REVIEWS| ELECTRIC GUITARS

SSC-J Steve Stevens Signature

TESTED BY ART THOMPSON

TO DATE, KNAGGS has released several Steve Stevens models, including the SS1 SS2, SSC, SS Severn XF and SS Potomac acoustic. Now comes the SSC-J, a strippeddown LP Junior–inspired affair that has the distinction of being Stevens’ first signature model without a maple top. It features a 24 ¾–inch scale mahogany set neck and a non-contoured body of choice mahogany with sumptuous graining that on my test model was highlighted by a BlackBurst nitrocellulose lacquer finish (see the specs chart for all the available colors). Weighing in at under seven pounds, the guitar feels light and nimble. It’s an inspiring player, with its low action and well-groomed mediumjumbo frets on an East Indian rosewood ’board adorned with pearloid SSC block inlays that are like rectangular versions of Gretsch “thumbprint” markers.

Asked about the inspiration for this guitar, Stevens says, “As the regular SSC model is quite elaborate, we were looking for something more stripped down and at a lower price point. At the same time, I’ve always loved Les Paul Specials and Juniors. —I would borrow Billy Idol’s ’59 Junior for some of our recordings — so the SSC-J neck was inspired by a ’59 reissue that I have. I’m a firm believer that part of the tone of the guitar is due to the front-to-back thickness of the neck. I think I naturally have two mindsets when playing a G-style or S-style guitar, but once there’s a