TURNING JAPANESE

Inspired by 1960s budget axes, Justin Abernethy's Sonic Empress THC combines vintage and modern in an offset design that's built for these times.

- DAVE HUNTER

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN DISSECTING guitars as a teen and opening his own shop half a dozen years ago, Justin Abernethy has worked with several of the finest guitar makers in business today. All of that has inspired the Abernethy Sonic Empress THC, a guitar that reflects some of the most appealing trends of these offset-inspired times.

The guitar shown here is not just any example of Abernethy's cornerstone model but one built specifically for that icon of offset-leaning indie/alt/Americana, Jeff Tweedy, who kindly let GP divert it on the journey from its birthplace in Guadalupe, California, to the Wilco loft in Chicago, for a quick run through its paces.

Although the rather Mustang-like upper bout and more bulbous lower bout may suggest otherwise, the Sonic Empress THC is made to a full 25 1/2-inch scale length, with a width of 1.65 inches across the bone nut and a 12-inch radius to the Indian rosewood board. The bolt-on neck is made from tempered (a.k.a. roasted) maple, and the body is made from tempered pine.

Its Sonic Blue nitrocellulose lacquer finish has greened up nicely due to the factory aging of the clear coat, with further character added by Abernethy's own hand distressing.