This is exactly the review I was looking for. As a player who thinks Strandbergs are awesome but plays a lot of styles alongside the typical "Strandberg" prog/metal player, which I still do love, it was awesome to hear you showcase the different sounds that you can get out of this thing for different genres and stylistic approaches. Also loved the insight you gave on the guitar compared to your experience with other brands. Great vid man, keep it up!
Thanks for the review! The increased physical endurance is certainly real - I have found that all of these modern headless, multiscale guitars reduce fatigue significantly, even without the ergonomic neck profile. The neck profile is a pro as well, of course. These three factors really improve ergonomics. Headless guitars have a better weight distribution (good for back and fretting hand/wrist). Multiscale is more natural for the hands. The neck profile makes it easier to keep your thumb in the right position and fingers properly arched, etc. I have major muscle and joint issues, and these guitars have really made a difference for me.
What i love the strandberg most is how it feels when playing sitting down in classical position. It translate well when playing while standing up(feels the same). Im having difficulty with other guitar practicing while sitting, when its time to go on stage they felt different which kinda hinder my playing a little.
I've had a Boden Standard(?) for a couple of years. I bought it in anticipation of traveling (pre-covid) as the other "travel" guitars are mostly garbage and the Kiesel's were more expensive. I did find the original pickups to be too "metallic" for my taste and swapped them out for Tom Anderson HF1/2 pickups. Much better. The biggest issue for me is that tuning is a one-handed affair: check tuning; adjust pitch - all with the right hand. It's slower and not as "organic". I like that the tuners are 40:1, but a couple of them "stick" and I haven't figured out how to correct this yet.
Hey if your tuners are still sticking. Check to make sure that the teflon washers under the tuner head is still in good shape. They need to be replaced basically yearly and the guitar becomes next to impossible to tune without them. It is the largest design flaw by far.
I agree! I just bought an NK, but I haven't re-strung it yet. I'll keep that in mind. I restrung a GOC for the first time recently and over-tightened a screw until the high E string broke! Haha I learned that it doesn't need to be that tight to keep the string from slipping.
I had a 2018 indo made prog 6 with the roasted maple neck and chambered ash body and ebony FB, that one was immaculate and the best playing of the 3 I owned previously. Then I tried out the prog 7 in 2019 or 2020 just a few months before they discontinued the original prog line and started the Nx lines for them. The two 7 string prog bergs I got direct from Strandberg no less had some of the worst fretwork I’ve ever seen on any 1k+ usd instrument. One even had a crack running down the middle of the fretboard to the neck pickup and the crack started at the 12th fret, it was very noticeable, and it also had a fret that was 2mm raised and unseated . Their support told me when I contacted them about it that “it could have happened in shipping” and that was when I decided I was done with strandberg guitars. There’s no doubt that these things were just missed in QC and they didn’t happen in shipping, I own mostly ebony fretboards on all my guitars for 25+ yrs and never seen a fretboard with a crack as bad as the 7string berg, so I call that some bullshit from strandberg. Traded the 2018 prog 6 I had plus some cash for a mayones hydra and never looked back. It was bad enough they upped the prices but then did away with some of the “premium” features like the roasted maple necks, ash bodies and ebony fretboards, and real 1/4” maple tops…which were all taken away from the prog line when they started the NX versions. As much as I loved my first strandberg, the prog6 I had, and as great as the endurneck is, it’s not a must for me. Lastly to have customer support just straight up bs me about how the guitars I got directly from them could be that fked up just from shipping really made me lose any confidence I once had in the brand.
I sent both my NX6 and NX7 Bodens back. They're super easy to play and versatile guitars, but I had a hard time getting beyond the "toy" feeling and strange boxy sound. And it seems like it's missing or lacking something, other than the obvious head. Glad you like yours!
Great review! Merci. I wanted the new Essential so bad, with it’s roasted maple neck, non-fanned frets, but they are impossible to get in Canada it seems . After 3 months waiting, seller send me today a Standard NX6 w tremolo in red , with a rebate . I will have to get use to this multiscale + tremolo !
Awesome review. Do you notice any scratching or "pinging" across the zero fret when bending strings? This has been my biggest concern with headless guitars/zero frets since playing a Steinberger and a Gretsch that had this issue. Thanks
Played one today…the first thing I noticed about the neck was that it was comfortable in every position and my hand and wrist felt loose everywhere. The flatness of the finger board took a little while to get used to (also coming from PRSs) but after a few minutes it just felt fast.
I'm honestly having trouble with the 8 string NX. First I must say that I love the strandberg hardware. The improvement on the "head" piece is just great. Regarding the endureneck, it feels fine, specially in the 8 string version..But I'm having some trouble adjusting the height of the strings and haven't reached that comfortable configuration yet. And I'm also finding a lot on the treble side. I think I'm not finding the right way on how to get the sound I would like to get out of it and of course the correct setup and is frustrating me a little bit.
They are a great guitar. I didn't want to pay over 2k for an Indonesia built guitar. Designed in Sweden. But it is everything it claims to be. Very high quality. And yes, I have the trem system. It stays in tune better than my P.R.S. which is amazing. Sounds incredible, especially cranked up. My back loves it. Great guitar! Don't even know you're straped into one there so light. The list goes on. Try one. PEACE
I've got 2 Progs, and the tremolo systems are my favorite out of 26 years of playing, and trying every trem out there. It stays in tune incredibly well, it is SUPER smooth, and it feels so natural. Don't hesitate to get one with a trem!
