I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

[Top-L]

But I did!

I've been looking for a quality superstrat, but the vast majority of the ones I like the most are out of stock, probabaly because of Covid. There is a dearth of inventory in the 1-2K range.

Ive been itching for something new for a while now. I found a great deal on this one. (Buy something cheap to avoid buying something really expensive or having to wait another three months for what I really want.)

(Search for this guitar and you will see the deal you can get.)

I actually really like the look of it in pics, but I'm buying it sight unseen. I believe its an indo guitar so hopefully in the quality range of a Charvel or Jackson Prol.

It has a FRS and 3 piece neck, so hopefully stable. It comes with a pair of duncans, so if I don't like them, I've got something to trade.

Should be here tomorrow.

 

[Hsb]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

Which model is that, bought an M400 for less than $400 new, like 50% off and sight unseen, really happy with the guitar

 

[Top-L]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

Its also an M-400. I'm glad you like yours!

Price is similar, nearly half.

 

[Hsb]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

Yeah I really, like it a heck of a lot better than my Jackson, its my #2 fave guitar. Mine is the natural mahogany finish.

This is the one I bought
https://www.proaudiostar.com/esp-ltd-m-400-mahogany-sd-natural-satin.html?pid=34296

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

Nice! I’m not much into the pointies anymore, but still have a soft spot for an ESP with a reverse headstock.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

I have no affinity for superstrats and shredsticks, but I have more than once been tempted by this exact model.

It's just such a perfect expression of a particular brand of stupid that I LOVE IT.

 

[Top-L]

Re: I said I wasn't going to buy any more cheap guitars.

I have no affinity for superstrats and shredsticks, but I have more than once been tempted by this exact model.

It's just such a perfect expression of a particular brand of stupid that I LOVE IT.

It appeals to my inner child.

 

[St_Genesius]

I get it. If my wife has taken my hints (and by "hints" I mean I sent her a link and said "This is what I want for my birthday. It will sell out quickly. You should buy it right now.") I will have something equally, though differently, ridiculous to show off here come November 3rd.

Check back then for a thread I intend to title "I solemnly swear to never NOT have this in Drop-D."

It appeals to my inner child.

 

[Top-L]

I get it. If my wife has taken my hints (and by "hints" I mean I sent her a link and said "This is what I want for my birthday. It will sell out quickly. You should buy it right now.") I will have something equally, though differently, ridiculous to show off here come November 3rd.

Check back then for a thread I intend to title "I solemnly swear to never NOT have this in Drop-D."

Link?

There is a blue/white one with EMGs that is even more ridicoulous. Tempted to get that one too.

 

[St_Genesius]

Can't. It sold out quickly. Check back in November.

Link?

 

[Top-L]

nm

 

[Top-L]

Can't. It sold out quickly. Check back in November.

But what IF your wife didn't get it for you? What if on your birthday you get a pair of socks and a gift certificate for Outback Steakhouse?

 

[St_Genesius]

Gross. Outback is just Applebees doing a fake accent. I'm old, but I still have some standards. Also, I don't suspect I'll be any more eager to eat at a restaurant in November than I am now. What do you think happens when COVID meets the normal respiratory-illness season?

As for the guitar, meh. I already have more than I probably should.

What if on your birthday you get a gift certificate for Outback Steakhouse?

 

[Top-L]

Gross. Outback is just Applebees doing a fake accent. I'm old, but I still have some standards. Also, I don't suspect I'll be any more eager to eat at a restaurant in November than I am now. What do you think happens when COVID meets the normal respiratory-illness season?

As for the guitar, meh. I already have more than I probably should.

Already sold out? It must be a Charvel.

Question is..... which one?

 

[Top-L]

This guitar arrived today and I have to admit, I am amazed by the quality. (I'm not usually one to say that.)

*Body is nearly impeccable. A few tiny dust specs on the top that you can only see if a few inches away. Neck is nearly impeccable, only some minor tooling marks on the binding on the underside behind the nut.

*Neck pocket is tight without gaps on either side. Neck alignment is straight.

*Floyd Rose special is centered (sometimes the gap on one side is noticably larger) and at exactly the right height to allow lots of pull up (sometimes they are sunk too far into the body.)

*The fretwork is really good. No snags, no fret sprout, the ends are rounded well enough. These are "narrow tall" jumbos (not as wide as prestige ibanez) but taller than medium jumbo.

