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Scroll down for images and information of the guitars James Byrd has used throughout his career



 
The 'Super Avianti'® is now the only electric guitar Byrd uses completely replacing the Stratocaster style guitars used previously. Designed and built by Byrd the guitar takes the best parts from James' two favourite guitars - the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Flying V.

The Super Avianti® uses the tremolo, single coil pickups, bolt on neck (upgraded to 5 bolt) and scale length associated with the Strat, whilst the body shape is derived from the tonal qualities of the V. The neck is scalloped and pickups used by Byrd are DiMarzio Virtual Vintage 54B in the bridge and mid, and a DiMarzio YJM in the neck position.

For more information on these instruments be sure to check out the Byrd Guitar company website

The guitar has 7 different pickup configurations making it one of the most versatile guitars on the market. These guitars are completely a 100% Byrd creation, designed and built by James.

This is the electric guitar heard exclusively on 'Anthem' and 'Flying Beyond The 9'.


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Other Electric Guitars
James has used a number of different electric guitars prior to the Byrd Guitars Super Avianti, below is a selection of some of them. 

ESP Custom Shop Stratocaster
This guitar features a left handed neck, original Floyd Rose tremolo, DiMarzio HS-3's in the bridge and neck, and a DiMarzio HS-1 in the middle. The body is light swamp ash.

The bridge pickup and and routing are reversed showing Byrds' Hendrix influence. Fender issued a guitar with similar modifications on the 'Voodoo Strat'.

This guitar was used on 'Out Of The Temple' and 'The Teacher' as well as various other bits on the album 'Son Of Man'. It was also used for the vast majority of 'The Apocalypse Chime'.

Gibson Flying V
This guitar dates from 1980
and was used to record all of the lead guitar tracks on Fifth Angel’s debut album, after which it was retired and 24 years later, it remains just as it was put away, down to the original strings.

This historic instrument is in outstanding condition; It’s Original Alpine White finish has aged to a rich dark manaila/butter colour, as have it circa 1983 PAF pickups. It features a period correct vintage Gibson “Supertune Vibrola”, nickel Schaller tuners, two cream colored vintage DiMarzio PAF humbucking pickups, dual Bartolini pre-amps hidden under the pickguard, and a very slightly scalloped rosewood fret board.

Ibanez Custom Strat
This guitar is from the period when James had an endorsement deal with Ibanez. Byrd featured predominantly in the company's advertising campaign c.1990.

The guitar is equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo and DiMarzio HS-3 pickups, it has a scalloped neck. The neck itself is super thin; much much thinner than those on the Super Avianti.

Byrd also had one of these guitars in white, Vinnie Moore was another user of this model.


Acoustic Guitars - Other Instruments.
James is no stranger to acoustic instruments and below are a selection of what he uses, also featured are more electrics.

ESP Eclipse
This guitar was also part of Byrd's ESP endorsement. Its a very versatile electro-acoustic.

It has been used on 'In My Father House' (Son Of Man), 'Lighting The Sky' (The Apocalypse Chime'), 'In My Darkest House' (Crimes Of Virtuosity) and 'Some Day' (Anthem).
Ibanez Lone Star Nylon String
This bizarre looking instrument is Byrd's main classical electro-acoustic.

It can be heard on 'In My Fathers House' (Son Of Man) and 'In My Darkest Hour' (Crimes Of Virtuosity) doubling the ESP Eclipse.

Byrd says this instrument is not the best playing but it has great tone.

Fender Custom Strat
This custom shop Fender Stratocaster was built by the late Mark Whittenburg. It was one of the earliest examples from the Fender Custom Shop bearing number 119.

This guitar features an ash body, 1962 style left handed headstock and scalloped rosewood fingerboard. The tremolo is an original Floyd Rose.

Pickups installed are DiMarzio HS-3's in the bridge and neck, and a HS-1 in the middle. Fretwire is Dunlop 6105.

It can be heard on the majority of 'Octoglomerate', roughly half of 'Son Of Man' an all electric parts on 'Crimes Of Virtuosity'.

Fender Ultra Strat
This guitar was modified with the addition of Lipstick pickups which help produce a slightly more grittier single coil tonality. Byrd say the roller-nut on the guitar is "a horrible feature robbing the guitar of a lot if its sustain".

It can be heard on 'Why Have You Forsaken Me', 'Mourning World Blues' (Octoglomerate), the clean solo on 'Son Of Man' (Son Of Man), 'Dolly Dagger' and 'Taking The Long Way Home' (The Apocalypse Chime).

Home News Discography Biography The Byrd Guitar Company Other Guitars
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