Keisel Guitars

[Gtrjunior]

Lately I’ve become very interested in what Jeff Keisel and crew have been building. But I seem to vaguely recall a few years ago reading some complaints about quality?
Was this something that was going on about the time that Carvin split into separate companies?
I know that @Ascension has a couple of beautiful Carvin guitars from what I believe was built before the split. Anybody else have any experience/insight into their products?
Every time I see pics of their stuff I’m blown away. I don’t love all of their models but for the most part they seem to be building some really top notch stuff.
I’ve been YouTubing them quite a bit and have seen a bunch of interviews with Jeff. There’s just something likable and genuine about him to me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I think the last I remember of quality issues
Was in the mid 90s
The alder necks would warp a bit

They added graphite rods to the necks to stabilize them
I think they still use them in their guitar and bass necks

They did have some problems with color matching
But I'm not real sure what the deal with that was

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Keisel Guitars

From what I can see, currently their lineup is high, high quality.
Earlier this morning I spec’ed out a build on their website. It came in at a little over $1700. Certainly not cheap, but not outrageous for what you’re getting either.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Can't say I have any experience ordering or buying from them (and I know people here do have experiences,) but whenever I've picked one up used I wonder why I don't own more of them. Their new prices are not outrageous, to the point I worry about accidentally ordering one while drunk or something.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Keisel Guitars

One thing I can say- there are some very polarizing opinions about this company. I've never seen one company inspire so much love and hate at once.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Keisel Guitars

One thing I can say- there are some very polarizing opinions about this company. I've never seen one company inspire so much love and hate at once.

Have you seen our Gibson threads?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Have you seen our Gibson threads?

HAHAHAHAHA! :lmao:

 

[Mincer]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Have you seen our Gibson threads?

Nothing compared to the Kiesel threads on forums like Seven String. Or what is said about that company on Facebook.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Keisel Guitars

One thing I can say- there are some very polarizing opinions about this company. I've never seen one company inspire so much love and hate at once.

Some people seem greatly offended that there's graphite rods in the neck, as if other companies don't do that on their high-end guitars (ESP for example).

Their newer designs are not appealing to me though. I'm not into headless guitars with 7 different exotic woods and burst finishes that look like alien puke. Their older designs usually have a fugly headstock.

But I'd love to pick up a used CT3 or CS3 (the PRS and Les Paul style, respectively, with no fancy top) if I ever find a good deal.

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[Masta' C]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I love where they are taking the newer designs. Look at a Carvin catalog from the mid-'80s and look at one from the late '00s and there's little difference from a visual standpoint.

The company needed an image update, as well. I'm sad the "Carvin" name is all but gone, but it's nice to see some fresh inspiration come into the business. Most of the players buying "Keisel" today would never have considered a "Carvin" in the past.

Can't speak much to quality, as I haven't owned a Keisel myself, but, outside of customer service and delivery times, there don't appear to be any more complaints today than there were under the old framework.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Some people seem greatly offended that there's graphite rods in the neck, as if other companies don't do that on their high-end guitars (ESP for example).

Their newer designs are not appealing to me though. I'm not into headless guitars with 7 different exotic woods and burst finishes that look like alien puke. Their older designs usually have a fugly headstock.

But I'd love to pick up a used CT3 or CS3 (the PRS and Les Paul style, respectively, with no fancy top) if I ever find a good deal.

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I also don’t care for the headless designs or some of the burl finishes (some are pretty cool). But I do like their super Strat designs and I like the fact that you can pick and chose almost all of the options you want.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Nothing compared to the Kiesel threads on forums like Seven String. Or what is said about that company on Facebook.

Have had a love hate relationship with the company for many years. However the quality of the guitars I have never questioned. I have owned many many Carvin guitars over the years as many as 15 at one time at one point. Have never owned a bad Carvin guitar ever.
Right now own 5 a 1990 Pearl Pink X220C , a 1993 all KOA DC 127, a 1996 DC 400 in Ruby Red Quilt , 2015 ST 300 and a 2017 Kiesel DC 135. Every one is flawless in fit finish fretwork and I have never had any stability issues with a single neck.
This is coming from some one who was so pissed at the company in the late 90's because of specific actions they took I sold everything I had other than the Pink X and vowed I would never play a Carvin guitar on stage again. Problem was I simply could not find anything else I liked as well. Now I almost exclusively play them once again so---.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Their newer designs are not appealing to me though. I'm not into headless guitars with 7 different exotic woods and burst finishes that look like alien puke. Their older designs usually have a fugly headstock.

Can not agree with you more on the new designs to me most are hideous and also the alien puke woods. It's the new headstocks I find ugly myself always preferred the old pointy angled the straight and the Holdsworth to any of the new designs. These three are the ones I play out the most and range from 1995 to 2017.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I mourn that they ceased production of the ST300

I so wanted one of the affordable super strats

 

[Ascension]

Re: Keisel Guitars

One thing I can say- there are some very polarizing opinions about this company. I've never seen one company inspire so much love and hate at once.

Was not always like that. They ran many off in the late 90's when attitudes changed on the forum and several long time employees got the boot. Before that time it was one of the most loved companies any where. I was involved in the Southeastern Carvinite Bashes where folk from all over the region would get together for a couple days hang out break bread and play each others stuff. We were like a family but now it's certainly not the same.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I mourn that they ceased production of the ST300

I so wanted one of the affordable super strats

I own both and prefer prefer the balance and look of the DC to the ST body. The ST body is still available on the Jason Becker models BTW.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I never understood their PRS-like models. At those prices, just get a PRS. I don't mind the headless instruments (obviously), but I hate those gaudy finishes. Also, Jeff Kiesel's 'bro-titude' in his live videos leaves me not wanting to really give him any money.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Keisel Guitars

Some people seem greatly offended that there's graphite rods in the neck, as if other companies don't do that on their high-end guitars (ESP for example).

If they actually knew about guitars they would realize that graphite rods are a good thing.

Stiffer necks have better tone and sustain, and the carbon rods raise the resonant frequency of the neck, which eliminates dead spots.

But then these are the same people that think wood “breathes” and don’t realize that nitro cellulose is a form of plastic. [emoji16]


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[Gtrjunior]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I never understood their PRS-like models. At those prices, just get a PRS. I don't mind the headless instruments (obviously), but I hate those gaudy finishes. Also, Jeff Kiesel's 'bro-titude' in his live videos leaves me not wanting to really give him any money.

I get the opposite vibe from him. I think he seems like a really cool dude...like we could hang out and have lots to talk about.
Seems really down to earth to me. I like that he is younger. It gives the whole company a “hip” feel.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Keisel Guitars

I never understood their PRS-like models. At those prices, just get a PRS. I don't mind the headless instruments (obviously), but I hate those gaudy finishes. Also, Jeff Kiesel's 'bro-titude' in his live videos leaves me not wanting to really give him any money.

I own a Custom 24 PRS stole it in a Pawn Shop. If I were to buy new would buy a Kiesel CT6 more options SS frets ect just would prefer the Kiesel. Plus would be about a grand less! I don't know Jeff but the issues with other aspects in the company started about the time they were coming in how it all relates though is a ? I still know a few folks over there like their head guitar tec Albert who has always been really cool to me so--.