Navigator is renowned for its quality, from its roots right back to the launch of ESP back in 1975 through to today. Navigator guitars are still all handmade, utilize the best woods and materials and in addition to standard models can be custom ordered.

This Navigator ST-500 is a full Custom Order build Strat model which the original owner specified some truly amazing materials to be used on it.

Its body is one-piece Alder beautifully finished in a three-tone sunburst. The maple neck is a soft-V and heavily figured, which I can only describe as flamed, quilted and birds eye. I’ve never seen a piece of maple this highly figured. Fretboard is an equally striking piece of Braz. Finish is nitrocellulose lacquer with plenty of checking already to be found on the full length of the neck and parts of the body.

The bridge is a complete Callaham assembly and the pickups are Budz Hand Wound. This is the first time I’ve had a guitar with Budz pickups and they complement this guitar perfectly vintage Strat tones. The guitar was built on December 24th 2004 and delivered on January 25th 2005.

Navigator craftsmanship is flawless and this is an exceptional one-off, full custom build.