<\/p>\n Periphery superfans who have been barnacled on reddit threads, monitoring the progressive metal institution\u2019s movements and gear choices, would have told you this was coming \u2013 Bowen\u2019s bandmate, Misha Mansoor<\/a>, said as much. But still, this is a big coup for the brand, and it is fascinating to see what comes next.<\/p>\n Latest Videos From Strandberg does not have a large artist roster. It has the Australian prog virtuoso Plini, Swedish metal stalwart Per Nilsson, and of course that bright yellow five-string that it co-developed with Jacob Collier<\/a>. Bowen is pictured playing the S\u00e4len Jazz NX 6 semi-hollow in Strandberg\u2019s official announcement, but has been playing other six, seven and eight-string models.<\/p>\n Presumably he would want to bring his signature DiMarzio Mirage humbuckers<\/a> to the Strandberg platform \u2013 would a modified Boden be in the works? The internet is already calling a prospective signature model the Strandberg Bowen. It\u2019s just one consonant of a difference, an easy lift for the Strandberg marketing team.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n The market for headless guitars has been heating up in the past few years. This is not the \u201880s. They are a mainstream option. They’re just so light. Strandberg has plenty of selling points: including the body shape, hardware, the super lightweight, but especially the EndurNeck profile, which exemplifies the brand\u2019s ergonomics-first approach to electric guitar<\/a> design.<\/p>\n But when more brands are making their own headless models, maybe Strandberg needed to add a high-profile player just to keep things interesting. Strandberg describes it as \u201ca natural alignment between Bowen\u2019s creative requirements and Strandberg\u2019s design philosophy\u201d.<\/p>\n Bowen says it was love at first sight.<\/p>\n \u201cA great guitar should be inspiring the moment you pick it up \u2013 they almost beckon you from across the room to play them \u2013 and when I picked up a Strandberg for the first time I knew it was going to be special,\u201d he says. \u201cAs a guitarist for 34 years, I\u2019ve had a lot of time to discover what works in the studio and on the road. Strandberg guitars offer a lightweight, ergonomic solution without giving up tone, playability, and most importantly that instant source of inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch this space. In other Periphery signature guitar news, Jackson released Misha Mansoor\u2019s EverTune-equipped eight-string Juggernaut<\/a> in May, an extended-range monster that evolved out of a Custom Shop build.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.musicradar.com\/media\/img\/musicradar_logo.svg\"){kind=logo}
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