James Tyler Burning Water

First developed for Michael Landau when he had his band Burning Water, this model became one of the most identifiable Tyler guitars in the world. It is your basic hot rod with locking tuners, a 2-post vibrato bridge, and SSH pickups. The legendary "Burning Water" finish has evolved over the years and is the father of the popular "Schmear" series of finishes.

I’ve said it before, but I think it bears repeating. There’s some serious genius in Jim Tyler’s hands. Every guitar he makes has a distinct personality – even among identical models. That’s something I’ve found over and over again in the many years I’ve been loving his guitars.

What I'm holding in my hands right now is a beautiful Studio Elite Burning Water with Tyler’s original bare arm contour. Legend has it that the bare arm contour started off has an inside joke between Jim and Mike Landau, but has since turned into a classic and desirable feature on Tyler guitars.

This particular example has a mamywo body which brings out  very sweet midrange while at the same time gives it a wonderful crisp woodiness in tone. I find it to be a cross between ash and alder, not a compromise at all, just letting the best elements of both woods speak their mind. What's interesting about this particular guitar is that it was built from a stash of woods that I hand selected while visiting Tyler's shop over the summer. A spectacular Burning Water here!

Electrically, it sears and rips and has that wonderful Strat tone without being quacky or edgy… just think Michael Landau and you'll know what I mean.

That doesn’t happen by accident. When it comes to pickup choices for my Tylers, I always let Jim make the final choice. I ask him to pick a set of pickups that optimize the wood used to make that particular guitar. On a certain level guitar making is a touchy feely kind of thing. There are so many variables that only at the end of the process do I feel that the proper pickup choice can be made in order to enhance the vibe of the guitar. Since Jim winds his own pickups, he can choose a set that works perfectly to bring out the inherent voice of the instrument. The Alnico 5's and the Super he selected for this guitar prove to me once again that Jim has Golden Ears…they’re perfect great choices.

I could go on and on. And if you contact me, I’d be happy to. What would you like to talk about? The legendary Tyler neck shape? The rolled fingerboard edges? The fret work? The amazing finish? Or any other reason to find out more why this is one of the best S-style guitars by anyone, anywhere, that is available today.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT TYLER GUITARS
James Tyler has had a guitar in his hand almost every day since he first picked one up the summer after seventh grade, in 1964. In college, Jim studied Architecture, Design, Music, Photography and for a couple years, Theology. He paid his way through these years of collage doing guitar repair work at local guitar stores, and as a factory trained auto mechanic for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, BMW and Fiat. Later into the 1970’s, he got connected with the guys at Norman’s Rare Guitars in the San Fernando Valley, and became their main repair and restoration guy. Jim’s abilities continued to expand and soon he had enough experience and reputation that he opened his first repair shop in Reseda, CA in 1980. Since then its been a whirlwind of successes, including being chosen to be displayed among the great California guitar companies such as Fender, Rickenbacker, Mosrite and Charvel in the Museum of California's exhibit The Ultimate Guitar Show and building for artists such as Michael Landau, David Williams, Steve Lukather, Michael Anthony, and Dan Huff. James' design shapes and various ground breaking guitar finishes and most recently his line of pickups have virtually transformed the guitar building industry.