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At Guitar Summit 2025, Strandberg Guitars – the brand that ushered in a headless guitar revolution – unveiled the next evolution of its Boden series. We caught up with Ola Strandberg to get a closer look...
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00:00Hi guys, Matt from Guitar World here. We are at Guitar Summit 2025 with Ola Stramberg of Stramberg Guitars.
00:06Ola, one of the biggest releases this weekend is the Stramberg N2 series.
00:10It is indeed, yes.
00:11Can you kind of talk to us about the evolution of, you know, the Bowdoin and kind of what this guitar means for the company?
00:16Yeah, definitely. We're a company kind of founded on innovation rather than just heritage and tradition.
00:22And we do want to evolve the brand and keep it interesting. And it's always hard to progress something that's been around for a while and it's loved.
00:31So this has been like a labor over several years to come up with like thoughtful improvements that still make sense and add value to the player.
00:40And being like a direct to consumer brand, in addition to selling through dealers and have an incredibly active player community,
00:48we do have like a direct channel of feedback into the company.
00:54So one of the things I kind of started as a pet peeve for me was on the pickup side where we ended up with different choices,
01:04like for 6, 7 and 8 string models. And ideally there should be consistency.
01:09And we've been kind of known from the beginning to have the full lineup of 6, 7, 8.
01:14So that's one of the big parts about the standard N2 line, which now has the cohesive offering of Seymour Duncan pickups
01:23and the Bowdoin original line, which we have our custom developed pickups that we call Powered that we developed on the Fishman Fluence platform.
01:32They're really incredible, really nothing to do with like the Fluence Moderns, which are jack of all trade pickups.
01:38We also love. These are like specifically voiced to complement the Stranberg sound and be super versatile.
01:45We've made them to emulate kind of the passive feel when playing, but leveraging like the features that you can get from an active pickup and not a passive.
01:55So when you pull this and engage what we call the metal voicing, you not only get like a different character, but it's also additional gain.
02:05And there's a third like single coil voicing in the second and fourth position, which are like single coil voicings, but not the volume drop that you otherwise associate with like a split coil.
02:18So it's quite a complex kind of setup. How long did it take to get these kind of perfected? How long have they been in the works?
02:25Well, the beauty of it is we went through like the traditional design process with like turns the wire around the bobbin coil magnet.
02:34Went through that with Michael Frank, the legendary pickup designer, a number of years ago.
02:39And then sadly he passed away. So we couldn't keep producing those pickups.
02:44But a lot of the work that we did with him, we put into this and then the Fluence technology.
02:51Actually, you can you put these test harnesses in the guitar and then run it through a DSP in a computer and you voice them in real time, which is really a mind boggling process.
03:00So like with all that legwork done up front, it was actually really quick to diet it.
03:06Nice.
03:06And then, I mean, obviously, they have other visual design elements that are even more apparent on the seven and eight strings, but
03:15so it had a long, like elapsed time, despite the voicing process taking a lot of time.
03:24But yeah, just really stoked about how these came out.
03:27So how long has this been in the works? How long have you guys been working on the EMT?
03:32I mean, we started tweaking things at least three years ago.
03:37Wow.
03:37And then, yeah, it's just been testing various things, making sure we could actually produce them with consistent high level quality.
03:47So, yeah, we've had to like try things, discard them, do it over again.
03:53And one of those things is actually like hidden inside the neck.
03:57So this now has titanium rods inside the neck.
04:00What was the thinking behind that?
04:02It's not as much for stability as it is for the tone and the feeling that it gives.
04:07Initial player feedback is like it's even more touch sensitive and more sustained in the neck.
04:17For me, I mean, I don't call myself a player, but to me, the way that I experience our guitars is just strumming chords and feel how it vibrates.
04:28And I just love the tactile feel of these guitars now with that reinforcement.
04:37So you've got new pickups, new titanium reinforcement.
04:41Yes.
04:41You've also kind of tweaked the body shape, right?
04:43You've kind of got a little bit of a carve there.
04:45Yeah, so this is pretty subtle, but the entire body is arched, and then there's like an additional drop on the arm bevel.
04:53So it's even smoother than before.
04:56And yeah, I would say more ergonomic from that perspective.
04:59And then there's a new shape of the control cavity and a new backplate, which has the angles of the output jack are different.
05:10So to the extent that, I mean, some players would experience that the output jack would dig into their leg in certain playing positions.
05:18So we move it a little out of the way this direction.
05:22And then when you lay the guitar on a flat surface, there's not going to be any pressure on the output jack, which could happen before.
05:28And then there's room for a battery or like in this case, our rechargeable upgrade, which this is not micro USB.
05:37We're still waiting for the final USB-C version, but this will be like a separate upgrade to the guitar.
05:45But I failed to mention the debut of the ARC multispill hardware.
05:52So the ARC platform started on the Bowdoin Essential, and it's really been proven now in real use.