I had a 7 string Boden. Played great and sounded great but the quality of the guitar was rather poor. The fine tuners felt like they were going to come off. The locking nut was drilled right into the wood of the headstock and the wood was starting to splinter. I had to have the jack replaced about a month after I got it because it kept shorting out. I really liked the ergonomics of the guitar body and the neck but the quality was just bad.
I had a Boden Standard NX6 in green for a few days and had to send it back because of sharp fret ends and crooked mounted tuners. Not nice for 1699€. 😮 My older Boden Original with roasted maple neck ist perfect and I love it 😊 I hope quality is back on top soon, so I can try another one…
@@mathew_dale I'm a intermediate level player using a Classic 6 Tremolo, and I want to know what gauze strings you're using? Types of music I'm interested in playing on this guitar is Rock ,Country and Blues. Which at times requires a lot of string bending.
thanks for the honest review Mathew! I was going to ask you how you liked the Strand. also love your triad exercise and FM3 videos. keep up the great work!
I had the Boden Original 6 for a couple of years but decided to sell it because it felt and sounded so dead all the time :/ Had to do some fretwork as well.
I have two .strandberg*s, an original Classic 6 and an NX Fusion 6, both trem models. Bought the original a couple years ago and loved it, but had some issues with real world gigging. Changing strings was stupid fiddly with the old hardware, and it always feels a little weird for a few minutes switching back to a traditional neck profile. So I ended up not using it much except for around the house. Then they came out with the NX series and after drooling over the Fusion for a bit decided to take the plunge. Long story short the Fusion is my main gigging guitar now with my Classic 6 as a backup. Incredibly light, wicked stable tuning, articulate, great sound, comfy to play... What's not to love?
Thanks for the update. I think your strand looks great, sounds great, and love the little sample of your playing. I bought a Prog a few weeks ago to try the neck more than anything else and so far I love it. I've only been playing less than a year (mostly a PRS, some on a Fender Strat and a few others), so not as discriminating as you I am sure. But the Strandberg really does feel exceptional.
Thanks for watching! It’s definitely the guitar that’s surprised me more than any other in a long time. When you buy a core PRS you know it’s top notch and it should be for its price, but trying out a more radical design for a much lower price and seeing just how good it is was pretty surprising. Certainly begs the question: is this the future of guitar design?
Thanks for your review! I don't know if someone already asked you, but what strap are you using ? I like my guitar quite high and I can't find a strap that fit the strandberg's strap button placement. Every strap I tried are too low for my liking, plus it looks great!
@@mathew_dale Thanks a lot ! The site is a bit broken but the straps are gorgeous !! Do you know the minimum length of the straps ? They only gave the maximum length of 55"
I'm interested in a Strandberg for a couple of reasons...I'm 62 years old, and deal with arthritis in my knees, and I currently play guitars that are a lot heavier than a Boden, so at the end of the night doing 4 hour gigs, I am thinking the less weight I pile onto myself over the course of 4 hours doing standing performing, it would make playing through the gig, and especially after doing 4 hours of it, at the end of the gig when you still have to pack up your gear and take it all to your car, I think it would make it more tolerable. But this comment is more about something else...your thumb pick technique. Did you always utilize that technique (I watched a video of Johnny Highland, and he currently uses that technique, because he developed something that caused him not to be able to use a flat pick any longer, so he had to do something, so some of his guitar playing buddies told him he needed to switch to using a thumb pick...they told him to wear it all the time to get used to how it feels being on, which got him away from having to keep his hand in a pinch the pick hold for long periods of time...anyway, went on a little about that, ha!). Do you do both, or have you resigned to using a thumb pick all the time? Regardless, thanks for the video...I'm more interested in an HSH model, and see you have video on the Fusion as well, so will watch that one, too. Hope you and. yours are doing well.
Thanks for watching! I've been using a thumb pick as my main for about the past 10 years or so. I do play with a flat pick or just fingers when the occasion calls for it, but 99% of the time I've got my bumblebee jazz pick on my thumb. It's really just a style choice for me. I like using fingers and a flat pick- so why not combine both. I did the hybrid thing for a while but always felt my index, middle, and ring was stronger as a group than middle, ring, and pinky.
Hello Mathew.. I am going to buy Strandberg Boden Original NX6. From several people I heard about problems with poor quality electronics, poor soldering, problems with the bridge setting and with the input jack. Can you say something about this? Thank you!
I ordered mine direct from Strandberg. From other comments I've read, they can be inconsistent, but I believe I got a good one. You should fee able to order one and return it if you are not satisfied and that might be the way to go.
Thanks for the great review! I'm keen to know about the feel of the neck and the radius. I play an Ibanez JS and I'm no longer into the super thin RG type necks. How does the Strandberg compare? and is the 20" radius just a little too flat? I'm used to a 12" Cheers, Josh
The neck is definitely thicker than the Ibanez thin necks, especially near the nut. It's not "chunky" by any means but comfortable. The 20" radius took me a while to get along with, but after tweaking the set up and string height I find it works well, even when bouncing back and forth from my PRS's 10".
I agree with you re veneer, i actually bought a Strandberg Dała LE. Looks the same as current Original NX but it was $1500 instead if $2.2K. otherwise i absolutely love the boden design and function.
hi bro is the neck stable?the neck of my nx seems to have some problem,I need to adjust it every 5-7days.I have two strandberg nx ,both have this problem,what about yours?
