The Guitar Player's Resource
Ever notice how Sophie Lloyd makes those complex instrumental passages look effortless in her YouTube videos? It starts with having the right guitar - something that can handle both technical precision and raw musical expression.
When Sophie Lloyd designed her signature Aries, she wasn't just thinking about tone - she was considering how a guitar needs to perform in today's multi-platform music world, where your instrument has to deliver both in the studio and on camera.
That Iron Age killswitch isn't a gimmick - it's a creative tool that opens up rhythmic possibilities that traditional guitar switching can't touch. Lloyd understands that modern instrumental guitar sometimes needs those dramatic dynamic cuts that make viewers sit up and take notice. The minimalistic rear bevel modification to accommodate the killswitch shows Kiesel's attention to both form and function.
The chambered black limba body is where this guitar gets really smart. You're getting sustain and resonance that rivals much heavier instruments, but at a manageable 7.8 pounds that won't leave your shoulder screaming after extended playing sessions. That translucent teal over flamed maple creates visual depth that photographs beautifully - crucial when your guitar needs to look as good as it sounds on video.
But here's what separates this from other artist signatures: the Sustainiac system integration. This isn't just bolted-on technology - Kiesel redesigned the control layout to make it feel natural and intuitive. Combined with those Lithium humbuckers, you've got infinite sustain when you want it, but clean, articulate tone when you don't.
The royal ebony fingerboard with that 14" radius strikes the perfect balance between comfortable chording and effortless single-note runs. Those Luminlay side dots aren't just practical for dark stages - they add a subtle high-tech vibe that matches the guitar's forward-thinking approach.
Body: Chambered Black Limba
Bridge: Hipshot Fixed Bridge, .4125" (10.5mm) Spacing
Construction: Bolt-on with radiused neck heel
Electronics: Master Volume And Tone Controls, 5-Way Blade-Style Pickup Selector, and Iron Age Kill Switch
Fingerboard: Royal Ebony With 14" Radius
Finish: Translucent Teal
Frets: 24 Stainless Steel Medium-Jumbo, .103" Wide X .048" Tall
Hardware: Chrome
Headstock: Pointed 3x3 Headstock with Flamed Maple Overlay painted to match body
Inlays: White Pearl Staggered Offset Dots With Standard Black-Ring Luminlay Super Blue Side Dots
Neck: Tung-Oiled walnut With 2-Way Adjustable Truss Rod And Dual Carbon-Fiber Rods For Additional Strength & Stability
Pickups: Direct-Mount Passive Kiesel Lithium Humbuckers with black pole pieces
Top Wood: Flamed Maple
Truss Rod Cover: Sophie Lloyd Signature Truss Rod Cover
Tuners: Premium Kiesel Locking Tuners, 19:1 Ratio
Weight: 7.8 lbs
