Erickson Design Associates
Erickson Design Associates
Presents
Classic Looks, Revolutionary Performance
The Austin line of guitars draws its inspiration from the early vintage thinline guitars, blending tradition with new, player-friendly design innovations for unrivaled performance. The Austin models blend the best qualities of alder, cedar, bubinga, and maple woods into a con curvature body for great tones and maximum playing comfort. All Austins come standard with a 4+2 headstock configuration (4 by 4+2 on the CR-10), but our ever-popular 6- inline dove headstock is available upon request. A smooth neck joint heel allows for easier fret access with the best possible combination of strength, resonant tone and sustain.
The Austin line comes in three body sizes varying from the largest, the CR-1 hollowbody, to the smallest, the CR-lead solidbody. These varations in body size as well as the three angle contoured tops and the fully integrated components are designed to optimize the playability and tonality of each instrument according to the style of musical performance required. Play an Austin, just once, and you’ll wonder why someone did’t build an instrument like this before.
The
AUSTIN CR-1The Dream Has Been Achieved!!!
Classic looks, Revolutionary Performance.
For years, guitarists have dreamed about the ultimate guitar: an instrument that could provide the sounds of a full-bodied acoustic, a solid-bodied electric, and the warm tones of a semi-hollow body...all rolled into an attractive, sonic chambered player-friendly design...a single guitar that could do the work of five!Erickson Makes the Dream a Reality with the Austin CR-1. The crown jewel of the Austin line, the CR-1's design is based on the classic looks of the early thinline-style guitars. The maple neck is outfitted with an ebony fretboard, one of the smoothest natural playing surfaces available. In addition all CR-1s are equipped standard with Sperzel locking tuners.
What really makes the Austin CR-1 so special is the variety of sounds and tones, and the unbelievable sustain capabilities of this hollow cedar topped guitar. The single coil pickups are actually stacked humbuckers. These provide the classic single coil sound without the "buzz" frequently associated with single coil electronics.Additional Surprising CR-1 Features. Now for some special features of Austin CR-1. Hiding beneath the bridge is a state-of-the-artTone Hound Acoustic Sensor pickup. The sensor, coupled with an additional sonic chamber in the body, give the CR-1 an amazing acoustic sound.
Teamed with the pickup package is Erickson's own power balance control system. This controls the power flow going to the pickups enabling the guitarist to dial in everything from a complete acoustic sound to an all-electric sound, and any number of acoustic/electric blends, all with the twist of a knob. Just imagine...no more scrambling to change guitars between songs!
Erickson's SJ System - A Patented Feature.
The Austin CR-2 or Austin CR-2H
The crowning touch to the Austin CR-1 is Erickson's patented Theory "Z" System components. As professional artists such as Dennis Agajanian and Mark Bonilla can attest, the "SJ" enhanced components installed at the bridge and nut enable the guitar strings to provide maximum sustain and the purest tonal quality possible.
The Austin CR-1. The Ultimate Country / Rock / Blues Guitar. Today's popular
country, as well as rock and blues, require the working musician to be equipped to provide acoustic and electric guitar sounds with minimal down time between songs. The Austin CR-1 meets those needs and much more with a split-second turn of a knob, while providing unparalleled tone and sustain. And, like all Erickson guitars, your Austin CR-1 will be handmade by our master luthiers at the Erickson custom facility in Fountain Valley, CA.Beauty and Simplicity in Design for Unmatched Performance!
A Perfect Blend of Beauty and Performance.
The second guitar in Erickson's series of Austin guitars is the CR-2. For players who alternate between roles as rhythm and lead guitarist, the CR-2 gives the best of both worlds by offering a variety of sound and tone options in a design that is kept simple for quick, on-the-fly changes. Guitarists who work in more than one musical genre will find that the Austin CR-2 is well-suited for all musical styles, including rock, metal, country, rhythm & blues, and jazz.Solid or Sonic Chambered Body: It's your choice! The Austin CR-2 comes standard as a solid body, but at your request, the Erickson luthiers will be happy to outfit your guitar with a cedar topped sonic-chambered hollowbody (Austin CR-2H) to better suit your playing needs. That's why every guitar Erickson offers is handmade to your order and specifications; making the right guitar to suit your exact needs is what we're all about!
What makes the Austin CR-2 so versatile is the variety of sounds and tones achieved by the pickup configuration, and the simple, user-friendly controls. The standard pickup array consists of neck and bridge humbuckers, each with its own coil-splitting switch, and a single coil pickup in the middle position. In addition to the coil-splitting switches are two volume controls, one tone control, and a five position selector lever.
This electronics setup enables you to create up to nine different sounds on your CR-2 guitar, from thick humbucking tones to the wailing lead guitar tones of a single coil pickup. Hiding beneath the bridge of the CR-2H is a state-of-the-art Tone Hound Acoustic Sensor pickup. The sensor, coupled with an additional sonic chamber in the body, give the CR-2H an amazing acoustic sound. No matter what style of music you play, the Austin CR-2 or 2H have the right sounds for you!