06:01We designed this to be just more intuitive and easy to set up and adjust and more robust for the player.
06:08And it's full body contact as well, right?
06:09Is that for retain and residents?
06:12Yeah, I mean, I designed these to have the same footprint as the previous generation of hardware.
06:20Just, I don't know, we didn't have to, but I wanted to, so we did it.
06:27Because I remember you telling me the brand kind of first started with the hardware, right?
06:32Because you were looking to build your own instruments.
06:34Yeah.
06:35Back then, could you have imagined kind of just how far you've taken your designs?
06:39Like, could you, did you have this in your thoughts back then or is this?
06:43Never.
06:43It's something special.
06:44I mean, this does have a very, like, clear connection and lineage back to the first guitar that I ever built.
06:52So, and that's why this is called the Bowdoin Original.
06:54Because it's the same material choices.
06:56It's chamber swamp ash.
06:58It's maple top.
07:00Versailles maple board.
07:02I mean, these are the elements that I put in my first build.
07:06Okay.
07:07But then, like, every single detail has been refined in several iterations, like the body carves, like the heel carves.
07:17We also, on the ARC hardware platform, these edges, it's a small detail, but they're rounded off.
07:24Whereas the original design, which was modular, so there was an individual string of her string.
07:31They were, like, sharp edges.
07:34Yeah.
07:35Okay.
07:35So, this is another area where it's, like, a player improvement.
07:40It just seems to be, like, loads of small tweaks that have kind of all come together to create something that's, like, pretty ergonomic, pretty, you know.
07:49I mean, I reviewed this one, and it just, it's crazy how it just fits into the body, right?
07:54I mean, that's something that's obviously you've worked hard to achieve, isn't it?
07:57Yeah, yeah.
07:58I mean, it disappears in your lap.
08:00Yeah.
08:00I mean, that's the way that a lot of modern musicians create their music.
08:04Yeah, yeah, yeah.
08:05It's at a desk in front of a computer, and this you can easily reach over and mess with your keyboard and just play.
08:12Or if you put it down, it's not too heavy to, like, put down and pick up.
08:16And even just, like, carrying around, like, just struck me how light this is.
08:20Like, you know, I won't try it, but you can chug it up and it will fly.
08:24Okay. So, in terms of the NT Standard, what's the kind of highlight in this one, then?
08:30The Standard has always been a solid basswood body.
08:33Yeah.
08:33So, we stayed with that on the Standard N2.
08:36These now come in solid metallic finishes rather than the transparent finishes that we used to do.
08:43And then we worked with Seamer Duncan to, we took their Sentient and Pegasus set, which is very popular in our community.
08:50And we worked with the Seamer Duncan custom shop to develop sopar-sized pickups, but with angled bobbins that line up properly with the strings.
09:02Because I like that concept, but there's currently no, like, standard for angled bobbin pickups.
09:14And we don't want to lock players into, like, a particular pickup brand or anything.
09:20We want to make sure that this instrument comes in forever.
09:23And the sopar format is so established.
09:26So, this will fit, like, any standard pickup.
09:29Okay.
09:30So, it was important to us to achieve that.
09:34So, just have something that you can grow with and evolve with over time, but still deliver something out of the box that's what we think is, like, the best possible experience.
09:46So, do you reckon you start introducing some of these tweaks to other Strandberg models, like the Salins or any of the...
09:54Yeah, so this doesn't replace the NX line.
09:57So, that will continue to live on for at least some time.
10:01You never know when.
10:04I'm sure we'll ripple down some of these things and, yeah, try and come up with other possible improvements to the rest of the bar.
10:16Nice.
10:16It feels like you've kind of got to a point with the N2s where it's, like, almost the pinnacle of guitar, ergonomic engineering, right?
10:26How do you kind of elevate from here?
10:28Or do you see yourself as, you know, because you start me as the kind of guy who's always going to be looking to engineer something or, like, change something to make it a little bit better.
10:37Like, where are those marginal gays going to come next time?
10:39I mean, we...
10:40Yeah.
10:41This is a part of the brain that never stops.
10:45And the frustration of that is we can't just keep moving and introducing new things because then what are you going to buy?
10:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.
10:56You need to have some kind of, like, cadence to that.
11:01But, yeah, there's tons of small improvements and big improvements that are in the works will come.
11:08And, again, we're just trying to be mindful of what actually enhances the playing experience and doesn't feel that anyone is, like, feel cheated out of something.
11:22Yeah.
11:23And missing out on something just because they bought it today and didn't wait.
11:28So, yeah, there are good things coming.
11:33Yeah.
11:34Cool.
11:34But...
11:35I guess because, like, the headless guitar market now is, I mean, it's in a place that has not been ever before, right?
11:42Yeah.
11:42You've got loads of brands kind of coming into this space.
11:45Yeah.
11:45And you guys were kind of the first to kind of get that going.
11:48What are your thoughts on those brands kind of coming in and putting their own spin on the headless guitar?