Thanks for watching! I really don't notice anything preventing me from wrapping the thumb- feels pretty normal. Best thing to do if you play one is to try to not think of all those things, just play as you normally would and see what you like or dislike.
My studio desk? I actually made it custom myself. I made the base out of maple and walnut, and the top is mostly butcher block you’d get at a Home Depot or something (had some left over from countertops I did). I split the top and added a lower section to fit the mixer and added the riser for the computer for extra space and rigidity.
I honestly don't like the fanned frets, I actually prefer the lower tension on the wound strings so that was never a problem for me. I have a very wide vibrato and it just suits my playstyle more. Other than that it's pretty awesome and comfortable.
I didn’t think these were as awesome as they looked. Then I played one. Better than any guitar I’ve ever touched. I personally disagree with your take on the quality of the top. What you want is flashiness, and these guitars already speak for themselves. What you’re asking for is like putting a bumper sticker on a Bugatti. It doesn’t need to be flashy, it’s a ^[%}*#+ strandberg haha! Best instrument I’ve ever owned, most incredible intonation, playability , lightweight specs on the market and it’s not even close. Your other gripe about the price is fair , but this isn’t a hobbyist instrument. This is for the pros, for the people who live through music. And for that price and end, I believe it is not only fair but also equivalent. Ola Strandberg developed a special veneer technique not seen anywhere else in the industry for these guitars, and that detail alone shines through in how easy it is to play these things. Can’t say enough good things about them
Thanks for watching and for the response! I recently bought a Fusion model and I have to say the top is stunning as is the rest of the guitar (review on the way). Maybe I'm just not a fan of red or red bursts lol. My comment about price is more "matter of fact" than it is a complaint. Like saying a core PRS or a Suhr is expensive. Even if you spec a Kiesel (probably the most common name to bring up when talking alternatives) with similar features to the Strandberg (body chambering, wood choices, neck material, multi-scale, etc.) you'll find the price to be similar. I think we're at a paradigm shift where "made in USA" or "import" is no longer a good indicator of quality level. We've already seen that with Gibson and Epiphone. So even if it is made over-seas, the quality of these instruments is on par with the finest USA made production guitars. Cheers!
I"m 70, have played semi-pro over 50 yrs. I agree with all you said except I do put my Yngwie Strat with it's amazing scallope fretboard on a similar level due it's factory but more like a custom shop and has YJM Seymour Duncan pickups. I think Ola Strandberg has re-invented the neck. The scalloping on the Yngwie and the Endur neck on my Strandberg Boden have both helped me keep playing for longer periods with less fatique and pain. The Yngwie is more fun for bending but the Strandberg is for me, easier to play than any other guitar, and I've owned and played many over the years.
I think the price is fair enough, Strandberg makes a lot of R&D, where Fender or Gibson think only how to relic the guitars.....don't get me wrong i love those brands, but remember that Strandberg is one of the few brand that is really trying to makes something different. I am thinking to buy the jazz model.
Good points. The NX Jazz looks pretty cool- almost went with that one myself. As a previous owner of a Fender American Deluxe Strat, I'd still take the Strandberg for roughly the same price due to the versatility and features. And the relic thing is... interesting. Pay a lot more for something purely cosmetic, but to each his own.
I bought a nock off version, the Eart gw2 to try out the shape and the basic design a few weeks ago. I absolutely love it. It is so comfy. Sit on the couch , sit Indian style, sit in a bean bag heck lay in bed and play. I can imagine a strandberg is on another leval.
It's the NECK you're missing the entire point of the strandberg, it's the asymmetrical NECK carve ... other claims asymmetrical but they are just more trimmed on the high fret end, you can change pickups on ANY guitar, I bought a high end PRS ... still changed out pickups , so that's all lil things
Definitely. I would be annoyed as well. But I'm also the guy that would over tighten it, so I appreciate your video and the insight you gave before I buy my own.
Definitely an interesting guitar and about time people noticed...is the only real groundbreaker in guitar design. All the rest are just really repeating over and over.l agree with you that they are overpriced, it costs more for less of it!! But these days things are just idiotic in guitars prices...Personally I can't see why buy any of those two, yours is much better. But good on you that you moan about the prices of that one just before telling us about buying another one. Ace!!
@@mathew_dale yes I agree, and thank you for your reply. How many guitars are too many....? I think the price issue is very relevant these days because they are all made by machines....so, do they have a better machine...? No! They are made in the same line as the Cort - which costs way less - so, you see, when I find myself having to pay for the abstraction of a brand....and not necessarily for the value of the thing....I get pissed off. Just check the price of any Fender and see what you get for it. Of course they get more attention in QC but that does not justify the price neh!? My next headless, 7 strings, multiscale, is coming straight from China- one of those factories that makes guitars that come to Europe - . This is made to my specs - to a degree- and at a fraction of that price....Now that will be a very interesting experiment, if she makes it to this side of the world....I am in Italy in this phase of life; looks good but feels ugly. Take care mate and good luck with things. 🤟
@@mathew_dale 70 yrs old here, laying history of 50 plus years. I have owned late '50's Silvertone , Ibanez. , Yamaha, Rickenbacker, Gibson 60's ES 125 and SG, '90's Les Paul, 70' and 80's Strats (American made) John 5 Tele, Steinberger, Yngwie Strat with scalloped frets and YJM Seymour Duncan Pups which I do love as much as my strandberg except it;s heavier. The light weight and the Endur neck are worth the price alone in my humble opinion. Ola Strangberg. like Leo Fender, Jim McCarty, Ned Steinberger and a few others is a pioneer, a true innovator and that should be expensive! I just ordered a Salen Jazz with 30 day money back guarantee, about $70 per for 36 months. I expect it will be worth every penny. If there's any problems, Strandberg has a reputation for fixing those when they do occur.
