Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged
The Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged pairs a premium wood and hardware specification with Adam Christianson's signature design. Its fixed bridge and humbucker layout suit players seeking a focused electric guitar rather than a tremolo-equipped all-rounder.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged review
The Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged is Adam Christianson's signature guitar, associated with his work in Architects. Its listed specifications describe a fixed-bridge, six-string electric guitar with a swamp ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and two humbuckers. This assessment is based on the supplied product details only. No customer reviews are available, and there is no basis here for claims about its sound, comfort, build quality, or performance in use.
The model is listed at a price of 3555 and has been available since September 2026. It is made in Poland and finished in Monolith Arctic White with an aged appearance and black hardware. The data lists no separate top, so the body specification is swamp ash without a stated additional top wood. A gig bag is included; a hard case is not.
Body, neck, and playing dimensions
The bolt-on maple neck has a D-shaped profile, measuring 22 mm thick at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. These measurements provide a clear description of the neck's depth at two points, but they do not establish how it will feel in a player's hand. The scale length is 645 mm, or 25.4 inches, and the nut width is 43.5 mm, or 1.71 inches.
The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm, or 12-inch, radius and carries 24 extra-jumbo frets. Those details indicate a relatively flat fingerboard radius and larger fret wire by the manufacturer's stated classification. Actual fret height, fretwork, and setup are not specified. The nut is made from Graph Tech TUSQ, a named component that can be identified from the listing, though no further material or setup details are provided.
Pickups and controls
The pickup layout pairs one Velvetrone Ironside humbucker at the bridge with one Velvetrone Solium humbucker at the neck. Controls consist of a volume control and a five-way switch. The supplied information does not explain the switch positions or identify the wiring combinations available in each position. It would be speculative to assign particular coil-splitting or pickup-selection functions without that information.
There is no tone control listed. That is a useful point to check against the manufacturer's detailed wiring diagram if a buyer needs to know how much onboard tonal adjustment is available. The pickup names and positions are confirmed; claims about output, frequency response, or suitability for particular genres are not supported by the specifications alone.
Bridge, hardware, and finish
A Hipshot fixed bridge and Hipshot GripLock tuning machines are specified, with black hardware throughout. The guitar has no tremolo. That configuration gives the model a fixed-bridge design, but the listing does not provide details such as bridge spacing, saddle materials, tuning-machine ratios, or the exact string-through arrangement. Those points should be confirmed if they affect a purchase decision.
The Aged finish is described as Monolith Arctic White. The listing does not explain whether the aged appearance is limited to the finish or includes wear details elsewhere on the instrument. It also does not give finish material or coating thickness. Buyers should treat the color and aged designation as the available description rather than assume a particular aging process.
What the specifications establish
- Construction: Swamp ash body with a bolt-on maple neck and ebony fingerboard.
- Dimensions: 645 mm scale, 43.5 mm nut width, and a 305 mm fingerboard radius.
- Frets: 24 extra-jumbo frets.
- Electronics: Velvetrone Ironside bridge humbucker, Velvetrone Solium neck humbucker, volume control, and five-way switch.
- Hardware: Hipshot fixed bridge and GripLock tuning machines, with black hardware and no tremolo.
- Included accessory: Gig bag. No hard case is included.
Bottom line
The published specification sheet presents the Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged as a signature model with a defined set of materials, neck dimensions, pickup models, and Hipshot hardware. Its lack of a tremolo and its fixed bridge are clear design choices, while the five-way switching arrangement remains undocumented in the supplied details. The included gig bag is confirmed, but a hard case is not.
At 3555, buyers should verify the exact price and availability with the seller, since the listing identifies September 2026 as the start of availability. With no customer feedback available, this review cannot weigh reliability or playing experience. A hands-on evaluation and confirmation of setup, wiring, and finish details would be necessary before drawing conclusions beyond the stated specifications.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Signature model built around a swamp ash body, maple neck, and ebony fingerboard.
- Velvetrone bridge and neck humbuckers paired with a five-way switch offer several pickup combinations.
- Hipshot fixed bridge, locking tuners, 24 extra-jumbo frets, and an included gig bag.
What bugged me
- No tremolo, which may rule it out for players who rely on vibrato effects.
- The $3,555 price and signature-specific design may be more than some players need.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Well suited to players seeking an Adam Christianson signature guitar with two humbuckers and a fixed bridge. Also worth considering for buyers who value an ebony fingerboard, locking tuners, and an included gig bag.Look elsewhere if
Not suited to players who require a tremolo or a hard case included with the purchase. The price may also be difficult to justify for buyers who do not specifically want this signature model and specification.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- White
- Body
- Ash
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 645 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- None
- Incl. bag
- Yes
- Including case
- No
- Artist
- Adam Christianson
- Style
- Aquila
- Incl. bag
- Yes
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does the Aquila Cardinal Aged have a tremolo?
No. It has a Hipshot fixed bridge and no tremolo.
What pickups and switching does it use?
It has a Velvetrone Ironside humbucker at the bridge and a Velvetrone Solium humbucker at the neck, controlled by a volume knob and a five-way switch.
What is included with the guitar?
A gig bag is included. A hard case is not listed as included.
What are its scale length and nut width?
The scale length is 25.4 inches, and the nut width is 43.5 mm.
Is this a good choice for a player who wants a wide range of sounds?
The two humbuckers and five-way switch provide multiple pickup combinations. However, the listed specification does not include a tremolo or other controls beyond volume, so players seeking those features should consider another configuration.
The last word from the bench
The Aquila Cardinal Aged has a detailed specification, including a swamp ash body, ebony fingerboard, locking tuners, and two Velvetrone humbuckers with five-way switching. Its 25.4-inch scale, 43.5 mm nut, and 24 extra-jumbo frets define a specific playing feel, though personal fit cannot be confirmed from specifications alone. The fixed bridge keeps the setup straightforward but will not meet the needs of players who want a tremolo. At $3,555, it makes the most sense for buyers who specifically value the Mayones build, the Adam Christianson association, and this configuration.
Hanging next to it
Mayones Guitars Aquila Cardinal Aged
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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