St. Vincent Goldie by MusicMan: The Design Guitar I Discovered Live
It’s hard to draw the line that defines a “design guitar” because, at the end of the day, all guitars are designed in some way. But it’s clear that this term refers to guitars where the designer’s work takes center stage.
A few months ago, I found a clear example of a design guitar: the St. Vincent Goldie by MusicMan, during a concert by Usted Señálemelo, a band from Mendoza redefining Argentine music with their mix of rock, psychedelia, and experimentation.
The concert was an amazing experience at Loco Club, a venue that offers an intimate setting with high-quality sound. In my opinion, it’s the ideal place to enjoy powerful bands.
Now, to be honest, what stuck in my mind the most after that night wasn’t just the music (which is brilliant), but the guitar played by their guitarist, Gabi “Coco” Orozco.
From the very first song, that guitar had me intrigued. Its asymmetric, futuristic design was unlike anything I’d seen before. But what really caught my attention was its sound: gritty, textured, and full of nuances. Its solid body filled the space with incredible depth.
That night, I was introduced to the MusicMan St. Vincent Goldie. At the time, I didn’t know it, but that guitar would be on my mind for weeks.
Back at home, I started digging into it. What makes this guitar so special? Why does it look and sound so different from the usual? And most importantly, is it as good as it seems? After researching, trying it out myself, and spending hours analyzing it, here are my conclusions.
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Design Guitar: A Work of Art Made for Music
There’s no other way to put it: the St. Vincent Goldie is beautiful. And I say that with confidence. Designed in collaboration with Annie Clark (St. Vincent), this guitar has an aesthetic like no other. Although its silhouette might slightly remind you of a Gibson Explorer, its asymmetric shape blends modern, minimalist lines in a way that’s elegant and sophisticated.
The body, made of okoume, is lightweight and super comfortable to play standing up. The metallic gold finish (in the “Goldie” model) is a showstopper in itself: under the lights, it seems to come alive, shifting from soft gold to more intense tones depending on the angle. It’s the kind of guitar you not only want to play but also hang on a wall as a piece of art.
The roasted maple neck not only gives it a deep amber color that perfectly complements the body but also ensures stability in changing climates. It’s slim, fast, and extremely comfortable, something you’ll notice from the first chord. Additionally, the ebony fingerboard, smooth and precise with a 10-inch radius, makes it versatile for both chords and solo bends.
Sound: Versatility with a Modern Edge
At the heart of the St. Vincent Goldie are its three Music Man Custom Mini-Humbucker Gold Foil pickups, designed exclusively for this model. From the first note, it’s clear these aren’t your average pickups. They strike an impressive balance between clarity and warmth: delivering the definition of single coils with the robust body of a traditional humbucker.
The five-way selector switch allows you to explore a wide range of tones. For solos or saturated riffs, the lower-end combinations provide a tonal richness that can fill any mix.
That said, here’s something important to note: this guitar has a modern character. If you’re a fan of traditional blues or vintage tones, it might lack some of the color and rawness that classic pickups provide. But for genres like funk, pop, alternative rock, or even experimental music, it’s a tool that truly shines.To better understand what I mean, check out this Usted Señálemelo performance on KEXP, where Gabi “Coco” Orozco uses the St. Vincent Goldie to explore everything from crystal-clear chords to powerful riffs:
And if you want to see the origins of this guitar, don’t miss Annie Clark (St. Vincent) showcasing its full potential at the Austin City Limits festival. It’s a great way to appreciate not only its sound but also the context it was designed for:
Construction and Ergonomics: Details That Make a Difference
In terms of ergonomics, the St. Vincent Goldie is designed with comfort as a priority. Its lightweight build and excellent balance make it ideal for hours of standing performance. But if you’re like me and spend a lot of time playing seated, it might feel slightly less comfortable. The asymmetric body shape doesn’t always rest naturally on your leg—a minor issue but one that may take some getting used to.
The hardware is another highlight: the MusicMan tremolo bridge is stable and precise, even with heavy vibrato use. Meanwhile, the locking tuners make string changes a breeze and ensure rock-solid tuning stability.
As for the materials, everything is built to last. From the okoume body to the ebony fingerboard and the flawlessly finished frets, this is a guitar that feels premium from every angle.
Is This Guitar for You?
The MusicMan St. Vincent Goldie isn’t for everyone, and that’s part of its charm. If you’re looking for a unique design, versatile sound, and a modern approach, this guitar could be your new best friend. On the other hand, if you’re more into classic guitars with a vintage character, this might not be what you’re looking for.
For me, I love what it represents: innovation, design, and functionality. But I’ll admit it doesn’t feel completely natural to me. Maybe it’s my preference for heavier instruments or more traditional shapes. Still, I completely understand why artists like Gabi Orozco and Annie Clark have chosen it as their creative tool.
I encourage you to hear this guitar in action through the videos I shared. Beyond words, this is an instrument you need to hear and feel to fully understand what it offers. If you ever get the chance to try one, don’t hesitate—it might surprise you as much as it surprised me that night in Valencia.
What Do You Think of the St. Vincent Goldie?
If you’re already familiar with it or have thoughts on its design or sound, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. For more reviews and insights from my luthier’s perspective, follow my column in Luthier Magazine. See you in the next article!
