Elite Traveler May-June 2018

elite traveler MAY/JUNE 2018 44

The Fender Stratocaster’s upgrades include a ‘Deep C’ shaped neck with narrow tall frets

Technology

PLAY ON

American dream

Each Edelweiss piano is designed by master craftsmen and artisans, and every componment is customizable

Create your own musical masterpiece with an Edelweiss player piano — they are fully customizable, with hundreds of design options, right down to the keys. Choose every element from legs to lid, with a wide range of colors and finishes, from classic midnight black to statement-making gold. And thanks to a hidden iPod and an invisible bank of precision electronic solenoids, the Edelweiss can play 400 preprogrammed songs — no live pianist required. The instruments are assembled by 1066 Pianos, a world-renowned workshop in Cambridge, England, that was founded in 1975 by a physicist who wanted to apply the precision of science to restoring and building fine pianos. Each piano is lovingly tended to by 1066’s master piano craftsmen and artisans until the best possible finish is achieved. We love this chic white and gold edition, a classic addition to your home. The full line of Edelweiss self-playing pianos ranges from the upright Klavier U46 (46.5in tall) to the boudoir grand Flügel G75 (75in tall). The firm’s Sygnet G50 is officially the world’s smallest self-playing grand piano at just four-foot-two. From $50,000, edelweisspianos.com

There are few more iconic rock-star

accoutrements than the Fender Stratocaster. Eric Clapton’s weapon of choice, Buddy Holly’s preferred companion (and Kurt Cobain’s occasional punching bag), the Strat has been wielded by many megastars. First introduced in the 1950s, the Strat has been revamped, and this model, along with 16 others, comprise the American Professional Series. With a slew of technological upgrades developed by ‘pickup guru’ (aka chief engineer) Tim Shaw, the treble-bleed circuit is tailored specifically for the guitar’s voice, and the V-Mod single-coil pickups are voiced precisely for each position, mixing alnico magnet types to produce powerful, nuanced tones. The modern ‘Deep C’ shaped neck with narrow-tall frets makes bending strings a breeze, and the color schemes can be customized. As with previous versions of the Strat, left-hand versions are available so you don’t have to play it upside down à la Jimi Hendrix,

unless you really want to. From $1,960, fender.com

TAKE THREE/// TURNTABLES

Beloved by purists, hipsters, audiophiles and everyone in between, turntables have rocketed in popularity since the vinyl revival

KLIMAX LP12 The Linn Sondek LP12 is the legendary benchmark that all other turntables are measured against. The LP12 has withstood the test of time and has been considered the best of the best for over four decades. It can be designed to your own specifications, and each component can be upgraded to the latest and best edition, including the preconfigured flagship edition, the Klimax LP12. From $26,100, linn.co.uk

ONEDOF While skiing Quandary Peak in Colorado, the idea for Onedof came to NASA engineer Aleks Bakman. He envisioned a perfect bearing: self-centering, non-resonating, friction-free and with zero tolerance. The result of almost a decade of trial and error, the Onedof is a thing of jaw-dropping beauty and sound clarity. It eliminates all resonance thanks to liquid suspension, and its aerospace-grade materials gleamwith 24K-gold plating. From $105,000, onedof.com

WALKER PROSCENIUM BLACK DIAMOND V The Proscenium turntable has attracted many accolades over the years, and this latest version, the Black Diamond V, does not disappoint. A specially treated, fine-grained crystalline material reduces static buildup and cancels EMI, RFI and microwaves, and it is friction- and resonance-free thanks to the air-bearing arm and platter and adjustable air suspension. We love the black-and-gold design, a delightful nod to the roaring 1920s. From $110,000, walkeraudio.com

Words Samantha Coles