Tell me about it. I collected pawn shop guitars and took them apart and took the best pieces out of them and built my guitars. Most was MIM Fender. It was interesting to see how they reflected their lives. I do respect the craft that those 50s and 60s guitars that were gigged hard, but in the words of John Hiatt, ..it breaks my heart to some guy throw out a perfectly good guitar… I loved em all and one had a grooved neck that had been played heavily rhythm. You smell the beer and cigarettes and wonder how it ended up in a pawn shop. Take that tri- burst body and put another neck on and those hand wound pickups with the 3 way switch that has the groove worn for in between. That was a long time ago, but I have a MIM FIESTA RED 52 U neck Tele. A lot of manual labor and arthritis and a shattered shoulder on my fretting hand and the nerves go numb with any thing thinner. The only new guitar I ever had.
I used to get ragged on about having a Fender Squire Classic Vibe instead of the $1,500 American one.Well it is a great guitar and only costs $400! Remember if you can play, you can use a walmart special. Funny thing about the guitar snobs I ran into really need to learn to play better,your thousand dollar guitar isn't going play for you!
Great video my brother! I once owned about 75 guitars and was puffed up with pride. Then my son became sick and I sold all to help him out. My guitars meant nothing in the face of his illness. He is well now..20 years later! I wish I had a cheap decent guitar but life is very good! Love your channel!
With today's technology and CNC computer machines, a decent guitar can be made quite cheaply. After dressing the frets that guitar sounded nice overall on clean settings. Even without changing the PUPS if you have a good modeling amp or in my case a VOX tube Tone Lab ST, I can make ANY guitar sound like I want it to. I've even made old cheap Teisco guitars sound so good my friends hear the recordings and say "WTF was that?" This is one of the coolest channels I've stumbled across. I love the hosts 'down home' voice and demeanor. I subbed...so should you!
Every expert I know will always tell you they don't know everything and there is always someone better. Everytime my "I'm an expert" kicks in, lessons are about to be learned.
I started learning to work on my guitars on the day I started playing 4 years ago by watching TH-cam videos about proper guitar setup. I told myself after paying $100 for a crappy setup from a Maine music store that I was going to learn to work on my own guitars. I am so glad that I have learned to do my own setups, I am sure I have saved myself quie a few $$$;s but I also have learned how to setup my guitars the way I like them and that is a BIG PLUS in my opinion! Keep the great video's coming brotha!!
You should do a full video on how you set up guitars (including frets, nut) I feel like you've got this really unpretentious, accessible approach to it that a lot of people would appreciate (myself included)
I sure do. He's so old country guy just like myself. I don't make the best money so a lot of times I have to buy cheap and do some work. But in the end, I feels a lot more special that way.
@@HAMMERHEAD-g3h definitely man! I'm in the process of a fingerboard refinish and refret, learning as I go. considering a refret is at least 350 where i live it really pays to know how to diy hahaha
I just paid $300 to get my Gibson Firebird and Fender JP 90 bass worked on ...its time to start doing this stuff myself ..You just got my Sub thanx Dude !
I have played guitar for years, and always believed it doesn't matter what it costs if it plays it plays. I always wanted to build my own, but never thought I could. Watching your channel makes me want to try.
Sean, I have to make a confession. I do not own a single "luthier" tool. For instance my leveling bean is an aluminum channel with sandpaper glued to one side. My crowning file is a tri corner file with the corners smoothed. My fret slot saw is a mini dovetail saw, ( the kerf is perfectly sized), from lowes in conjunction with a home made jig! I have a set of very small tapered files for the nut slot. all my other tools I had from years of cabinet making.
I had the emerald green version of this. Wanted to love it. Unfortunately, after only a couple months, it became the only guitar I've ever owned whose fretboard *cracked* on me. In multiple places. Yes, it was a dry board, and I live in the desert - but really? That shouldn't have happened (your board looks like different - better - wood). Anyway, great work - and awesome, tell-it-like-it-is reviews. MUCH needed for this segment of the guitar market. Rock on, brother.
I ended up getting a Glarry ST right before Covid and I still have that damn guitar and I love it lol. I did 1 upgrade and that was putting a heavy duty bridge block in it.
I had damaged a Gibson V (it fell) and I took it to Guitar Center and they fixed the tuning key. Did a great job. Then I bought a Hamer Slammer for $100 on eBay. Neck was bowed. They worked on it even sending me updated photos showing it in clamps. Again, a very pro job.
Middle position on the switch puts the pickups in parallel. So you add the resistance of the pickups in parallel. 1 / 14.1 + 1 / 7.6 = 1 / 4.9 = 4.9 ohms
speaking of the resistances you encountered: I don't know what everything should be. But when working with two 'resistors' when two are wired in series, the resistances are added. When two 'resistors' are wired in parallel, the total resistance is less than the smallest of your resistors. In this case, the smallest you had was about 8 ohms, so when combining that with the 14, you get about 5. The formula is 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/Rt, or 1/14 + 1/8 = 8/112 + 14/112 = 22/112 = 1/Rt = 1/(22/112) = 112/22 = ~5 Now, I will finish the video. I'm seen other videos made by you and am sure this will be just as good. TY brother
Thank you brother for what you do. Honest, encouraging, and inspiring. You are quickly becoming my favorite channel. No bull, no nonsense, no pretense.
Fine job sir ! I have found that by building cheap guitars with your own elbow grease is not only fun, but definitely gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you finish and get to play them. Each one has its own personality. Keep on keepin' on Brother.
You know, I bought a squier classic vibe years ago used. I put a bunch of work into it and I wouldn't trade that for the best fender Stratocaster on the market.
This is my first time seeing your channel. An excellent video and you've garnered another subscriber. Amazon has a crappy habit of selling returned guitars as "new". This happened to me personally on 3 occasions. An IYV -300 twice, and the EART 335 clone. The first tell is, excessive tape on the shipping box. I knew you had a return as soon as I saw the Amazon tape. Second tell, plastic missing on pickups, pick guard, truss rod cover and occasionally the poker chip. Another red flag issue is the sudden appearance of a model that has been out of stock with limited availability. After getting played by Amazon repeatedly, I'm very wary of them as of late. Again good job on this review and subject!
Instead of a $200 guitar plus new pickups, pots, bridge, and tuners, I just bought a LTD 256 Les Paul in purple. I love it and I have no regrets about choosing it over a cheap Epiphone or something even cheaper like this.