St. Vincent Goldie by MusicMan: The Design Guitar I Discovered Live
It’s hard to draw the line that defines a “design guitar” because, at the end of the day, all guitars are designed in some way. But it’s clear that this term refers to guitars where the designer’s work takes center stage.
A few months ago, I found a clear example of a design guitar: the St. Vincent Goldie by MusicMan, during a concert by Usted Señálemelo, a band from Mendoza redefining Argentine music with their mix of rock, psychedelia, and experimentation.
The concert was an amazing experience at Loco Club, a venue that offers an intimate setting with high-quality sound. In my opinion, it’s the ideal place to enjoy powerful bands.
Now, to be honest, what stuck in my mind the most after that night wasn’t just the music (which is brilliant), but the guitar played by their guitarist, Gabi “Coco” Orozco.
From the very first song, that guitar had me intrigued. Its asymmetric, futuristic design was unlike anything I’d seen before. But what really caught my attention was its sound: gritty, textured, and full of nuances. Its solid body filled the space with incredible depth.
That night, I was introduced to the MusicMan St. Vincent Goldie. At the time, I didn’t know it, but that guitar would be on my mind for weeks.
Back at home, I started digging into it. What makes this guitar so special? Why does it look and sound so different from the usual? And most importantly, is it as good as it seems? After researching, trying it out myself, and spending hours analyzing it, here are my conclusions.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Design Guitar: A Work of Art Made for Music
There’s no other way to put it: the St. Vincent Goldie is beautiful. And I say that with confidence. Designed in collaboration with Annie Clark (St. Vincent), this guitar has an aesthetic like no other. Although its silhouette might slightly remind you of a Gibson Explorer, its asymmetric shape blends modern, minimalist lines in a way that’s elegant and sophisticated.
The body, made of okoume, is lightweight and super comfortable to play standing up. The metallic gold finish (in the “Goldie” model) is a showstopper in itself: under the lights, it seems to come alive, shifting from soft gold to more intense tones depending on the angle. It’s the kind of guitar you not only want to play but also hang on a wall as a piece of art.
The roasted maple neck not only gives it a deep amber color that perfectly complements the body but also ensures stability in changing climates. It’s slim, fast, and extremely comfortable, something you’ll notice from the first chord. Additionally, the ebony fingerboard, smooth and precise with a 10-inch radius, makes it versatile for both chords and solo bends.
Sound: Versatility with a Modern Edge
At the heart of the St. Vincent Goldie are its three Music Man Custom Mini-Humbucker Gold Foil pickups, designed exclusively for this model. From the first note, it’s clear these aren’t your average pickups. They strike an impressive balance between clarity and warmth: delivering the definition of single coils with the robust body of a traditional humbucker.
The five-way selector switch allows you to explore a wide range of tones. For solos or saturated riffs, the lower-end combinations provide a tonal richness that can fill any mix.
That said, here’s something important to note: this guitar has a modern character. If you’re a fan of traditional blues or vintage tones, it might lack some of the color and rawness that classic pickups provide. But for genres like funk, pop, alternative rock, or even experimental music, it’s a tool that truly shines.To better understand what I mean, check out this Usted Señálemelo performance on KEXP, where Gabi “Coco” Orozco uses the St. Vincent Goldie to explore everything from crystal-clear chords to powerful riffs:
And if you want to see the origins of this guitar, don’t miss Annie Clark (St. Vincent) showcasing its full potential at the Austin City Limits festival. It’s a great way to appreciate not only its sound but also the context it was designed for:
Construction and Ergonomics: Details That Make a Difference
In terms of ergonomics, the St. Vincent Goldie is designed with comfort as a priority. Its lightweight build and excellent balance make it ideal for hours of standing performance. But if you’re like me and spend a lot of time playing seated, it might feel slightly less comfortable. The asymmetric body shape doesn’t always rest naturally on your leg—a minor issue but one that may take some getting used to.
The hardware is another highlight: the MusicMan tremolo bridge is stable and precise, even with heavy vibrato use. Meanwhile, the locking tuners make string changes a breeze and ensure rock-solid tuning stability.
As for the materials, everything is built to last. From the okoume body to the ebony fingerboard and the flawlessly finished frets, this is a guitar that feels premium from every angle.
Is This Guitar for You?
The MusicMan St. Vincent Goldie isn’t for everyone, and that’s part of its charm. If you’re looking for a unique design, versatile sound, and a modern approach, this guitar could be your new best friend. On the other hand, if you’re more into classic guitars with a vintage character, this might not be what you’re looking for.
For me, I love what it represents: innovation, design, and functionality. But I’ll admit it doesn’t feel completely natural to me. Maybe it’s my preference for heavier instruments or more traditional shapes. Still, I completely understand why artists like Gabi Orozco and Annie Clark have chosen it as their creative tool.
I encourage you to hear this guitar in action through the videos I shared. Beyond words, this is an instrument you need to hear and feel to fully understand what it offers. If you ever get the chance to try one, don’t hesitate—it might surprise you as much as it surprised me that night in Valencia.
What Do You Think of the St. Vincent Goldie?
If you’re already familiar with it or have thoughts on its design or sound, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. For more reviews and insights from my luthier’s perspective, follow my column in Luthier Magazine. See you in the next article!