Theory "Z" System - A Patented Feature.
The crowning touch to the Austin CR-2 is Erickson's patented Theory "Z" System. As professional artists such as Risky Business and Mark Bonilla can attest, the SJ components installed at the bridge and nut enable the guitar strings to provide maximum sustain and the purest tonal quality possible.The Austin CR-2 and Cr-2H. The Versatile Guitar for Today's Hardworking Musician. Today's varied and highly-competitive music styles require musicians to be more versatile than ever, and their instruments must be able to fill a variety of roles. The Austin CR-2 and CR-2H meets those needs and much more with a split-second reach of a finger, while providing unparalleled tone and sustain. And, like all Erickson guitars, your Austin CR-2 will be handmade by our master luthiers at the Erickson custom facility in Fountain Valley, CA.
Austin CR-1012 String Sound With 6 String Playability!
The Sound of the Electric 12-String is Back! The full sound of the electric 12-string guitar is enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the nineties. No longer considered just a "rock" guitar, the 12
string sound is also very prevalent in the music of today's popular new country artists. The major problem with nearly every 12-string guitar is the additional strain and tension on the neck and bridge created by the pull of the extra strings. This tension also causes the strings to be much stiffer, decreasing their playability and increasing the frequency of broken strings. Over the last twenty years, however, there have been no new innovations in 12-string guitar design...Until now!Introducing the Austin CR-10 by Erickson. The Austin CR-10 by Erickson provides a breath of fresh air among 12-string electric guitars.The solid body of the CR-10 combines all the best qualities of alder and maple hardwoods to produce a rich, warm tone with excellent sustain. The 24-fret neck is made from bubinga wood and features a fretboard honed from Macassar ebony for an eye-catching, ultra-smooth natural playing surface.
The Austin CR-10 Uses 10 Strings!?!
That's right!!! The Erickson master luthiers have conquered the tension and playability problems of 12-stringed instruments by designing the Austin CR-10 as a 10-string guitar. By using ten strings, the neck tension on the CR-10 is greatly reduced, giving the strings more life and flexibility; they play and bend almost as easily as those on a typical six-string guitar! The only strings missing from a typical 12 string setup are one "B" and one "High E;" therefores, the CR-10 still retains the big octave sound of a 12-string guitar. The Austin CR-10 gives you the best of both the 6- and 12-string worlds!The CR-10's electronics feature two humbucker pickups, each with a coil-splitting switch for single-coil capability. Teamed with a 3-position lever, this simple system provides you with eight different pickup settings for your Austin guitar.
A frequent complaint among 12-string guitar players is the amount of time spent tuning their instruments. Erickson solves this problem by incorporating Sperzel locking tuners as a standard feature for all Austin CR-10 guitars. All you do is tune up, lock in the strings, and you're ready to play! Also, the locking feature of the Sperzel tuners eliminates the need for multiple string windings. This means you spend a lot less time and arm fatigue when changing strings, an important benefit when playing a 10 or 12 string guitar!
Austin CR-LeadThe Ultimate Performance Machine!
Specifically Designed for the Lead Guitarist.
The third guitar in Erickson's series of Austin guitars, the CR-L is specifically created to meet the needs of the lead guitarist. The solid cedar body is smaller than that of the CR-1 or CR-2, allowing you more freedom of movement. The fretboard on the 22 fret maple neck is left as maple in order to provide a brighter tone for cutting leads. As an option, we will be more than happy to install an ebony fretboard if you prefer its naturally smooth playing surface and a slightly deeper tone to your guitar. Since each and every Erickson guitar is made to order, it's your call!Outstanding Performane in Any Musical Style.
The CR-L gives the best of both worlds by offering a variety of sound and tone options in a design that is kept simple for quick, on-the-fly changes. Guitarists who work in more than one musical genre will find that the Austin CR-L is well-suited for all musical styles, including rock, metal, country, rhythm & blues, and jazz.
Humbucker Drive. Single Coil Scream. Have it All at Your Fingers. What makes the Austin CR-L so versatile is the variety of sounds and tones achieved by the pickup configuration, and the simple, user-friendly controls. The standard pickup array consists of neck and bridge humbuckers, each with its own coil-splitting switch, and a single coil pickup in the middle position. In addition to the coil-splitting switches are two volume controls, one tone control, and a five position selector lever.
This electronics setup enables you to create up to nine different sounds on your CR-L guitar, from thick humbucking tones to the wail of a single coil pickup. No matter what style of music,the Austin CR-L puts the sounds you want right at your fingertips!
Theory "Z" System - A Patented Feature.
