I know right. My first decent guitar costed 600 with no case and the manager at the shop sold a lot of drum heads ect.. to my older brother. Plus they were friends so he actually knocked off 200 dollars from the asking price (which was 300 below the suggested retail lol) , hence no case. Again... A decent guitar. Black finish ect... That kind of money 30 years later will get you a great guitar. Amazing really.
I was thinking the same thing. However, I still haven't come across a hollowbody budget guitar that really holds up. I had a few over the years that were just crap. Maybe its time to try and build one myself. Big maybe lol
Darrell I really appreciate this series on affordable guitars. It’s awesome for beginner players and for folks like me that have been playing for 20 years. Being reminded that it isn’t always about the name brands and expensive stuff. While some of that is awesome and totally worth it....you can make rad music within your budget with decent quality stuff you can afford. That’s huge. I’m not ever gonna be famous. I can’t spend all my grocery money on high quality pro gear. So it’s great to watch these. Thank you so much. Your channel is rad.
Here we are in the 21st century and the fact that there's a quick connect system on the pickups is worthy of note is just ridiculous. Why aren't all electric guitars like this?
They'd all have to agree, along with the pickup manufacturers, to use the same system. Without doing that, it really wouldn't matter. Good luck trying to get that to happen.
I think the answer lies in the quality and durability. The engineering was not done by the copy cats. Ask yourself what shape will it be in 50 years from now? What kind of waranty does it have? For me, last but not least, how does the sound compare? Dont think it can hold a candle to the real deal.
Just got a charcoal Xaviere LP style guitar with F-holes from Guitarfetish as well just a few weeks ago. out of the box I tuned it up and it plays great. awesome sustain... I'm super happy!
How’s it going with your new guitar? Still happy after a few months. I looked at those with the f holes in them on their site and considered buying one. Would like to know your opinion
I really appreciate you for your honesty and uplifting comments on affordable gear. Sure if the budget can do it a Gibson is great but for many folks to own something this beautiful can become reality. Thanks for a great review!
Remind yourself he's playing through at least a $1,500 amp and professional audio equipment/software. For the average at home guitarist the sound will most likely be a good bit different
I seriously love the setup of his studio, it's epic. Love his professionalism in his video tutorials as. The revolving guitar stand (carousel) is bad ass, showing the guitar in 360 view. It's sweet.
I bought one of their teles, a slick tele51 and one of their 335 models. Absolutely love all three and you can’t beat the value for them. I will say that the fret work on the Xavier tele was better than both the slick and the 335 model, however, nothing a little patience and sanding can’t fix! Thanks Darrell!
After having owned a Epiphone Les Paul that was near 1k. I'm kinda interested in Les Paul style guitars like this that I won't cry if it gets scratched, dinged, etc laying out on a stand. Can even mod it without feeling guilty. I just don't think I'm the 2k-4k Gibson Les Paul kinda guy.
@@MrEric622 I tried an Agile years ago that was supposedly had polished and crown frets that came with I think? The action was too low for me I had to raise it a little bit! No buzzing at all. Amazing. Last time I checked rondomusic they were a little more expensive. And they are very heavy.
This guy's videos are among the best guitar related videos you can find on youtube. Just from watching a few you can really tell that he cares about what he uploads. The quality of his videos really shows. He explains things well and takes the time to take it apart and actually give you a visual on specs potential buyers might wanna know. Its reasons like this that make Darrel one of my fav youtube creators. Not to mention I just like to hear him play too🎸. Cheers on another solid review my man👍
What a beautiful blue burst finish, the white mounting rings and chrome pup covers complete the look. I don't usually like humbucker cleans, but she sounded really rich and warm. Thanks for another entertaining review.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I've really wanted to buy a Les Paul - but just wasn't willing to pay the full price tag that comes with them. This is perfect for me.
I'm a BIG fan of these modular pickup switching systems, would very much like to see this become the norm. Thanks for the review, the guitar looked good and performed well for what it was priced at!
Based on your review, told the wife that "just one more" guitar would be nice for X-mas. Well, she did just that. Being that I already have a Strat and Tele (Both Fenders, not a knock-off) a Les Paul style was missing. Wasn't with the coil splits as not really needed, but its a gorgeous Vintage Natural finish, zebra pups, and not all that bad out-of-the-box. Taking it to my luthier for a proper set-up, but first impression after spending an hour on it this morning is that its very well constructed, no blems, and the fret ends are actually nicely finished. Couldn't get this level of quality back in the day...
I have been looking at one of these for years, I do have a set of the quick connect pafs in a 335 copy I have and it was really easy to install and rock.
GFS is fantastic value and really good quality on a lot of their parts, pickups, guitars. I'm happy they're getting even more popular these days. They definitely always will be one of the first places I look anytime I've needed anything guitar related. I even use their pickups in my PRS because they're so good!
I've bought a ton of stuff from them in the last few years. I spent $50 rewiring a Johnson P-bass, and it was seriously a great sounding bass after changing out the pickup for their cheapest one, and using their kwik plug harness. Easier than restringing it, honestly.
Great review! I've owned a Xaviere Zimaitis copy for over 12 years now, and It's an awesome guitar! Still sounds and plays great, and amazingly stays in tune very well! NOW, it's not equal to my Gibby LP Special or any of my American PRS's, but then again.... I paid $169 for it!! I just bought another guitar from Guitar Fetish, but don't have it yet! I will also say that Guitar Fetish has great customer service as well! Bought some pickups from them as well, and couldn't be happier! Thanks for reviewing guitars the way you do, too many reviewers compare $200 guitars to $2000 guitars and then dirt the less expensive ones! VALUE is a king in my book! My Xaivere is so good, I can't bring myself to sell it, and when I put down my PRS Custom 24 Ten Top, and pick my $169 Xaviere, I am not confused which is a better guitar, BUT.....NOBODY EVER TELLS ME THEY NOTICED A BIG DROP OFF IN MY SOUND! BRAVO XAVIERE !
I never cease to be amazed at how much guitar you can get for the money. There are so many nice features on this LP style guitar, and the pick-up quick connect configuration is great too. It sounds really good!! Excellent review as always, and thank you, Darrell! 👍💖🎸😎
I have a XV-820 Tele from GFS. For the price of $169 US. It’s a very good guitar. The sounds great and plays well. When I received nut was cut wrong. I changed it out and it’s good to go. The Kwikplugs are great. GFS has all kinds for around $25 to $45. But it’s so fast, you change your strings change your pickups too. Give your self a new / different guitar for however long. You get board change em again. Good values for what they offer.
Yeah I’ve had but issues with their necks too. But for the price I’ll gladly buy a $6 bone nut and upgrade. That’s really why these are great for me because I like to customize and like a Ferrari you don’t customize a real Les Paul.
Darrell, I bought a Xavier XV-500 in 2013. I got the Lemon Drop color. It doesn't have the coil splits or the quick change pickups, but it does have the long tenon neck joint. Price was $209, added an ostrich skin case, and shipping came to $297 total. Can't beat the deal. I changed the nut, tuners, and 3 way switch. A fret leveling done and the guitar is now awesome. Love it. Thank you for the videos.
If someone wanted a Les paul-esk guitar without breaking the bank, this is a great option. Some small issues can be fixed with a good set up but even expensive guitars need to be set up properly.. Especially when being shipped from country to country.
