This Round Hill Music Co. spec showcases Tyler's notorious "Shmear" finish which is a multi-layer, organic, finish with swirling that is unique to each guitar. Think, like a fingerprint. No two Shmears are alike.
The Studio Elite HDX is James Tyler’s fully evolved take on the hot-rodded S-style guitar built around session-level versatility, ultra-refined feel, and a very deliberate electronics system designed for real-world recording players.
Tonally, the Studio Elite HDX leans toward a polished, “produced” sound with a wide frequency range, making it exceptionally easy to tailor into a mix. The midboost adds sustain and body in a very controlled way, avoiding the muddiness often associated with active circuits. The switching system unlocks combinations like neck-and-bridge tones or series humbucker textures that go beyond traditional Strat-style wiring.
The California humbucker in the bridge is chunky and punchy with great low mids. Big sounding with balanced upper midrange.
The extremely ergonomic ST64 neck is built for comfort while not being too thin.
