Paoletti Alfa Lounge HH “Stratospheric” Thinline S-Style – Tobacco Burst

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 quite cool! The reclaimed chestnut works in tandem with the thinline construction to make a unique take on a California classic. The aged brass bridge and pickguard with Paoletti’s unique shotgun shell knobs bring just a bit of unique Italian flavor for someone who is looking for something that has a familiar shape with a fresh spin. The pair of Paoletti’s own humbuckers are wired with two volume controls and a master tone.

I was able to get some very convincing 335-esque tones out of the neck pickup. It is rich and full, not too dark but with just the right amount of smokiness. The midrange character of this neck pickup specifically impressed me, as I love how punchy and percussive it becomes with a bit of gain. The fatness of the pickup had me playing a bit of Robben Ford and it nailed that tone!

Every position on this guitar just has an extra bit of air to it thanks to the thinline body, but it sounds especially great in the bridge. Again with the 335 reference… if you are looking for a smaller-bodied alternative to a 335 then this could be the ticket for you.

The bridge position sounds great clean, with just the right amount of brightness to add a very pretty sparkle onto everything you play. Roll the volume back and it takes on an almost acoustic quality. But with gain this guitar totally comes alive, with all kinds of subtle overtones that are just not present in a solid-body guitar. It was a treat to play through a cranked amp and hear the guitar breathe as I played.

How Does It Play?

The neck profile is a comfortable C shaped, full enough to support your hand but it never gets in your way or fights back anywhere on the neck. The 12” radius will be familiar to any Gibson-lover out there, and plays nicely with no buzz across the neck. The string action measures a nice, low 4/64” across all strings at the 12^th fret.

Weight: 7lbs 7oz

The Paoletti hardshell case pictured is included.

Specifications

BODY MATERIAL: Aged Chestnut Wood

BODY COLOR: 205 Tobacco

NECK MATERIAL: Canadian Roasted Maple

NECK SHAPE: Medium "C" Profile

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

FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Exotic Ebony

FRETS: Dunlop 6110

FRETS NUMBER: 22

FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12"

SCALE LENGTH: 648 mm

NUT: Bone

ELECTRONIC: Volume/Volume/Tone CTS Pots 250K / CRL 3Way Switch

TUNING MACHINES: Kluson Deluxe

NECK PICKUP: Paoletti Humbucker Rock II – 7.8K Alnico 5

BRIDGE PICKUP: Paoletti Humbucker Rock II – 7.8K Alnico 5

BRIDGE: Paoletti 6-Screw Tremolo

PICKGUARD: Paoletti Brass

CASE: Hard Case

MISC: Certificate of Warranty & Authenticity