I've ordered a Xaviere Pro555 in Gold Sparkle - the mini jack plug pickup swap is an innovation that should have been made an industry standard 40 years ago! *I'm a total "gear head" with 15 guitars - Gibsons, Fenders, Hagstrom, Gretsch, PRS - but I'm checking out budget beauties like this. Éamonn (Eams)
I still love my EPI Les Paul Traditional PRO-III Plus. I was able to get it new for 550.00 with a Desert Burst maple cap. The thing is beautiful. Has real Grover tuners and Gibson USA 57 humbucker pickups. Coil Taps, a DB boost, and phase switch. You really can not beat the value and variety of sounds you get in that guitar.
Just purchased this guitar in gloss black...371.00 total delivered w/hardshell case..love it, after new strings, set up (mine wasn't even close) and I had a gfs brass roller bridge and stop bar (in black) that I threw on...this guitar is amazing! I couldn't build this for this price. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. New knobs with set screws on the way... great review, helped me decide to get it, thanks!
Since I started my little hobby of building guitars, GFS pickups have been my thing...they sound great and are very affordable. And since I hate soldering...KwikPlug is the bee's knees. That's a very nice instrument in the review!
I have used their pickups for yrs also. I have a strat with 2 crunchy pats big block bridge and wilkie tuners. I prob have $200 into it.It's my go to axe still to this day.
Okay, shipping speed was amazing. I ordered it 4 days ago, and it was just delivered. The appearance of the guitar and the quality of the hard case I ordered with it are amazing. I haven’t had a chance to hook it up to an amp yet. The push pull pots for splitting the coils on the one I got are buttery smooth. If I played guitar instead of bass I would be seriously jealous that it is for my son. I’ll leave another reply once I have a chance to really test it out.
@@eliasbutcher859 my son loves it. He also has a Squier Start and Tele, and a Ibanez Jem 555bk, and the Xavier is his favorite. The Switches and pots still work like new.
@@JCole78 thanks so much for getting back to me! Hey so are they alpha pots- regardless of what he saw in the video? Just wondering if that’s something I would replace and it’d sound more professional
@@eliasbutcher859 honestly I’m not sure, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade them if you wanted. I’m sure they’re fairly inexpensive pots that come with it.
Great review! I own one of the original Xavier (Zemaitis lawsuit) red sparkle finish guitars. I bought it almost 20 years ago. It is fantastic. I have done some minor changes. Nut, chrome Grovers, chrome knobs. It is beautiful and plays sweet! Great value. I'd love to see some more Xavier reviews. Maybe their fancy acoustics, semi hollow and Casino styles or maybe their less Paul models with the Floyd Rose tremolos! Love your channel. I wish these guitars were around when I started playing back in the day. Back then, unless you spent a lot of money you couldn't find a descent axe to play. Nowadays we have so many options! Ant thankfully we've got good people like you to educate on this stuff! Thanks again bro!
It seems likely that the full maple cap is soft maple with a curly maple veneer on top. It will be essentially indistinguishable from solid curly maple in every way (unless you try to sand off the finish and sand through the veneer, but still almost certainly a veneer.
I recently assembled a Strat-style Hardtail from parts I got through Guitar Fetish...solid Ash body, Rock Maple neck, Fender TexMex loaded pick guard, the thing sings...been buying GFS/Xavier stuff for years...tremendous value...been looking at their finished guitars but never pulled the trigger on one, great to see and hear this review...thanks! The finish, colors, selections, parts, hardware...all excellent, and the customer service is personal and attentive/fast...really impressive outfit...surprisingly small operation, but high quality stuff...
Great guitar, great pickups( I have their pickups in my Epiphone L.P.). Just another hundred bucks to Mojo Tone for their prewired CTS pots and paper in oil capacitors kit, and you're good to go on as good a tone as you're going to get out of an L.P.!!! Thank you Darrell for showing all these kids how not to get ripped off!
I just bought one and it's sweet. Better sounding then any Gibson Les Paul I own. Especially for 300 bucks right to my front porch in 2 days. Best 300 bucks I ever spent. I'll buy a few more.
Xavieres are phenomenal for the price. Any time you buy a guitar from a company who prides themselves first and foremost on their quality aftermarket custom pickups and hardware, you know you're going to get something pretty sweet. That's how ESP started too.
Darrell when are you going to do that telecaster build with the shock the fox body because you've had that body for awhile and I'm waiting to see you do a full tele build on the channel. I'm embarking on building a superstar inspired by your superstat build and I'd love to see more build videos
Yeah, let's hear the guitar in context. I live in the strat world, always wanted to pick up an LP. Even at this price, this would be expensive for me now. Let's hear this guitar, unprocessed, next to other LP's, or single cuts, whatever you want to call them, but some branded ones. Like an epi at the same price point, and an LP at 10x the price point. Record raw from your amp, no processing, no eq, no compression, no limiting, no thickening production techniques. Just raw sound of each. Rapidly AB... CD, in the middle of the same phrase, not A in the verse, then the B in the chorus, and other poor demonstration techniques (I might call them sales techniques). Just switch right in the middle of the line, back and forth, back and forth. Trust me, that is how recording engineers, and mix engineers actually and properly AB. You don't need 30 seconds of A and 30 seconds of B. The ear does not have that level of memory. Do a few seconds of A, 3-5 seconds, then right into B for 3-5 seconds. Don't switch even at the start of the note. Switch right in the same part of A into the same part of B. Peak match, not RMS, or not unequally loudness matched, but peak match each recording. You'll have some range, not every peak will match with every other peak, but, most peaks at the same level. Please give us a few raw .wavs of each run through on each guitar. Play to a click track or a backing track, but don't include it in the recording. No pedals, just amp. Same settings for each guitar. This is all stuff youtube demo channels do to manipulate user perception of what they are experiencing, and it pi55e5 me off, it is deception. Keep it straight. Let us hear for ourselves. We don't have the budget to do these tests, that's why we're watching you, mate. If you did this right, it'd be invaluable and I'd likely buy one of these on the spot if it sounded reasonably good, relative to the real things. Thanks if you do this, and someone, if you can, lemme know by replying to this comment if he actually follows through with a real demo of this guitar, I desperately would like to hear it, I just have a lot going on, and I'm losing my mind (really). It would help me greatly!
alpha numeric There is Nothing like a good Gibson. I have three good ones. The sound makes me smile. All these “ look you can get a cheap copy that is close to the original” is like the loving parent with no idea about guitars fronting up with with a Christmas present of one of these being met with a disappointing look from their son and wondering why! It’s obvious. Woods pickups glues hardware and craftsmanship!!!!!! Everyone thinks they are getting a bargain when all they get is a pig in a poke.
I love Xaviere. I've got I think 15 of them. Every one of them a great guitar. At least 5 were "Factory Seconds" that took me quite awhile to find the flaw, and I know I'm still looking on one of them. I also tried out one of their acoustics and THAT was amazing as well.
Bought a used Mono Price LP $75 upgraded the pickups/ used electronics $100 bucks, my Luthier was blown away how well it sounds and plays, better than some Name brands brought in for repair ! It’s my Frankenstein. Loud and Proud
I got one. Frets are undressed trash. Fret buzz for days no matter what. Save a little more and get a Fender Player series. My affinity is getting stripped for spares and cut up for firewood when my Fender arrives.
@@danielbrown39117 yeah I remember getting a squier strat for my first electric and it almost made me stop playing all those years ago. Thing went out of tune during a song worse than using a cheap whammy bar. Sold it cheap and never looked back at that loss.
