Re: NGD - Wild Zero
UPDATE:
So I've had the Zero for about a month now played it's first gig last night. Definitely a fun guitar and totally a keeper for me. The weight is all win for gigging. I had this and my Mira last night for an NYC gig and they couldn't have weighed 12 lbs together with the bags. Neck dive is very easy to deal with on the strap. I sing lead and play guitar, I didn't find myself fighting it at all. There weren't any issues at practice but gigs are where any issues really show up. Larger side dots wouldn't be a bad thing for gigging but that isn't unique to this guitar.
I've changed to retro aluminum tuner knobs. The small black stock vol/tone knobs weren't working for me, couldn't grab them easily. These are waaaay better and visually I totally dig them, also like to get a chrome or aluminum switch tip just to make it easier to see onstage. The finish runs towards the thin n' soft side so it's picked up a few minor surface scratches and got a small chip on the bottom edge some where along the line.
I did full setup on it: smoothed out the board and put some F-One oil on it (love that stuff), cleaned up a few fret ends, gave the frets a good polish and re-did the intonation. Plays like a charm! I love the neck profile and that nice, thick slab of rosewood on it. It still definitely has a distinct Melody Maker meets a Fender vibe to it but still comes off as a Gibson. I wouldn't mind being able to get the bridge a little lower on the treble side but it plays fine.
The pickups have grown on me quite a bit and it looks like they're staying in. While I would like adjustable pole pieces I've got them dialed in pretty well and I like their tone. Humbucker with a bit of Ric tone in there. USA pots, switch and jack would be nice but these work well for now, we'll see how they hold up. Think they are the guts that the recent better Epi stuff uses as well?
I'd buy another no doubt (gold or blue) and if they make a lefty I'll be there the day they get delivered to the store. Flip that sucker over and string it righty in a heartbeat..
