First Act Delia LE002 Semi-Acoustic Guitar

Without even plugging the Delia in, there is plenty of depth, resonance and sustain from the natural acoustics of the instrument. Coming with a premium flame maple top and Honduran mahogany back and sides rounded off by solid single white binding, the burst effect is dramatic and effective and is further enhanced by the gold hardware. The two First Act humbuckers deliver quite a punch and are similar in sound and response to the PAFs of the late 1950s – there’s a real warmth, but with a distinct edge, particularly in the lower register. The Delia has exceptional sustain characteristics, which come not only from its “set neck” construction, but also from the “string thru” body’ system. We liked the low profile tunamatic style bridge which allows for a comfortable playing position and also the simple placing of the two “top hat” volume and one tone control – although more head would have been welcome. The flame maple “set” neck with it’s walnut centre strip and heavy white binding is cut to a deep ‘C’ profile, which will no doubt suit the more traditional player, while the ebony fingerboard resembles a slab of black marble, split up on a shorter 25” scale, with 22 jumbo frets and faced with unique hammerhead mother of pearl inlays. String action came factory set for ‘optimum’ performance however, from a purely personal standpoint I would have lowered the action by about 1mm at the 12th fret. The simple and clean headstock is a 3+3 Pompadour and carries a set of gold Grover Rotomatics. Coming in a substantial preformed and padded flight case (now essential kit) with pressed steel clasp locks, the Delia is a class act. For more info www.arbiter.co.uk