Great review!I had a vintage Xaviere Zemaitis/LP style guitar. It was back when they had this huge metal truss rod cover and logo up on the head stock. IMO one of the best guitars I ever owned. I have owned several Xaviere guitars since was never disappointed with anyone of them. Wish I never sold the pearl top Xaviere saw one recently on Reverb for $1400! I think I paid 150 bucks used for the one I had. I have owned/own Agile, Xaviere, Alden and Raven West still have a couple Raven West LPs and one Agile dc lp in the collection. I just might have to grab another Xaviere just for the hell of it. I buy parts, pick ups and guitar bodies and necks for projects all the time from GF. Love their quilt tops!
Check out GF's closeouts (blems/luthire specials), I picked up one of the 900 Pro's (335 clone) with a flamed top in vintage sunburst for $210. Looks and plays nice and the PU's are very versatile.
I've been looking for a good budget LP style guitar for my son for a few months now. He has a Junior, but wants a full version LP. I showed him this review and the GFS website, and he fell in love with the green 500 (green is his favorite color). He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting it for Christmas this year along with the red case from them. I ordered it last night. I just wish you did Bass reviews as well since that what I play.
Besides the fact that he has a cool radio voice, one of my favorite things about Darrell's videos is the playability demos. He could be like- 'look @ me ...look what I can do' & just start shredding or playing using his preferred techniques, style etc... yet he always plays a simple & DELIBERATE solo while demonstrating: Tonality, action, up/down bends, taps, hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, low/top end sustains, how the pickups cope with bass, treble, & different genres, etc. Thanks for the content & consideration man...Its appreciated!
I checked their site every day for 5 months after this video, and finally snagged a green flame top in April. They were sold out of *everything* later that week. The guitar arrived and it was beautiful--better than Darrell's for fit & finish. Only criticism I have is the nut wasn't cut super-well (the low E was too high off the nut). Everything was pretty well set-up, but I went ahead and had mine PLEK'd and the nut replaced with an actual bone nut, and put some Grover locking tuners on. Yes, I spent more on the PLEK and upgrades than the guitar cost. But you know what? This now looks and plays like a $1500 guitar.
@@reels8138 Oh heck yeah, these guitars are GREAT for beginners! Miles ahead what most of us "old guys" started with - it's an inexpensive guitar that you can actually keep long after you'd get rid of some junker you'd otherwise buy to learn on. I paid about $125 for my first "real" guitar ages ago, sold it off when I could afford a real Gibson SG and never looked back. If I'd had one of these nicer new inexpensive guitars my trusty SG would have probably found a different home! Best advice is to get something you can really afford and put time into practicing and learning, rather than money into equipment. Have fun!
I have to agree, that the nut on this guitar looks pretty good. If you compare it to the nut on a couple of the Glarry guitars Darrell reviewed,, you can definitely see a difference. That being said, the issues with the Glarry guitar nut appeared to be something pretty minor, that could resolved with minimal effort.
Hey Darell there's this brand called soloking guitars. They claimed that their guitars have customshop specs at around $340. Please can you review it, especially the soloking ms1 classic
@Spike Elwood he did but not directly involved. He'd been trying for years to get Gibson to put together a solid body. They kept rejecting it, then Leo Fender put out the Tele, and Gibson was like, "That guy with the log was right holy crap..."
I own on of the blue ones just like the one in this video. I really like it. It is the loudest guitar I own. No feed back, always clean unless going through some intentional distortion. It is a little heavy for it's size but when I need to get over and cut through the rest of the band it does it with ease. I am using pure nickel blues strings 0.1 to 0.52 set. Unless I want the bass strings to really boom I have to eq the low end down a little.
I don't know what is worse, seeing these guitars and wanting to buy a few of them, or listening to Darrell play a sub $300 guitar knowing it isn't likely I could get there no matter how much I spent on an LP :)
Cool guitar. I'm a big fan of affordable Gibson style guitars that are not Gibson. There's just so much great stuff out there, tremendous values. BTW, this is the BEST guitar review channel on the planet. You know your stuff and are very thorough, and as a guitar player for almost forty years, I appreciate that. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for such a great series of CHEAP or AFFORDABLE types of gear Darrell...you ALWAYS MAKE such kick ass videos bro....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MAN !!!
I'd like to see a special edition for lefties. We're always left out when it comes to guitar reviews and availability is never even mentioned. A review of the best from cheap end to high end customs would be brilliant.
Good review! I’ve never bought a guitar from GFS but I’ve used many of their pickups and LOVE them! Their Strat-sized lipstick tube and humbucker-sized P-90s are wonderful.
Nice. I’m wondering when you do the reviews and sound demos on the budget guitars, can you plug in and play the real Les Paul (or other models depending on what you are demoing) so we get a comparison?
You can't expect it to sound the same? It isn't it just a pickup magnet with a coil wire around it? I mean, I think they just take these things apart and replicate them. I think the lp or more guaranteed the fit and finish and fret work is better, although I must tell you the older I get the more I realize that I have no idea what I'm talking about.
@@valueofnothing2487 Not true.. even guitars that are the same model can sound the same. The # of windings, orientation of the windings and type of magnets all play a role. Sometimes it's subtle, but some people care about details
Just bought a Tanglewood Les Paul in Honeyburst it's fantastic £500 block position markers everything, now I've owned Rickenbacker 330 360 and 620 and high end Ibanez and Mexican strats this copy is stunning looking and sounds Great, makes you think Yeah!
Hi I have to say I know diddly squat about guitars but I have found myself watching and enjoying your videos you definitely come across as a very knowledgeable guy and you explain things in an easy to understand manner. I realise you don't particularly need to hear it from me but I do find you videos very interesting and I hope you continue to make them 🙂
Try the “Harley Benton SC-Custom II FR Vintage”. It’s under $300 with Floyd Rose 1000 bridge set mahogany neck, mahogany body, vintage satin black, 5 ply binding all around! Bought one on a lark from “Thomann” in Germany along with a 212 slant cab with 2 Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, also under &300.00. If you don’t mind waiting several weeks cheap shipping, if you only want a couple hands touching before delivery, I recommend you go with UPS Express, I had mine in 3 days, from Germany! However that will cost you about $50.00 for each item, I paid just under $100.00 for both! But amazed at the beauty, and playability, and set up. Check it out, if yours impresses as mine did, you’ll be doing cartwheels!
@WaurufEx - Nope, not true! He was happy with the guitar, except for a few minor manufacturing issues around the neck, but he was disappointed with the 7-month wait for it to finally arrive. Plus, Thomann were really bad communicators and even sold his order to someone else without letting him know, and they only sent him another one after he'd contacted them to find out what was going on. Really bad customer service! He should've asked for some kind of compensation, too!
Thanks for the very nice review and demo! I just bought one of these (in the lemon-drop finish) and I think it's an excellent guitar for the money. It came nicely set up and intonated. The fingerboard is quite beautiful black walnut (it has a semi-polished finish). Fret ends are smooth with no sprout. I love Guitar Fetish's Kwik-Plug system. I have a Tele-style guitar from them that was so easy to upgrade the pickups, and their better/higher-priced pickups are still very reasonably priced.
i bought an Xavier Acoustic Rich Tonewood Series. The build finish was absolutely flawless. I could find more things wrong with my Martin D35 than I could with the Xavier, and it sounds awesome -- Darrell you should do a review of one of those too. It has the same cross inlays that the "Les Paul" you reviewed had.
Me too in purple. Added the open hotter neck, bought Schiller locking tuners. Changed the knobs to purple acrylic insert chrome. Anded the hotter bare black Bridge. 8-38 strings and it’s amazing. Oh, used some 8000grit wet dry on the neck and changed the caps to oil in paper; .015 meg on neck & .020 w/treble bleed!! Perfection!!!
