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'.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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). |
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