| Sound |
First, a list of the gear used. I'm running this guitar into a VOX DA5 (for the effects), using an Ibanez cable (I'm fairly certain it doesn't deteriorate the tone), then using the Line/Headphones out it goes into my sound card - a Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro (or something like that, there's so many different models I can't even get my head around them) in recording mode. Sufficed to say it has drivers that enable me to hear what I'm playing, and record it as-is without any mic-ing up needed. I should say that the amp doesn't really let the guitar shine like it's supposed to on the higher gain settings without making it sound a bit rubbish, but on the lower gain settings (such as blues) or even a clean sound, the guitar sounds really well. It's rich, very vibrant, although without a proper amp with an EQ (or if you're running it through a computer like I do, with a 2.1 Creative speaker system with a subwoofer) you can't really get a fat sound. You really need that bass being there, and while the pickups deliver, my current amp doesn't really help it. It does cover a rather wide range of sounds though (and given the pickups I was rather impressed - Powersound? really?!) from a very proper high-gain tone (bridge pickup), the sound of the blues (middle single coil, as Stevie Ray used to do it - although some fidgeting with the tone is required, it sounds rather unimpressive without a bit of EQ adjusting), or dare I say a tone very similar to that of a Les Paul (neck pickup). It's not a very noisy guitar. As you would expect the humbuckers are quiet (even these admittedly cheap ones), and the single coil is nowhere near a Strat, even with the volume turned pretty much up. The pinch harmonics are DEFINITELY not what they could be therefore I would propose that you purchase another set of pickups. They're well and good for clean sounds, or the blues, but they're definitely not made for screaming harmonics; they also lack some of the roundness of chugging (the sound doesn't really seem fat even with a high bass setting). I must also mention I'm using 9-46 Dunlop (nickel plated steel) strings; I believe they're called either custom lights or hybrid gauge. The EAD are heavier, whereas the GBE are light (as per the original 9-42 gauge electrics come with standard). Therefore the chuggs should automatically be a bit better, but unfortunately it just doesn't deliver. I generally tend to play power blues, metal, rock (by which I mean also heavy metal and hard rock) so you can surmise I'm into the heavier stuff. While I do consider this to be a good beginner guitar, it'll only do so much for your playing if you're a serious player looking for a backup. Sure, if you NEED a backup guitar for touring or gigging, swap some heavier strings, GET A NEW NUT (the stock one is hollow plastic, therefore rubbish), get new pickups, and you should sort of be set. Mine definitely has an acoustic volume when I play it unplugged, so I would say that at least the wood is good, and rather vibrant (at least on mine). Let me sum up the insanity of category - it's good if you're looking for generic sort of sounds. If you're looking for specific sounds definitely save up and buy something else. I think that every guitar (and every piece of gear) regardless of manufacturer is a throw of the dice. You can get a good one, or a total failure, all for the same amount of money. Which is why you would require two very important things to decide on a good guitar - for one thing to test it out EXTENSIVELY in the shop - your money, your purchase - YOU HAVE TO BE SATISFIED WITH IT - and for another a good amp. If you have a huge 60 pound Peavey, either lug that in there (I'll betcha your amp doesn't sound the same as the same exact model if they have one at hand in the shop) or get a VOX amPlug. It's a really tiny headphone amp with batteries, but the guitar really shines through that thing. (I was still able to pull off a half decent Godfather theme a la Slash with it, so... stubbornness in getting a good tone might work if you've no other alternative. Cheap electric is better than no electric, right?)