Loved the review you gave this,, I eventually bought the 550 model with the quilted maple top,,, beautiful,,, even had my father who never liked the style Les Paul personally,, and even he stated he didn't want to like it,,, played beautifully out of box no adjustments, and great sustain
A $270US guitar, after shipping and exchange is about $600CN. Even more if there's Duty on it. Love watching these "cheap guitar" videos, but man, it's depressing knowing we can't have nice things here.
When COVID clears take a small vacation to the US. For me driving is 40 minutes but don't worry there will be great priced flights coming up I'm sure. Go to Vegas for example. With some luck you can pick up a real nice guitar, check out the pawn shops or even order on line. Just wing it.
Don’t know if you can get them in Canada but an Australian company, Artist Guitars markets a Les Paul copy, the LP59 for around £200 shipped in the UK which is incredible! More authentic shape, bone nut, locking tuners, coil split, lock down tail piece, pickups based on the Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz set, roller bridge and fret nibs, all as standard! You really should try and get your hands on one to review, you won’t be disappointed!
I bet you just sold every one GFS has. For that money its crazy how good that sounds. I can't believe what you can get for a few hundred bucks now days.
I have their crunchy pat pickups I put in one of their blowout sale LP copies and it absolutely screams. The guitar needed a lot of work but it was the best $155 I’ve ever spent
@@Rollermanfromspace I seriously can't believe the quality of inexpensive EVERYTHING now, amps, pedals, guitars, all of it. I love it, we are all very blessed to be guitar players right now. I don't have any experience with their stuff first hand but I know I have heard nothing but good things especially the Slick stuff. I really don't see how these companies make any money on some of the stuff. I know different countries have lower labor and goods but come on Jackson has some of the best stuff I have played for under 200. I got a js22 dinky for 149 brand new on an open box return and I was blown away.
I bought a purple Floyd Rose version of this Xaviere Pro555 last week. The Floyd Rose gave me the dickens to tune, then I realized the bridge saddles were set on the bridge holes closest to the pickups. This resulted in all the strings tuning sharp. Once I moved them all back, the guitar intonates beautifully. Since I live in an apartment with paper-thin walls, I play the guitar through Ik Multimedia Amplitube 4 on my computer. So far, my favorite sound is the Joe Satriani Rockman 100 amp sim. The Brian May settings rule, too.
I bought my epiphone LP tribute plus. It was pretty loaded with Gibson's pups, switchcraft toggle, cts pots and Grover locking tuners. Also has full thickness maple cap. My nit-pick is multi piece mahogany body but they put a one piece mahogany veneer to cover it up. Looks and plays fantastic. Slapped a bone nut in it and ready to go.
I bought a new Actual Gibson Les Paul last week for $2500 I love it, couldn't be happier. Im sure this Xavier is a nice guitar and Im glad kids can play something playable for $200. I have owned many of these knockoffs over the years but I need the original.
Some time ago I bought a used Xaviere Les Paul Junior style guitar with double P90s. They don't make that model anymore but it's fantastic. I'll be looking into this one soon!
So I just got mine today. Wow. A great piece of kit. With exchange, shipping and import taxes it cost me around $550 dollars to Toronto Canada. I compared this to a new other brand les paul and I was struggling to find one for less than $800 with a lower spec and much cheaper feel. The Xavier is a cracking guitar! Very happy with it.
They used to make a Zemaitis like guitar but with 24 3/4 scale length, both in solid colors and shell top (no metal top models). I don't think I've ever read a bad review on one. Of course due to lawsuits those guitars were discontinued. It would be nice to have a decent quality budget Zemaitis option available today.
The world of budget guitars is vastly different to when I was a young dude, back then you couldn't get this level of value under $1,000
Crazy, right? I have a Stagg LP that I absolutely love. Can't put it down.
I know right. My first decent guitar costed 600 with no case and the manager at the shop sold a lot of drum heads ect.. to my older brother. Plus they were friends so he actually knocked off 200 dollars from the asking price (which was 300 below the suggested retail lol) , hence no case. Again... A decent guitar. Black finish ect... That kind of money 30 years later will get you a great guitar. Amazing really.
Everything is cheaper. You also had to spend 2k+ on a nice rig. Now I can make the same sounds with a computer.
I was thinking the same thing. However, I still haven't come across a hollowbody budget guitar that really holds up. I had a few over the years that were just crap. Maybe its time to try and build one myself. Big maybe lol
@@alc3062 Thank you! I definitely will.
Darrell I really appreciate this series on affordable guitars. It’s awesome for beginner players and for folks like me that have been playing for 20 years. Being reminded that it isn’t always about the name brands and expensive stuff. While some of that is awesome and totally worth it....you can make rad music within your budget with decent quality stuff you can afford. That’s huge. I’m not ever gonna be famous. I can’t spend all my grocery money on high quality pro gear. So it’s great to watch these. Thank you so much. Your channel is rad.
Good insight
Who told you that you'd never be famous? Maybe you already are. I see you.
I see you, too, man
It's a Les Paul, but for Les money!
how did u not get thousands of likes from this comment?
genius.
It's a LesPaul clone, but not a Les Paul...
@@kenz5469 its a Les paul, But its *Less* Paul
absolutely
Here we are in the 21st century and the fact that there's a quick connect system on the pickups is worthy of note is just ridiculous. Why aren't all electric guitars like this?
Most things in the music industry are overpriced.
Its probably patented by gfs
They'd all have to agree, along with the pickup manufacturers, to use the same system. Without doing that, it really wouldn't matter. Good luck trying to get that to happen.
You'd be surprised how many guitars never have the pickups swapped out, so no need for 'the zipper' on them.
I think the answer lies in the quality and durability.
The engineering was not done by the copy cats.
Ask yourself what shape will it be in 50 years from now? What kind of waranty does it have?
For me, last but not least, how does the sound compare? Dont think it can hold a candle to the real deal.
Just got a charcoal Xaviere LP style guitar with F-holes from Guitarfetish as well just a few weeks ago. out of the box I tuned it up and it plays great. awesome sustain... I'm super happy!
How’s it going with your new guitar? Still happy after a few months. I looked at those with the f holes in them on their site and considered buying one. Would like to know your opinion
Just ordered one in Gloss White, Christmas gift to me!
You you're the person who put me on the waiting list 😡
@@komandantkilljoy lmao I’m gonna get one aswell
@@Phillip_Stergo_GGCC I can't wait until they restock the one I want
I’m getting an ebony colored one
hope u enjoy it
Darrell, thank you so much for reviewing this guitar. After watching, I ordered one. Got the green quilted maple. Got it, today, and I love it.
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I had to wait about 6 months for the Lemon Drop finish, but I'm glad I did. Xaviere makes some very nice guitars.
The "Les Paul" I ordered is so good that I ordered a "Tele" (with binding!) as well. Thanks for the heads up on these guitars!
I just ordered one in "lemon drop" 3 days ago.
Well, it's been 6 months. How do you like it? I'm thinking about getting one too.
@@Boozerbear The Tele is a daily player, definitely recommend it over the Les Paul, which is also fine. I did have to file the fret ends a little.
@@ChrisB... thanks man, I'm thinking of picking up the black darkidise strat, I love the pink Floyd look
Bought one of these a couple years ago on Amazon when they first started showing up for
I really appreciate you for your honesty and uplifting comments on affordable gear. Sure if the budget can do it a Gibson is great but for many folks to own something this beautiful can become reality. Thanks for a great review!
For a Budget Les Paul style guitar is sounds really great
Andre S. Darrel has a habit of making just about everything sound really good though
Remind yourself he's playing through at least a $1,500 amp and professional audio equipment/software. For the average at home guitarist the sound will most likely be a good bit different
@@justinmurray8500 this!!! People forget all about this and just think the guitar is the source of the great sound.
