Maybach '59 Convair Aged Onyx Black (2025, new)

A hand-picked Custom Shop Maybach '59 Convair in aged black, with a fat neck.

Nick Page had already built a first-class reputation in the boutique scene with his own high-end guitars before he took over as head of the Maybach Custom Shop.

With the Convair he's come up with a strikingly handsome design — entirely its own thing, inventive, and yet somehow immediately familiar. It doesn't just look the part; it delivers the sounds to match, with a set of Amber Spirit of '59s fitted.

Through an amp the Convair is hugely dynamic, with an open but substantial core tone. At the bridge you get a forceful tone with plenty of sustain and enough midrange to go with it. In the middle position it's bell-like and open. At the neck it turns warmer and creamier and the guitar sings, especially with a little drive behind it. High-gain sounds come with near-endless sustain and no mud in the bass.

Compared with the '60s Convairs, the '59 versions are a touch more focused in the mids, with perhaps slightly more sustain and softer highs.

Our good relationship with Nick and Maybach let us pick out a pleasantly light example at 3.5 kg, and we've had it PLEK treated on top. It's perfectly set up and ready for the stage — or the living room.

Note the charming, subtle ageing with its fine checking, and how well it sits against the smart binding.