Love the Santana! Great tie-in with PRS... Yeah, these are fabulous guitars. I got the Halcyon, which seems to be their take on the Ibanez RG, and have no complaints. Other than coming without an allen wrench, I can find nothing that would make it B-stock. Needs to be set up, but I've always found that to be par for the course with any instrument at any price point (especially coming from drastically different climate zones). SO tempted to pick up a Bolero or Barchetta at these prices, but don't think I want to push my luck. Guitars with any degree of pointy-ness in their design features have always been problematic for me. This one was no exception - the pointy headstock was somehow pushed all the way through the top of the box in shipping, pulverizing the styrofoam in the process. And yet, by some miracle, the guitar itself is immaculate. Go figure... But yes, I see no reason *not* to pick one up. It's truly a no-brainer (assuming you have the funds, of course). Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Be well, brother! 🤘
I haven't had a chance to fully test the Barchetta I received from them... but there were some issues with it I thought you guys should know about. (which makes me wonder if they knew you had a youtube channel, so they made sure the one you got was perfect lol just sayin' anyway, here are the cons I noticed so far... the packaging was pretty lame (it was double boxed, but there was only a small amount of super thin styrofoam for protection... the guitar arrived alright, but still) the tuners are definitely cheap (not smooth at all) but they do work ok the vol/tone knobs were also pretty stiff, but I was able to fix that action was high, but I was able to get lower action without buzzing The frets were really scratchy and needed polishing, and like Joe said, the strings could use replacing, but that's not an uncommon occurrence Apart from that, the pickups seem good (from the little time I've played it) and more importantly, the neck/fretboard feels nice when you play. I don't think I would've been too happy if I'd paid the full $380 for this, but for $150 it seems like a great project guitar EDIT: I should also note, Joe said the guitar he got is a Plus model... whereas mine is not, so that could factor into his being in better condition... still, I'm not convinced he didn't get a hand picked instrument lol
Nice job reviewing the guitar. Really tempted to get one, then I remembered I'm left handed. I thought single cut meant not bolt on neck? I just got a deal on a classic vibe, still almost double the price of that one. I heard on another channel, guy bought 5 of them, diamond is moving production to Indonesia. They really need to change the look of their guitars, the slotted cut at the bottle body looks horrible. Go all round edges or flat, not both. I like the look of many of the dean guitar, but they are metal style right? These are more rock guitars right? Do you know when the guitar was made? Could have been sitting around for years.
Ah, you grabbed one! Nice review. I've seen pics of the Boleros I ordered, but won't get to see them in person until Sunday. The flame finish on one doesn't look very good (uneven), and the finish on the headstock is blotchy. The manager did the same thing with another I ordered- he called and said it had a problem and they couldn't ship, so he upgraded me to a better one for the same price. Switching topics, I found a couple of guitars titled "DBZ" and "Dean Zelinsky" on eBay that look just like the Bird of Prey and Bolero, but have no logos on the headstock. Have to wonder if they're coming from the same plant as these?
I bought a DBZ Barchetta (in black) for 150 back about 2014, on eBay I think. Was the base model; don't recall the brand of tuners. I gave it up a year later when I bought a used Schecter C-1 Elite on eBay (what a sweet guitar that is; "Duncan Designed" pickups; I'm still rocking' that one, it's a favorite!) In 2015 I bought an maple w/spruce "DBZ Diamond" acoustic-electric (DBZ CA21EFM) for $230 from World Music Supply. It was decent but not great, but at the time I just had to have it. Not long after that, "DBZ" was dropped from the named they became "Diamond".
WOW! This is SOME find, "AJ". You did an amazing job with this review, also. Thank you for this review. It's a beautiful-looking guitar. I dig the headstock. Based on your valuable review this Diamond blows most Budget under $300 guitars away. Thanks brother.
What great timing... I just got my Diamond Barchetta in the mail! (thanks to your video about the sale)
Your vids are JUST FINE Joe! No need for that fancy stuff, your channel is easily one of my faves!!
Great job as usual. I appreciate all that you do for us guitar nuts. Thanks Joe
Just ordered one Joe. Thanks and take care.