@Xavier Rodriguez yeah sorry I didn't notice it
@@andresantel2137 would have been funny if you said "yeah sorry I didn't notice is"
I seriously love the setup of his studio, it's epic. Love his professionalism in his video tutorials as. The revolving guitar stand (carousel) is bad ass, showing the guitar in 360 view. It's sweet.
Super impressed with those pickups, the second you split them. So beautiful!
I bought one of their teles, a slick tele51 and one of their 335 models. Absolutely love all three and you can’t beat the value for them. I will say that the fret work on the Xavier tele was better than both the slick and the 335 model, however, nothing a little patience and sanding can’t fix!
Thanks Darrell!
After having owned a Epiphone Les Paul that was near 1k. I'm kinda interested in Les Paul style guitars like this that I won't cry if it gets scratched, dinged, etc laying out on a stand. Can even mod it without feeling guilty. I just don't think I'm the 2k-4k Gibson Les Paul kinda guy.
Most of that 2k-4k is paying towards the Brand and Logo
You can't go wrong with Xaviere man. Really solid value guitars
300 bucks is still not for throwing away, man...
Wolf and Agile also make "affordable" LP style guitars that look and sound great.
@@MrEric622
I tried an Agile years ago that was supposedly had polished and crown frets that came with I think?
The action was too low for me I had to raise it a little bit! No buzzing at all. Amazing.
Last time I checked rondomusic they were a little more expensive. And they are very heavy.
This guy's videos are among the best guitar related videos you can find on youtube. Just from watching a few you can really tell that he cares about what he uploads. The quality of his videos really shows. He explains things well and takes the time to take it apart and actually give you a visual on specs potential buyers might wanna know. Its reasons like this that make Darrel one of my fav youtube creators. Not to mention I just like to hear him play too🎸. Cheers on another solid review my man👍
What a beautiful blue burst finish, the white mounting rings and chrome pup covers complete the look. I don't usually like humbucker cleans, but she sounded really rich and warm. Thanks for another entertaining review.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I've really wanted to buy a Les Paul - but just wasn't willing to pay the full price tag that comes with them. This is perfect for me.
I'm a BIG fan of these modular pickup switching systems, would very much like to see this become the norm. Thanks for the review, the guitar looked good and performed well for what it was priced at!
This guitar had me so interested I went to their site and found all the pickups and hardware I needed for my own guitar upgrades. Huge thanks!
Hey there! What did you upgrade and for how much?
That colour combination is really attractive. Beautiful guitar.
Based on your review, told the wife that "just one more" guitar would be nice for X-mas.
Well, she did just that. Being that I already have a Strat and Tele (Both Fenders, not a knock-off) a Les Paul style was missing. Wasn't with the coil splits as not really needed, but its a gorgeous Vintage Natural finish, zebra pups, and not all that bad out-of-the-box. Taking it to my luthier for a proper set-up, but first impression after spending an hour on it this morning is that its very well constructed, no blems, and the fret ends are actually nicely finished.
Couldn't get this level of quality back in the day...
I have been looking at one of these for years, I do have a set of the quick connect pafs in a 335 copy I have and it was really easy to install and rock.
GFS is fantastic value and really good quality on a lot of their parts, pickups, guitars. I'm happy they're getting even more popular these days. They definitely always will be one of the first places I look anytime I've needed anything guitar related. I even use their pickups in my PRS because they're so good!
I've bought a ton of stuff from them in the last few years. I spent $50 rewiring a Johnson P-bass, and it was seriously a great sounding bass after changing out the pickup for their cheapest one, and using their kwik plug harness. Easier than restringing it, honestly.
Great review! I've owned a Xaviere Zimaitis copy for over 12 years now, and It's an awesome guitar! Still sounds and plays great, and amazingly stays in tune very well! NOW, it's not equal to my Gibby LP Special or any of my American PRS's, but then again.... I paid $169 for it!! I just bought another guitar from Guitar Fetish, but don't have it yet! I will also say that Guitar Fetish has great customer service as well! Bought some pickups from them as well, and couldn't be happier! Thanks for reviewing guitars the way you do, too many reviewers compare $200 guitars to $2000 guitars and then dirt the less expensive ones! VALUE is a king in my book! My Xaivere is so good, I can't bring myself to sell it, and when I put down my PRS Custom 24 Ten Top, and pick my $169 Xaviere, I am not confused which is a better guitar, BUT.....NOBODY EVER TELLS ME THEY NOTICED A BIG DROP OFF IN MY SOUND! BRAVO XAVIERE !
Enjoy this gentleman and his site so much! Thank You Darrell! Appreciate you very much!
I never cease to be amazed at how much guitar you can get for the money. There are so many nice features on this LP style guitar, and the pick-up quick connect configuration is great too. It sounds really good!! Excellent review as always, and thank you, Darrell! 👍💖🎸😎
Please do more reviews of this Brand, and other " Affordable" guitar makers!. Thanks Darrell
I have a XV-820 Tele from GFS.
For the price of $169 US. It’s a very good guitar. The sounds great and plays well. When I received nut was cut wrong. I changed it out and it’s good to go. The Kwikplugs are great. GFS has all kinds for around $25 to $45. But it’s so fast, you change your strings change your pickups too. Give your self a new / different guitar for however long. You get board change em again. Good values for what they offer.
Yeah I’ve had but issues with their necks too. But for the price I’ll gladly buy a $6 bone nut and upgrade. That’s really why these are great for me because I like to customize and like a Ferrari you don’t customize a real Les Paul.
Darrell, I bought a Xavier XV-500 in 2013. I got the Lemon Drop color. It doesn't have the coil splits or the quick change pickups, but it does have the long tenon neck joint. Price was $209, added an ostrich skin case, and shipping came to $297 total. Can't beat the deal. I changed the nut, tuners, and 3 way switch. A fret leveling done and the guitar is now awesome. Love it. Thank you for the videos.
Very impressive budget guitar looks and sounds wicked of course the man playing it helps ,you're a great guitarist!
If someone wanted a Les paul-esk guitar without breaking the bank, this is a great option. Some small issues can be fixed with a good set up but even expensive guitars need to be set up properly.. Especially when being shipped from country to country.
That color of burst is amazing
I just ordered the EPIPHONE blueberry burst es-335. I love the burst. Of course I didn’t buy it just for that lol
I've ordered a Xaviere Pro555 in Gold Sparkle - the mini jack plug pickup swap is an innovation that should have been made an industry standard 40 years ago!
*I'm a total "gear head" with 15 guitars - Gibsons, Fenders, Hagstrom, Gretsch, PRS - but I'm checking out budget beauties like this.
Éamonn (Eams)
I still love my EPI Les Paul Traditional PRO-III Plus. I was able to get it new for 550.00 with a Desert Burst maple cap. The thing is beautiful. Has real Grover tuners and Gibson USA 57 humbucker pickups. Coil Taps, a DB boost, and phase switch. You really can not beat the value and variety of sounds you get in that guitar.
Just purchased this guitar in gloss black...371.00 total delivered w/hardshell case..love it, after new strings, set up (mine wasn't even close) and I had a gfs brass roller bridge and stop bar (in black) that I threw on...this guitar is amazing! I couldn't build this for this price. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. New knobs with set screws on the way... great review, helped me decide to get it, thanks!
Since I started my little hobby of building guitars, GFS pickups have been my thing...they sound great and are very affordable. And since I hate soldering...KwikPlug is the bee's knees. That's a very nice instrument in the review!
