Strandberg Boden Metal NX 7 Tremolo BK

You probably know and have heard a lot about Strandberg already so I will keep this brief:

Pros:
+ Extremely ergonomic, lightweight, very comfortable. Just a great step forward in guitar shape innovation. Also very portable.
+ Very well built, solid, sturdy. Very resonant and good sustain even unplugged.
+ Excellent neck finish, very smooth. Endurneck shape is alright, it does not interfere at all if you already have decent technique.
+ Very good, smooth fretwork comparable to Ibanez Prestige.
+ Light multi-scale balances tension very nicely across all 7 strings and is easy to get used to.
+ Tremolo is stable and very smooth, just a little bit tighter than an Edge or a Floyd Rose. Stays in tune really well.

Personal:
* Fishman Fluence Modern pickups are hot and very clear, lots of harmonics and great note separation. Excellent for technical metal but may not be for everyone.
* With a choice of 2 voices, coil-tap and different amp gain/EQ settings, I think they are quite versatile and can cover blues, rock and 80s metal. "Boden Metal" is basically just the body shape and color scheme.

Cons:
- Body may be a tad bit soft. Dings possible.
- Zero-fret "ding" is a thing, but not very noticeable.
- Difficult and dangerous to place on a regular stand, but an adjustable universal stand or some multiguitar racks should work.

Additional thoughts:
* The specs do not mention this model has the newer roasted maple neck and ebonol fretboard, making it completely up to date in the Strandberg catalogue as of 2026.

I did pay Thomann for a setup before shipping and at least in my case, the guitar arrived well intonated, with no buzz or dead frets, decent string action and with no manufacturing flaws. After a minor retuning, the guitar played flawlessly right out of the box. This setup required a long waiting period though, but I was kept informed and updated which is reassuring for an order in this price range.

In conclusion, the guitar is well worth its price tag, it's very well put together and extremely comfortable to play. It is also much more versatile than you'd expect, basically a "shred"-friendly beast with a 7th string and a variety of tonal options. This (and the Boden Prog) might be the only/best choice if you are looking for a multi-scale 7 string with a tremolo that is not a custom shop guitar.

Accompanied by the Thoman QM service, I think this is a very safe purchase.

After extensive time with this guitar, I can confidently say this is the finest guitar that's ever been in my hands. From the moment I opened the case, it was clear this instrument is built to last and perform at a high level.

The factory setup was absolutely flawless – no adjustments needed whatsoever. The quality control is evident in every detail, with no imperfections found on the instrument. The string tension was dialed in perfectly right out of the box, making it immediately playable at a high level. As a bonus, the included gig bag is of excellent quality and provides great protection for transport.

What truly stands out is how comfortable it is to play. Whether sitting or standing, I can play for hours without any discomfort. The guitar is incredibly light, which means it doesn’t strain my back during long sessions. This makes it ideal for both live performances and extended practice.

This guitar exceeded my already high expectations. The combination of perfect factory setup, excellent build quality, and thoughtful details like the premium gig bag make this an outstanding value. If you're considering a high-end 7-string, this guitar is an investment you won't regret.