Where the Firestar truly sets itself apart is in its expanded sonic architecture. The addition of both a body-mounted piezo disc and the onboard Pickup LesLee circuit opens up a range of textures that defies categorization. This is the heart of the Deimel philosophy: creative utility meets masterful execution.

With a few flicks of slider switches, the Firestar unlocks some of the most inspiring and unusual tonal combinations we’ve ever experienced in an electric guitar. The Pickup LesLee circuit, in particular, is a revelation—offering lush, pulsing, Leslie-style modulation that evokes the dimensional swirl of a Hammond B3. Controllable via thumbwheels on the upper bout, its Speed and Intensity dials allow you to go from subtle shimmer to full-on sonic kaleidoscope. It’s mesmerizing... and hard to turn off.

To the opposite side, three additional sliders engage the body piezo, Mono/Stereo output, and a Surf switch. The latter is akin to Fender's bass cut switch found on the Bass VI model, yielding a lean, twangy tone perfect for the music it's aptly named for and so much more. Layering the piezo with drive or fuzz yields richly textured harmonic feedback and resonant bloom. Volume, Tone, and Expression knobs round out the control array on this Firestar, with the latter allowing remote control of any expression-based effects. How cool is that?!

If you’ve spent time with high-end builds from the likes of Huber, Ronin, or Koll, the Firestar will feel instantly familiar: the neck profile, fretwork, and setup are simply superb. The overall fit and finish are exceptional, and the components—Mastery hardware, Gotoh tuners, CTS and Bourns electronics—are all top-tier.

Despite our vast and eclectic electric guitar inventory, Deimels occupy a category of their own: visionary, wildly creative, and uncompromising in craft. If you can imagine it, Deimel can build it—and the Firestar No. 256 is proof of just how far that imagination can go.