I have used their pickups for yrs also. I have a strat with 2 crunchy pats big block bridge and wilkie tuners. I prob have $200 into it.It's my go to axe still to this day.
DUDE!!... when are YOU going to put an “album” out... you’re an exceptional guitar player!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!
I had a blemished semi hollow gold top for a few years by Xavier that I got for like $150. Hell of a guitar well made and legit frame for growth
Okay, shipping speed was amazing. I ordered it 4 days ago, and it was just delivered. The appearance of the guitar and the quality of the hard case I ordered with it are amazing. I haven’t had a chance to hook it up to an amp yet. The push pull pots for splitting the coils on the one I got are buttery smooth. If I played guitar instead of bass I would be seriously jealous that it is for my son. I’ll leave another reply once I have a chance to really test it out.
Really curious how it went!
@@eliasbutcher859 my son loves it. He also has a Squier Start and Tele, and a Ibanez Jem 555bk, and the Xavier is his favorite. The Switches and pots still work like new.
@@JCole78 thanks so much for getting back to me! Hey so are they alpha pots- regardless of what he saw in the video? Just wondering if that’s something I would replace and it’d sound more professional
@@eliasbutcher859 honestly I’m not sure, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade them if you wanted. I’m sure they’re fairly inexpensive pots that come with it.
@@JCole78 Curious if you have thoughts on if this will range from Beatles to Smashing Pumpkins
Great review! I own one of the original Xavier (Zemaitis lawsuit) red sparkle finish guitars. I bought it almost 20 years ago. It is fantastic. I have done some minor changes. Nut, chrome Grovers, chrome knobs. It is beautiful and plays sweet! Great value. I'd love to see some more Xavier reviews. Maybe their fancy acoustics, semi hollow and Casino styles or maybe their less Paul models with the Floyd Rose tremolos!
Love your channel. I wish these guitars were around when I started playing back in the day. Back then, unless you spent a lot of money you couldn't find a descent axe to play. Nowadays we have so many options! Ant thankfully we've got good people like you to educate on this stuff! Thanks again bro!
*decent. "Descent" is something different.
Just ordered one of these, in no small part due to your very thorough review. Thanks!
50% - Guitar's pickups and amp settings and all.
50% - Darrell's playing 😍
Bought one two years ago based off this video and its been my main axe ever since. Amazing guitar!
I’ve always wanted a les Paul, I think I’m going to build my own.... thanks for the video She’s a beauty!
It seems likely that the full maple cap is soft maple with a curly maple veneer on top. It will be essentially indistinguishable from solid curly maple in every way (unless you try to sand off the finish and sand through the veneer, but still almost certainly a veneer.
Yea I agree. It’s maple top and the flame is still veneer.
If it requires sanding the top off to tell, I'm going to guess that it wouldn't be that important to me!
I recently assembled a Strat-style Hardtail from parts I got through Guitar Fetish...solid Ash body, Rock Maple neck, Fender TexMex loaded pick guard, the thing sings...been buying GFS/Xavier stuff for years...tremendous value...been looking at their finished guitars but never pulled the trigger on one, great to see and hear this review...thanks!
The finish, colors, selections, parts, hardware...all excellent, and the customer service is personal and attentive/fast...really impressive outfit...surprisingly small operation, but high quality stuff...
Great guitar, great pickups( I have their pickups in my Epiphone L.P.). Just another hundred bucks to Mojo Tone for their prewired CTS pots and paper in oil capacitors kit, and you're good to go on as good a tone as you're going to get out of an L.P.!!! Thank you Darrell for showing all these kids how not to get ripped off!
I just bought one and it's sweet. Better sounding then any Gibson Les Paul I own. Especially for 300 bucks right to my front porch in 2 days. Best 300 bucks I ever spent. I'll buy a few more.
I like the "Caribbean" burst. Seems like quite a good guitar at a surprisingly low price. Thanks
Xavieres are phenomenal for the price. Any time you buy a guitar from a company who prides themselves first and foremost on their quality aftermarket custom pickups and hardware, you know you're going to get something pretty sweet. That's how ESP started too.
Darrell when are you going to do that telecaster build with the shock the fox body because you've had that body for awhile and I'm waiting to see you do a full tele build on the channel. I'm embarking on building a superstar inspired by your superstat build and I'd love to see more build videos
That “one minute solo” sure was tasty! 👍
Nice guitar for a great price. Awesome video, Darrell! Love your work.
You know... this is definitelly something I could use... any chance to hear it beside your Epi or LP? As always - fantastic review
GitarskeBravure good idea!
THIS!!
Listen mate it sounds awful. After processing through a mega expensive amp ok. If that’s what you want.
Yeah, let's hear the guitar in context. I live in the strat world, always wanted to pick up an LP. Even at this price, this would be expensive for me now. Let's hear this guitar, unprocessed, next to other LP's, or single cuts, whatever you want to call them, but some branded ones. Like an epi at the same price point, and an LP at 10x the price point. Record raw from your amp, no processing, no eq, no compression, no limiting, no thickening production techniques. Just raw sound of each. Rapidly AB... CD, in the middle of the same phrase, not A in the verse, then the B in the chorus, and other poor demonstration techniques (I might call them sales techniques). Just switch right in the middle of the line, back and forth, back and forth. Trust me, that is how recording engineers, and mix engineers actually and properly AB. You don't need 30 seconds of A and 30 seconds of B. The ear does not have that level of memory. Do a few seconds of A, 3-5 seconds, then right into B for 3-5 seconds. Don't switch even at the start of the note. Switch right in the same part of A into the same part of B. Peak match, not RMS, or not unequally loudness matched, but peak match each recording. You'll have some range, not every peak will match with every other peak, but, most peaks at the same level. Please give us a few raw .wavs of each run through on each guitar. Play to a click track or a backing track, but don't include it in the recording. No pedals, just amp. Same settings for each guitar.
This is all stuff youtube demo channels do to manipulate user perception of what they are experiencing, and it pi55e5 me off, it is deception. Keep it straight. Let us hear for ourselves. We don't have the budget to do these tests, that's why we're watching you, mate. If you did this right, it'd be invaluable and I'd likely buy one of these on the spot if it sounded reasonably good, relative to the real things.
Thanks if you do this, and someone, if you can, lemme know by replying to this comment if he actually follows through with a real demo of this guitar, I desperately would like to hear it, I just have a lot going on, and I'm losing my mind (really). It would help me greatly!
alpha numeric There is Nothing like a good Gibson. I have three good ones. The sound makes me smile. All these “ look you can get a cheap copy that is close to the original” is like the loving parent with no idea about guitars fronting up with with a Christmas present of one of these being met with a disappointing look from their son and wondering why! It’s obvious. Woods pickups glues hardware and craftsmanship!!!!!! Everyone thinks they are getting a bargain when all they get is a pig in a poke.
I’ve been buying stuff from GF for a while now and building guitars with their bodies and necks and pickups and have no complaints
I love Xaviere. I've got I think 15 of them. Every one of them a great guitar. At least 5 were "Factory Seconds" that took me quite awhile to find the flaw, and I know I'm still looking on one of them. I also tried out one of their acoustics and THAT was amazing as well.
Bought a used Mono Price LP $75 upgraded the pickups/ used electronics $100 bucks, my Luthier was blown away how well it sounds and plays, better than some Name brands brought in for repair ! It’s my Frankenstein. Loud and Proud
I’m going to be getting a squier affinity stratocaster hss as my first guitar and I’m very excited I’ve always wanted to learn.
The world needs more guitar players, I hope you enjoy it!
I’ve also been planning on buying a squier standard strat! Hopefully you also get great use out of your new guitar!
