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DeMars Guitars
Guitarists performing on the road certainly have a different set of criteria for their ideal guitar. DeMars Guitars has gone to great lengths to address these needs when designing their unique acoustic-electric, the Viridis Guitar.
 Guitarists performing on the road certainly have a different set of criteria for their ideal guitar. DeMars Guitars has gone to great lengths to address these needs when designing their unique acoustic-electric, the Viridis Guitar. Weighing in at little over five pounds and measuring only two inches thick, the specifications are certainly not that of a standard acoustic guitar. In short, DeMars has reengineered the acoustic to optimize its performance for those rough trips on the road.
The biggest, immediately noticeable difference with the Viridis is that it is actually a chambered solidbody, rather than a traditional hollowbody acoustic. This fundamental variation aims at reducing the cracking and warping caused on traditional acoustics by changes in weather conditions. Simply put, if this guitar travels down the West Coast from Seattle to Phoenix, players won’t have to worry about the top cracking. The body is also designed to fit comfortably with the contours of the player’s body.
Beyond the solidbody design, the Viridis employs a distinctive string setup that eliminates the need for bridge pins – which can be hard to deal with in dark backstage areas. In lieu of bridge pins, DeMars holds the ball ends of the strings in ferrules on the back of the guitar. Not only does this simplify things backstage, it alleviates upward pressure on the top of the guitar. In addition, players have the option of using steel or nylon strings with the guitar.
The Viridis also uses an original pickup system. Two separate piezo pickups – one at the traditional under-saddle location, and the other at the neck heel – capture the influence of the neck on overall instrument tone. Despite the presence of two pickups, there’s no phase cancellation or any other undesirable effects.
For other hardware, the Viridis features Planet Waves AutoTrim tuners and a PowerBlend 2-channel onboard 9V preamp. Additionally, each channel can be optimally EQ’d (bass, midrange, treble, gain) on the preamp board within the control cavity. Also within the cavity, the relative volume of each pickup can be adjusted via two small dials. For quicker changes, there is a master volume control on the bridge.
Aesthetically, the Viridis strives to set itself apart from acoustics, while still having a somewhat traditional appearance. In the traditional spirit, the 25.5” scale length guitar is available with either a spruce or a flamed maple top, with only natural finishes. Also, the soundhole is traditionally round, though it is only round for aesthetics rather than function – the chambered body eliminates the need for a round soundhole.
The bolder side of the Viridis is exemplified in its small size and black and white contrasting herringbone trim. The body is basswood, finished in opaque black for a bold look, though it can also be ordered with a mahogany body. Additionally, the black painted headstock features holes that give it a modern, art deco look, complimenting the gold hardware.
DeMars Guitars
demarsguitars.com
802-649-2098
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