Right on. Your talking about a 24 fret ESP Ltd I guess. They are really good . I have a 1990 LP Standard , but I like bigger fret wire like 1600, and also 24 frets . Epiphones are really good sometimes depending on the year
The thing I dig about your channel and your videos is I always laugh when TH-camrs throw a fit over a little thing in the finish and they then act like they got a shirt that had a stain in it. If you actually play the guitar imperfections will happen. Are they for playing or displaying? With you however your like, “oh there is something here but it’s not a big deal”. That is awesome
New sub here. I like your no bull approach, simple and to the point. More power to you. I play a really cheap parts- caster I modded a bit, and it's the best guitar I ever had, so I appreciate where you are coming from.
I think it’s a good deal for those of us that can work on them. That blue has grown on me. I bought a les Paul copy from Firefly. Man, I really like it. And it weighs like a Les paul too. It needed a bit of tuning but it is a really pretty guitar. It was about 190 bucks shipped. That was a couple of years ago, they could be more now.
Hey sean i got a stewmac tele kit that I'm close to starting a build real soon. I love what you did to that dumpter gibson...very nice work. I would trust you with any of my guitars.
at 15.23 what thickness of file ,,,,, I watch your videos everyday ,,, I learn so much at age 63,,,, you are smart to do that ..make it easy you simplify the unknown or complex you are a genius in many ways
I bought one a few years ago the green one. I sent the first one back the neck was junk and also broken in one place. The second one was okay and the frets were spot on no rough edges or out of level areas. I did replace the pots and wired it to 50s style along with new cloth wrapped wire and replaced the switch. The thing is these can be a nice guitar it just depends on how far you want to go. The pickups in mine sound fine after the wiring and pots were replaced. I also put a new graph tech nut and setup the action and intonation of course. Replaced the tuners with locking ones too.
I would have really liked seeing you play it before AND after mods. Interesting to know how it changed. The fretwork and insights were invaluable! Thank you.
I'm a drummer but play enough guitar to put coherent songs together. I don't know nearly as much as most of you but it's a beautiful instrument especially when I find beautiful chords. You have a smashing channel and great sense of humour Sean!
Nice job Sean .I like the color too . This is great for someone on a budget , and even if they can't do the work themselves , it's worth it to pay some like yourself to set it up properly .
Nice breakdown of this guitar. I was curious as I like some of the finishes they come in. I have a Firefly LP and it doesn’t have those minor issues for a little bit more for those interested in this.
Great Video Man ! Also your accent is the best ! I'm looking forward to watching your entertaining videos from now on, when I was a kid I was always told, "blue cars go faster" maybe that's why you dig it so much & by the way, do you own a blue car ? Cheers mate ! All the best ! 🎸🎸🎸😊
i bought a grote lp in red burst for my son 10-3-24 beautiful guitar solid mahohogany body and neck neck was straighr out of the box i set the bridge and string heights down a little threw on some dadario 9-42 strings and it plays like a wet dream. sounds good though i think later it will get grover locking tunners and seymore duncan pickups as an upgrade along with full size cts pots and better caps. but im amazed they can sell this at 200 dollars i played it and wished i didnt have to give it to him
Man. You're my twin brother from a southern mother. We share the same skills and exact philosophy. I have 14 of those kinds of guitars. Some needed work some didn't. So for me they all play, sound, and look great. I couldn't be happier. Take care
About the pickup measurements... when you're measuring resistance on both pickups, you have the resistance of the neck in parallel with the resistance of the bridge pickup. Parallel resistances divide rather than add (resistance would add when they're in series, but not in parallel). Without boring you to death with the math, all those numbers look correct.
Thanks for the video. I like your style and the good simple practical tips you show us. I have a question. You spent so much time and effort on the neck but didn't address the issues with the wobbly tailpiece and bridge. Okay I know you can replace them with other cheap ones but there's no guarantee they'll be any better.I would have wound some silicon tape around the posts. It's not a permanent solution but it will get you by until the next string change and doesn't cost a penny (once you've bought a roll of silicon tape of course). Works for me and as you regularly show us , cheap quitars usually come with issues. Half the fun is finding them, addressing them, finding solutions and of course, learning all the time. Keep 'em comin'.
My man I have to tell you you are absolutely a riot. Some of the things you say are just hilarious not to mention you know what you’re doing . I appreciate what you do on this channel. I’ll be checking out more of your videos. Thank you for sharing.
Here's the thing, it is 186 bucks, and for that price you are lucky that it has a semi-decent neck joint. My brother has an IYV Goldtop LP with HB pickups and not for nothing it plays really nice and after swapping the pickups out and putting better pots and a switch in it, the thing rips. If you are looking to get into modding guitars and trying out different setups in search for that signature tone, buying one of these budget friendly copies of your preferred brand is a perfect way to learn without thrashing an expensive instrument. I have a Harley Benton T-style Deluxe 40 in trans-black with gold hardware that I upgraded the electronics on and it is one of my favorite guitars and I have Fender, Gibson, Guild, Charvel, and Ibanez guitars. Still I grab that Benton and go to town. I currently have it tuned to drop C and it doesn't lose its tuning, no buzz, and plays better than my Fender Squier Tele. I get that these are facsimiles of well esteemed brands and it tends to rub purists the wrong way, but here is the thing not everybody can afford to drop 900 bucks on a lower level Gibson or even the 600 bucks for a mid grade Epiphone; that's where these brands fill in the gap, the woods are decent, the finish isn't appalling, and it provides a good base to build upon as money comes around. Here is another thing to consider, if you are a local gigging musician do you want to risk your 2k PRS or Gibson getting damaged by a patron in a club during intermission or a guitar you built for under 400 bucks? There are places and purposes for everything under the sun if you keep an open mind.
I absolutely agree with your last paragraph. I have a very battered Japanese Squier Strat which is probably worth about €200. I would hate to lose it because I’ve had it since I was 24, now nearly 60. I’ve just started playing again after many years so it’s the only guitar I have for the moment. I’m looking for a second guitar, but because we normally play in pubs I don’t want to spend anything over about €500. I’m torn between getting a cheap Harley and modding it, or investing in a mid-range guitar such as a Gretsch Electromatic. That’s academic for now as I simply don’t have the money. Anyway, your point is right: I’d love to have a top-of-the-range Tele, but I’m not prepared to pay that kind of money only to have it stolen.
