GEAR REVIEW
STRANDBERG BODEN ORIGINAL N2.6 – GROUNDBREAKING GUITARS ELEVATED | Eric Dahl
Ola Strandberg and his team of luthiers and designers at Strandberg guitars in Sweden aren’ t wasting time resting on their laurels of breathing new life into headless guitar design. The N2 line of guitars for 2025 have received more than a makeover or refined cosmetics they have been elevated and upgraded to increase the player experience. Worship Musician received the Strandberg Boden Original N2.6( Black Denim Burst & Sunset Coral Burst finishes) and the Boden Standard N2.6 in Transformative Teal Metallic. For the purposes of this review, we will focus more on the new Original N2.6 string models. WM also covered the release of the affordable Strandberg Boden Essential back in the spring of 2024. Redefining the Boden Original is a bold move but for players and fans of these cutting-edge Swedish designed instruments that should come as no surprise.
First impressions the arched top looks stunning and fits your body and resting arm more ergonomically. The EGS Arc hardtail bridge and tuners are sleek and have full body contact to the top increasing sustain even more. It also features redesigned saddles and string ramps on the bridge. The Strandberg EndurNeck has been reinforced with titanium rods and paired with the roasted neck it becomes even more stable. If you have never played an EndurNeck, it has three flat plains on the back of the neck instead of your traditional rounded profile. The back of the neck is graduated, so it fits your playing hand better as you access higher frets. The details are what really differentiate this guitar, like the new increased angle to the output jack, which players had requested. Compared to an older model I could see the variation, and it does matter when you are plugged in and playing.
The biggest game changers for the Boden Original N2 models is the partnership between Fishman and Strandberg to develop USA made pickups specifically for these instruments named the Strandberg POWR: D humbuckers. These are active pickups that can be powered by traditional batteries or a rechargeable battery powered by a USB-C plug-in. The tone control is a push / pull so when you have it pushed in you have the standard POWR: D humbucker sound, but when you pull the tone control out it provides the Metal tonality. The heavier sound to the pickups was based on Strandberg’ s MFB original and metal humbuckers. Pair that with the 5-way blade pickup selector and you can achieve ten different sound designs from one instrument. Plugging the Strandberg Boden Original N2.6 guitars in exceeded my expectations. I’ m usually not an active pickup guy, but these POWR: D pickups have made me rethink that approach. Through an amplifier
76 November 2025 Subscribe for Free...