New Greg Howe model/shape by Kiesel
- Thread starter dave74
- Start date
DCikes88
New member
I heard something about a long time customer and multiple custom Kiesel owner that ordered another full custom build with a roasted maple neck, and the neck seemed non roasted because there was no difference whatsoever in wood coloration to a same non-roasted maple neck.
And then El Jeffy slammed the guy on social media or something like that? The poor guy ended up apologizing to Kiesel for wanting them to fix his order and make it fn roasted.
The internet intervened and stood up for the little guy and Jeff then squeezed out a pressured apology and some halfazz "explanation".
I get, it's business, and if it ain't boomin', time for broomin'.
But he attracted a lot of flack, and that and similar situations and issues caused people like that guy, and you, to lose faith in the brand. Rightfully so. That was a doosh move.
DCikes88
New member
Exactly, Jeff or no Jeff, there are still better options at the price point.
I don't know if there IS a price point where Kiesel would be the no-brainer choice.
I'm sure those are amazing instruments, when they make em right, I'm not poopin on that or the brand. But, the brand itself is a premium.
If you're after value, there are busloads of better guitars for the money, or less.
devastone
New member
Given Jeff's customer service, I'll cap at $10 for them.
Gtrjunior
New member
I forget the details of that incident but I also remember that happening. It wasn’t good for Kiesel, that’s for sure.
Ah c'mon bro, they'll even install your duncans for an extra $200,,,,but you'll have to send them the pickups.
edit; That was a bad joke really because I don't think they charge extra if you send in your own pickups, unless you want a non-standard wiring option.
Last edited:
Ascension
New member
But absolutely NONE with the quality of a well optioned Kiesel. A few companies can equal them but at many times the cost. Thinking hard about a Kiesel Delos strat and a Suhr, Anderson or Custom Shop Fender would be at least $1500 for an equivalent guitar. With the build time and consistency of workmanship you can't touch them. Key is how you option one to not break the bank and having a good sales rep you trust. Try beating the quality tone and play ability of something like a base Theos for anywhere near the price. Read the base build specs here.
https://www.kieselguitars.com/series/guitar/theos
Even the stock Berryilum pickups are killers they remind me of the Duncan Slash set.
Yeah, I don't know where people are finding anything that matches Kiesel for quality in a similar price range. Stuff like Suhr, MIA Jackson, Schecter custom shop, etc. all costs *way* more. ESP E-II is the closest thing in that price range, but IME they're not as nice, and I really hate ESP's neck profile (narrow string spacing and a very shoulder-y and flatbacked profile... yuck)
I played dozens of Keisels at NAMM, which featured about 50 of the best guitars coming out of their shop. None touched a Suhr, Anderson, or Music Man. All about the same price.
I'm curious as to which elements or factors made you prefer the others over the Kiesels? I mean was it the neck-profiles, fretwork, radius, ect?
Personally I'm not a fan of their standard neck profile. It's OK, but doesn't match my hand perfectly like the thinner-neck option. And as for frets I actually prefer the medium-jumbo over the more popular extra-jumbo.
Certainly the neck profile, the pickups, balance, and weight.
Ascension
New member
Have done the same with Suhrs and Andersons in a couple shops here and thought none of them touched my Kiesels. Music man was the closest but at much more money as love the necks and their fret work is the equal to my Kiesels. I suspect knowing Jeff they likely take the best LOOKING guitars to NAMM not necessarily the best playing and sounding. In particular the pickups Jeff seems to love like the Lithium's. I have those things in a burn with fire way. However they have some lower output Alnico mag vintage toned pickups that are very very good. Mark Jeffs dad builds some real killer more conventional pickups that I REALLY like they just don't push them. Almost all my guitars and NOT the highly figured wood showpieces but very basic builds built for tone and playability. I don't disagree with you on a lot of Kiesels being way over optioned and many of those I have played were not inspiring. Kinda the same thing as you see with PRS every one drools over the pretty crazy wood guitar but most of them I play are kinda souless. It's something Kiesel has changed after they broke off from the rest of the family with the guitars. It seems more about the flash and high dollar exotic woods now than the affordable super high quality working players guitars of the past under the Carvin name. Still IF you don't go nuts on the options Kiesels are crazy good bang for the $. Also prices have absolutely skyrocketed on both used Carvins and Kiesels over the last few years so they hold their value now better than any brand on the market. Unfortunately this also makes it hard to get a real screaming deal on a used Carvin/Kiesel like you could just a few years ago.
Last edited:
Ascension
New member
Biggest rip off I have ever seen and yes they really do this! Those of us who know the guitars will just use the stock pickups in the build if we want aftermarket pickups then swap them and sell the Kiesel pickups. Its absolutely asinine of Kiesel not to have any info on their pickups on line anywhere. What's sad is how many of the Kiesel pickups sound darned good. They push the shrill and super hot metal oriented stuff Jeff likes but it's his dads lower output winds that really kill. Have 8 Carvin Kiesels 4 have Duncans 4 have the factory pickups and I have no desire to swap the pickups in the 4 with factory set ups. It's knowing what to order. Also Kiesel pickups depending on model sell really well on Reverb for good money. Only way I would send them a set of pickups would be if I built something like a 550 arch top and wanted it custom set up for Filtertrons.
That kind of policy is reason enough to go with someone else.