Strandberg Boden N2 Original

The most advanced Boden platform to date arrives, bringing with it choice upgrades and pickups designed in collaboration with Fishman

- BY MATT OWEN

OLA STRANDBERG HAS helped spearhead something of a headless-guitar renaissance following the launch of his eponymous brand in 2012. He's also brought an entirely fresh perspective on guitar design to the table, forgoing conventional approaches and manufacturing norms for an overarching ethos centered around one foundational pillar: “Play more.” This is realized by bold guitar designs optimized for ultimate playability, embracing ergonomics and stroke-of-genius specs that position player comfort as a priority.

The Boden N2 Original is the next generation of the Strandberg school of thought, positioned as the brand's most advanced platform to date. Highlights include the chambered swamp ash body, which is incredibly light (just over 5 lbs. for our test model) but robust, and the roasted birdseye maple neck and fretboard, which has been adjoined to the guitar via a comfortable contoured four-bolt neck design.

The 20" radius fingerboard is beautifully finished with a lively, low action that never frets out. The Jescar 57110-S stainless steel fret finishing here is impossible to fault, and the smooth finish of the neck itself works in tandem with the quirky profile to facilitate some mind-bending maneuverability. Although the multi-scale design is an acquired taste, it's a surprisingly intuitive experience here. The Luminlay inlays and side dots are an added bonus for darker environments.