Description
SPIRA S-420 Electric Guitar – Chameleon
The SPIRA S-420 Chameleon is a modern, performance-focused electric guitar built for players who want fast playability, powerful high-gain tones and the expressive possibilities of a locking tremolo.
Based around Spira's contemporary double-cutaway design, the S-420 combines a roasted poplar body with a Canadian roasted maple neck, 24 jumbo frets and a pair of high-output Spira Villain humbuckers. Add a Korean-made Sung-il locking tremolo and you've got a guitar that makes a lot of sense for metal, hard rock, progressive and technical players.
And then there's that finish.
The gloss Chameleon finish shifts in colour depending on the angle and lighting, giving the S-420 a completely different personality as you move it around. Paired with black hardware, it's a striking guitar without relying on an overly complicated design.
Sung-il Locking Tremolo
One of the major features separating the S-420 from the fixed-bridge S-400 is its Korean-made Sung-il locking tremolo system.
Combined with a locking nut, the system allows for everything from subtle vibrato through to wide pitch bends, squeals and full divebombs while providing the tuning stability required for more aggressive tremolo use.
For players influenced by shred, modern metal and the high-performance guitars of the '80s and beyond, it adds an entirely different level of expression to the instrument.
Spira Villain High-Output Humbuckers
The S-420 is loaded with a pair of Spira Villain custom humbuckers using ceramic magnets and approximately 12k output.
They're designed to provide plenty of power while maintaining definition as the gain goes up.
Palm-muted riffs stay tight and articulate, big chords retain clarity and lead tones have enough output to push a high-gain amplifier convincingly.
The straightforward HH configuration is paired with Master Volume and Master Tone controls, keeping the guitar simple where it needs to be.
Roasted Maple Neck & 24-Fret Playability
The Canadian roasted maple neck uses Spira's Modern D profile and features a smooth satin finish.
It's paired with a Hi-Grade Ebony Tech fingerboard, 14" radius and 24 jumbo frets, creating the flatter, faster playing surface preferred by many modern guitarists.
The 25.5" scale provides a firm, responsive string feel, while the double-cutaway body gives easy access right through to the highest frets.
Built for Modern Players
The S-420 isn't trying to recreate a guitar from another era.
The high-output ceramic pickups, 24 frets, flatter fingerboard radius, locking tremolo and bold Chameleon finish are all aimed squarely at contemporary players.
For someone looking for their first dedicated metal or shred guitar, there's a lot of useful hardware already fitted from the factory. For an experienced player, it's an interesting modern guitar with specifications that encourage a completely different approach to playing.
Key Features
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Modern double-cutaway electric guitar
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Gloss Chameleon colour-shifting finish
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Roasted poplar body
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Canadian roasted maple neck
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Satin neck finish
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Modern D neck profile
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Hi-Grade Ebony Tech fingerboard
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14" fingerboard radius
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25.5" scale length
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24 jumbo frets
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Spira Villain custom humbuckers
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Ceramic magnets with approximately 12k output
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HH pickup configuration
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Master Volume and Master Tone controls
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Sung-il locking tremolo
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Korean-made tremolo system
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Locking nut
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Black hardware
Who Is the SPIRA S-420 For?
The S-420 is particularly well suited to metal, hard rock, progressive and shred-oriented players who want the additional expression of a locking tremolo.
If you like the modern feel and high-output approach of the S-400 but want to incorporate divebombs, wide vibrato and dramatic pitch effects into your playing, the S-420 is the natural alternative.
And for players who want something visually different, the Chameleon finish gives this version a look that changes dramatically depending on the light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the SPIRA S-400 and S-420?
The biggest difference is the bridge. The S-400 uses a fixed bridge, while the S-420 features a Korean-made Sung-il locking tremolo and locking nut. This gives the S-420 considerably more scope for expressive pitch effects.
Is the tremolo a Floyd Rose?
No. The S-420 uses a Sung-il locking tremolo manufactured in Korea. It provides the double-locking functionality associated with this style of bridge but should not be confused with a Floyd Rose-branded tremolo.
What does the Chameleon finish look like?
The gloss Chameleon finish changes colour and appearance depending on the viewing angle and the light hitting the guitar. This makes it particularly striking under stage lighting.
What pickups are in the SPIRA S-420?
The S-420 uses a pair of Spira Villain custom humbuckers featuring ceramic magnets and approximately 12k output. They're designed for powerful, articulate performance under higher levels of gain.
Is the SPIRA S-420 good for metal?
Absolutely. The combination of high-output ceramic humbuckers, 24 jumbo frets, 14" fingerboard radius, 25.5" scale and locking tremolo makes it particularly well suited to metal, hard rock, prog and technical playing.
Can you do divebombs with the S-420?
Yes. The locking tremolo and locking nut allow for substantial pitch movement, including divebombs, squeals and other more extreme tremolo techniques.
Is a locking tremolo harder to maintain?
It requires a little more setup than a fixed bridge, particularly when changing string gauges or tunings. The advantage is considerably greater pitch control while maintaining good tuning stability during tremolo use.
Looking to buy the SPIRA S-420 Electric Guitar in Chameleon? Visit us at Coleman's Music in South Melbourne to try one for yourself, or shop online with fast shipping Australia-wide.
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