I also loved that you BEGAN with a 1 minute bit. That's a great format. Tease us with some yummy guitar, then do your topic, then END with a longer guitar instrumental. PERFECT.
It is an interesting instrument, but it is not a guitar. It’s appallingly ugly and doesn’t seem to create its “own tone. It see San to me like it is a bit over industrialized, and something of a gimmick. I wonder how it sounds plugs straight into the amp with no effects. However, I’m glad it meets your needs. And so that I am not a total snob, I will play the instrument at a local store. It seems like it is a fad and that I doubt you will see these except on the US market in 10 years.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Interestingly, people said similar things about the telecaster when it was first introduced in the early 50s as well, calling it a “slab,” “plank of wood” and “boat oar.” Not saying that the Strandbergs are the next tele, but I do find it interesting how divisive these guitars are. I’ve owned strats, teles, a Gibson ES-175 and an ES-335, a Gibson SG, a Collings 290, two PRS core models and others, and the Strandberg certainly holds its own among them. You are right in saying that it does fit my needs- at the time of purchasing I needed a guitar for travel that had versatile pickup configurations, but was surprised at how well it exceed those expectations. Definitely not a guitar for everyone though. Keith Williams has an interesting video on Strandberg over on Five Watt World that’s a good watch.
@@mathew_dale My Dad said the Beatles where just a fad.The day after their Ed Sullivan show.Over the years I've had some Great guitars.Been Hooked on the Strandbergs for a few years.Never thought I'd play guitar-holding it in the classical position.Nobody else has a electric guitar with the cut-out for your leg so you can do that.It's easy on your wrists.The Endure Neck can guide your hand.OR you can put your thumb over the top of the fretboard.Comfortable either way.Ola thought the whole guitar out.I pre-ordered a Boden NX 6 string with the sassafras body and green top as soon as they were offered.Had it a few months.Now-more than ever.You get what you pay for.As you said "Not for everybody". Good Video 👍
I owned a Boden 8 OS once. Played really well, although the nut broke at one point and it needed replacing -- not something that I've ever had to do on a guitar before. I didn't care for the EMGs. If I had a bit more scratch I would've outfitted it with BKPs. I definitely encourage finding one so you can play it for yourself. The endurneck feature is really the defining trait that makes these guitars something more than, as you put it, "a gimmick". I think Strandberg is here to stay. They have a really healthy roster of artists that enjoy its aesthetic and ergonomics -- and we frankly need a company that thinks outside of the usual paradigm of strat and LP-inspired body shapes. We've got enough of those axes to fill Lake Mead.
This is exactly the review I was looking for. As a player who thinks Strandbergs are awesome but plays a lot of styles alongside the typical "Strandberg" prog/metal player, which I still do love, it was awesome to hear you showcase the different sounds that you can get out of this thing for different genres and stylistic approaches. Also loved the insight you gave on the guitar compared to your experience with other brands. Great vid man, keep it up!
Thanks a bunch!!
Thanks for the review! The increased physical endurance is certainly real - I have found that all of these modern headless, multiscale guitars reduce fatigue significantly, even without the ergonomic neck profile. The neck profile is a pro as well, of course. These three factors really improve ergonomics. Headless guitars have a better weight distribution (good for back and fretting hand/wrist). Multiscale is more natural for the hands. The neck profile makes it easier to keep your thumb in the right position and fingers properly arched, etc. I have major muscle and joint issues, and these guitars have really made a difference for me.
What i love the strandberg most is how it feels when playing sitting down in classical position. It translate well when playing while standing up(feels the same). Im having difficulty with other guitar practicing while sitting, when its time to go on stage they felt different which kinda hinder my playing a little.
I have an old epiphone casino and it makes me crazy. Is strandberg gonna be a good option for me? What do u think?
Same thing. Best thing is that I can put it in classical position. And endur neck is kinda cool.
That demo in the beginning kind of reminds me of The Construktion of Light
I've had a Boden Standard(?) for a couple of years. I bought it in anticipation of traveling (pre-covid) as the other "travel" guitars are mostly garbage and the Kiesel's were more expensive. I did find the original pickups to be too "metallic" for my taste and swapped them out for Tom Anderson HF1/2 pickups. Much better. The biggest issue for me is that tuning is a one-handed affair: check tuning; adjust pitch - all with the right hand. It's slower and not as "organic". I like that the tuners are 40:1, but a couple of them "stick" and I haven't figured out how to correct this yet.
Hey if your tuners are still sticking. Check to make sure that the teflon washers under the tuner head is still in good shape. They need to be replaced basically yearly and the guitar becomes next to impossible to tune without them. It is the largest design flaw by far.
Thank you for the metal plate under the set screws tip. I just re-stringed my NX and now I'm worried I messed it up...
I agree! I just bought an NK, but I haven't re-strung it yet. I'll keep that in mind. I restrung a GOC for the first time recently and over-tightened a screw until the high E string broke! Haha I learned that it doesn't need to be that tight to keep the string from slipping.
