Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
I admit, I had some preconceived notions about what this guitar was supposed to look and feel like.
The pictures online can make it appear more brilliant in color than it actually is in real life. When I saw this guitar in person, the color was muted compared to what was in my mind's eye. But after getting used to the look, I feel my brain is accepting a new reality so that I now appreciate the instrument's beauty. I was also told the point of this guitar is to be able to feel the wood - so that's why it has a very fine layer of finish on it.
Yes, there are some aesthetic flaws: some of the painted edges are not fully up to the edge of the curve - the paint wobbles a bit, as shown in the video closeups. It also appears the paint was supposed to go all the way to the points of the guitar horns, (when compared to other owners' pictures), but mine stops short. But these little nitpick things are barely noticeable - you probably would've never noticed if I hadn't showed you.
These flaws do not prevent the guitar to sound as amazing as it does. I love these higher output pickups. As I was playing the other night, I was thinking to myself how this is more like my "sound" and I am just now discovering it. This is the sound I have heard lots of bands play with, but I wasn't quite sure how they achieved it.
The guitar feels great - and although it took a little getting used to the different neck shape, (compared to my RG8's seemingly flatter neck), I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the instrument.
I didn't mention it in the video, but when the guitar arrived, I tried it out at the store (thankfully) and found the neck pickup didn't work. Turned out to be a bad connection - must have happened during shipment at some point. Unfortunately, the day it arrived was the day the guitar tech wasn't in. I ultimately had to wait two more days before I finally got my guitar fixed and setup how I like it. I'm currently tuned to Drop A, with the action as low as possible. I plan on experimenting with tunings.
Also, did you notice I got a new interface? It's that Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd gen) near the end of the video. I got it so I could tame the recorded input signal of these hot pickups without the use of Line 6 software. I had their UX2 left over from my POD Farm days. Breaking ties with Line 6! Now it's harder to clip the input signal, and I have a device with a better pre-amp and less latency.
Yay! Thanks for reading.
Follow me on Instagram for cool pictures and riffs!
Brandon's Instagram ▻ instagram.com/brandondburch
I admit, I had some preconceived notions about what this guitar was supposed to look and feel like.
The pictures online can make it appear more brilliant in color than it actually is in real life. When I saw this guitar in person, the color was muted compared to what was in my mind's eye. But after getting used to the look, I feel my brain is accepting a new reality so that I now appreciate the instrument's beauty. I was also told the point of this guitar is to be able to feel the wood - so that's why it has a very fine layer of finish on it.
Yes, there are some aesthetic flaws: some of the painted edges are not fully up to the edge of the curve - the paint wobbles a bit, as shown in the video closeups. It also appears the paint was supposed to go all the way to the points of the guitar horns, (when compared to other owners' pictures), but mine stops short. But these little nitpick things are barely noticeable - you probably would've never noticed if I hadn't showed you.
These flaws do not prevent the guitar to sound as amazing as it does. I love these higher output pickups. As I was playing the other night, I was thinking to myself how this is more like my "sound" and I am just now discovering it. This is the sound I have heard lots of bands play with, but I wasn't quite sure how they achieved it.
The guitar feels great - and although it took a little getting used to the different neck shape, (compared to my RG8's seemingly flatter neck), I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the instrument.
I didn't mention it in the video, but when the guitar arrived, I tried it out at the store (thankfully) and found the neck pickup didn't work. Turned out to be a bad connection - must have happened during shipment at some point. Unfortunately, the day it arrived was the day the guitar tech wasn't in. I ultimately had to wait two more days before I finally got my guitar fixed and setup how I like it. I'm currently tuned to Drop A, with the action as low as possible. I plan on experimenting with tunings.
Also, did you notice I got a new interface? It's that Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd gen) near the end of the video. I got it so I could tame the recorded input signal of these hot pickups without the use of Line 6 software. I had their UX2 left over from my POD Farm days. Breaking ties with Line 6! Now it's harder to clip the input signal, and I have a device with a better pre-amp and less latency.
Yay! Thanks for reading.
Follow me on Instagram for cool pictures and riffs!
Brandon's Instagram ▻ instagram.com/brandondburch
