The Fusion is Brian Kingston's take on the venerable Gibson 335 Thinline.. To find more tone he has replaced the plywood top, back and sides of the "335" with solid select tone woods. The Fusion's mahogany neck, sides, kerfing, centerblock and fully carved back form a homogeneous unit that really warms the tone and feeds the sustain. When the bite of the fully carved premium quilted maple top is coupled with the clarity, articulation and punch of the custom order Lindy Fralin humbuckers and added to the equation the result is that the Fusion is capable of almost pure acoustic sounds right up though those big, fat, creamy Duane Allman sounds.A 2-way adjustable truss rod is flanked on each side by carbon fiber rods that extend from the peghead all the way past the neck joint to the 21st fret. This increases neck stiffness and sustain while adding little extra weight and eliminating the possibility of "dead spots." The plastic bindings of the "335" have been replaced with bindings/purflings of solid ebony and curly maple, and Kingston believes this also adds to the tone and sustain.
The 3-way toggle switch has been replaced with an ultra-smooth 3-way lever switch very accessibly located just off the volume control. The face mounted input jack has been replaced by a flush-mount jack installed in the side on the treble side, lower bout. Unprecedented access to the switch and all electronics is afforded by a small oval access hole in the back. Fusion - Standard Specifications:Body Measurements:
- length - 18 3/4" (inches)
- lower bout - 16"
- upper bout - 11 1/2"
- waist - 9 1/4"
- sides - 1 5/8"Neck Measurements:
- fret scale - 24.562"
- number of frets - 22
- fretboard cutoff - 23rd fret
- fretboard radius - 12"
- nut - 1 5/8"
- 19th fret - 2 1/8"
- string separation at bridge - 2 1/32"Top: fully hand carved solid select flamed maple.Back: fully hand carved solid select mahogany;Sides: fully hand carved and shaped solid select mahoganyNeck: select mahoganyFretboard, headcap face, pickguard: solid ebonyBindings/Purflings: solid ebony and curly maple combinations - all fabricated in shop
- 5 piece: around tops
- 3 piece: around backs
- 2 piece: around fretboard, f-holes, peghead and pickguardPosition markers: MOP triangle sequence on fretboard with 2mm MOP side position dotsNeck particulars: 2-way LMI adjustable truss rod with carbon fiber rods on each side from peghead to 21st fretPickups: custom Lindy Fralin humbuckers; 8K at neck and 9K at bridgeFrets: jumboNut: DelrinBridge: Schaller rollerTailpiece: stop tailpiece, nickel – not fitted – this guitar has the Bigsby trem – upcharge item see belowSwitch: lever, 3-way P-Model Megaswitch
Coil Split: Pull switch on tone controlControls: Master volume, master toneJack: flushmount, located in side on treble side lower boutMachine Heads: locking Sperzel tuners, blackCase: TDK form-fitted plush-lined.Options:
- Bigsby setup with Bigsby tremolo tailpiece and Schaller roller bridge and Delrin nut ($300)