I had a 2018 indo made prog 6 with the roasted maple neck and chambered ash body and ebony FB, that one was immaculate and the best playing of the 3 I owned previously. Then I tried out the prog 7 in 2019 or 2020 just a few months before they discontinued the original prog line and started the Nx lines for them. The two 7 string prog bergs I got direct from Strandberg no less had some of the worst fretwork I’ve ever seen on any 1k+ usd instrument. One even had a crack running down the middle of the fretboard to the neck pickup and the crack started at the 12th fret, it was very noticeable, and it also had a fret that was 2mm raised and unseated . Their support told me when I contacted them about it that “it could have happened in shipping” and that was when I decided I was done with strandberg guitars. There’s no doubt that these things were just missed in QC and they didn’t happen in shipping, I own mostly ebony fretboards on all my guitars for 25+ yrs and never seen a fretboard with a crack as bad as the 7string berg, so I call that some bullshit from strandberg. Traded the 2018 prog 6 I had plus some cash for a mayones hydra and never looked back. It was bad enough they upped the prices but then did away with some of the “premium” features like the roasted maple necks, ash bodies and ebony fretboards, and real 1/4” maple tops…which were all taken away from the prog line when they started the NX versions. As much as I loved my first strandberg, the prog6 I had, and as great as the endurneck is, it’s not a must for me. Lastly to have customer support just straight up bs me about how the guitars I got directly from them could be that fked up just from shipping really made me lose any confidence I once had in the brand.
Thanks for the review. Been looking at these guitars and needed to know how it stood up after the newness fades off.
I sent both my NX6 and NX7 Bodens back. They're super easy to play and versatile guitars, but I had a hard time getting beyond the "toy" feeling and strange boxy sound. And it seems like it's missing or lacking something, other than the obvious head. Glad you like yours!
What a ridiculous comment.
Great playing man, so damn good! I started watching for the review but forgot the whole point of the video ahah
Thanks so much!
Great review! Merci. I wanted the new Essential so bad, with it’s roasted maple neck, non-fanned frets, but they are impossible to get in Canada it seems . After 3 months waiting, seller send me today a Standard NX6 w tremolo in red , with a rebate . I will have to get use to this multiscale + tremolo !
Awesome review. Do you notice any scratching or "pinging" across the zero fret when bending strings? This has been my biggest concern with headless guitars/zero frets since playing a Steinberger and a Gretsch that had this issue. Thanks
Nothing like that I’ve ever noticed. Thanks for watching!
@@mathew_dale give it a few more months. It's physics.
It's guaranteed.
Played one today…the first thing I noticed about the neck was that it was comfortable in every position and my hand and wrist felt loose everywhere. The flatness of the finger board took a little while to get used to (also coming from PRSs) but after a few minutes it just felt fast.
I'm honestly having trouble with the 8 string NX. First I must say that I love the strandberg hardware. The improvement on the "head" piece is just great. Regarding the endureneck, it feels fine, specially in the 8 string version..But I'm having some trouble adjusting the height of the strings and haven't reached that comfortable configuration yet. And I'm also finding a lot on the treble side. I think I'm not finding the right way on how to get the sound I would like to get out of it and of course the correct setup and is frustrating me a little bit.
They are a great guitar. I didn't want to pay over 2k for an Indonesia built guitar. Designed in Sweden. But it is everything it claims to be. Very high quality. And yes, I have the trem system. It stays in tune better than my P.R.S. which is amazing. Sounds incredible, especially cranked up. My back loves it. Great guitar! Don't even know you're straped into one there so light. The list goes on. Try one.
PEACE
I've got 2 Progs, and the tremolo systems are my favorite out of 26 years of playing, and trying every trem out there. It stays in tune incredibly well, it is SUPER smooth, and it feels so natural. Don't hesitate to get one with a trem!
Picked up a Fusion NX in March and have been LOVING it!
Really nice playing man - and great video, thanks for sharing
Thanks a lot!
Great to hear the perspective of a gigging musician. Thanks.
Sure thing!
Cool guitar, and I've always wanted a headless, but I'm going to wait till there are even more choices on the market.
I had a 7 string Boden. Played great and sounded great but the quality of the guitar was rather poor. The fine tuners felt like they were going to come off. The locking nut was drilled right into the wood of the headstock and the wood was starting to splinter. I had to have the jack replaced about a month after I got it because it kept shorting out. I really liked the ergonomics of the guitar body and the neck but the quality was just bad.
Man, that's a bummer! Which model was it in particular?
@@mathew_dale it was a Boden 7 string I don’t recall the specific model.
I had a Boden Standard NX6 in green for a few days and had to send it back because of sharp fret ends and crooked mounted tuners. Not nice for 1699€. 😮
My older Boden Original with roasted maple neck ist perfect and I love it 😊
I hope quality is back on top soon, so I can try another one…
@@keinedummenfragen yeah the quality was a big issue. I loved the neck and ergonomic body but they need to get some quality control issues resolved.
@@mathew_dale I'm a intermediate level player using a Classic 6 Tremolo, and I want to know what gauze strings you're using?
Types of music I'm interested in playing on this guitar is Rock ,Country and Blues. Which at times requires a lot of string bending.
thanks for the honest review Mathew! I was going to ask you how you liked the Strand. also love your triad exercise and FM3 videos. keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching and being a fan!
