Paoletti Alfa Lounge HSS Maple Fretboard “Stratospheric” w/ Case–Heavy Surfgreen

Information

Brand New w/ Warranty. We are an authorized Paoletti Dealer.

Like what you see? All photos are of the exact instrument you will receive.

Formerly known as the Stratospheric, the Alfa model is Paoletti's S-Style guitar featuring 130-150 year old reclaimed chestnut body and superb custom hardware appointments. It is available in SSS, HSS and HH configurations and in both the solid body "Loft" and thinline "Lounge" variations.

What Does Parker Think?

This Paoletti Alfa Lounge is full of rustic vibe! I really like how this sets itself apart from a typical Strat. The chestnut body lends a unique more mid-forward character, and the thinline construction adds a beautiful top-end air. For anyone looking for a Strat that is a bit left-of-center this is perfect.

The neck pickup is punchy and clear, and sounded great both clean and with a bit of gain! It totally nailed the SRV tone into a pushed clean amp, very addicting! The neck pickup definitely will make any Strat-lover happy. It is both bright and fat, without feeling super scooped as some Strat pickups can be.

The middle pickup has a flatter EQ profile to my ear, so it translates the mid-forward nature of the guitar nicely. I liked it for cleaner leads, as they felt like they were not as colored and I was able to get a more natural and even attack. It sounded great when I spent some time channeling my inner Clapton, as the middle pickup is historically his favorite!

The bridge pickup is built to rock, but sounded great both clean and with dirt! I liked how it sounded clean for some more acoustic-like rhythm playing, but where it really shined for me was with gain. Run straight into a Bad Cat Hot Cat the bridge humbucker screams, with just the right bite when you dig in. I love how interactive it felt with the amp, like the output was in my hands and my picking dynamics.

This Strat can cover a ton of ground!

How Does It Play?

The neck is a comfortable C shape that feels great in the hand. It is not a thin neck, but is not too chunky which I appreciated as someone with hands on the smaller side. This Alfa Lounge comes with a 12” radius as well, which makes for a nice even playing surface anywhere on the neck. The string action measures just a touch over 4/64” on the low E string at the 12^th fret, and right at 4/64” on the high E.     

Paoletti wires their S-styles in the traditional configuration of neck & middle pickups on independent tone knobs, with the bridge pickup going straight to volume pot for maximum punch and clarity. If you prefer to have the bridge pickup wired up on the second tone knob, just inquire about having us do it for you!

Weight: 7lb 3.8oz

The Paoletti hardshell case pictured is included.

Specifications

BODY MATERIAL: Aged Chestnut Wood

BODY COLOR: 415 Heavy Surfgreen

NECK MATERIAL: Canadian Roasted Maple

NECK SHAPE: Medium "C" Profile

NECK DIMENSIONS: 21mm 1^st fret, 24mm 12^th fret

FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Canadian Roasted Maple

FRETS: Dunlop 6110

FRETS NUMBER: 22

FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12"

SCALE LENGTH: 648 mm

NUT: Bone

ELECTRONIC: Volume/Tone/Tone CTS Pots 250K / CRL 5Way Switch

TUNING MACHINES: Kluson Deluxe

NECK PICKUP: Paoletti 60's – 7.5K Alnico 5

MIDDLE PICKUP: Paoletti 60's – 7.5K Alnico 5

BRIDGE PICKUP: Paoletti Rock II – 7.8K Alnico 5

BRIDGE: Paoletti 6-Screw Tremolo

PICKGUARD: Paoletti Brass

CASE: Hard Case

MISC: Certificate of Warranty & Authenticity

Reviews