Gavilan Guitars Miramonte Levi Perry Masterbuilt | Reverse Gold Burst

Gavilan may be a new name, but the man behind it is anything but. Founded by former Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Levi Perry, Gavilan represents the next chapter for a builder who spent more than a decade at Fender, rising from Relic artisan to the coveted Master Builder bench. Along the way, Perry contributed to landmark projects including the George Harrison “Rocky” Stratocaster, Phil Lynott Precision Bass and Game of Thrones Collection, while building instruments for artists including Mk.gee, Matty Healy, Buddy Guy, Taylor York and Adrian Young.

The Miramonte is Perry’s original design, built in New Mexico and bringing that Custom Shop pedigree into something entirely his own. This Masterbuilt example pairs an alder body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard with dual Alnico P-90s, a Descendant tremolo and Tuffset bridge. It feels immediately familiar in the hands, but importantly, it isn’t another interpretation of a Strat, Tele or Jazzmaster. This is Levi Perry with the rulebook taken away.

And the Reverse Gold Burst is absolutely killer. A near-black centre fades into metallic gold around the perimeter, with remarkably convincing checking, edge wear and aging throughout. Perry spent years as a Fender Custom Shop Relic artisan before becoming a Master Builder, and that experience shows here: nothing looks forced or overdone. It genuinely has the character of an instrument that has lived for decades. An original design, exceptional build quality and the pedigree of one of Fender’s former Master Builders — this is exactly why Gavilan is a name worth knowing.