Are you in search of a versatile guitar that can handle the rigors of live performances across a spectrum of musical genres? Look no further, as we delve into the world of the Fret-King Corona Classic guitar in this comprehensive review. Join us as we follow Dan Holton on his journey to test this guitar's mettle in the realms of Blues, Rock, Funk, and Soul, all to answer the question: Can the Fret-King Corona Classic truly be the workhorse for live gigs?
The Fret-King®️ Corona epitomises Fret-King’s holistic approach to guitar design. Retrospective, yet forward looking this is a guitar ready to take on any musical style. The Corona Classic, with its bridge mounted Fret-King Fifty-Five™️ double coil and mid/neck Vintage Sixty™️ pickups is so versatile. It will deliver everything from full throated, blistering double coil power, to as much nuance as you’d ever like to feed into a tonal palette of staggering breadth.
From a playability perspective, it’s comfort and familiarity all the way. The Vibrato, a Wilkinson®️ WV6SB, is a tour de force. Steel block for tone, 5+1 knife edge, no string trees and Graph Tech®️ nut all work together for near perfect return to zero. If you would like to read up on the full specs of the guitar, including the incredible Varicoil™️ control, click here to find it on their website.
Before we delve into the review, you have a chance to win the very same Fret-King Corona Classic guitar used in this review. Become a member of the YGA Club today and sign up for a 14-day free trial. By doing so, you'll enter the competition completely free. Imagine having this incredible instrument in your own hands – now, let's explore its capabilities!
For our blues exploration, Dan is using the bridge pickup and a lot of adjustment to the volume control. This really highlights the responsiveness of the pickup. We're also using the Tone King plugin by Neural DSP to get our amp tone. Check the video to see how it all sounded. Do. you like the tone we were able to achieve, or was there something missing for you? Fancy jamming along? Use the backing track below.
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For our rock exploration, Dan is using the bridge pickup again but this time to max capacity. Remember that the second tone knob is in fact a Varicoil™ control, which means that as you roll of the "tone" you actually roll from humbucker to single coil sound. We are using the humbucker sound to its fullest. We're also using the Fortin Nameless Suite by Neural DSP to get our amp tone. Fancy jamming along? Use the backing track below.
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For our funk exploration, Dan is using the 4th position, out of phase single coil. This is notorious for delivering a quacky, tin and punchy tone that is perfect for this style of funk guitar. As well as that, we go back to the Tone King plugin by Neural DSP to get our amp tone. How is this funky tone for you? Does it make you scream "Cory Wong", "Nile Rogers" or nothing?! Fancy jamming along? Use the backing track below.
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For our soul exploration, Dan is using the 5th position, neck single coil pick up to get a nice warm single coil. The bridge used as a humbucker would also work, but Dan really wanted a single coil warm sound, which will always happen by the neck on any guitar. As well as that, we go back to the Tone King plugin by Neural DSP to get our amp tone. Fancy jamming along? Use the backing track below.
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After putting the Fret-King Corona Classic through its paces in Blues, Rock, Funk, and Soul, the verdict is clear: This guitar is a true all-rounder, a chameleon that adapts flawlessly to every genre Dan explored. The secret lies in its array of pickup selections and the quality of its controls. From the mellow, introspective notes of Blues to the hard-hitting riffs of Rock, the tight grooves of Funk, and the soulful melodies of Soul, this guitar shines through.
As we wrap up this review, remember that you have a chance to own the Fret-King Corona Classic guitar. By becoming a member of the YGA Club, you'll gain access to a 14-day free trial and automatically enter the competition for this outstanding instrument. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your musical journey with a guitar that has proven itself across genres.