11:52Well, I think there's still room to, like, increase the acceptance of headless guitar on stage.
12:00I think we're getting very close now to people, like, accepting, yeah, the headless guitar works.
12:06Mm-hmm.
12:07And we hear a lot of players who play it at home, but they're afraid to bring it on stage because people will expect them to be, like, a shredder.
12:17Yeah.
12:17So, I think that needs more work, and the more headless guitars that are out there, I think that that will help reduce that stigma to the extent that it still exists.
12:28I think people are starting to recognize the headless construction as just a means of achieving a better end result.
12:36So, yeah, and I guess kind of to that end, what you guys do well is your guitars are being played by quite a diverse array of artists.
12:44Yeah.
12:44Because you've got plenty, like, proper prog metal guys, but you also got Jacob Collier, who is.
12:48Yes.
12:48From a completely different background.
12:50Yeah.
12:50Kind of, you know, is there more, are you planning to work with more artists in those kind of areas as well?
12:57Like, is that on the cast key?
12:59I mean, we have incredible, like, collaborations already with artists in, like, the, you know, indie folk-type singer-songwriter segment almost.
13:12And we have straight-up block players out there.
13:17And, obviously, we're somewhat pigeonholed still in, like, the prog metal scene.
13:25So, there's a lot of room to grow.
13:29And we try to, like, build a product range that will meet everyone's needs, regardless of music and genre.
13:36Yeah.
13:37And I think the visuals, that's, like, the last barrier we have to tear down.
13:45So, because in terms of playability, in terms of sounds, we have it.
13:49Yeah.
13:49Okay.
13:50So, it's more in the minds of the players that would have more work to do.
13:55I guess, because it is to look at such a modern guitar, right?
13:58Yeah.
13:59And in a market full of, like, traditional vintage guitars, it does stick out.
14:03But I feel like, yeah.
14:04In terms of, you know, the guitar in general, because now it feels like there is, like, this divide between, I want to divide, but you have an area in the market,
14:12which is, like, really focused on ergonomics and progressive guitars, and then another corner, which is very much rooted in vintage kind of aesthetics and specs and stuff.
14:20And where do you see the guitar itself, like, being in, like, five years' time?
14:24What kind of trends are you seeing it going?
14:26I mean, I think the evolution of the guitar as an instrument has always been, like, in tandem with some new musical genre coming out and new, like, needs from the player,
14:39whether it's, like, being louder in a particular setting or achieving some new kind of sound.
14:44So, I'm just hopeful that we'll, like, with the player community that we have already, that we can, like, follow that and tag on to something new that will evolve.
15:00Because that's what really the genesis of the brand was.
15:04I mean, I came along when Fris Letts first came with Summit, Inomisha with Periphery, Tosin Abasi, Animals as Leaders, they were the ones that spearheaded the growth, really.
15:18Right, okay.
15:19Like, and that was an entirely new style of music.
15:22Yeah.
15:22And they had new requirements for the performance of the instrument.
15:26Okay.
15:26And there are other genres of music developing in that same way, and I think currently we're seeing a lot of players, like, moving away from being too technical, moving away from eight strings, but they still want the scaling of, like, down-tuning.
15:43Okay.
15:44But, you know, single pickup, no adornments.
15:47Yeah, okay.
15:48And no expectation of playing a million notes per second.
15:52Yeah.
15:53So, I think that's an example.
15:55And I'm sure the younger generation growing up now, we want to make them feel inspired, and we want to evolve with them and meet whatever needs they might have.
16:08I feel like people who play Strandbergs are the type of people who would, like, be willing to take risks, because I remember Jacob Collier telling me, the five string that he put out was actually, for a while, more popular than the six string.
16:19Yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:20Is that still okay?
16:21Yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:21The five string is so loud, which is crazy.
16:23Because, like, it's a crazy tuning that no one's really heard of.
16:26Yeah.
16:26And he's put it in a signature guitar, and people are like, that's great.
16:29I mean, those kind of things, you know, it's quite positive to see guitar players so receptive to new ideas, right?
16:34Yes.
16:35Yeah.
16:35No, it's very cool, and I mean, it gives us more freedom to come up with weird things, or I'm saying weird.
16:46I don't find them weird, but in the eyes of the general public, it would be considered weird, but I think if you're open to, like, an odd body shape, and multi-scale, and different neck shape, etc., then you're probably open to other things.
17:03Yes, and we don't have to feel limited or held back by introducing something that we truly, like, benefits the instrument or the experience.
17:16Whereas other brands, I think they can easily run into the problem of having more conservative player audience who will just say, no, no, we don't want that.
17:33We want what it always was.
17:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
17:36So, yeah.
17:37That's cool.
17:38Well, congratulations on the new guitar, yeah, and thanks for your time.
17:42And, yeah, it's great seeing you.
17:43Thank you, Taro.
17:44Thank you, Taro.
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