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songsmith
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2002
Posts: 6108
Location: The Wood of Bells
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 Posted: Sunday Dec 16, 2012 |
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A customer has one of the distressed-finish ones, I think he uses it for guitar lessons. I haven't played it, but I saw it up close and handled it... doesn't seem terrible. The overall quality appears to be about the same as most similarly-priced imports. The paint was kinda quirky and cool, and otherwise, it was probably level with a lower-end Epi Les Paul, which I think are generally a good value for the beginner and early-intermediate player. Those can be pretty okay with some setup and maintenance.
One of my biggest beefs with guitars in this price range is that manufacturers tend to leave the fretboard (and wooden bridges on acoustics) untreated. They show up already dried-out and threatening to crack. Give 'em a drink of lemon oil, at least! |
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StumbleFingers
Gold Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 311
Location: Altoona
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| Posted: Sunday Dec 16, 2012 |
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They are designed and assembled in the USA from imported (Chinese?) parts using premium hardware. I haven't played one but the concept is cool and they look great. A lot of people buy decent-quality imports then trick them out with better hardware and end up with a pretty darn good guitar. These are tricked out right from the start.
Compare to Duesenberg guitars, that are designed and assembled in Germany from imported (Korean?) parts using premium hardware. Street price on those in the US is around $2000-3000.
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Gallowglass
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Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 793
Location: Hlidskjalf
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| Posted: Sunday Dec 16, 2012 |
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I have no personal experience, but the concept seems sound and might be a great bang for the buck...I also love the vintage sunburst.
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StumbleFingers
Gold Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 311
Location: Altoona
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| Posted: Sunday Dec 16, 2012 |
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Is Gig Box an Axl dealer? I could've sworn I've seen Axls in there. If they have these, it's time for a field trip.
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songsmith
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2002
Posts: 6108
Location: The Wood of Bells
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| Posted: Monday Dec 17, 2012 |
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I have noticed (and so have my co-workers) a shift in overall quality pretty much across the board in that price range. Upwards!
We sell a zillion of the Squier starter packs (guitar, amp, gigbag, tuner, strap, etc.) and while the packaging seems to have suffered, the guitars are substantially better... an Affinity from today is solid wood, nice paint, and with a bit of fret-edge filing and setup, far better than a guitar costing twice as much 20 yrs ago.
The Fender acoustic stuff is the best bang-for-the-buck instrument in our store. It was always worth the price, but a year or so ago, the setup and fit-n-finish inproved tremendously, as well as getting a useable Fishman pre on every one. We don't know why, but the staff thinks they changed factories, or hired better QC and design guys. They're not a high-end Taylor, by any stretch, but MUCH better than what most of us started on, sound surprisingly nice, and seldom need more than a minor neck tweek.
The Schecters still get alot of love, they're TANKS, and the LTD stuff we have now is set up VERY nicely. I never paid much attention to those before, but I'm very much impressed. The Kirk Hammett model is probably too good for Kirk Hammett!  The LP model is the most Paul-like I've played, except the fretwork is more modern, and the semi-hollow we have with a Bigsby... that's a tasty guitar, I'd be happy to play that one in a band.
We have hand-built Guilfords, too, best of everything onboard, lovingly crafted world-class instruments.
I'm afraid to touch 'em! You can, though.  |
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