Esoterik Guitars introduce their most affordable guitar yet, the Korea-made dual-humbucker DR1 model.
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This new model carries over the same distinct features of US made Esoterik models, including the neck-through and string-through design, only more competitively priced.
Having the guitar manufactured in Korea, the company was able to cut down the price to as low as a quarter of their US made instruments. They assured that the same design and level of quality inspection were applied in building the instruments.
You are basically getting the same Esoterik quality at a more affordable price. The company says, “For those of you who always wanted an Esoterik but could never afford one, now you can! The first release of the new series is the DR1.”
Next to Japan, Korea has become a popular choice for big name guitar manufacturers when it comes to outsourcing guitar production. And in their attempt to make Esoterik guitars more accessible, the company is now testing the waters so to speak, and is releasing their first line of Korean made guitars, which is the DR1.
The core component of this guitar is its five-piece walnut/figured maple neck that runs straight through the center of the body without any glue or bolts. It is then joined with the mahogany body that features a carved top and concave back, all of which are designed to help improve sustain, comfort and playability.
The superstrat appeal of the guitar is complemented by its familiar 25.5″ scale length and 16″ fingerboard radius. It has an ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, with the higher frets being more accessible, thanks to the seamless neck-through body design and extended cutaway shape. Centered pearl dots and glow in the dark side dots serve as markers to help guide your fretting hand, while the spoke nut truss rod allows for easy neck adjustments without having to unwind the strings.
Giving the guitar its tone are two Seymour Duncan humbuckers, the Distortion/Jazz set. They ares wired to a three-way toggle switch with a separate bridge volume and neck volume knob and one master tone knob.
Other hardware include TonePros tune-o-matic bridge with graphite saddles, GraphTech nut and Gotoh 510 mini tuners. The headstock is topped with an ebony overlay with a mother-of-pearl inlaid logo, while the wood-matched electronics cavity cover plate has a laser engraved Phoenix logo.
The Esoterik DR1 has a natural satin finish and is now available for direct shipping with a price tag of $1,006. The first 60 orders will also receive a $150 discount, lowering the price further to $856. For more information, visit Esoterik Guitars.
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I lived in Korea for 4 years. They make great guitars, and they are priced for the working man/ woman. I brought a Gilmour Modern Tele back with me. It’s was made in a custom shop and only 500 are made a month. I wish I could put it in your hands for awhile; it’s a sweet tone machine with fanatical attention to detail.
BTW, Korea is a very competitive country and they take pride and it’s a matter of honor to make the very best of your ability. I have an older Korean-made Ibanez Artwood that sounds so superior to the Indonesian or Chinese Ibanez guitars.