Yahoo Autos Kiesel unveils the A2, a future-forward offset electric guitar and bass that marks the dramatic evolution of the Aries
Kiesel Guitars has announced its new A2 series, debuting an all-new body shape that takes the ergonomics of 21st-century stringed instrument design pretty darn seriously. The A2, aka the Aries 2, takes the Kiesel Aries design for electric guitar and bass guitar and vigorously modernizes it.
The A2 does not replace the Aries. You’ll still be able to buy one from Kiesel; after all, it is the most popular model in the line-up, inspiring signature guitars for the likes of Sophie Lloyd. But you’ve got to push things forward every now and again, and the A2 does that.
Taking cues from its headless guitar design, the A2 sports an offset body shape, a shorter lower horn, with a shrunken top bevel on the guitar’s top and revised rear bevel giving it a very different feel to the original Aries. Kiesel promises a more comfortable ride, and safe passage to the top end of the fretboard via an extra-sculpted neck heel. Heck, they’ve all but done away with it altogether.
Guitarists of a certain vintage might class the A2 as ultra-modern but with that more classic six-in-line headstock – a deliberate choice not to make it too modern – we are some way off the powdered foodstuffs and brain implants vibe that you get with some über-futuristic designs (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Other new features that catch the eye include the Access output jack, which is located on the rear of the body and pointed upwards lest you get your guitar cable caught in something and accidentally yank it out.
As ever with Kiesel, the world is your oyster. There is always the option of building your own unique shred machine. The core specs, however, offer plenty of choice. All of the A2 models, guitar and bass, are offered in regular or multiscale configurations, with Hipshot bridges as standard.
The multi-scale guitars have Hipshot’s Solo Saddle bridge design, and measure 25.5” to 26.5” for the six-string model, 25.5” to 27” for the seven-string guitar, and 26” to 27.5” for that big ol’ djent-friendly beast of an eight-string.
