Faith Eclipse guitars have long been a favorite among performing musicians and guitar enthusiasts, prized for their stage-ready design, robust construction, and focused voicing. Now, the 2024 Eclipse series arrives, a significant evolution that builds on these strengths with exciting new features and enhanced sonic performance.
So, what's new? Let's take a closer look.
Past and Future: A Refined Legacy
The core DNA of the Eclipse remains: a solid Engelmann Spruce top, solid Mahogany back and sides, and that striking Onyx-like black gloss finish. But this new era brings key changes that truly set the 2024 models apart.
Perhaps the most significant is the upgraded electronics, now featuring the Fishman INK BODY preamp system. This innovative system combines an undersaddle piezo pickup with a body sensor, allowing players to blend the two for a richer, more nuanced amplified tone. A dedicated "body" control knob provides intuitive control, opening up new possibilities for tonal shaping.
Beyond the electronics, Faith has introduced a beautiful figured maple forearm contour—a first for the series. This ergonomic design enhances playing comfort, particularly during long performances. The contour blends seamlessly with figured maple binding, elegantly complementing this new feature.
Finally, reflecting Faith's commitment to sustainability, the new Eclipse guitars are entirely free of animal products. Traditional abalone and mother-of-pearl inlays have been replaced with beautifully figured maple, effortlessly demonstrating that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
The Eclipse guitars have always been praised for their balanced tone, offering a blend of presence and warmth that shines both on stage and through an amplifier. These modernized models elevate that signature sound even further.
The Fishman INK BODY system allows for a more expressive and dynamic amplified tone, capturing the nuances of a player's style with greater accuracy. The addition of the body sensor adds depth and complexity, creating a more "acoustic" sound even when plugged in.
Beyond sonic improvements, the ergonomic forearm contour enhances playability, providing a more relaxed and comfortable experience, especially beneficial for guitarists logging long hours on stage. This contour also offers an unexpected tonal benefit: by allowing the player's arm to rest comfortably, it relieves pressure on the guitar's top, resulting in a more unadulterated and resonant tone.
Key Features: A Closer Look
The 2024 Eclipse series boasts several standout features. The Fishman INK BODY Preamp is a game-changer, offering a wider range of tonal possibilities, from crisp and bright to warm and rich, all easily accessible through intuitive controls. The figured maple forearm contour significantly enhances playing comfort, reducing fatigue and promoting a more natural playing position. And, of course, the use of sustainable materials underscores Faith's commitment to environmental responsibility, adding a unique aesthetic touch in the process.
The 2024 Faith Eclipse guitars aren't just a step forward, they're a revelation. Upgraded electronics breathe new life into their sound, offering a spectrum of tones from delicate whispers to robust roars. Enhanced ergonomics cradle the player, inviting hours of exploration. And with a commitment to sustainability, these instruments resonate not only with rich harmonies but also with a clear conscience.
More than mere stage companions, the Eclipse guitars are refined instruments, each a testament to exceptional tone, effortless playability, and undeniable style. Choose your voice from the intimate array of sizes: the commanding Neptune in 6 or 12-string, or the ever-popular Venus, an orchestra model that sings with its own unique charm.
The classic combination of a Solid Spruce Top and Solid Mahogany back and sides ensure you have a superb unplugged sound, with an ideal blend of presence and full-bodied tone.
This Faith Neptune 12 String model is based upon Patrick James Eggle's highly acclaimed 'Saluda' shape.
Faith Eclipse models are designed as the ultimate ‘stage guitars,’ with workhorse reliability yet maximum performance capability. And they always look awesome in the spotlight.
