This Rockmaster sports a reduced 3/4 body size with a 22.5” scale length, so it’s very comfortable for youngsters and those with smaller hands. The materials that make up the guitar are all quite standard, with a double-cutaway body made of solid basswood and a bolt-on maple neck. Of course, printed onto the body is a glossy image of Iron Man – a cool highlight, although other Rockmaster guitars sporting iconic characters, including Captain America and The Incredible Hulk, are also available.
The guitar comes with a rosewood fretboard, which offers a total of 21 frets, all of which are easily accessible thanks to the double-cutaway body shape. Out of the box it plays quite well, but – as always with budget guitars – a good string change and setup can do wonders for the overall playability.
Peavy keep things simple and the cost down with the Rockmaster’s hardware, choosing to include just one humbucking pickup at the bridge position. However, with a push/pull coil-splitting function on the tone control knob, it’s easy to experiment with a single-coil sound too. As well as this multi-functional tone control, the guitar also has a master volume control knob, a set of diecast chrome tuners on the headstock (these are basic, but function reasonably well), and a fixed bridge.
So, what does it sound like? Not bad at all actually. It’s clear and offers a more than acceptable tone when played cleanly and with distortion. The single pickup and limited controls don’t allow for much versatility in sound, but they do keep things simple, which is probably more important for a child first starting their guitar journey.
For any kid, the Peavey Iron Man Rockmaster rocks. With good playability, a decent sound and a reasonable price, it’s an all-round excellent choice – providing they like Iron Man (or whatever superhero is featured on the body). It’s not perfect, but the affordable price tag means it doesn’t have to be.
For more info about the Peavey Iron Man Rockmaster, click here.