Let's see your GUITAR!

[dubkitty]

it’s not my usual aesthetic, but it’s kind of oddly appealing. certainly more ergonomic than either of the usual Steinberger designs (with/without a traditional body). i think they tried too hard to make it like a regular guitar and wound up with a worst-of-all-worlds scenario where it was too modern for the fogies and too normal for the New Moderns. i haven’t the foggiest notion what the sound like, though. it does seem like the perfect stick-in-the-overhead-compartment guitar, though.

i would be tempted to go totally in the other direction from the stock pickups and go with Bartolinis or something of that nature. something about that style says “super clean” to me.

[backwardsvoyager]

Wise words- trying to make something sound like it’s not is guaranteed disappointment, and I am trying to keep an open mind. We’ll see how it goes!

What stock pickups are in the Salen, are they Suhr? And what did you try to replace with? If you’re willing to share.

It's the Salen Classic (not the newer NX) with Suhr pickups ('Classic T'? they might be custom voiced, not sure).
Tried Lace Sensors, noiseless SDs, hot/cool rails, all sounded pretty bland in comparison.
Since they're designed almost exclusively with ergonomics in mind it's not surprising that the sound profile is a little odd. On the other hand I think they arguably gel with Neural DSP, etc. better than more traditional sounding guitars.

The ergonomics thing cannot be understated, though. Absolute no brainer purchase for anyone with tendonitis or back issues.