Spectral Sound
In a fitting start to my evaluation of the
305, I plugged it into a PRS 30 amp set
to a clean tone. Toggling through the five
pickup configurations quickly revealed
the 305’s potential stylistic versatility. The
305 neck pickup has smooth warmth that
is good for jazz, and combining the neck
pickup with the middle pickup results in a
clear, bold sound perfect for funk, while
switching on the middle pickup alone adds
more midrange edginess. The 305 bridge
pickup is rich, bright, and sparkly, and
whether combined with the middle pickup
or on its own, it has a kick, snap, and
twang that’s perfect for playing your favorite
country licks or snarling rock.
When I threw a little amp overdrive into
the mix, the 305 became even more fiery
and alive—and it sustained with superb
clarity. Using the different pickup positions,
I was able to get a fat, throaty blues
tone, a biting Hendrix-like overdrive, or
a bright, singing lead tone with the flick
of a switch. The 305 pickups have a wider
dynamic range than your average singlecoils,
so you have the punch and detail of
single-coils but with a fatter, warmer tone.
Chugging power chords were muscular
without being muddy, and even the notes
in a more complex chord like an A13 rang
out distinctly.
The super-effective Tone knob gives the
305 a wealth of tones to the mix, too.
Whether I set the amp for clean or dirty
settings, I felt any pickup setting had several
distinct voices that I could access by
moving the tone knob through its range.
And it was easy to transform aggressive
fuzz to more subdued distortion, or move
from biting lead work to warm jazzy
moves, with a quick adjustment.
I used the 305 for a number of recording
sessions, including some music for television
commercials and some music cues
for reality television, which demanded
fast moves between completely different
musical styles. In every case, the 305 had a
voice to fit the bill—whether it was blues,
rock, spy/surf music, R&B, or country it
performed flawlessly. Producers and engineers
never have patience for a guitar that
always goes out of tune, so thankfully tuning
and intonation were never a problem.
Nor did the 305 have any problem moving
between various amplification or processor
configurations—it sounded bold, clear,
and cutting through tube amps and simulator
plug-ins such as Digidesign Eleven
Rack, Native Instruments Guitar Rig, and
Line 6 Pod Farm. Indeed, the 305 was the
very model of versatility, consistency, and
reliability—enabling my work in the sessions
to go smoothly, quickly, and without
performance issues.
The Verdict
With the 305’s alder body, single-coil pickups,
and 5-way pickup selector, comparisons
to a Strat are inevitable. Nevertheless,
there are some substantial differences. The
305 has a wider frequency response, and
although the 305 single coils aren’t completely
noiseless, they are quieter than your
average single-coil. The 305 also resonates
with more sustain that a Strat, thanks to
the set neck design. And components like
the Phase II locking tuners and solid, stable
bridge ensure that the guitar stays in tune
better than the average vintage instrument.
The 305 is an exquisite instrument of
superb workmanship and playability. It may
or may not replace your vintage single-coil
guitar, but it’s a nice option if you want a
guitar that takes the single-coil concept to
the next level.
Buy if...
you want a versatile, reliable
single-coil guitar with modern
enhancements.
Skip if...
you’re after classic single-coil tones.
Rating...
