I really like how the knobs are moved away from the high E string. The Strat's volume knob too close to the string has always been a problem for me. Stainless frets and a roasted neck are a huge plus. Great tones too! Levinson seems to have done did what Fender never could ... and at a reasonable price point.
Sounds really good. Impressive appointments too, I like the stainless steel frets, and the Wilkinson trem is actually my favourite standard trem. I may have to take a drive down to Frankston....
Just picked this guitar up - 3 days in after a set up (floated the trem, lowered action, intonation (only ow E only required adjustment) graphite to nut) - so only an early impression: blows away any player series Fender (though N = 3 lol). Unlikely to retain value on 2nd hand market like a similar priced name-brand. But it punches above it's weight. Stainless frets are a revelation at this price - so good - dunno if I could ever go back. BUT the best thing about this guitar is the pickups do not need immediate upgrade like similar priced guitars. Neck/Middle/Bridge all have a character of their own and blend nicely on 2 and 4. If Made in China doesn't bother you - this guitar ticks a lot of boxes.
@@georgestanley8837 I really like it. The b stock issues were a finish crack in neck pocket and a tooling mark at side of a saddle. There were some fretboard tooling marks that werent listed but they don't matter. Fretwork is good. Neck feels great with rolled edges etc. Plays great. Sounds great. I won't be changing pickups. Tuners feel good. Lighter than expected. I've got mine set floating so obviously full on Trem abuse dive bombs will knock it out of tune but otherwise pretty stable. String trees probably just need a bit of a polish and nut oiled. Even at full price I don't think there are better Strats in Australia for that price. Unless artist try and so something but there's are all relic at the moment.
@@johnplaystheguitar123 Hey mate. Glad to hear you like your guitar. I got mine today and I agree with everything you’ve said, it’s a keeper. For the money I was trying to find where the compromise was in quality but I can’t fault it. Love the pickups as well and they’ll be staying. I’ve got a Pro 2 and a player to compare it with and it holds its own. I think this guitar is a sleeper.
No wonder Phill Emmanuel liked playing the Levinson........I just bought the Telecaster Levinson sceptor Arlington.......heck......these things are good value. I played it beside a $1,700 Fender.......the levinson left the fender for dead in every aspect.
I guess it was an arrangement struck between the Australian distributor and Levinson Sceptre. It's an odd thing, I will admit, but I suppose that if Levinson get enough requests for Australian appointments, or vice versa, the playing field may even out.
As usual it sounds like GOLD in the HANDS of the KINGman!!!! The Wonder of Australia!! I already bought another Guitar because of YOU!!!
I really like how the knobs are moved away from the high E string. The Strat's volume knob too close to the string has always been a problem for me. Stainless frets and a roasted neck are a huge plus. Great tones too! Levinson seems to have done did what Fender never could ... and at a reasonable price point.
Sounds really good. Impressive appointments too, I like the stainless steel frets, and the Wilkinson trem is actually my favourite standard trem. I may have to take a drive down to Frankston....
Very Cool, Thanking. Stunning looking and Sounding Guitar and playing as always. Great Price. All the Best. Cheers
Sounds really good Brett, especially at that price. HSS review would be appreciated. ❤
Nice guitar and excellent playing!
You have serious magic in those skills.
Thank you Brett for another great demo/review. Yes please let's see the HSS version as well
Yeah, I'd like to show you that one (the HSS) but they went cold on me following this video, so I'm not sure that's going to happen anytime soon...
A$799? 🤯. Will pop down there check ‘em out. Great to see a nice bit of kit so local (to Mornington).
I remember the Blade series, nice guitars....
Great review Burgs...cant wait to hear the T style!
Just picked this guitar up - 3 days in after a set up (floated the trem, lowered action, intonation (only ow E only required adjustment) graphite to nut) - so only an early impression: blows away any player series Fender (though N = 3 lol). Unlikely to retain value on 2nd hand market like a similar priced name-brand. But it punches above it's weight. Stainless frets are a revelation at this price - so good - dunno if I could ever go back. BUT the best thing about this guitar is the pickups do not need immediate upgrade like similar priced guitars. Neck/Middle/Bridge all have a character of their own and blend nicely on 2 and 4. If Made in China doesn't bother you - this guitar ticks a lot of boxes.
How does it compare to the artist st62 you reviewed oh so many moons ago? Specs look better?
These guitars not available in the US.
Just ordered a B stock ventana in same olympic white finish for AUD479. bargain. Cant wait for it to arrive.
Hey mate. How’s the guitar? I’ve just pulled the trigger on one of these.
@@georgestanley8837 I really like it. The b stock issues were a finish crack in neck pocket and a tooling mark at side of a saddle. There were some fretboard tooling marks that werent listed but they don't matter. Fretwork is good. Neck feels great with rolled edges etc. Plays great. Sounds great. I won't be changing pickups. Tuners feel good. Lighter than expected.
I've got mine set floating so obviously full on Trem abuse dive bombs will knock it out of tune but otherwise pretty stable. String trees probably just need a bit of a polish and nut oiled.
Even at full price I don't think there are better Strats in Australia for that price. Unless artist try and so something but there's are all relic at the moment.
I have some Instagram videos where I'll play or but you already have Brett for this 😂. And he makes it sound much better than I do!
@@johnplaystheguitar123
Hey mate. Glad to hear you like your guitar. I got mine today and I agree with everything you’ve said, it’s a keeper. For the money I was trying to find where the compromise was in quality but I can’t fault it. Love the pickups as well and they’ll be staying. I’ve got a Pro 2 and a player to compare it with and it holds its own. I think this guitar is a sleeper.
@@johnplaystheguitar123
I hear you. Brett’s a beast!
No wonder Phill Emmanuel liked playing the Levinson........I just bought the Telecaster Levinson sceptor Arlington.......heck......these things are good value. I played it beside a $1,700 Fender.......the levinson left the fender for dead in every aspect.
Why are the Australian models different than global models? i.e. okume(aus) alder(global) different headstock, different fretboard.
I guess it was an arrangement struck between the Australian distributor and Levinson Sceptre. It's an odd thing, I will admit, but I suppose that if Levinson get enough requests for Australian appointments, or vice versa, the playing field may even out.
This is the Generation 2 range. You have been looking at the Generation 1 models which are more expensive.
Another sweatshop guitar?
Why would you say that? Do you have evidence of ANY guitars which are made in sweatshops--to use your word?
Also,why do care, other than complain what do you do to help.