I had the Boden Original 6 for a couple of years but decided to sell it because it felt and sounded so dead all the time :/ Had to do some fretwork as well.
Fretwork after a couple of years? You mean the frets wore out?! I gotta know more. I've been on the fence about one of these since about 2018.
I have two .strandberg*s, an original Classic 6 and an NX Fusion 6, both trem models. Bought the original a couple years ago and loved it, but had some issues with real world gigging. Changing strings was stupid fiddly with the old hardware, and it always feels a little weird for a few minutes switching back to a traditional neck profile. So I ended up not using it much except for around the house. Then they came out with the NX series and after drooling over the Fusion for a bit decided to take the plunge.
Long story short the Fusion is my main gigging guitar now with my Classic 6 as a backup. Incredibly light, wicked stable tuning, articulate, great sound, comfy to play... What's not to love?
Thanks for the update. I think your strand looks great, sounds great, and love the little sample of your playing. I bought a Prog a few weeks ago to try the neck more than anything else and so far I love it. I've only been playing less than a year (mostly a PRS, some on a Fender Strat and a few others), so not as discriminating as you I am sure. But the Strandberg really does feel exceptional.
Thanks for watching! It’s definitely the guitar that’s surprised me more than any other in a long time. When you buy a core PRS you know it’s top notch and it should be for its price, but trying out a more radical design for a much lower price and seeing just how good it is was pretty surprising. Certainly begs the question: is this the future of guitar design?
Thanks for your review! I don't know if someone already asked you, but what strap are you using ? I like my guitar quite high and I can't find a strap that fit the strandberg's strap button placement. Every strap I tried are too low for my liking, plus it looks great!
Sure thing! I'm using a strap by Jaykco straps...
www.jaykco.com
@@mathew_dale Thanks a lot ! The site is a bit broken but the straps are gorgeous !! Do you know the minimum length of the straps ? They only gave the maximum length of 55"
The one I have on my Berg goes down to 33". I typically have it set to 38" for me@@milous98
@@mathew_dale Ok perfect ! Thank you for the info !
Great video. Thank you! Do you think this is a good guitar for a first-time guitar learner? Can it be your daily driver?
Daily driver- Yes! For a beginner- probably not since they are pretty expensive, but that can depend too.
I think I need one.
I'm interested in a Strandberg for a couple of reasons...I'm 62 years old, and deal with arthritis in my knees, and I currently play guitars that are a lot heavier than a Boden, so at the end of the night doing 4 hour gigs, I am thinking the less weight I pile onto myself over the course of 4 hours doing standing performing, it would make playing through the gig, and especially after doing 4 hours of it, at the end of the gig when you still have to pack up your gear and take it all to your car, I think it would make it more tolerable. But this comment is more about something else...your thumb pick technique. Did you always utilize that technique (I watched a video of Johnny Highland, and he currently uses that technique, because he developed something that caused him not to be able to use a flat pick any longer, so he had to do something, so some of his guitar playing buddies told him he needed to switch to using a thumb pick...they told him to wear it all the time to get used to how it feels being on, which got him away from having to keep his hand in a pinch the pick hold for long periods of time...anyway, went on a little about that, ha!). Do you do both, or have you resigned to using a thumb pick all the time? Regardless, thanks for the video...I'm more interested in an HSH model, and see you have video on the Fusion as well, so will watch that one, too. Hope you and. yours are doing well.
Thanks for watching! I've been using a thumb pick as my main for about the past 10 years or so. I do play with a flat pick or just fingers when the occasion calls for it, but 99% of the time I've got my bumblebee jazz pick on my thumb. It's really just a style choice for me. I like using fingers and a flat pick- so why not combine both. I did the hybrid thing for a while but always felt my index, middle, and ring was stronger as a group than middle, ring, and pinky.
Hey Matthew, what kind of thumb pick are you using? Great playing, BTW!!
Thanks a bunch! I'm using a Fred Kelly Bumblebee jazz pick. fredkellypicks.com
Hello Mathew.. I am going to buy Strandberg Boden Original NX6.
From several people I heard about problems with poor quality electronics, poor soldering, problems with the bridge setting and with the input jack.
Can you say something about this?
Thank you!
I ordered mine direct from Strandberg. From other comments I've read, they can be inconsistent, but I believe I got a good one. You should fee able to order one and return it if you are not satisfied and that might be the way to go.
@@mathew_dale Thank you for the answer.
Thanks for the great review!
I'm keen to know about the feel of the neck and the radius. I play an Ibanez JS and I'm no longer into the super thin RG type necks. How does the Strandberg compare? and is the 20" radius just a little too flat? I'm used to a 12"
Cheers,
Josh
The neck is definitely thicker than the Ibanez thin necks, especially near the nut. It's not "chunky" by any means but comfortable. The 20" radius took me a while to get along with, but after tweaking the set up and string height I find it works well, even when bouncing back and forth from my PRS's 10".
Hi bro, just wanna ask if this guitar is perfect for airplane flights? Like is it small enough to fit in the overhead compartments of the plane?
It's perfect for flights! Fits very well in the overhead and I've never had an issue at security or the gate.
@@mathew_dale thanks a lot for this brother!! God bless you🙏
I like the thumb pick idea… which ones are those?
These are the Fred Kelly bumblebee picks…
amzn.to/41sE5Eq
@@mathew_dale Thanks so much!
Geat playing, I like it.
