Kiesel Guitars has expanded its lineup with the all-new Antares, a striking original design that pushes the company’s modern aesthetic into some sharper territory. Combining razor-sharp styling with the ergonomic features Kiesel has become known for, the Antares appears to be a beast.
“Well, today is the day,” said Kiesel VP Jeff Kiesel. “We’re launching a brand new model – unveiling it, if you will. Back in 2015, we launched our Aries line of guitars, and it set some trends. Well today, I give you the Antares, which is the rival of Aries. It’s got a more aggressive, totally ground-up styling, [it’s] more angular, and I’m excited about this guitar.”
The most immediate talking point is the body’s dramatic silhouette. Sharp, angular horns and an elongated lower bout give the Antares an unmistakably metal-inspired appearance, while the upper cutaways depart from traditional double-cut designs with steep, acute angles that create a bold, futuristic profile.
“So, the Antares actually started its life back in December of 2024,” added Jeff later in the below video. “That’s when I started working on this design, in between the break around Christmas to New Year’s when I kind of have the shop to myself. And the reason why this model took so long is we wanted it to appeal to so many people as far as your needs, right?”
Despite its aggressive styling, Kiesel says player comfort remained a priority throughout the design process. Carefully sculpted body bevels provide the same forearm support found across the company’s lineup, addressing one of the common criticisms often associated with more extreme guitar shapes.
Like other Kiesel instruments, the Antares is built around the company’s highly customizable ordering system. Buyers can tailor virtually every aspect of the guitar – from woods and finishes to electronics, hardware, neck specifications, and other appointments – to create an instrument suited to their individual playing style.
Once an order is placed, Kiesel’s team reviews each build sheet for accuracy before the instrument enters production. The company currently estimates a build time of 10 to 14 weeks, although actual production times may vary depending on specifications and workload.
Check it out in the Kiesel builder right here.
