The new Kiesel Retro Solo boutique super Tele who wouldda thunk it?

[Ascension]

Real vintage Tele specs with some upgrades and is the last thing I expected in a new guitar from Kiesel.
These should nuke anything under a Fender Masterbuilt and give the Masterbuilt all it can handle at a fraction of the $!
Note the the pickup choice
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan™ STR-1

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan™ Antiquity Tele Lead



Link https://www.kieselguitars.com/series/guitar/retro-solo

Specs
Body
Alder

Bridge
Gotoh™ WT3

Construction
Bolt-On

Dimensions
38.25" Long, 1.65" Thick Body, 12.5" Wide Body

Electronics
Master Volume & Tone Controls with Dunlop Super Pots™, 5-Way Lever Style Pickup Selector

Fingerboard
10" Ebony

Frets
22 Stainless Steel Medium-Jumbo, .103 Wide X .048 Tall

Hardware
Chrome

Inlays
White Pearl Dots With Standard Black-Ring Luminlay Super Blue Side Dots

Neck
Tung-Oiled Maple With GT-Style Inline Headstock, 2-Way Adjustable Truss Rod And Dual Carbon-Fiber Rods For Additional Strength & Stability

Neck Width
1.68" Wide @ Nut, 2.22" Wide @ 24th Fret, .780" Thick At 1st Fret, .870" Thick At 12th Fret

Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan™ STR-1

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan™ Antiquity Tele Lead

Scale Length
25.5"

Strings
Elixir™ Nanoweb 1046E

Tuners
Premium Kiesel Locking Tuners, 19:1 Ratio

Weight
7.8 lbs

 

[Mincer]

While not really revolutionary, it is indeed a lot of guitar for the price.

 

[Benjy_26]

I wonder if they would do a strat or firebird mini neck as a request...

 

[jeremy]

or 22 fret neck so the neck pup is where it should be

 

[Masta' C]

I want to hate it because it's just SO dang un-original, but that's really a great piece of kit for the price!

 

[Ascension]

I want to hate it because it's just SO dang un-original, but that's really a great piece of kit for the price!

That's the thing that really surprised me it's so traditional. Kiesel has gone all woke modern with the crazy woods headless designs with the multiscale bevels ect and then they suddenly drop THIS?? Guarantee that is one wicked Tele!

 

[Ascension]

or 22 fret neck so the neck pup is where it should be

The Retro Solo IS a 22 fretter not a 24 so the neck pickup IS where it should be on a Tele. Whole thing seems out of character for them-- I LIKE IT!

 

[jeremy]

2.22" Wide @ 24th Fret then this part is confusing to me

 

[beaubrummels]

That whole Kiesel line is looking pretty good. Kind of the edge of what $$$ I could lay down, but the guitars seem nice, both specs and visuals.

 

[Benjy_26]

That whole Kiesel line is looking pretty good. Kind of the edge of what $$$ I could lay down, but the guitars seem nice, both specs and visuals.

If they're anything like my Carvins, they've got SPECTACULAR attention to detail. Well worth the coin, IMHO.

 

[chadd]

If they're anything like my Carvins, they've got SPECTACULAR attention to detail. Well worth the coin, IMHO.

I've read so many rave reviews of their stuff, but every one I've played has been disappointing. I've only laid hands on 10 or 12 over the years and freely admit that's nowhere near enough to criticize the entire brand and the worst examples are the most likely to be resold.

 

[devastone]

I've only heard of issues in dealing with Jeff K if there are any, uhm, issues with the guitar, especially custom work. I had a lot of respect for the old Carvin company, but Jeff won't get any of my money.

 

[Ascension]

I've only heard of issues in dealing with Jeff K if there are any, uhm, issues with the guitar, especially custom work. I had a lot of respect for the old Carvin company, but Jeff won't get any of my money.

Jeff can be a jerk at times. I however know most of the guys behind the scenes who actually build the guitars. Also have a great working relationship with my long term sales guy so no worries on dealing with them here. Thinking seriously about selling my PRS CU 24 to fund a new Delos build now and pocket some $. I simply don't play the PRS much because of my Carvin Kiesels.

 

[Ascension]

That whole Kiesel line is looking pretty good. Kind of the edge of what $$$ I could lay down, but the guitars seem nice, both specs and visuals.

They are my last one 2017 DC and its PERFECTION in fit finish and fretwork!

 

[devastone]

The are great if you don't have any issues, most of the problems I've heard are from people that paid for custom designs and didn't get exactly what they ordered and Jeff basically said tough (not exactly that nicely). If you are happy with them, awesome. I know there are 2+ sides to every story, but I've seen enough people talking about having issues as well as seeing Jeff's personal responses (including youtube videos) that he's not someone I want to support.

 

[Ayrton]

JK turned me off to anything Kiesel

 

[Benjy_26]

Dang. I didn't know they got nasty when they went from Carvin to Kiesel. I've never dealt with the current company, but I love my old DC's.

 

[Gtrjunior]

or 22 fret neck so the neck pup is where it should be

This is my biggest complaint with Kiesel.
I’m a 22 fret kind of guy. Most of their offerings are 24.
I know some are available with 22 but none that I’m interested in.

 

[Mincer]

This is my biggest complaint with Kiesel.
I’m a 22 fret kind of guy. Most of their offerings are 24.
I know some are available with 22 but none that I’m interested in.

Me as well. They did finally offer headless design with frets, but that design isn't all that great.

 

[Aceman]

or 22 fret neck so the neck pup is where it should be

A 21 fret neck IS where the pickup SHOULD be.

It would not sound the BEST there, but it will sound the MOST vintage Tele.