– It features a straight 25.5” scale length, paying homage to classic guitar designs, while still embodying the lightweight and ergonomic features Strandberg is known for. Additionally, it introduces our brand new EGS Arc hardware, which we are incredibly excited about! It’s about offering something both comforting and novel, appealing to a wide spectrum of players and styles.
Why did you choose to go for a straight scale on this model?
– It’s familiar territory for many guitarists, offering a comfortable and classic playing feel. While we’re known for our innovative designs, we understand the importance of familiarity. This straight scale design allows us to blend the distinctive Strandberg experience with a nod to traditional guitar playing, catering to a broad audience of players. The advantages of a multi-scale design, as featured on all our other models, are distinct. But the contemporary 6-string guitar is normally a straight scale. For extended range guitars, like 7- and 8-string models, we will not be making this compromise though. This means that the Boden Essential will be available as a 6-string model only.
What feature of this new model are you most proud of?
– The EGS Arc hardware is my personal highlight. Making our own hardware specifically for our guitars means that we can optimize it in ways that makes it more intuitive and easier to use, and we don’t have to include border use cases to make it more generic. We’ve worked hard to make it sturdy yet sleek, and I think it really adds something special to the guitar’s overall feel and performance. It’s one of those things you have to feel for yourself to truly appreciate. It’s all about getting that clear, consistent sound without the fuss. Fewer parts also mean less can go wrong. We’ve designed it to be a scalable platform for future development in mind as well.
Who is the Boden Essential intended for?
– Oh, it’s for everyone, really. No matter your skill level or aspirations, Boden Essential is all about fitting into your life and making playing feel good. We wanted it to be the kind of guitar that you can’t wait to pick up, no matter what you’re doing with it. It’s your trusty sidekick for all those musical adventures, big or small.
Finally, what are you doing now after NAMM?
– Sleep for two days, haha. Then I’ll recharge and keep working on the release with the rest of the strandberg team. We have a lot in store for everyone who’ll follow us from now until the release.
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