PROS: Unique design, great sounds, plays great.
CONS: Shape might not be for “traditionalists.”
PRICE: $699 w/case
There are guitarists that want things vintage, as they were back in the day. The Oktober Annihilator isn’t for those players.
Its shape echoes more of a medieval battle weapon than musical instrument. Designed by Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, if fits their horror show theme very well, with its satin (or Satan) flat black paintjob. The overall fit and finish is excellent; bat inlays adorn the 25.5” scale rosewood fingerboard, and are very well done for an axe in this price range. With 27 frets, it has a definite “shredder” feel to it, with a slim and fast neck-thru design, and of course a Floyd Rose tremolo. Electronics are very simple – just a single “Suckerpunch” humbucker and volume control.
Sound-wise, it is a one trick pony, but it’s one heck of a trick. The tones are tight and aggressive, with plenty of grind for meaty rhythms, and clarity for leads that don’t get lost in the mix. The clean sounds are good, but might need a little EQ to tame some harsh frequencies.
For the modern über metal player, this feels and sounds great. It’s fun to play, and with the extra frets, long octave runs feel limitless. The neck-thru design gives plenty of access to the upper registers with no problems. The floating Floyd Rose tremolo worked great, keeping everything in tune, as it built its reputation on that.
The only downside to the instrument is also what makes it unique: the shape. The balance is a little neck heavy, and finding a guitar stand that this will actually fit in might be tough. It may not be very versatile for other types of music, as it is quite radical looking. But if there’s a guitar that sticks out among the usual Strat copies and single-cut clones, this is it!
SPECS:
Neck: Mahogany
Body: Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood
Frets: 27 Jumbo
Scale: 25.5”
Inlays: Batwings
Bridge: Floyd Rose Special Tremolo
Pickup: Oktober “Suckerpunch”