Sounds great, let me know how it plays!
I got one. Frets are undressed trash. Fret buzz for days no matter what. Save a little more and get a Fender Player series.
My affinity is getting stripped for spares and cut up for firewood when my Fender arrives.
@@danielbrown39117 yeah I remember getting a squier strat for my first electric and it almost made me stop playing all those years ago. Thing went out of tune during a song worse than using a cheap whammy bar. Sold it cheap and never looked back at that loss.
Great review!I had a vintage Xaviere Zemaitis/LP style guitar. It was back when they had this huge metal truss rod cover and logo up on the head stock. IMO one of the best guitars I ever owned. I have owned several Xaviere guitars since was never disappointed with anyone of them. Wish I never sold the pearl top Xaviere saw one recently on Reverb for $1400! I think I paid 150 bucks used for the one I had. I have owned/own Agile, Xaviere, Alden and Raven West still have a couple Raven West LPs and one Agile dc lp in the collection. I just might have to grab another Xaviere just for the hell of it. I buy parts, pick ups and guitar bodies and necks for projects all the time from GF. Love their quilt tops!
Check out GF's closeouts (blems/luthire specials), I picked up one of the 900 Pro's (335 clone) with a flamed top in vintage sunburst for $210. Looks and plays nice and the PU's are very versatile.
I've been looking for a good budget LP style guitar for my son for a few months now. He has a Junior, but wants a full version LP. I showed him this review and the GFS website, and he fell in love with the green 500 (green is his favorite color). He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting it for Christmas this year along with the red case from them. I ordered it last night. I just wish you did Bass reviews as well since that what I play.
Hes gonna be really happy about that im sure😂
Besides the fact that he has a cool radio voice, one of my favorite things about Darrell's videos is the playability demos. He could be like- 'look @ me ...look what I can do' & just start shredding or playing using his preferred techniques, style etc... yet he always plays a simple & DELIBERATE solo while demonstrating:
Tonality, action, up/down bends, taps, hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, slides, low/top end sustains, how the pickups cope with bass, treble, & different genres, etc.
Thanks for the content & consideration man...Its appreciated!
I checked their site every day for 5 months after this video, and finally snagged a green flame top in April. They were sold out of *everything* later that week. The guitar arrived and it was beautiful--better than Darrell's for fit & finish. Only criticism I have is the nut wasn't cut super-well (the low E was too high off the nut). Everything was pretty well set-up, but I went ahead and had mine PLEK'd and the nut replaced with an actual bone nut, and put some Grover locking tuners on. Yes, I spent more on the PLEK and upgrades than the guitar cost. But you know what? This now looks and plays like a $1500 guitar.
Do you think this guitar would be good for a beginner? I’m just starting out and want a nice but affordable guitar. Does it meet the criteria?
@@reels8138 Oh heck yeah, these guitars are GREAT for beginners! Miles ahead what most of us "old guys" started with - it's an inexpensive guitar that you can actually keep long after you'd get rid of some junker you'd otherwise buy to learn on. I paid about $125 for my first "real" guitar ages ago, sold it off when I could afford a real Gibson SG and never looked back. If I'd had one of these nicer new inexpensive guitars my trusty SG would have probably found a different home! Best advice is to get something you can really afford and put time into practicing and learning, rather than money into equipment. Have fun!
I have to agree, that the nut on this guitar looks pretty good. If you compare it to the nut on a couple of the Glarry guitars Darrell reviewed,, you can definitely see a difference. That being said, the issues with the Glarry guitar nut appeared to be something pretty minor, that could resolved with minimal effort.
Hey Darell there's this brand called soloking guitars. They claimed that their guitars have customshop specs at around $340. Please can you review it, especially the soloking ms1 classic
@Strange Encounter well that's what they claimed, you can even look it up
@Strange Encounter Still not bad for less than $450
This is not a Les Paul, it's a single cut. It may be as good as the Les paul, but it is a single cut.
@@tonywarsaw1300 Maybe that's why the quotes in the title? :)
@Spike Elwood he did but not directly involved. He'd been trying for years to get Gibson to put together a solid body. They kept rejecting it, then Leo Fender put out the Tele, and Gibson was like, "That guy with the log was right holy crap..."
I own on of the blue ones just like the one in this video. I really like it. It is the loudest guitar I own. No feed back, always clean unless going through some intentional distortion. It is a little heavy for it's size but when I need to get over and cut through the rest of the band it does it with ease. I am using pure nickel blues strings 0.1 to 0.52 set. Unless I want the bass strings to really boom I have to eq the low end down a little.
I don't know what is worse, seeing these guitars and wanting to buy a few of them, or listening to Darrell play a sub $300 guitar knowing it isn't likely I could get there no matter how much I spent on an LP :)
You’ll get there just practice 👍
Go practice instead on crying on youtube then!
@@QS-si3cq it's called a joke bro
Cool guitar. I'm a big fan of affordable Gibson style guitars that are not Gibson. There's just so much great stuff out there, tremendous values. BTW, this is the BEST guitar review channel on the planet. You know your stuff and are very thorough, and as a guitar player for almost forty years, I appreciate that. Keep up the good work.
GFS is awsome. I got the Neodymium pickups and they are killer.
Thanks for such a great series of CHEAP or AFFORDABLE types of gear Darrell...you ALWAYS MAKE such kick ass videos bro....KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MAN !!!
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I'd like to see a special edition for lefties. We're always left out when it comes to guitar reviews and availability is never even mentioned. A review of the best from cheap end to high end customs would be brilliant.
For example grx70 by Ibanez, leftie version 50 dollars more, and only offered in 1 color
.....left out
Good review! I’ve never bought a guitar from GFS but I’ve used many of their pickups and LOVE them! Their Strat-sized lipstick tube and humbucker-sized P-90s are wonderful.
Nice. I’m wondering when you do the reviews and sound demos on the budget guitars, can you plug in and play the real Les Paul (or other models depending on what you are demoing) so we get a comparison?
Great idea, but you can't expect this guitar to sound as good as a genuine Les Paul, but it will sound really good never the less.
You can't expect it to sound the same?
It isn't it just a pickup magnet with a coil wire around it? I mean, I think they just take these things apart and replicate them. I think the lp or more guaranteed the fit and finish and fret work is better, although I must tell you the older I get the more I realize that I have no idea what I'm talking about.
@@valueofnothing2487 Not true.. even guitars that are the same model can sound the same. The # of windings, orientation of the windings and type of magnets all play a role. Sometimes it's subtle, but some people care about details
@@valueofnothing2487è
Just bought a Tanglewood Les Paul in Honeyburst it's fantastic £500 block position markers everything, now I've owned Rickenbacker 330 360 and 620 and high end Ibanez and Mexican strats this copy is stunning looking and sounds Great, makes you think Yeah!
Hi I have to say I know diddly squat about guitars but I have found myself watching and enjoying your videos you definitely come across as a very knowledgeable guy and you explain things in an easy to understand manner. I realise you don't particularly need to hear it from me but I do find you videos very interesting and I hope you continue to make them 🙂
Try the “Harley Benton SC-Custom II FR Vintage”. It’s under $300 with Floyd Rose 1000 bridge set mahogany neck, mahogany body, vintage satin black, 5 ply binding all around! Bought one on a lark from “Thomann” in Germany along with a 212 slant cab with 2 Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, also under &300.00. If you don’t mind waiting several weeks cheap shipping, if you only want a couple hands touching before delivery, I recommend you go with UPS Express, I had mine in 3 days, from Germany! However that will cost you about $50.00 for each item, I paid just under $100.00 for both! But amazed at the beauty, and playability, and set up. Check it out, if yours impresses as mine did, you’ll be doing cartwheels!