@@lidbass here is something to consider, most of the big name guitars that are mid range priced like the PRS SE series that cost around 650 USD are made in Indonesia, the Fender player series are made in Mexico, Gretsch are made in China, Charvel costing 1600 bucks are made in Mexico, Epiphone is made in China, and so on. Knowing this, you have to ask yourself if buying a house brand named guitar for 1/2 to 2/3 the price of the big branded offshore options from the same factories that sport better accessories but maybe lessor quality pickups isn't a better way to go? I have a Japanese made Jagmaster it is a Vista series that is far better than the Squier of today, so I agree totally worth hanging onto. If you are impressed with Japanese made Fender guitars know that Japan is making Fender again they are to different specifications than the rest of the Fender line and are closer to the 1k price but they are worth the cost without question. I would say if you are considering Harley Benton, IYV, EART, or some other affordable brand do not go super cheap on the price as the quality is not there. Stay in the 200 and up pricepoint just know you will have to do some setup work. A couple of other options that are pretty solid come from Guitar Fetish the Earl Slick guitars are no frills playing machines and the newly released Steve Brown Sound guitars are an affordable well spec'd take on the late 80s and 90s Charvel/Jackson style guitars. The thing is these do not carry the reputation and resale value but have all the DNA if you aren't worried about what name is on the headstock.
@@killacoiler1707 Thank you very much for all of that. I will be taking it into account as and when I can manage to save enough money to get a new guitar. I’m not at all bothered about resale value: this is going to be a workhorse guitar which is almost certainly going to get banged around a bit. I have little time for comic/vinyl/guitar collectors putting on their gloves and all that palaver: these things are made to be read/listened to/played. But a 1000+ name model would be completely wasted on me: I wouldn’t buy one even if I had the money. I accept that I’m going to have to spend a bit on a setup: that will be included in my budget. Anyway, thanks again for your time!
I’ve been thinking about buying that guitar, I own 3 PRS SE les Paul style and one Schecter solo II custom. I want to see how it compares to those guitars.
I just had a cup of coffee with your video, and you found a new subscriber. Many people get wrapped firmly around the axle about things, and fail to see the positives. It was fun to watch you take this cheap guitar apart, make minor changes etc. I’m fairly new to playing guitar, but I’m fortunate to own both cheap and high-end guitars. I see owning a guitar, much like owning a gun. I only sold one of my guns, and regretted the idea shortly afterwards. Anyhow, my “learning how to play guitar” has been a real hoot so far, lots to learn and much more to comprehend when you actually look under the hood of your guitar. Great video, and I look forward to the next one! 🎉
I don't know why this video showed up as a "recommended view", but I sure am glad that it did. Sometimes, the TH-cam algorithm just gets it right. I'm now subscribed. Great work!
Resistors in parallel always result in an equivalent resistance that is lower than the resistance of each individual resistor. Neck pickup was high, bridge pickup was low therefore when you put them in parallel (switch middle position) the resistance will always be lower than the lowest resistance.
I just hacked a bridge in my Epiphone Casino that was super loose like the one in the video. Just get a roll of Teflon Thread tape, like the stuff used by plumbers, and wrap it around both the threads that screw into the body and around the top of the posts that the bridge slides on to. Now my $17 roller bridge replacement is a snug fit and the guitar stays in tune and intonation.
the bridge resistance is 14k witch is hot but the neck is more a paf style with less resistance at about 7.8.. the middle pos splits the resistance in half . that's why it adds up to roughly half of the both combined.
14k bridge and 7k neck are not unusual measurements for low cost ceramic magnet pickups. 14.1k in parallel with 7.57k is 4.925k which is what you measured.
I have one of these. I love it. My favorite guitar now. Yes I had to do a set up and a little fret work. And? For under $200, what do you expect? I have guitars I paid a lot more for that I had to do the same thing. I would buy another IYV in a heartbeat.
I got the same guitar only green and did the same work on it. It is nice and sound great. It's not my best guitar but I like it. I also plan to change out the pickups though.
yep, ur rite dude, that is an awfully pretty blue finish, after you set 'er up, sounded pretty good, and for $186, damn! I bought 2/3 of my guitars back in the 70's from pawn shops in the city where I grew up, I think I was 12 when I bought my first elec Les Paul guitar, made by Aspen. It was used, black ebony finish, just like I'd wanted back then. The next two were, a Fender 12 string acoustic, then a Gibson 6 string acoustic, both bought back in 77, I think. one might been in early 78, but loved'em all, spent a many hours with each and even fewer hours goin to Jr High, Lol. Hey, my band won the talent show in 9th grade, I used a Peavy Pacer 100 amp, cry baby wah wah and a big muff pi sustain,distortion foot push button box and played it LOUD! I did some minor tweaking on my elec guitar to increase the action, lol, gave it a real, slight, buzz sound, nobody ever commented, reckon they didn't notice, those were the days in my teens.....now, 60 with diseases. I have a 95 Fender Stratocaster and a 50 watt VOX amp, neither hardly played, the Strat was a studio guitar I bought from a bud who needed $$ badly in 2006, that was when I went to Guitar Center, had it cleaned and restrung with 8's, (wished I'd a gone with 11's now) and havn't played that much since was working alot back then, til the attack in Oct 08 changed my entire future, now have 50% feelin in hands, (you know, like when your elbow hits, (the "funny bone") and makes your arm tingle and numb for a couple a few minutes. Well, my arms n hands feel that way 24/7 now, can't play no more. :( Just glad to be able to listen to music, and remember my youth. I'm a Les Paul guy, never was a Fender guy, except for acoustic. LP just feels natural in my hands. Old school I guess, peculiar. Lol Peace y'all and keep Rockin!
Your braggadocio at the start was a bit of a turn off, but I actually learned a bunch of little tips and tricks by the end. This is a really thorough examination - kudos on the good video.
From my limited lutherie erxperience I think Real Wood is a Hard Wood so I plan on upgrading everything that is not wood when I buy one of those No Snob Appeal No Name Guitars. Excellent info in this video. Thanks.
I'm not sure how much you know about pickup resistances but since you asked: 14.1k and 7.6k are the bridge and neck pickups by themsleves, and 5k is them both in parallel. The equation for parallel resistance is (x*y)/(xy), or in this case (14100 * 7600) / (14100 + 7600) = 4.94k, about 5k. I hope that helps! Fun video.
I have one and it has none of the problems in the video. I changed the strings, set it up and it's awesome. I would have sent this one back and tried another one.
@@scarmyguitar sorry, I meant sent the Les Paul guitar back and tried a second one of those. I also have the PRS style and that one is awesome too. No fret leveling required on either one and both guitars came with close to perfect fret ends.