I agree with you re veneer, i actually bought a Strandberg Dała LE. Looks the same as current Original NX but it was $1500 instead if $2.2K. otherwise i absolutely love the boden design and function.
I have a strandberg with a trem. It does not stay in tune well.
Odd. I've also had a Fusion NX for over a year now and the tuning is incredibly stable.
@@mathew_dale Yeah. I'm convinced its user error tbh. It stayed in tune well when factory.
hi bro is the neck stable?the neck of my nx seems to have some problem,I need to adjust it every 5-7days.I have two strandberg nx ,both have this problem,what about yours?
Mine seems to be very stable. Going from Missouri to Florida and on a cruise to Vancouver and back to Missouri I never had to adjust the neck relief.
@@mathew_dale thanks very much.it annoyed me so much.
I see you play a lot of genres, how u feel the enduro and fenfret for overneck playing?
Thanks for watching! I really don't notice anything preventing me from wrapping the thumb- feels pretty normal. Best thing to do if you play one is to try to not think of all those things, just play as you normally would and see what you like or dislike.
Matt, your desk behind you. What is that?
My studio desk? I actually made it custom myself. I made the base out of maple and walnut, and the top is mostly butcher block you’d get at a Home Depot or something (had some left over from countertops I did). I split the top and added a lower section to fit the mixer and added the riser for the computer for extra space and rigidity.
I honestly don't like the fanned frets, I actually prefer the lower tension on the wound strings so that was never a problem for me. I have a very wide vibrato and it just suits my playstyle more. Other than that it's pretty awesome and comfortable.
Why do you have your guitar tracks panned left and right ?
Personal preference
nice intro dude
I didn’t think these were as awesome as they looked.
Then I played one.
Better than any guitar I’ve ever touched.
I personally disagree with your take on the quality of the top.
What you want is flashiness, and these guitars already speak for themselves. What you’re asking for is like putting a bumper sticker on a Bugatti. It doesn’t need to be flashy, it’s a ^[%}*#+ strandberg haha!
Best instrument I’ve ever owned, most incredible intonation, playability , lightweight specs on the market and it’s not even close.
Your other gripe about the price is fair , but this isn’t a hobbyist instrument.
This is for the pros, for the people who live through music. And for that price and end, I believe it is not only fair but also equivalent.
Ola Strandberg developed a special veneer technique not seen anywhere else in the industry for these guitars, and that detail alone shines through in how easy it is to play these things.
Can’t say enough good things about them
Thanks for watching and for the response! I recently bought a Fusion model and I have to say the top is stunning as is the rest of the guitar (review on the way). Maybe I'm just not a fan of red or red bursts lol. My comment about price is more "matter of fact" than it is a complaint. Like saying a core PRS or a Suhr is expensive. Even if you spec a Kiesel (probably the most common name to bring up when talking alternatives) with similar features to the Strandberg (body chambering, wood choices, neck material, multi-scale, etc.) you'll find the price to be similar. I think we're at a paradigm shift where "made in USA" or "import" is no longer a good indicator of quality level. We've already seen that with Gibson and Epiphone. So even if it is made over-seas, the quality of these instruments is on par with the finest USA made production guitars. Cheers!
I"m 70, have played semi-pro over 50 yrs. I agree with all you said except I do put my Yngwie Strat with it's amazing scallope fretboard on a similar level due it's factory but more like a custom shop and has YJM Seymour Duncan pickups. I think Ola Strandberg has re-invented the neck. The scalloping on the Yngwie and the Endur neck on my Strandberg Boden have both helped me keep playing for longer periods with less fatique and pain. The Yngwie is more fun for bending but the Strandberg is for me, easier to play than any other guitar, and I've owned and played many over the years.
Have you tried any of Kiesel's headless models? They have similar electronic configurations and their tops are way nicer.
Not yet but I would like to try one!
Does Eart compare? Eart Guitars GW-2
what are you playing thru -your computer?
Fractal Axe-FX iii
@@mathew_dale oh
Can I ask what pick you are using?
Absolutly! Fred Kelly Bumblebee Jazz fredkellypicks.com
tempted to try one. would have to sell loads of my gear ! It's not 1958 so why should all guitars still feel like it ? !
Great stuff Matt!
Oh snap! Thanks Mike! Thanks for commenting! Hope all things are well in your world!
@@mathew_dale for sure! All is well - thanks!
They need to have way better prices.
I see you have the PreSonus Audiobox.
I do. Typically use my StudioLive 16 as my main interface though.
Cheesecake awakens the blood
The melody is very good
I think the price is fair enough, Strandberg makes a lot of R&D, where Fender or Gibson think only how to relic the guitars.....don't get me wrong i love those brands, but remember that Strandberg is one of the few brand that is really trying to makes something different. I am thinking to buy the jazz model.
Good points. The NX Jazz looks pretty cool- almost went with that one myself. As a previous owner of a Fender American Deluxe Strat, I'd still take the Strandberg for roughly the same price due to the versatility and features. And the relic thing is... interesting. Pay a lot more for something purely cosmetic, but to each his own.
I bought a nock off version, the Eart gw2 to try out the shape and the basic design a few weeks ago. I absolutely love it. It is so comfy. Sit on the couch , sit Indian style, sit in a bean bag heck lay in bed and play. I can imagine a strandberg is on another leval.
It's the NECK you're missing the entire point of the strandberg, it's the asymmetrical NECK carve ... other claims asymmetrical but they are just more trimmed on the high fret end, you can change pickups on ANY guitar, I bought a high end PRS ... still changed out pickups , so that's all lil things
I’d much rather that the tool break than the guitar.