Love the Santana! Great tie-in with PRS... Yeah, these are fabulous guitars. I got the Halcyon, which seems to be their take on the Ibanez RG, and have no complaints. Other than coming without an allen wrench, I can find nothing that would make it B-stock. Needs to be set up, but I've always found that to be par for the course with any instrument at any price point (especially coming from drastically different climate zones). SO tempted to pick up a Bolero or Barchetta at these prices, but don't think I want to push my luck. Guitars with any degree of pointy-ness in their design features have always been problematic for me. This one was no exception - the pointy headstock was somehow pushed all the way through the top of the box in shipping, pulverizing the styrofoam in the process. And yet, by some miracle, the guitar itself is immaculate. Go figure... But yes, I see no reason *not* to pick one up. It's truly a no-brainer (assuming you have the funds, of course). Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Be well, brother! 🤘
Thats a great buy. I love the unique finish
I haven't had a chance to fully test the Barchetta I received from them... but there were some issues with it I thought you guys should know about. (which makes me wonder if they knew you had a youtube channel, so they made sure the one you got was perfect lol just sayin'
anyway, here are the cons I noticed so far... the packaging was pretty lame (it was double boxed, but there was only a small amount of super thin styrofoam for protection... the guitar arrived alright, but still)
the tuners are definitely cheap (not smooth at all) but they do work ok
the vol/tone knobs were also pretty stiff, but I was able to fix that
action was high, but I was able to get lower action without buzzing
The frets were really scratchy and needed polishing, and like Joe said, the strings could use replacing, but that's not an uncommon occurrence
Apart from that, the pickups seem good (from the little time I've played it) and more importantly, the neck/fretboard feels nice when you play. I don't think I would've been too happy if I'd paid the full $380 for this, but for $150 it seems like a great project guitar
EDIT: I should also note, Joe said the guitar he got is a Plus model... whereas mine is not, so that could factor into his being in better condition... still, I'm not convinced he didn't get a hand picked instrument lol
I'm WAY TOO small. No hand picked guitars for me. More likely- bottom of the barrel!
@@AJgeartalk lol well either way, its a great guitar 👍
Great job as usual. Build a fancy studio and this channel would be huge!!
Way to score Joe!!
Rock on💥💥👍
Nice job reviewing the guitar. Really tempted to get one, then I remembered I'm left handed. I thought single cut meant not bolt on neck? I just got a deal on a classic vibe, still almost double the price of that one.
I heard on another channel, guy bought 5 of them, diamond is moving production to Indonesia. They really need to change the look of their guitars, the slotted cut at the bottle body looks horrible. Go all round edges or flat, not both. I like the look of many of the dean guitar, but they are metal style right? These are more rock guitars right? Do you know when the guitar was made? Could have been sitting around for years.
many of them have reverse headstocks? I like the Diamond BOLLTF-DB / Bolero LTF Electric Guitar - Denim Blue
$149.99
My Halcyon has a reverse headstock.
Europa... one of my favorite Santana songs 🎸❤
I think it was "Black Magic Woman", not " Europa"
@@robraleigh8614 Could be just about anything with my advanced skills....
@@robraleigh8614 oops ur right! lol
@@AJgeartalk 😂 it sounds great man
Ah, you grabbed one! Nice review. I've seen pics of the Boleros I ordered, but won't get to see them in person until Sunday. The flame finish on one doesn't look very good (uneven), and the finish on the headstock is blotchy. The manager did the same thing with another I ordered- he called and said it had a problem and they couldn't ship, so he upgraded me to a better one for the same price. Switching topics, I found a couple of guitars titled "DBZ" and "Dean Zelinsky" on eBay that look just like the Bird of Prey and Bolero, but have no logos on the headstock. Have to wonder if they're coming from the same plant as these?
I was so tempted to get one of these, in fact that exact color. LOL
I bought a DBZ Barchetta (in black) for 150 back about 2014, on eBay I think. Was the base model; don't recall the brand of tuners. I gave it up a year later when I bought a used Schecter C-1 Elite on eBay (what a sweet guitar that is; "Duncan Designed" pickups; I'm still rocking' that one, it's a favorite!)
In 2015 I bought an maple w/spruce "DBZ Diamond" acoustic-electric (DBZ CA21EFM) for $230 from World Music Supply. It was decent but not great, but at the time I just had to have it. Not long after that, "DBZ" was dropped from the named they became "Diamond".
P.S. Joe, your videos are not isht!
WOW! This is SOME find, "AJ". You did an amazing job with this review, also. Thank you for this review. It's a beautiful-looking guitar. I dig the headstock. Based on your valuable review this Diamond blows most Budget under $300 guitars away. Thanks brother.
Thanks brother. Really lucked out on this one. Be well Dennis!
Joe, when I go to their website I do not see the one with the pickup covers?
Oh, you just answered the question. No more pluses:( Nice grab Joe!
Yes Craig. They are most likely sold out. Going fast. Try calling World Music. They might have some that aren't up yet.
@ Fortunately, my GAS has passed. Felt good:) Tx, Joe!
I tried to learn that once.