Awesome content man! Some of these guitars that you get in amaze me, but then again, someone like you that KNOWS how to play guitar could make just about anything sound great, lol. Great stuff!
I've had mine for a few months now. Got a returned one for a crazy deal. It's got the normal IYV finish issues but plays well after a setup. Light for a less paul. I like the heal carve and the neck shape - chunky but not too wide. Pickups have more bite than my other IYV models. It sounds Les Paul-ish. Worth it if you're into working on gear. After a setup and fret job, it's a proper instrument.
I bought one just to have one to back into playing,mine doesn't sound like a old school les Paul but both my pickups are hot but works good for rock stuff plays real nice set up
@@scarmyguitar thanks for the speedy response! I love your method of using the feeler gauge and rubber bands, but I have to ask, have the files have ever damaged the gauge? Or vice versa?
Great video. You should put IYV on the title page, you'll get a lot more views. Until now I'd seen a few reviews saying how good they were but you showed it how it actually is close up - horrible! There are so many finish flaws on it, it's like second hand. The flamed finish disappears at about two feet away and all that in-filling around the inlays! It's like pearloid with a black border 😂. And that's not me being OCD, it's shoddy workmanship. But that's a great tip with the feeler gauges! Thanks.
It's just how I do it. No special reason. The fret rocker doesn't lie. I might use a sharpie if I'm spot leveling a fret or two, but never all of them.
Sean I fixed a couple of guitars back in the day myself and that is a beautiful guitar but I like you said the front job and pick up ain't so much Fern Creek guitar it come off Amazon yeah it looks good in my in the results it comes down to it bro the blue burst is my favorite
At this point, im convinced that these cheap budget guitars only exist for 2 reasons: 1st, for someone who wants to try to learn to play, but arnt sure if they are gonna like it or not, and don't wanna drop tons of cash on a good quality guitar. And 2nd, for people like me who enjoy just working on guitars, and are learning the ropes on guitar repairs, mods and customization. Me personally, i enjoy taking these cheap chinese budget knockoffs, and making them play and sound just as good as the top quality ones. I call them "Sleeper guitars". Guitars where when you pull it out of the case, people kinda scoff and laugh at your low end guitar, until you plug it in and blow their minds with the amazing sound and playibility.....always fun to see their reactions LOL!
There fun to work on I do wish there had better playing guitars for new players. These cheat guitars a better for more experienced guitar players that have that know how to set up guitar’s and switch out pickups
Thanks...love the IYV vids. Your links really apreciated. I just got a IYV ISSY-200NA through-neck on sale for 190. Similar "quality" LOL. The big hollow IJZ-500 NA was much better, though still a little funky. They go "on Sale" often with as much as $60 discount, then jump up again. Waitin now on the "legendary" IYV-IJZ-300A TSB...they took my order but it may be awhile. I hope you try more IYVs! Also maybe someday a Squier CV 70's Jaguar....The best I ever bought was the Grote thinline hollow...needed nothing. I've had very good luck with monoprice too.
I've been agonizing over a new and first headless guitar. Grote is one of the companies that is on my short list. You had really good luck with them with a Grote Hollow body?
@@joeyvanostrand3655 Yes, Sir. It does seem the quality varies a bit with the model. Amazon now has super easy returns if you get a "bad" one. Usually it's just a setup issue, sharp or high frets, which I don't send back, but just fix. The Grote Hollow is one of the few guitars, I did not need to touch a fret, though I probably did cut the nut a touch. My earlier Grote 335, took a through setup to sound all notes, that was 3years ago.
nothing like a good first time set up. Well done Shawn. I agree if you can do the work its well worth it. and I got to say I love that colour to. well take care mate from tour pal Helcat in Australia.
I like the way you do things... I do wish you could do one more though and that is play it right out of the box after tuning for more of a comparison. Otherwise, loved it!
Great video! Being a budget aware DIY'er I just love this kind of content. A question though: What are those nut files you're using? I haven't been able to find anything like them, at least not affordable ones.
I work on a lot of guitars to be an old medically retired guy. I just worked on a left handed guitar that looks beautiful, but that is where it ended. Half of the saddles in the bridge were backwards, fret ends would kill you.But a couple of hours later with a new nut, reverse saddles, fret level, crown, file fret ends, intonate the guitar and it plays well.The owner is a beginner and young and will never advance to pro anyway so this is great for that guy..Made in China
I have bever seen a guitar in tune fresh out of the box...maybe if you lived in the town they were made in...But yeah these guitars are great with a little diy work and a set of your favorite pickups...I got the PRS copy and added some active pickups that came with all the electronics...I bought for the same reason..to see what all the hype was about...This guitar made it to my play/display rack in my office...TOP 3...Replaced a Fender 12 string
Man I had so subscribe. Real honest info is hard to come by as it is... But facts, I can see coming through the video, that you LOVE this stuff! I dont know if I'm interested in that particular guitar, but your video had me thinking lol.
I have the green one and agree, it's not a bad guitar and is actually fun to play. The electronics are bad, but I only use the bridge pickup and volume knob anyway, so it works. Great job on the video! Another new sub.
A mate of mine (yrs ago) could only afford Les Paul copies. Years later he actually got a genuine Les Paul. He found he couldnt play it, as it was so different to his copy. He eventually learnt to play it. He's still very good!
Never could get the desire for the green one. I wondered when they would put out a pleasing color. Hahaha. This is cool really. 200, some tools and upgrades. Bamm.
Spot on Shawn!! Just a little tweak and a nice setup and you have a decent playing guitar!! Most people who buy these are not touring artists, just kooks like me that collect cheap guitars!! LOL Great video as usual!!
Here is my take on it... I wish there were guitars that looked that nice for that cheap when I was a kid.
Darn tootin.
Right
I feel like the only option was a black strat looking guitar
@derekhand7904 that's why they're all over marketplace lol
Tell me about it. I collected pawn shop guitars and took them apart and took the best pieces out of them and built my guitars. Most was MIM Fender. It was interesting to see how they reflected their lives. I do respect the craft that those 50s and 60s guitars that were gigged hard, but in the words of John Hiatt, ..it breaks my heart to some guy throw out a perfectly good guitar… I loved em all and one had a grooved neck that had been played heavily rhythm. You smell the beer and cigarettes and wonder how it ended up in a pawn shop. Take that tri- burst body and put another neck on and those hand wound pickups with the 3 way switch that has the groove worn for in between. That was a long time ago, but I have a MIM FIESTA RED 52 U neck Tele. A lot of manual labor and arthritis and a shattered shoulder on my fretting hand and the nerves go numb with any thing thinner. The only new guitar I ever had.
love that you are NOT a brand snob. And truly understand a good guitar is a good guitar .