Ditto
The NX series may be passable, but my Boden 7 standard was garbage. Both of them…
I would much rather the tool break, than the screw strip or something else happens.
Ditto, still a minor annoyance though.
Definitely. I would be annoyed as well. But I'm also the guy that would over tighten it, so I appreciate your video and the insight you gave before I buy my own.
Definitely an interesting guitar and about time people noticed...is the only real groundbreaker in guitar design. All the rest are just really repeating over and over.l agree with you that they are overpriced, it costs more for less of it!! But these days things are just idiotic in guitars prices...Personally I can't see why buy any of those two, yours is much better. But good on you that you moan about the prices of that one just before telling us about buying another one. Ace!!
I would buy another one if I felt the need, but that still doesn't negate it being expensive.
@@mathew_dale yes I agree, and thank you for your reply. How many guitars are too many....?
I think the price issue is very relevant these days because they are all made by machines....so, do they have a better machine...? No! They are made in the same line as the Cort - which costs way less - so, you see, when I find myself having to pay for the abstraction of a brand....and not necessarily for the value of the thing....I get pissed off. Just check the price of any Fender and see what you get for it. Of course they get more attention in QC but that does not justify the price neh!? My next headless, 7 strings, multiscale, is coming straight from China- one of those factories that makes guitars that come to Europe - . This is made to my specs - to a degree- and at a fraction of that price....Now that will be a very interesting experiment, if she makes it to this side of the world....I am in Italy in this phase of life; looks good but feels ugly.
Take care mate and good luck with things.
🤟
@@mathew_dale 70 yrs old here, laying history of 50 plus years. I have owned late '50's Silvertone , Ibanez. , Yamaha, Rickenbacker, Gibson 60's ES 125 and SG, '90's Les Paul, 70' and 80's Strats (American made) John 5 Tele, Steinberger, Yngwie Strat with scalloped frets and YJM Seymour Duncan Pups which I do love as much as my strandberg except it;s heavier. The light weight and the Endur neck are worth the price alone in my humble opinion. Ola Strangberg. like Leo Fender, Jim McCarty, Ned Steinberger and a few others is a pioneer, a true innovator and that should be expensive! I just ordered a Salen Jazz with 30 day money back guarantee, about $70 per for 36 months. I expect it will be worth every penny. If there's any problems, Strandberg has a reputation for fixing those when they do occur.
Literally 3800$
No.
Слабовато играешь, чувствуется закрепощенность. Нет свободы. Мало времени уделяешь.
Dude, end ALL your videos with a 3 minute guitar jam!
I also loved that you BEGAN with a 1 minute bit. That's a great format. Tease us with some yummy guitar, then do your topic, then END with a longer guitar instrumental. PERFECT.
Agreed
very jewish guitar
It is an interesting instrument, but it is not a guitar. It’s appallingly ugly and doesn’t seem to create its “own tone. It see San to me like it is a bit over industrialized, and something of a gimmick. I wonder how it sounds plugs straight into the amp with no effects. However, I’m glad it meets your needs. And so that I am not a total snob, I will play the instrument at a local store. It seems like it is a fad and that I doubt you will see these except on the US market in 10 years.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Interestingly, people said similar things about the telecaster when it was first introduced in the early 50s as well, calling it a “slab,” “plank of wood” and “boat oar.” Not saying that the Strandbergs are the next tele, but I do find it interesting how divisive these guitars are. I’ve owned strats, teles, a Gibson ES-175 and an ES-335, a Gibson SG, a Collings 290, two PRS core models and others, and the Strandberg certainly holds its own among them. You are right in saying that it does fit my needs- at the time of purchasing I needed a guitar for travel that had versatile pickup configurations, but was surprised at how well it exceed those expectations. Definitely not a guitar for everyone though. Keith Williams has an interesting video on Strandberg over on Five Watt World that’s a good watch.
@@mathew_dale My Dad said the Beatles where just a fad.The day after their Ed Sullivan show.Over the years I've had some Great guitars.Been Hooked on the Strandbergs for a few years.Never thought I'd play guitar-holding it in the classical position.Nobody else has a electric guitar with the cut-out for your leg so you can do that.It's easy on your wrists.The Endure Neck can guide your hand.OR you can put your thumb over the top of the fretboard.Comfortable either way.Ola thought the whole guitar out.I pre-ordered a Boden NX 6 string with the sassafras body and green top as soon as they were offered.Had it a few months.Now-more than ever.You get what you pay for.As you said "Not for everybody". Good Video 👍
To each is own. I think Bodens are actually really good looking.
Spoken like someone who's never held, played, or even seen one. This is a guitar, and a bad ass one at that.
I owned a Boden 8 OS once. Played really well, although the nut broke at one point and it needed replacing -- not something that I've ever had to do on a guitar before. I didn't care for the EMGs. If I had a bit more scratch I would've outfitted it with BKPs.
I definitely encourage finding one so you can play it for yourself. The endurneck feature is really the defining trait that makes these guitars something more than, as you put it, "a gimmick".
I think Strandberg is here to stay. They have a really healthy roster of artists that enjoy its aesthetic and ergonomics -- and we frankly need a company that thinks outside of the usual paradigm of strat and LP-inspired body shapes. We've got enough of those axes to fill Lake Mead.