@WaurufEx - Nope, not true! He was happy with the guitar, except for a few minor manufacturing issues around the neck, but he was disappointed with the 7-month wait for it to finally arrive. Plus, Thomann were really bad communicators and even sold his order to someone else without letting him know, and they only sent him another one after he'd contacted them to find out what was going on. Really bad customer service! He should've asked for some kind of compensation, too!
But isn't the shipping back expensive if there's something wrong with it?
I returned the guitar years ago from GFS no problem.
@WaurufEx VERY wrong... he very much liked the guitar just not the wait and thomann's communication..
Thanks for the very nice review and demo! I just bought one of these (in the lemon-drop finish) and I think it's an excellent guitar for the money. It came nicely set up and intonated. The fingerboard is quite beautiful black walnut (it has a semi-polished finish). Fret ends are smooth with no sprout. I love Guitar Fetish's Kwik-Plug system. I have a Tele-style guitar from them that was so easy to upgrade the pickups, and their better/higher-priced pickups are still very reasonably priced.
I’m surprised you haven’t bought a tele from Xavier yet. I just ordered one and hope to see one featured on your channel soon 🤞🏼
These are shipped from the Florida shop, great bunch of people there. ALWAYS the best help service...technical etc. Cant go wrong
i bought an Xavier Acoustic Rich Tonewood Series. The build finish was absolutely flawless. I could find more things wrong with my Martin D35 than I could with the Xavier, and it sounds awesome -- Darrell you should do a review of one of those too. It has the same cross inlays that the "Les Paul" you reviewed had.
I have one of their Telecasters, and it really is a nice guitar! Stock it's between a Squier and a Fender. I'm definitely happy with it!
I saw this and bought one. Lemonburst. I am a long LP guy and this one is as good as any Gibson or Epi LP's. Awesome git. Thanks so much!!
Me too in purple. Added the open hotter neck, bought Schiller locking tuners. Changed the knobs to purple acrylic insert chrome. Anded the hotter bare black Bridge.
8-38 strings and it’s amazing.
Oh, used some 8000grit wet dry on the neck and changed the caps to oil in paper; .015 meg on neck & .020 w/treble bleed!!
Perfection!!!
Would have liked more color on it!!
@@WPAPi3.14 going for that Billy Gibbons vibe with the 8’s?
@@ericbrewerguitar1499 nope 70 YO and it makes it easier to bend
@@WPAPi3.14 ah gotcha!
Loved the review you gave this,, I eventually bought the 550 model with the quilted maple top,,, beautiful,,, even had my father who never liked the style Les Paul personally,, and even he stated he didn't want to like it,,, played beautifully out of box no adjustments, and great sustain
3:52 That B sting position on the bridge makes me feel uneasy.
I just found my next guitar. I'm in love with the Lemon Drop model. Thanks Darrell. Good eye as usual.
I have the quilted lemon burst!! Gorgeous!!!
A $270US guitar, after shipping and exchange is about $600CN. Even more if there's Duty on it.
Love watching these "cheap guitar" videos, but man, it's depressing knowing we can't have nice things here.
Us hosers are always getting hosed eh? It’s sucks, that’s a beauty even for $600 CDN though.
When COVID clears take a small vacation to the US. For me driving is 40 minutes but don't worry there will be great priced flights coming up I'm sure. Go to Vegas for example. With some luck you can pick up a real nice guitar, check out the pawn shops or even order on line. Just wing it.
There has to be a shortcut, or shortcuts somewhere in the manufacture of this guitar.
@@Dobermanator Guitar Surfari! 😁
@@peachmelba1000 Yeah, it's called slave-labor wages.
Don’t know if you can get them in Canada but an Australian company, Artist Guitars markets a Les Paul copy, the LP59 for around £200 shipped in the UK which is incredible!
More authentic shape, bone nut, locking tuners, coil split, lock down tail piece, pickups based on the Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz set, roller bridge and fret nibs, all as standard!
You really should try and get your hands on one to review, you won’t be disappointed!
I bet you just sold every one GFS has. For that money its crazy how good that sounds. I can't believe what you can get for a few hundred bucks now days.
I have their crunchy pat pickups I put in one of their blowout sale LP copies and it absolutely screams. The guitar needed a lot of work but it was the best $155 I’ve ever spent
@@Rollermanfromspace I seriously can't believe the quality of inexpensive EVERYTHING now, amps, pedals, guitars, all of it. I love it, we are all very blessed to be guitar players right now. I don't have any experience with their stuff first hand but I know I have heard nothing but good things especially the Slick stuff. I really don't see how these companies make any money on some of the stuff. I know different countries have lower labor and goods but come on Jackson has some of the best stuff I have played for under 200. I got a js22 dinky for 149 brand new on an open box return and I was blown away.
@@joeyfarley9916 THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE CHEAP GUITAR...AND MOST EVERYTHING ELSE
I tried to order it and they are out of the flame ones , so I got a black one, I'll update you guys
@Spike Elwood well said, practice til your fingers bleed!
I bought a purple Floyd Rose version of this Xaviere Pro555 last week. The Floyd Rose gave me the dickens to tune, then I realized the bridge saddles were set on the bridge holes closest to the pickups. This resulted in all the strings tuning sharp. Once I moved them all back, the guitar intonates beautifully. Since I live in an apartment with paper-thin walls, I play the guitar through Ik Multimedia Amplitube 4 on my computer. So far, my favorite sound is the Joe Satriani Rockman 100 amp sim. The Brian May settings rule, too.
Guitars like this prove that the bigger brands are simply overpriced.
I bought my epiphone LP tribute plus. It was pretty loaded with Gibson's pups, switchcraft toggle, cts pots and Grover locking tuners. Also has full thickness maple cap. My nit-pick is multi piece mahogany body but they put a one piece mahogany veneer to cover it up. Looks and plays fantastic. Slapped a bone nut in it and ready to go.
I bought a new Actual Gibson Les Paul last week for $2500 I love it, couldn't be happier. Im sure this Xavier is a nice guitar and Im glad kids can play something playable for $200. I have owned many of these knockoffs over the years but I need the original.
sniff sniff...
I recently purchased the xv-825 the tele with the mini humbucker neck for 189, absolutely beautiful tones! Feels great to play love these guitars!!!
Beautiful guitar and has a nice sound. Will definitely consider getting one.
Some time ago I bought a used Xaviere Les Paul Junior style guitar with double P90s. They don't make that model anymore but it's fantastic. I'll be looking into this one soon!
Seems like a really decent deal. It sure is a pretty thing.
So I just got mine today. Wow. A great piece of kit. With exchange, shipping and import taxes it cost me around $550 dollars to Toronto Canada. I compared this to a new other brand les paul and I was struggling to find one for less than $800 with a lower spec and much cheaper feel. The Xavier is a cracking guitar! Very happy with it.
GFS makes some killer stuff. Been using them for 12 years.
So if I get one of these, what will I realistically need to replace for super stable tuning and good tone? Tuners, bridge, nut, pups?
They used to make a Zemaitis like guitar but with 24 3/4 scale length, both in solid colors and shell top (no metal top models). I don't think I've ever read a bad review on one. Of course due to lawsuits those guitars were discontinued. It would be nice to have a decent quality budget Zemaitis option available today.
World's Greatest Guitar playing salesman.
Great review, Darrell. Love the quick connect and splitable coils. Perfect price range.
When "Super Cheap" really means the greatest value when Darrell played lead. 🎸