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| Action, Fit, & Finish |
I bought it new (and shiny!) and it was set-up... at an acceptable level. The nut however was a complete nightmare. For one thing, as I've mentioned above - HOLLOW PLASTIC - tone killer. Get a new one. Anything will do. It has caused me a great deal of despair (made in Indonesia anyone?) with the fret buzz, which is why I switched to higher gauge strings until I was able to replace it with a real one. You know, the one that sustains and everything. Obviously having to have a new nut carved out a for a new gauge of strings is a pain, but personally I feel that it's well worth it to make sure you avoid headaches, fret buzz, and tremolo issues. I believe it was set up at the factory, as all the guy did presenting me the guitar was to tune it up (and I had to fiddle a bit with the truss rod after changing gauge, but that's to be expected) and play some tunes (which I did not know at the time like "The Day that never comes" or "Master of Puppets"). Finish is actually prettier than it look in those ugly generic pictures. Under an obtrusive spotlight it looks like a dull champagne finish resides underneath the "Black Night" finish. Me I like it. Sure, it looks somewhat simple and I would DEFINITELY pimp it up with some stickers here and there and a few new knobs (as they have scratched the finish underneath and them's not good knobs!). And perhaps a new pickup selector, as the one it came with is REALLY noisy and it'll definitely mess with your groove if you have to switch. Far as bridge routing goes, it took a bit of wanking on the tremolo to throw the strings out of whack. I will say that unison bends did NOT pull on the bridge (which was surprising considering this is a cheap tremolo; not even locking!) so it wasn't a huge stress to play. Took a bit of pushing on the arm to do dive bombs (or whatever) so I could quite happily bend like a maniac and the bridge wouldn't dive (as I have heard happens on some tremolo systems, but thankfully have never had to endure through, so far); pull ups were fairly easy to do (as you could imagine), although if one wants to extend the range of the tremolo a bit while also raising the action (new nut AND raising the bridge screws) I would advise against it. I have tried it, and found the springs to be a little noisy. There's a distinct creaking noise I can't seem to get rid of, even with new tremolo springs. I tried slipping a little rubber band on the springs, but it would still creak. You can also block the tremolo, if you ask me. And no, don't think about a Floyd Rose - it's more expensive than the guitar! Flaws? The finish was chipped underneath the tremolo block (I had removed it once to examine the cavity for my own curiosity), but it was a rather tiny chip. I would also remind you that it's a cheap guitar - cheap finish - DON'T leave it out in the sun or it will cloud, and look like crud. I keep mine covered with a white, opaque bed sheet.
Oh, and the pickups. THE PICKUPS. They were way too close to the strings, and sounded shrill like... well a true horror. After lowering them somewhat, and balancing the highs with the lows, it must say it sounded much better. I'm unsure as to what happened in the factory, but they
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| Reliability & Durability |
I'm not sure what to tell you about the finish - I only play at home, but I tend to fool around as if I'm on stage, and I do tend to sweat on it. And as you know sweat attacks the finish. But the usually worn off parts (think Kirk's ESP, I think the light blue one) seem to do just fine. They're as shiny, but the finish does seem rather brittle. It hasn't cracked, or scored, or anything like that, but it just feels like it's the kind of finish that you put on guitars you want to look old. I take great care of my guitar and finish (I don't really dig the worn out look!) so it's stayed intact, up to this point. The neck is pretty solid, and heavy (Yay maple!) and the body... well... basswood seems to be lightweight compared to the maple neck. Which I guess was the point, but the thing could destroy a tank if it was tossed in its direction. I guess I won't know until I gig with it; or perhaps I'm just paranoid. Sometimes I feel it's strong as a tank, sometimes it feels like an oversized maple toothpick. It's subject to interpretation, I suppose. Check one out in the store, I suppose this is definitely a subjective value. But I'd definitely have a backup at a gig. Not so much because of the guitar, but because the tremolo really looks like it might chew a string or two mid-solo.
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| Customer Support |
I have actually. I took it in to have the buzz looked at (because if I had even touched the truss rod, I would have most likely lost the warranty because of some stupid claim that I've messed it up somehow; but that's just customer support over here in Romania) and they offered to change my nut but... they're not luthiers and I'd rather not have my guitar experimented on by amateurs. I took it to an actual luthier who changed the nut, and set it up properly. They tried to be as helpful as they could, but I just don't trust non-pros here.
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| Liked about it |
#1: Nice sustain on the wood, for the price
#2: Very little actual flaws; I expected a true horror for the price
#3: Sounds nice through a good amp (a practice amp can truly detract)
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| Didn't like |
#1: It could have had a roller nut installed to avoid the tremolo problems (or it could have come with a decent nut)
#2: Tuners that don't scratch the finish, or rather more attractive ones would be nicer
#3: A quieter pickup selector
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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4.0 |
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