Motor Ave BelAire Guitar

5.0 (12)

1 Review

Find out who is using Motor Ave BelAire

44 wishlisted

55 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

The Motor Ave BelAire Guitar is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that captures the essence of classic design with a touch of modern artistry. Perfect for musicians who crave the warm, resonant tones characteristic of semi-hollowbody guitars, the BelAire is a testament to Motor Ave’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and sonic excellence. This guitar is meticulously hand-built, ensuring each piece is unique and up to the high standards of discerning players.

What sets the BelAire apart is its custom-wound pickups, which deliver a rich, full-bodied sound that is both versatile and dynamic. From smooth jazz licks to gritty rock riffs, this guitar handles it all with finesse. The body is crafted from premium tonewoods that not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also contribute to its superb tonal qualities. The neck is designed for comfort and playability, making it a favorite among guitarists who value seamless transitions across the fretboard.

The BelAire’s vintage-inspired design is complemented by modern features that ensure reliability and performance, making it a perfect choice for both studio sessions and live performances. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic hobbyist, this guitar is designed to inspire creativity and elevate your playing experience.

Key Features:

Custom-wound pickups for versatile sound
Semi-hollowbody design for warm, resonant tones
Premium tonewood construction
Comfortable neck for ease of play
Hand-built for unique craftsmanship and quality
Suitable for both studio and live performance

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Motor Ave BelAire Guitar.

Features and functionality

0 0

The Motor Ave BelAire comes equipped with Dr. V Wolftone humbuckers, known for their unique tonal characteristics and sustain.
Source
0 0

The BelAire offers a tight sound with noticeable tension, making it ideal for C standard tuning, yet remains responsive in E tuning.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

The guitar offers low action without any fret buzzing, providing a smooth playing experience even for those accustomed to higher action setups.
Source
0 0

Users had the option to choose from several neck carves, with one owner selecting a standard C-shape similar to a Les Paul neck.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The BelAire is noted for having more sustain than other semi-hollow guitars, enhancing its appeal for players seeking lasting notes.
Source
0 0

The guitar is as heavy as a Les Paul but slightly thinner and less cumbersome than a 335, drawing closer comparisons to a Gretsch.
Source
0 0

Only about 100 BelAire guitars have been made, making them rarer than many mass-produced models.
Source

User experience

0 0

The faded sparkling burgundy finish, designed to appear aged 30-50 years, is described as a subtle sparkling burnt orange.
Source
0 0

Owners describe the BelAire as heavy and substantial, with string-through construction, and note it behaves more like a solid-body than a typical semi-hollow.
Source
0 0

Owners find it challenging to locate available BelAire guitars, often relying on platforms like Reverb for second-hand purchases.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

The guitar's high cost was rationalized by spreading the purchase over two years, making the investment feel more manageable for some owners.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The BelAire's tension and sustain are noted to push back quickly, making it suitable for genres like 60s garage rock and jazz, beyond just QOTSA-style music.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The neck feels similar to an R9, offering a substantial yet comfortable grip for players familiar with that style.
Source

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 12 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

cellos_guitars_drums

476

about 8 years ago

Really nice to play, sounds awesome and can hold its tuning

I mainly bought this guitar because I am a HUGE fan of QOTSA (Queens of the stone age) and ever since I bought it it's been amazing! It can hold it's tuning for quite a while and it has great sound I absolutely love it.

Artist usage

Add artist

Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

Verified via Photo

"Josh Homme is an icon in the making. He and his band, Queens of the Stone Age, are currently on tour. Josh spends a good deal of time on stage with his BelAires. He's made it kind of a thing. Josh owns BelAires 11, 73 & 86."

via MotorAve Guitars

Jeff Ament

Bassist

Pearl Jam

Verified via MotorAve Guitars

"You may know every word to a song that Jeff Ament wrote with his band, Pearl Jam... But you probably don't know that he is a collector of bright orange guitars. He owns BelAire #110. And yes, it is orange."

Brendan Benson

Singer, Guitarist

The Raconteurs

Verified via YouTube

Brendan Benson talks about his Motor Ave BelAire guitar around 11:02 minute mark, and says about, "I had him put my son's name in the headstock there. These are incredible guitars. They sound amazing. The pickups are great. They're very cool, very heavy and very big."

Robert Ackroyd

Guitarist

Florence and the Machine

Verified via Photo

As seen in this picture from his Instagram and according to Motor Ave Guitars website, Florence + The Machine guitarist Rob Ackroyd owns a Motor Ave BelAire guitar. He played this guitar at several shows from the band's 2018 and 2019 High As Hope tour, like in this performance of Hunger.

Tomoyasu Hotei

Singer, Guitarist

BOØWY

Verified via Photo

Used in the “GUITARYTHM TOUR IV”, it was tuned to drop D for songs such as “Give It To The Universe”.

Pelle Almqvist

Singer, Guitarist

The Hives

Verified via MotorAve Guitars

"Pelle Almquist [...] bought his BelAires, second-hand. Which is currently the fastest way to get one. He was nice enough to contact us and tell us how much he likes them. Pelle owns #36 & #40."

Jan Paternoster

Singer, Guitarist

The Black Box Revelation

Verified via Guitar World

"Next to that, I used a Motor Ave Belair for the song "Shadowman," a modified Fender Jazzmaster with the same pickups Brian May plays, and a couple of James Trussart's guitars."