The crowning touch to the Austin CR-L is Erickson's patented Theory "Z" System. As professional artists such as Risky Business and Mark Bonilla can attest, the SJ components installed at the bridge and nut enable the guitar strings to provide maximum sustain and the purest tonal quality possible.
The Austin CR-L. Designed and Handmade for the Best Lead Guitarists. Today's varied and highly-competitive music styles require musicians to be more versatile than ever, and their instruments must be able to fill a variety of roles. The Austin CR-L meets those needs and much more with a split-second reach of a finger, while providing unparalleled tone and sustain. And, like all Erickson guitars, your Austin CR-L will be handmade by our master luthiers at the Erickson custom facility in Fountain Valley, CA.
The Cheshire Line: The Only Way These Guitars Play Better is Lessons
The instruments of the Cheshire line are carved Arch Top Guitars with con curvature backs. The all Cheshire bodies are made of a combination of Alder and Maple except for the RB-1 which is Bubinga with a cedar top. These bodies are ergonomically designed to follow the guitarist's natural body contours for maximum comfort while producing a full and bright tone. For greater body resonance and enhanced tone the body/neck heel is gently molded into a smooth blend. This also provides for an easier fret access, while adding strength. The cutaways near the neck are deeper and wider than typical strat-style bodies, allowing greater freedom of movement when soloing. The lesson you will learn from playing one of these instruments will become very obvious. You should have bought one sooner.
Cheshire RB-1The Cheshire RB-1 is designed to sound good both acoustically and when amplified. The concurvature Bubinga body is completely hollowed out into sonic-chambered tone cells except for the central mounting area for the top and pickups. The Arch Top is made of cedar wood and is only attached at the central mounts; it is suspended over the body cavity, providing enhanced acoustical bass responce, resonance and sustain. The pickups consist of bridge and neck humbuckers with coil switching capabilities and a single stacked pickup in the middle position. Tone Hound Acoustic Sensor Pickup System is also installed as a standard configuration to capture the rich acoustic tones when amplified.
Cheshire RB-2Slightly smaller in body size than the RB-1, the Cheshire RB-2 is available as either a solid body (RB-2 or a sonic-chambered hollow body (RB-2H) guitar. The body is made of Alder wood with a Maple face. The pickup configuration consists of bridge and neck humbuckers with a middle single stacked pickup. The WEB Acoustic Sensor System is also available on either body style.
Cheshire RB-LeadDesigned with the lead guitarist in mind, the RB-Lead is about 10% smaller in body size than the RB-1, and is made of solid Alder with a figured maple face for great lead tones and a strikingly beautiful finish. The maple fingerboard is angled at the heel for additional frets and playability. The RB-Lead has single stacked pickups in the neck and middle positions, plus a humbucker with coil switching capabilities located in the bridge position.
The Seraph Line:
The Highest Level of Performance
In the Bible, there are several references to a Seraphim, the highest level of angels. Like its namesake, the Seraph line of guitars offers the highest level of quality, playability and angelic performance expected from such an elite instrument. The master luthiers at Erickson have molded the traditional shapes of the past into the pinnacle of functional form. The Seraphs integrate Wolff Erickson International state-of-the-art SJ System components, Tone Hound Acoustic Sensor System transducers and an innovative Erickson concurvature body into an instrument worthy of paradise.
Seraph CR-LeadFly as high as you can. All you have to worry about is getting back down!
Outstanding Performane in Any Musical Style.
The Seraph CR-L gives the best of both worlds by offering a variety of sound and tone options in a design that is kept simple for quick, on-the-fly changes. Guitarists who work in more than one musical genre will find that the Seraph CR-L is well-suited for all musical styles, including rock, metal, country, rhythm & blues, and jazz.
Humbucker Drive. Single Coil Scream. Have it All at Your Fingers. What makes the Seraph CR-L so versatile is the variety of sounds and tones achieved by the pickup configuration, and the simple, user-friendly controls. The standard pickup array consists of neck and middle single coil format humbuckers and a standard sized bridge humbucker, each with its own coil-splitting switch. In addition to the coil-splitting switches is one volume control, one tone control, a five position selector lever and teamed with the pickup package is Erickson's own power balance control system. This controls the power flow going to the pickups enabling the guitarist to dial in the most popular electric tonal blends, all with the twist of a knob.
Erickson's SJ System - A Patented Feature.
The Seraph CR-L is also integrated with Wolff Erickson's patented Theory "Z" System. The Theory "Z" components installed at the bridge and nut enable the guitar strings to provide maximum sustain and the purest tonal quality possible.The Seraph CR-Lead - Designed and Handmade for the Best Lead Guitarists. Today's highly-competitive music styles require musicians to be more versatile than ever, and their instruments must be able to fill a variety of roles. The Seraph CR-L meets those needs, while providing unparalleled tone and sustain. And, like all Erickson guitars, your Seraph CR-L will be handmade by our master luthiers at the Erickson custom facility in Fountain Valley, CA.