This one had been heavily cannibalized before I got it. It was missing the original pre-amp or active EQ it came with from the factory leaving a couple of taped-over holes where the original pots and switch were. It would be near impossible to find an original active circuit for it so I used the additional cavity space and holes to add some creative tone mods. With the mini switch in the up position the standard tone pot is used, and with the mini toggle down the signal is routed to the lower two controls. One controls the amount of rolloff like a standard tone pot, and the other determines which of two different capacitors the signal is routed through. Much like a Varitone switch with infinite settings. I wasn't sure how it would work out but after I plugged it in and fired it up I was impressed. I will probably have to replace the audio taper rolloff pot in the varitone circuit with a linear as it tends to roll off the treble too quickly towards the end of the sweep. The main thing is it does some cool stuff (better than leaving gaping holes in the front)!

Like the Electra-Phoenix here, it is equipped with brass nut and SOLID brass bridge including saddles and screws. Man was that a bitch to clean and polish! It looks to be an ash capped maple body, but I could be wrong. The sound is bright with excellent sustain. The knobs are from two early 80s Aria Pro II guitars, the standard pots from another, and the 80s Matsumoku MMK61 pickups from another. It was loaded with a DiMarzio in the neck (which sounded great) and an unknown American made in the bridge. The MMK61s have a wonderful vintage output and tone and are rather crunchy, although I roll a bit of that off with the tone. It is nowhere near original, but the Working Man was designed to be just that. A player's guitar, and man does it play! I may replace the bridge pickup later with something a bit hotter, but for now it's a great blues and classic hard rock guitar.