I used to get ragged on about having a Fender Squire Classic Vibe instead of the $1,500 American one.Well it is a great guitar and only costs $400! Remember if you can play, you can use a walmart special. Funny thing about the guitar snobs I ran into really need to learn to play better,your thousand dollar guitar isn't going play for you!
Great video my brother! I once owned about 75 guitars and was puffed up with pride. Then my son became sick and I sold all to help him out. My guitars meant nothing in the face of his illness. He is well now..20 years later! I wish I had a cheap decent guitar but life is very good! Love your channel!
With today's technology and CNC computer machines, a decent guitar can be made quite cheaply. After dressing the frets that guitar sounded nice overall on clean settings. Even without changing the PUPS if you have a good modeling amp or in my case a VOX tube Tone Lab ST, I can make ANY guitar sound like I want it to. I've even made old cheap Teisco guitars sound so good my friends hear the recordings and say "WTF was that?"
This is one of the coolest channels I've stumbled across. I love the hosts 'down home' voice and demeanor. I subbed...so should you!
Every expert I know will always tell you they don't know everything and there is always someone better. Everytime my "I'm an expert" kicks in, lessons are about to be learned.
I started learning to work on my guitars on the day I started playing 4 years ago by watching TH-cam videos about proper guitar setup. I told myself after paying $100 for a crappy setup from a Maine music store that I was going to learn to work on my own guitars. I am so glad that I have learned to do my own setups, I am sure I have saved myself quie a few $$$;s but I also have learned how to setup my guitars the way I like them and that is a BIG PLUS in my opinion! Keep the great video's coming brotha!!
I remember when he had like 1000 subscribers. Wish him nothing but the best
Wishing you the best too but bro.....You and me....we just gettin started!
You should do a full video on how you set up guitars (including frets, nut) I feel like you've got this really unpretentious, accessible approach to it that a lot of people would appreciate (myself included)
I sure do. He's so old country guy just like myself. I don't make the best money so a lot of times I have to buy cheap and do some work. But in the end, I feels a lot more special that way.
@@HAMMERHEAD-g3h definitely man! I'm in the process of a fingerboard refinish and refret, learning as I go. considering a refret is at least 350 where i live it really pays to know how to diy hahaha
i love the nut slot file idea with the feeler guages. so smart lol. thanks! earned an easy sub as well
I just paid $300 to get my Gibson Firebird and Fender JP 90 bass worked on ...its time to start doing this stuff myself ..You just got my Sub thanx Dude !
I have played guitar for years, and always believed it doesn't matter what it costs if it plays it plays. I always wanted to build my own, but never thought I could. Watching your channel makes me want to try.
That's awesome!
I'm going to have to look for my feeler gauges now for setting the nut slots. Great idea. Not seen that before. Thank you!
Glad to help
Sean, I have to make a confession. I do not own a single "luthier" tool. For instance my leveling bean is an aluminum channel with sandpaper glued to one side. My crowning file is a tri corner file with the corners smoothed. My fret slot saw is a mini dovetail saw, ( the kerf is perfectly sized), from lowes in conjunction with a home made jig! I have a set of very small tapered files for the nut slot. all my other tools I had from years of cabinet making.
I had the emerald green version of this. Wanted to love it. Unfortunately, after only a couple months, it became the only guitar I've ever owned whose fretboard *cracked* on me. In multiple places. Yes, it was a dry board, and I live in the desert - but really? That shouldn't have happened (your board looks like different - better - wood). Anyway, great work - and awesome, tell-it-like-it-is reviews. MUCH needed for this segment of the guitar market. Rock on, brother.
When I was first starting out you got plywood and a bolt-on neck for $200
I ended up getting a Glarry ST right before Covid and I still have that damn guitar and I love it lol. I did 1 upgrade and that was putting a heavy duty bridge block in it.
I had damaged a Gibson V (it fell) and I took it to Guitar Center and they fixed the tuning key. Did a great job. Then I bought a Hamer Slammer for $100 on eBay. Neck was bowed. They worked on it even sending me updated photos showing it in clamps. Again, a very pro job.
Middle position on the switch puts the pickups in parallel. So you add the resistance of the pickups in parallel. 1 / 14.1 + 1 / 7.6 = 1 / 4.9 = 4.9 ohms
speaking of the resistances you encountered: I don't know what everything should be. But when working with two 'resistors' when two are wired in series, the resistances are added. When two 'resistors' are wired in parallel, the total resistance is less than the smallest of your resistors. In this case, the smallest you had was about 8 ohms, so when combining that with the 14, you get about 5. The formula is 1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/Rt, or 1/14 + 1/8 = 8/112 + 14/112 = 22/112 = 1/Rt = 1/(22/112) = 112/22 = ~5 Now, I will finish the video. I'm seen other videos made by you and am sure this will be just as good. TY brother
Thank you brother for what you do. Honest, encouraging, and inspiring. You are quickly becoming my favorite channel.
No bull, no nonsense, no pretense.
Fine job sir ! I have found that by building cheap guitars with your own elbow grease is not only fun, but definitely gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you finish and get to play them. Each one has its own personality. Keep on keepin' on Brother.
Right on!
You know, I bought a squier classic vibe years ago used. I put a bunch of work into it and I wouldn't trade that for the best fender Stratocaster on the market.
I've missed your videos Shawn, glad I re-found ya..... Happy Forth of July!!!
Happy Forth of July!
This is my first time seeing your channel. An excellent video and you've garnered another subscriber. Amazon has a crappy habit of selling returned guitars as "new". This happened to me personally on 3 occasions. An IYV -300 twice, and the EART 335 clone. The first tell is, excessive tape on the shipping box. I knew you had a return as soon as I saw the Amazon tape. Second tell, plastic missing on pickups, pick guard, truss rod cover and occasionally the poker chip. Another red flag issue is the sudden appearance of a model that has been out of stock with limited availability. After getting played by Amazon repeatedly, I'm very wary of them as of late. Again good job on this review and subject!
Instead of a $200 guitar plus new pickups, pots, bridge, and tuners, I just bought a LTD 256 Les Paul in purple. I love it and I have no regrets about choosing it over a cheap Epiphone or something even cheaper like this.
Right on.
Your talking about a 24 fret ESP Ltd I guess. They are really good . I have a 1990 LP Standard , but I like bigger fret wire like 1600, and also 24 frets .
