For the discerning guitarist, the name Erik van de Haar represents the pinnacle of European boutique guitar building. Handcrafted in IJsselstein, the Netherlands, this Haar Trad JM is not just a tribute to the classic offset designs of the 1960s; it is a refined evolution. Every element of this instrument has been selected to provide a professional-grade playing experience that balances the raw character of a vintage instrument with the reliability of modern high-end hardware.
The foundation of this Trad JM is a lightweight, resonant Swamp Ash body. Finished in a tastefully "aged" Sherwood Green, the guitar looks and feels like a well-loved heirloom. This choice of tonewood provides a snappy, articulate response with a firm low end and sweet highs, ensuring that the guitar cuts through the mix whether you are playing clean ambient textures or gritty garage rock.
The neck is a masterpiece of ergonomics, carved from Quartersawn (QS) Maple for maximum stability and topped with a dark, luscious Indian Rosewood fingerboard. It features a modern "C" profile that feels familiar and comfortable, paired with a compound radius of 9 to 11 inches. This compound radius is the "gold standard" for playability: it allows for comfortable chord work near the nut while flattening out as you move up the fretboard to prevent notes from "choking" during high-register bends.
Electronically, this Haar is a powerhouse. It is equipped with hand-wound Fralin P-90 PAF pickups. These pickups offer the punch and clarity of a P-90 but with a sophisticated harmonic complexity reminiscent of a vintage PAF humbucker. To further expand your sonic palette, the guitar includes a push/pull tone pot, allowing for versatile switching options that make this instrument a true Swiss Army knife in the studio or on stage.
Hardware is where many offset guitars fail, but not this one. Haar has equipped this model with the legendary Mastery M1 Bridge and a JM Tremolo. The Mastery bridge is widely regarded as the best solution for offset vibrato systems, eliminating the common issues of string slippage and buzzing while drastically increasing sustain. Complemented by SD91 Ivory tuners and a genuine bone nut, the tuning stability and resonance are second to none.
This Haar Trad JM is more than the sum of its parts. It is a soul-stirring instrument that invites you to play, offering a tactile response and a tonal richness that only a hand-built guitar can provide.
Model: Trad JM
Body Wood: Swamp Ash (Aged)
Finish: Sherwood Green
Neck Wood: Quartersawn Maple
Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood
Neck Shape: C Profile
Radius: 9"–11" Compound
Frets: 55090
Pickups: Fralin P-90 PAF (Neck & Bridge)
Bridge: Mastery M1 / JM Tremolo
Electronics: Push/Pull Tone Pot, Dome Knobs
Tuners: SD91 Ivory
Nut: Bone
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
| Brand | Haar |
|---|