Bacchus Vintage Series BST-57 Sunburst 2004

Bacchus BST-57, sunburst, made in Japan around 2004. Bacchus are one of our favourite makers around here, and this guitar is a good example of why their stuff is absolutely worthy of admiration. Bacchus kicked off in 1994 under the Deviser Group of brands under the guidance of master luthier Yasuo Momose. This is a truly 'handmade' instrument: no CNC machines, everything is done the time-tested old fashioned way. The Vintage Series was around in the mid 00s, offering F-style models crafted with care and precision, and this is stamped in the pocket as a BST-57 model, although it has the headstock bestowed on their limited run and custom order offerings. The wood selection is outstanding: beautiful consistently figured alder, lightweight and joined in the dead centre, paired with a tip-top piece of flamed maple for the neck. The neck is finished in satin and feels amazing, the soft-V shape is intuitive, neither chunky nor slim... it has that certain magic reserved for neck carved by hand from excellent timber. The pickups are bright and lively, but full, rich and never harsh. The bridge pickup is weighty and creamy, the neck pickup glistens with brilliant clarity and the in-between positions offer a very pronounced quacky spank. The burst finish is classic and unassuming, but it's topped in classy thin nitro and lets the wood breathe and the grain bloom. This feels and sounds better than many guitars I've played listed at 4-5 times the asking dime, it's seriously good. IYKYK.

Model: Bacchus BST-57
Made: Japan, Deviser plant, 2004 approx (serial 007)
Finish: two tone sunburst, gloss nitro topcoat, 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: flame maple, maple fretboard, 8.25" radius, soft-V profile, satin finish
Weight: 3.465kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Bacchus Yuta VS single coils x3
Case: Bacchus gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some surface scratches on both horns and along the back edge, as well as scuffs in the elbow area and around the cavity and cover, as well as some dimples in the bottom corner. The sides have minor dimples on the top horn and elbow area, scuffs near the jack and dimples on the bottom horn. The front has a couple of dimples around the bridge and elbow area, as well as some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear including minor pitting, but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 6/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.