James Tyler Guitars Studio Elite | Black Schmear (Vibrato Spec)
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The James Tyler Studio Elite in Black Shmear is a boutique S-style built for serious players who want studio-level versatility wrapped in Tyler’s unmistakable aesthetic. The Black Shmear finish gives it that gritty, chaotic Tyler visual signature, paired with a black headstock and silver “Explogo” logo with the classic “BIABA” tagline — equal parts boutique artistry and irreverent attitude.
Spec-wise, this build was inspired by The Vibrato Bar. It’s no secret that we let the guitars bring the color to the shop, so our brand palette has always leaned black, white, and grey. This Studio Elite mirrors that philosophy — a clean, monochrome, boutique aesthetic we’ve dubbed the “Vibrato Spec.”
Under the hood, it’s all performance. The lightweight alder body keeps things lively and balanced, while the quartersawn Standard ’59 maple neck and ebony fretboard provide a fast, stable feel with added snap and articulation. The wide/tall frets and 1 5/8" nut give you that signature Tyler playability — fluid, comfortable, and super consistent across the neck.
Electronics lean into the classic Studio Elite versatility: JTS5500 single coils in the neck and middle deliver clarity with punch, while the Super humbucker in the bridge adds authority and power when you need to dig in. The lead/rhythm circuit, midboost preamp with bypass, and neck+bridge button provide a massive tonal palette, letting you move from sparkling boutique cleans to pushed lead tones with ease — perfect for session work, live gigs, or home recording.
Rounding it out are Hipshot locking tuners, the G2TS trem, and chrome dome knobs — a stable, true-to-pitch trem system paired with rock-solid tuning performance. It ships in a G&G Tyler Signature hardshell case, completing the boutique package.
If you’re after a Studio Elite with classic Tyler attitude, serious studio flexibility, and a clean monochrome aesthetic, this Black Shmear build checks every box — especially if you appreciate guitars that let their tone and character provide the color.
| Serial | 25792 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7lbs 10oz |
| Model | Studio Elite |
| Body Wood | Alder (Solid) |
| Neck Shape | Standard ’59 |
| Neck Wood | Quartersawn Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Nut Width | 1 5/8" |
| Frets | Wide/Tall |
| Tuners | Hipshot Locking |
| Pickguard | Black Pearl |
|---|---|
| Pickups | Black JTS5500 Single Coils (Neck & Middle) / Super Humbucker (Bridge) |
| Controls | Master Volume, Lead/Rhythm Circuit, Midboost Preamp (Bypass Button), Neck + Bridge |
| Bridge | G2TS Tremolo |
| Hardware | Chrome |
| Knobs | Chrome Dome |
| Finish | Black Shmear |
| Headstock | Black |
| Logo | Silver Explogo (“BIABA”) |
| Case | G&G Tyler Signature Hardshell Case |
What our collectors say.
"Blaise spent an hour with me in the gallery before I even thought about buying. No pressure, just passion. I ended up leaving with the perfect guitar."
"The whole experience felt completely different from any guitar store I've been to. It felt like a private gallery."
"I traded in two guitars towards a PRS Private Stock and the whole process was handled perfectly. Fast, fair, and totally transparent."
"Bought my first boutique guitar through The Vibrato Bar. The attention to detail from the setup, the packaging and the follow-up was all exceptional."