Epiphones are really good sometimes depending on the year
The thing I dig about your channel and your videos is I always laugh when TH-camrs throw a fit over a little thing in the finish and they then act like they got a shirt that had a stain in it. If you actually play the guitar imperfections will happen. Are they for playing or displaying? With you however your like, “oh there is something here but it’s not a big deal”. That is awesome
New sub here. I like your no bull approach, simple and to the point. More power to you. I play a really cheap parts- caster I modded a bit, and it's the best guitar I ever had, so I appreciate where you are coming from.
And you'll never get rid of it either, it's kinda like a kid (in a way)
@@Scottocaster6668 Yeah, true, but honestly it's a guitar I'll keep until I die, so I don't mind.
I think it’s a good deal for those of us that can work on them. That blue has grown on me. I bought a les Paul copy from Firefly. Man, I really like it. And it weighs like a Les paul too. It needed a bit of tuning but it is a really pretty guitar. It was about 190 bucks shipped. That was a couple of years ago, they could be more now.
Thanks for the feeler guage trick
Hey sean i got a stewmac tele kit that I'm close to starting a build real soon. I love what you did to that dumpter gibson...very nice work. I would trust you with any of my guitars.
Im glad i found this channel ive learned alot
I love the hand made guitars you’ve got hanging on the wall in the background!
at 15.23 what thickness of file ,,,,, I watch your videos everyday ,,, I learn so much at age 63,,,, you are smart to do that ..make it easy you simplify the unknown or complex you are a genius in many ways
Great video. I’m a sucker for that blue also!
I bought one a few years ago the green one. I sent the first one back the neck was junk and also broken in one place. The second one was okay and the frets were spot on no rough edges or out of level areas. I did replace the pots and wired it to 50s style along with new cloth wrapped wire and replaced the switch. The thing is these can be a nice guitar it just depends on how far you want to go. The pickups in mine sound fine after the wiring and pots were replaced. I also put a new graph tech nut and setup the action and intonation of course. Replaced the tuners with locking ones too.
I would have really liked seeing you play it before AND after mods. Interesting to know how it changed. The fretwork and insights were invaluable! Thank you.
I'm a drummer but play enough guitar to put coherent songs together. I don't know nearly as much as most of you but it's a beautiful instrument especially when I find beautiful chords. You have a smashing channel and great sense of humour Sean!
Wow, thank you!
I need to grab some of those tools for working the nut and frets.
Nice job Sean .I like the color too .
This is great for someone on a budget , and even if they can't do the work themselves , it's worth it to pay some like yourself to set it up properly .
Sean, you made that I-V-Y A-OK!!! That tone punches above the price point. Thanks for the instruction. That nut filing hack is a good one!!
Yeah I'm going to try that trick for the filing too! Cool
Glad you liked it!
Best guitar set up video I have seen. Thank you for the links!
Nice breakdown of this guitar. I was curious as I like some of the finishes they come in. I have a Firefly LP and it doesn’t have those minor issues for a little bit more for those interested in this.
Great Video Man ! Also your accent is the best ! I'm looking forward to watching your entertaining videos from now on, when I was a kid I was always told, "blue cars go faster"
maybe that's why you dig it so much & by the way, do you own a blue car ?
Cheers mate ! All the best ! 🎸🎸🎸😊
Awesome, thank you!
i bought a grote lp in red burst for my son 10-3-24 beautiful guitar solid mahohogany body and neck neck was straighr out of the box i set the bridge and string heights down a little threw on some dadario 9-42 strings and it plays like a wet dream. sounds good though i think later it will get grover locking tunners and seymore duncan pickups as an upgrade along with full size cts pots and better caps. but im amazed they can sell this at 200 dollars i played it and wished i didnt have to give it to him
that lick at the 19 minute mark was sweet.
Man. You're my twin brother from a southern mother. We share the same skills and exact philosophy. I have 14 of those kinds of guitars. Some needed work some didn't. So for me they all play, sound, and look great. I couldn't be happier. Take care
That is awesome!
That lines in the back guitar s body..
Looks like planet Jupiter..
About the pickup measurements... when you're measuring resistance on both pickups, you have the resistance of the neck in parallel with the resistance of the bridge pickup. Parallel resistances divide rather than add (resistance would add when they're in series, but not in parallel).
Without boring you to death with the math, all those numbers look correct.
Preciate it!
Thanks for the video. I like your style and the good simple practical tips you show us. I have a question. You spent so much time and effort on the neck but didn't address the issues with the wobbly tailpiece and bridge. Okay I know you can replace them with other cheap ones but there's no guarantee they'll be any better.I would have wound some silicon tape around the posts. It's not a permanent solution but it will get you by until the next string change and doesn't cost a penny (once you've bought a roll of silicon tape of course). Works for me and as you regularly show us , cheap quitars usually come with issues. Half the fun is finding them, addressing them, finding solutions and of course, learning all the time. Keep 'em comin'.
My man I have to tell you you are absolutely a riot. Some of the things you say are just hilarious not to mention you know what you’re doing . I appreciate what you do on this channel. I’ll be checking out more of your videos. Thank you for sharing.
Here's the thing, it is 186 bucks, and for that price you are lucky that it has a semi-decent neck joint. My brother has an IYV Goldtop LP with HB pickups and not for nothing it plays really nice and after swapping the pickups out and putting better pots and a switch in it, the thing rips. If you are looking to get into modding guitars and trying out different setups in search for that signature tone, buying one of these budget friendly copies of your preferred brand is a perfect way to learn without thrashing an expensive instrument.
I have a Harley Benton T-style Deluxe 40 in trans-black with gold hardware that I upgraded the electronics on and it is one of my favorite guitars and I have Fender, Gibson, Guild, Charvel, and Ibanez guitars. Still I grab that Benton and go to town. I currently have it tuned to drop C and it doesn't lose its tuning, no buzz, and plays better than my Fender Squier Tele. I get that these are facsimiles of well esteemed brands and it tends to rub purists the wrong way, but here is the thing not everybody can afford to drop 900 bucks on a lower level Gibson or even the 600 bucks for a mid grade Epiphone; that's where these brands fill in the gap, the woods are decent, the finish isn't appalling, and it provides a good base to build upon as money comes around.
Here is another thing to consider, if you are a local gigging musician do you want to risk your 2k PRS or Gibson getting damaged by a patron in a club during intermission or a guitar you built for under 400 bucks? There are places and purposes for everything under the sun if you keep an open mind.
