“I’ve never heard Xotic’s Raw Vintage RV-PAF in action, but now I’m floored by its harmonically rich voice”: Xotic XSS Super S-Style review

What is it?

As funny as this sounds, when a brand sends me a new guitar model outfitted with only one pickup, I say to myself, “That’s bold.”

Releasing a spartan guitar like the Xotic XSS Super S-Style seems like such a throwback to a time when a guy with the initials EVH changed the entire guitar-world landscape by playing guitar with a solitary humbucker and making every guitarist around the globe realize that might be all we need.

Be that as it may, today’s players crave switching options and multiple tonal colors achieved by having more than one pickup.

That being said, I’ve spoken too soon. Even though the guitar I received is an H-model, fortunately, the Xotic XSS is also offered in two other pickup combinations (HSS and HSH) for the more discriminating players.

But as it turns out – after putting this remarkable performance machine through its paces – the Xotic XSS Super S-Style guitar proves that one humbucker may be all I need. It’s that good.

Like a bespoke suit, Xotic’s XSS guitars are practically made-to-measure, and are mostly handmade in their Southern California facility. While the streamlined H-model I received might not be for everyone, you can custom order your preferred specs and finish by filling out their online checklist form.

Yanking this XSS out from its deluxe molded case, it’s instantly clear everything about it appears premium regardless of its bolt-on construction, and frankly, it’s one of the top three guitars I’ve ever held where the fit and finish are flawless.

The “flip-flop” iridescent colorway is captivating; transforming from sparkling green to shimmering purple as you shift it under lights.

Its upgraded build includes a lightweight alder body paired with a graphite-reinforced maple neck with a slightly enlarged headstock, rosewood fingerboard with a 12-16-inch compound radius and black dot inlays, 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets (run through a PLEK Pro machine), heel-mounted truss rod wheel, locking Rotomatic 18:1 tuners, custom vintage-style vibrato bridge with Raw Vintage saddles and five visible RV tremolo springs on its plateless rear cavity, singular volume knob and a sole hand-wound Raw Vintage PAF pickup from Xotic.

Playability and sounds

It’s undeniable that there are plenty of boutique brands fashioning amazing S-style guitars. Xotic is certainly one of those premium custom builders that’s often overlooked – and that’s a real shame because this is a guitar you’ll want to hang with all day and night. I’ve been known to use Xotic’s acclaimed pedals, but I had no idea how good their instruments are until the XSS Super S-Style found its way into my hands.

Scouring its bare-bones build, I’m immediately struck by the pinpoint setup for its floating bridge dialed in for a fair amount of vibrato throw.

Playability is effortless with its balanced tension and as long as you don’t aggressively dive-bomb the trem, the strings return to pitch courtesy of the locking tuners and the lack of string trees pinching them. Xotic states the XSS neck is a “standard C” profile; however, this carve is closer to a flatter “medium C” (think Gibson ’60s LP taper) that plays like a slim and fast-feeling neck.

The stainless steel frets are superb; crowned and leveled to perfection, but if I’m being fussy, I’d point out that the black clay inlays disappear into the rosewood fingerboard yet look undeniably cool contrasted with the guitar’s chameleon-like finish.

Saving the best for last, I’ve never heard Xotic’s Raw Vintage RV-PAF in action, but now, I’m floored by its harmonically rich voice. This hand-wound humbucker screams with responsiveness and clear articulation, all while adding proper doses of sustain and grit as you change its output by simply manipulating the volume control.

It boldly cleans up as you turn down without losing any definition or clarity, and becomes a beast as you turn it up. It’s so responsive and satisfying that you won’t miss having other pickups to switch to, making you commit to one incredibly pure tone – and isn’t that the point?

Verdict

Guitar World verdict: The Xotic XSS Super S-Style electric guitar is a crowning achievement in fit and finish for a streamlined guitar where every detail is positioned to elevate tone and performance.

Specs

LAUNCH PRICE: $3,600 (base H-model)
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Solid-body electric guitar
BODY: Alder
NECK: Graphite-reinforced maple, bolt-on
SCALE LENGTH: 648mm (25.5”)
NUT/WIDTH: Synthetic/42.3mm
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood, 12” to 16" radius, black dot inlays
FRETS: 22, medium jumbo
HARDWARE: Rotomatic 18:1 tuners, custom vintage-style vibrato bridge with Raw Vintage saddles and five visible RV tremolo springs
ELECTRICS: Raw Vintage PAF humbucker pickup
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.67/8.1
LEFT-HANDERS: Yes ($250)
OPTIONS: Numerous custom options, including choice of ash body ($100) and five degrees of aging, pickups – see Xotic's custom order form for full options
FINISHES: Flip-fop finish
CONTACT: Xotic Guitars

Hands-on videos

Xotic

Xotic XSS Super S-Style Guitar demo by Toshi Yanagi - YouTube

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