The Echopark Direct Tone Series
Photo: Guitar.com
Echopark Guitars is based in Detroit, Michigan and has roots in Southern California with a lineage that dates back to Leo Fender himself. For years, owner and master luthier, Gabriel Currie has built unique guitars for musical luminaries such as Joe Perry, Josh Homme, Jackson Browne and other prominent artists. His Echopark Guitars have been long sought after because of their excellent craftsmanship, playability, and classic styling. Now Gabriel is applying his years of unmatched experience as a builder and has created the Echopark DT (Direct Tone) Series of guitars. The idea behind the Echopark DT Series is to not only get a great, USA made guitar in the hands of players, but more importantly to get the right guitar in their hands. The line consists of nine instruments, all of which are suited to the tastes of the most discerning player. The price range on these guitars range anywhere from $1,377 to $3,980 and each model can be customized with a variety of options tailored to each player.
The Echosquire is the latest addition to the line and is the most affordable at a base model price point of $1,377. This is Echopark’s version of an E style guitar that is a no frills, one-pickup tone machine. The options for this guitar include either a rosewood or maple fretboard and a choice of three classic colors to go along with its ‘tron style pickup. This guitar would be considered the student model of the Echopark line, but what the players will soon learn is that this is a well-priced guitar made in the USA with a custom shop feel.
The Echocaster ESQ is another one-pickup rocker that offers a few more custom options than the Echosquire, but at the same price for the base model. This model features a single vintage spec T style pickup, a script style E on the upper body, three color options, two pickguard options, and an option for an aged finish. Fans of the Raconteurs would’ve recognized this guitar on tour last year with Brendan Benson and more recently session ace, Matt Sweeney has added one to his arsenal as has the dynamic singer songwriter, Margo Price.
The Echocaster the next step in the T style series for Echopark Guitars. This model features the most customization options compared to the previous two models, most notable are a larger variety of color options and pickup configurations. This guitar features two pickups and they range from lipstick pickups, to P-90s, and a gold or silver coil option. The base model starts at $1,995, but given all of the options available for this guitar, it’s quite a good value.
The ‘59 Series of guitars harkens back to some specific Junior guitars that were also made in Michigan in the late 1950s. This two-pickup, double cut away tone beast starts at $2,395 and features an all mahogany body, set neck design, and a number of custom options including: fretboard wood, color, pickups, and aging as well. Dean Fertita, also of the Raconteurs, has been known to use one on stage as has Charlie Starr of the band, Blackberry Smoke.
Much like the ‘59 Series, the La Carne model starts at $2,395 and features a lot of the same custom options as the ‘59. The body shape of this guitar is reminiscent of a Wilshire style guitar and has a plethora of super sounds can easily be coaxed out of this slab of mahogany. A few years ago I was able to demo a La Carne and the two impressions that I was left with was how comfortable the neck felt in my hand and how useful of a tool this would be in any guitarist’s rig. This guitar, like most that Gabriel makes has two pickups, two knobs, and an endless variety of tonal options.
In my opinion, the Esperanto 313 is the pinnacle of the Echopark line and there’s a reason it’s the go-to guitar for Queens of the Stone Age frontman, Josh Homme. This guitar features the best of everything that Echopark has to offer and starts at $3,980. This guitar may not offer the same amount of custom options as some previous models, but it doesn’t need to. You can select from a number of color options, various pickup configurations, and some different tone selecting options. This guitar was inspired by a combination of an early 30s D’Angelico along with a late 30s Montgomery Ward archtop. Gabriel then added his own imagination to the design of the Esperanto and every detail of this guitar is hand selected for optimized playability. This semi-hollow body features the best of the best and its quality is unequaled.
The Downtowner, like the ‘59, is Junior inspired and features a unique single cutaway design. This guitar is also priced at $2,395 and features all of the same options as the ‘59 and La Carne, but caters to those who prefer that single cutaway design. I first became aware of this guitar almost 10 years ago when I saw Jonny Wickersham of Social Distortion playing one. If you know anything about Jonny and Mike Ness, then you know that they are savvy about their gear and only play vintage or vintage inspired stuff.
The last two models in the line are the Arroyo and Model D. The Arroyo is a more stylized version of the La Carne with its vintage style but modern flair. Brendan Benson has a signature model available in this style and the base price for this guitar starts at $2,495. The Model D is the type of guitar that Johnny Ramone would’ve played at CBGB is the late 70s. The base model for this guitar starts at $2,595 and offers the same options as the Arroyo, but this has punk rock feel that doesn’t try to be anything more than a well-built, no nonsense guitar.
These Echopark Guitars really do run the gamut of anything that someone would be looking for in a guitar. A lot of these are either priced the same or similar to other models in the line which gives the player a lot to choose from, while never having to compromise. Echopark offers amps, pedals, and pickups as well, so check out everything that they have to offer and maybe you’ll find your perfect instrument in the process.