I absolutely agree with your last paragraph. I have a very battered Japanese Squier Strat which is probably worth about €200. I would hate to lose it because I’ve had it since I was 24, now nearly 60. I’ve just started playing again after many years so it’s the only guitar I have for the moment. I’m looking for a second guitar, but because we normally play in pubs I don’t want to spend anything over about €500. I’m torn between getting a cheap Harley and modding it, or investing in a mid-range guitar such as a Gretsch Electromatic. That’s academic for now as I simply don’t have the money. Anyway, your point is right: I’d love to have a top-of-the-range Tele, but I’m not prepared to pay that kind of money only to have it stolen.
@@lidbass here is something to consider, most of the big name guitars that are mid range priced like the PRS SE series that cost around 650 USD are made in Indonesia, the Fender player series are made in Mexico, Gretsch are made in China, Charvel costing 1600 bucks are made in Mexico, Epiphone is made in China, and so on. Knowing this, you have to ask yourself if buying a house brand named guitar for 1/2 to 2/3 the price of the big branded offshore options from the same factories that sport better accessories but maybe lessor quality pickups isn't a better way to go? I have a Japanese made Jagmaster it is a Vista series that is far better than the Squier of today, so I agree totally worth hanging onto. If you are impressed with Japanese made Fender guitars know that Japan is making Fender again they are to different specifications than the rest of the Fender line and are closer to the 1k price but they are worth the cost without question.
I would say if you are considering Harley Benton, IYV, EART, or some other affordable brand do not go super cheap on the price as the quality is not there. Stay in the 200 and up pricepoint just know you will have to do some setup work. A couple of other options that are pretty solid come from Guitar Fetish the Earl Slick guitars are no frills playing machines and the newly released Steve Brown Sound guitars are an affordable well spec'd take on the late 80s and 90s Charvel/Jackson style guitars. The thing is these do not carry the reputation and resale value but have all the DNA if you aren't worried about what name is on the headstock.
@@killacoiler1707 Thank you very much for all of that. I will be taking it into account as and when I can manage to save enough money to get a new guitar. I’m not at all bothered about resale value: this is going to be a workhorse guitar which is almost certainly going to get banged around a bit. I have little time for comic/vinyl/guitar collectors putting on their gloves and all that palaver: these things are made to be read/listened to/played. But a 1000+ name model would be completely wasted on me: I wouldn’t buy one even if I had the money. I accept that I’m going to have to spend a bit on a setup: that will be included in my budget. Anyway, thanks again for your time!
Really clever with your tools, and simple and easy to do. I really like your channel! Do you have a link for your fret leveling stone?
I’ve been thinking about buying that guitar, I own 3 PRS SE les Paul style and one Schecter solo II custom. I want to see how it compares to those guitars.
it compares
I just had a cup of coffee with your video, and you found a new subscriber. Many people get wrapped firmly around the axle about things, and fail to see the positives. It was fun to watch you take this cheap guitar apart, make minor changes etc. I’m fairly new to playing guitar, but I’m fortunate to own both cheap and high-end guitars. I see owning a guitar, much like owning a gun. I only sold one of my guns, and regretted the idea shortly afterwards. Anyhow, my “learning how to play guitar” has been a real hoot so far, lots to learn and much more to comprehend when you actually look under the hood of your guitar. Great video, and I look forward to the next one! 🎉
I don't know why this video showed up as a "recommended view", but I sure am glad that it did. Sometimes, the TH-cam algorithm just gets it right. I'm now subscribed. Great work!
Wow, thank you!
Resistors in parallel always result in an equivalent resistance that is lower than the resistance of each individual resistor.
Neck pickup was high, bridge pickup was low therefore when you put them in parallel (switch middle position) the resistance will always be lower than the lowest resistance.
I just hacked a bridge in my Epiphone Casino that was super loose like the one in the video. Just get a roll of Teflon Thread tape, like the stuff used by plumbers, and wrap it around both the threads that screw into the body and around the top of the posts that the bridge slides on to. Now my $17 roller bridge replacement is a snug fit and the guitar stays in tune and intonation.
Thanks for the pointers on how to get the most out of a guitar. Great channel!
That bridge pickup sounded pretty killer to my ears
the bridge resistance is 14k witch is hot but the neck is more a paf style with less resistance at about 7.8.. the middle pos splits the resistance in half . that's why it adds up to roughly half of the both combined.
14k bridge and 7k neck are not unusual measurements for low cost ceramic magnet pickups.
14.1k in parallel with 7.57k is 4.925k which is what you measured.
I have one of these. I love it. My favorite guitar now. Yes I had to do a set up and a little fret work. And? For under $200, what do you expect? I have guitars I paid a lot more for that I had to do the same thing. I would buy another IYV in a heartbeat.
The play in that bridge is about the same as the stock setup on my 2020 Epiphone Casino Coupe. A lot easier to swallow at this price point!
I got the same guitar only green and did the same work on it. It is nice and sound great. It's not my best guitar but I like it. I also plan to change out the pickups though.
yep, ur rite dude, that is an awfully pretty blue finish, after you set 'er up, sounded pretty good, and for $186, damn! I bought 2/3 of my guitars back in the 70's from pawn shops in the city where I grew up, I think I was 12 when I bought my first elec Les Paul guitar, made by Aspen. It was used, black ebony finish, just like I'd wanted back then. The next two were, a Fender 12 string acoustic, then a Gibson 6 string acoustic, both bought back in 77, I think. one might been in early 78, but loved'em all, spent a many hours with each and even fewer hours goin to Jr High, Lol. Hey, my band won the talent show in 9th grade, I used a Peavy Pacer 100 amp, cry baby wah wah and a big muff pi sustain,distortion foot push button box and played it LOUD! I did some minor tweaking on my elec guitar to increase the action, lol, gave it a real, slight, buzz sound, nobody ever commented, reckon they didn't notice, those were the days in my teens.....now, 60 with diseases. I have a 95 Fender Stratocaster and a 50 watt VOX amp, neither hardly played, the Strat was a studio guitar I bought from a bud who needed $$ badly in 2006, that was when I went to Guitar Center, had it cleaned and restrung with 8's, (wished I'd a gone with 11's now) and havn't played that much since was working alot back then, til the attack in Oct 08 changed my entire future, now have 50% feelin in hands, (you know, like when your elbow hits, (the "funny bone") and makes your arm tingle and numb for a couple a few minutes. Well, my arms n hands feel that way 24/7 now, can't play no more. :( Just glad to be able to listen to music, and remember my youth. I'm a Les Paul guy, never was a Fender guy, except for acoustic. LP just feels natural in my hands. Old school I guess, peculiar. Lol Peace y'all and keep Rockin!
