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Product Review: Minarik X-Treme Lotus
By Douglas Baldwin
Marc Minarik has been turning heads ever since he unleashed the radically cut-up Diablo in 2002, and his flame-shaped Inferno can be seen in the hands of artists as diverse as surf-rocker Dick Dale, metal legend Lemmy Kilmister, and Maroon 5’s James Valentine. Only in comparison would one dare call the Lotus a conservative design, and as part of the Minarik X-Treme series it packs a load of playability into a high-quality import model.
LOOKS AND CONSTRUCTION Based on a single-cut body shape, the Minarik Lotus sports patented “Tone Tails” – scalloped mini-cutaways – at the tail and upper left bout, making it a shade more fulsome than your average solid-body. With a maple cap on a mahogany body, there could be weight issues, but both the scales (8-1/2 lbs. on our reviewed model) and my back agreed that this is quite a comfortable axe. The flat black finish is more like a gunmetal gray in normal light and transmits a distinct Goth/industrial vibe that’s reinforced with other details: the crop circle inlay patterns on a very dark rosewood fretboard, the Gothic “Tone Perfect” lettering on the pickups, and the silk-screened ornamentation on the stop tailpiece (which wouldn’t look out of place on the calf of your favorite guitarist).
The setup on our reviewed model was excellent, with .009-.042 strings set low yet totally buzz-free and medium jumbo frets that were flawlessly set up and polished. The black Tone Perfect hardware felt firm and proved rattle-free, and a peek inside the electronics cavity exposed high-quality pots and rugged wiring, tightly bundled with nylon ties.
SOUND The Minarik Lotus has a bright attack and full, sustained acoustic tone that accurately honors it’s maple-capped, single-cut heritage. The Minarik-designed, Alnico V-loaded “Tone-Perfect/All Versatile” pickups split the difference between a vintage ‘bucker and a contemporary high-gain transducer. They favor a lively midrange, making the guitar a no-brainer for aggressive rhythm work and high-gain leads. If you play the occasional hyper-clean intro in your music, expect a bit of compression and a slightly wooly bottom end. “The Lotus is a lean and mean guitar,” states President Bill Minarik, “yet we designed it to be versatile enough for both studio and live work.”
IS IT FOR YOU? Whether you opt for gloaming Flat Black or one of the many other available finishes, the Minarik Lotus makes a bold visual statement. Follow that assertion to its musical conclusion and you’ll find the Lotus to be an ideal instrument. For aggressive guitarists on their way up or pros who wish to leave their collectibles at home, the Minarik Lotus is well worth checking out.
FEATURES
Mahogany body with maple cap
Set mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard and 24-7/8” scale
Dual volume and tone controls, 3-position switch
Minarik-designed “Tone Perfect/All versatile” pickups
Available in a wide range of solid and translucent burst finishes
PRICE
Burst finishes $749.00
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