*Neck came straight. It plays with minor buzz in lower frets, should just need a touch of relief. (set at < 1.5mm @ 12th fret) Neck is slightly thicker than a prestige Ibanez. If I had to guess, its a 16" radius.

*Binding is flush with the neck wood all around, no gaps or imperfections.

*Pao Ferro fretboard has some color gradiation (is not dyed), but seems to be dark overall. You can't tell its not rosewood except that it has a tighter grain (or is filled).

*The Duncan Custom 5 and Jazz pickups are right up my alley. I'm sure I won't change them. The jazz is a little darker than I'm used to in the neck, but it has a nice tone. Custom 5 is a keeper.

*Abalone inlays are a nice touch if not a little dark. Ive never owned something with offset dots and this is *almost* without inlays.. you cant see them for the most part while playing.

*Volume pot is smooth and not too tight. I'd like it a touch looser, but it doesnt need a change.

My only minor negative impression is that the 24th fret access is not quite as smooth as an AANJ. Also, when playing the upper frets, the offset dots arent giving me the cues that I'm used to. These will just take a little time to get used to. Also the fade from orange to yellow happens around the neck pickup instead of between the pickups. There seems to be variation between individual guitars.

Will add some relief and change the FRS tone block to an OFR one (although it sounds solid as is).

Guitar has an "inspected in USA" sticker. Floyd Rose looks like it has a ballpark intonation (the saddles werent in the "stock" locations.) Everything was packaged new, had never been opened. I was worried that because of the low price, this might be a B-stock, customer return, or a first batch run from China. Nope, its an A quality Indo guitar. If you even halfway like the finish on this guitar and need a backup, its a steal at the price.

My overall impression of this guitar is that its on par with Charvel and Jackson Pro, except it has a FRS instead of a 1000 series.

 

[Hsb]

Glad it arrived, hope you are happy with yours as much as I was with my M-400

 

[nexion218]

That's a cool looking axe, congrats! Also, while you are taking apart the bridge to change the block, give a thought to replacing the saddles too. On the Special its all pot metal and no mater how careful you are when tightening the string lock screws, they will eventually give in. A set of OG saddles sets you back around 90 USD and with a brass block and steel saddles, you'll basically have a German equivalent unit as the baseplate is the same. That being said the Special saddles are dirt cheap, so you can just change them whenever need be. Rock on!

 

[Top-L]

That's a cool looking axe, congrats! Also, while you are taking apart the bridge to change the block, give a thought to replacing the saddles too. On the Special its all pot metal and no mater how careful you are when tightening the string lock screws, they will eventually give in. A set of OG saddles sets you back around 90 USD and with a brass block and steel saddles, you'll basically have a German equivalent unit as the baseplate is the same. That being said the Special saddles are dirt cheap, so you can just change them whenever need be. Rock on!

Thanks. I have a FRS on another guitar. Over five years, only one of the saddles broke. I bought a pack of replacements for 20 on ebay.

If one of these saddles breaks, I will have to buy another pack of saddles because its a different color.

Replacing all the saddles doesnt make sense for me, because if youre going to spend 90 + 20 for the OFR block, might as well just get a gotoh or 1000 on ebay.

 

[Top-L]

I wanted to hear how the M400 sounded after upgrading to an OFR tone block. The guitar has an aggressive tone with extended top. Acoustically, solo notes really cut, but it lacks warmth. It has good bass response, but the bass is not "tight" or bold, its more extended. I would say that the guitar has a "U" shaped EQ.

I think the Custom 5 is absolutely the wrong bridge pickup for this guitar. There are things about it I like, the cut and the overall tone, and how the pickup reacts to volume changes... BUT there is a hole in the mids that does not suit the guitar. Harmonics sound shrill and empty.

The custom 5 is a "crunchy" pickup with well defined notes. I suppose it could be pressed into service for metal rhythm, but its not what I would expect to find in a "metal" guitar. My thought is that its best suited for americana rock lead sounds, but its not my idea of what a modern lead guitar pickup should sound like (harmonics sound empty.) It needs something with more bass and mids. Going to have to put a dimarzio in here.

Otherwise, the guitar is nearly perfect.

 

[Top-L]

Evolution is in the bridge. (Had to round the base to fit in the rout.)

Much better! IDK why they ship a Custom 5 in a metal guitar. The Evolution is working well but I'd like something with more bass for this guitar. Maybe a Crunch Lab.