Ben Wasser Shaft #4 Olive Green Medium Relic (2022, Private Stock)

'22 Ben Wasser Guitarworks Shaft #4 Olive Green medium relic, lightweight korina body, ebony board, Lindy Fralin PAFs, only 3.02 kg – from Ede's Private Stock, tour-proven and more

Played live on the 11+11 tour with Höhner – now this Ben Wasser Shaft leaves Meister Ede's Private Stock!

The reason is simple: Meister Ede has received his new custom order from Ben Wasser. That's the only reason this Shaft may now find a new home.

Behind Ben Wasser Guitarworks is luthier Benjamin Wasservogel – with an unusual story: born in Paris and raised in the south of France, he first worked as a lawyer and founded an internet company in the 90s before moving to Israel. In 2010 he began training as a guitar maker in Tel Aviv under Jacob Algranati, in 2014 he launched his first own brand, La Grange Guitars, and in 2022 finally Ben Wasser Guitarworks. In his workshop in Jerusalem he builds in small numbers and strictly to order. His guitars are played by, among others, Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) and Israeli blues guitarist Lazer Lloyd.

The Shaft is the flagship model of Ben Wasser Guitarworks. This one is Shaft #4 (serial number S2204), completed in October 2022. That makes it one of the first Shaft models with which Ben turned the market upside down. Especially when you're establishing yourself as a new builder, every detail has to be right to win new customers in this price range – and you can feel exactly that with this Shaft #4: it scores on every level. The shape alone is a statement: angular, confident and a real eye-catcher on any stage. And it's perfect for anyone who finds an Explorer a bit too big and bulky: you don't have to be 1.90 metres tall to play a Shaft – the proportions always look right, even on smaller players.

Body and neck are made of lightweight korina, the fretboard of ebony. Ben Wasser aged the Olive Green finish himself in his workshop in medium relic style – fine lacquer checking, worn edges and play wear exactly where it belongs. A very successful ageing job that perfectly underlines the guitar's character. The aged gold hardware matches it perfectly.

Sound-wise, two Lindy Fralin PAF humbuckers deliver a warm, open and singing tone. The lightweight korina brings the warmth of mahogany but is livelier and more present in the upper mids, while the ebony fretboard adds a clear attack and defined highs. Chords stay defined even with plenty of gain, leads cut through effortlessly. And at only 3.02 kg it is a real lightweight you'll barely feel on your shoulder even after a long show.

This Shaft has long proven it is made for the stage: Among other occasions, Meister Ede played it live on the 11+11 tour with Höhner – the live photos in the gallery show it in action. For the rigours of touring, Nick Page Guitars renewed the complete wiring of the electronics with high-quality cables beforehand, so everything works flawlessly and reliably.

Tortoise parts are currently fitted. Matching sets in white and black are included as well, each custom made for this guitar at an extra cost of around €150. So you can change the look of the Shaft to suit your taste.

For comparison: new, a Shaft from Ben Wasser costs around 5,000 US dollars. With freight, customs duty and import VAT, importing it to Germany comes to around €5,600 – not counting the two sets of parts. Plus you save the usual waiting time for a custom order.

Apart from the intended ageing, the guitar shows no notable signs of use. It comes in the Ben Wasser Hiscox luxury case with certificate and the additional parts, as pictured. VAT can be shown on the invoice.

A stage guitar with a real tour story from Ede's Private Stock!

The three live photos with logo were taken by Axel Live Pictures.

Price€4,290 incl. VAT