Your braggadocio at the start was a bit of a turn off, but I actually learned a bunch of little tips and tricks by the end. This is a really thorough examination - kudos on the good video.
I use thread tape on the bridge studs.
From my limited lutherie erxperience I think Real Wood is a Hard Wood so I plan on upgrading everything that is not wood when I buy one of those No Snob Appeal No Name Guitars. Excellent info in this video. Thanks.
I'm not sure how much you know about pickup resistances but since you asked: 14.1k and 7.6k are the bridge and neck pickups by themsleves, and 5k is them both in parallel.
The equation for parallel resistance is (x*y)/(xy), or in this case (14100 * 7600) / (14100 + 7600) = 4.94k, about 5k.
I hope that helps! Fun video.
It did Thank You!
I have one and it has none of the problems in the video. I changed the strings, set it up and it's awesome. I would have sent this one back and tried another one.
This was my second one as stated in the video. The first was a PRS style. Video is on the channel.
@@scarmyguitar sorry, I meant sent the Les Paul guitar back and tried a second one of those. I also have the PRS style and that one is awesome too. No fret leveling required on either one and both guitars came with close to perfect fret ends.
Awesome content man! Some of these guitars that you get in amaze me, but then again, someone like you that KNOWS how to play guitar could make just about anything sound great, lol. Great stuff!
Rock on!
Really?... it sounded like basic minor pentatonic blues, to me.
I've had mine for a few months now. Got a returned one for a crazy deal. It's got the normal IYV finish issues but plays well after a setup. Light for a less paul. I like the heal carve and the neck shape - chunky but not too wide. Pickups have more bite than my other IYV models. It sounds Les Paul-ish. Worth it if you're into working on gear. After a setup and fret job, it's a proper instrument.
I bought one just to have one to back into playing,mine doesn't sound like a old school les Paul but both my pickups are hot but works good for rock stuff plays real nice set up
I bought a SG model IYV. New strings, fret leveling and a better bridge. Plays great.
Do you have a link to your fret leveler and your nut files that you can share? I don't see one in your list. Thanks!
amzn.to/44tIsRG
amzn.to/43ZKbOF
@@scarmyguitar thanks for the speedy response! I love your method of using the feeler gauge and rubber bands, but I have to ask, have the files have ever damaged the gauge? Or vice versa?
Great video. You should put IYV on the title page, you'll get a lot more views. Until now I'd seen a few reviews saying how good they were but you showed it how it actually is close up - horrible! There are so many finish flaws on it, it's like second hand. The flamed finish disappears at about two feet away and all that in-filling around the inlays! It's like pearloid with a black border 😂. And that's not me being OCD, it's shoddy workmanship. But that's a great tip with the feeler gauges! Thanks.
I see you don’t use a sharpie when fret levelling, was that just for speed? Love the trick with the nut filing, must give it a try!,
It's just how I do it. No special reason. The fret rocker doesn't lie. I might use a sharpie if I'm spot leveling a fret or two, but never all of them.
Thanks for keeping the meter battery changing part in there! It reminded me to reach over and turn mine off.
Cool I was hoping you would do a review on the Amazon Ivy IP350 guitar that looks like a PRS!
Sean I fixed a couple of guitars back in the day myself and that is a beautiful guitar but I like you said the front job and pick up ain't so much Fern Creek guitar it come off Amazon yeah it looks good in my in the results it comes down to it bro the blue burst is my favorite
I like how the guitar that you hadn't seen before matches your shirt color almost perfectly.
At this point, im convinced that these cheap budget guitars only exist for 2 reasons: 1st, for someone who wants to try to learn to play, but arnt sure if they are gonna like it or not, and don't wanna drop tons of cash on a good quality guitar. And 2nd, for people like me who enjoy just working on guitars, and are learning the ropes on guitar repairs, mods and customization. Me personally, i enjoy taking these cheap chinese budget knockoffs, and making them play and sound just as good as the top quality ones. I call them "Sleeper guitars". Guitars where when you pull it out of the case, people kinda scoff and laugh at your low end guitar, until you plug it in and blow their minds with the amazing sound and playibility.....always fun to see their reactions LOL!
There fun to work on I do wish there had better playing guitars for new players. These cheat guitars a better for more experienced guitar players that have that know how to set up guitar’s and switch out pickups
Thanks...love the IYV vids. Your links really apreciated. I just got a IYV ISSY-200NA through-neck on sale for 190. Similar "quality" LOL. The big hollow IJZ-500 NA was much better, though still a little funky. They go "on Sale" often with as much as $60 discount, then jump up again. Waitin now on the "legendary" IYV-IJZ-300A TSB...they took my order but it may be awhile. I hope you try more IYVs! Also maybe someday a Squier CV 70's Jaguar....The best I ever bought was the Grote thinline hollow...needed nothing. I've had very good luck with monoprice too.
I've been agonizing over a new and first headless guitar. Grote is one of the companies that is on my short list. You had really good luck with them with a Grote Hollow body?
@@joeyvanostrand3655 Yes, Sir. It does seem the quality varies a bit with the model. Amazon now has super easy returns if you get a "bad" one. Usually it's just a setup issue, sharp or high frets, which I don't send back, but just fix. The Grote Hollow is one of the few guitars, I did not need to touch a fret, though I probably did cut the nut a touch. My earlier Grote 335, took a through setup to sound all notes, that was 3years ago.
Glad I found your channel, like your down to earth I’m just a guitar player style. Opening that box with a Bowie knife had me laughing.😅😅😅
nothing like a good first time set up. Well done Shawn. I agree if you can do the work its well worth it. and I got to say I love that colour to. well take care mate from tour pal Helcat in Australia.
That's the first time i've ever seen one of your videos. I gotta say something you are the man son!
I appreciate that
Love your channel, Shawn I watch it all the time
What type of pickups would you replace the ones in here with? The ones
your wife makes?
I like the way you do things... I do wish you could do one more though and that is play it right out of the box after tuning for more of a comparison. Otherwise, loved it!
Noted!
Great video! Being a budget aware DIY'er I just love this kind of content. A question though: What are those nut files you're using? I haven't been able to find anything like them, at least not affordable ones.
Some of the stuff you do would give a luthier a heart attack 😂
I really love your straightforward approach, get the job done with minimal fuss 😎🤣👍🏼
Wait til you see the video I'm uploading now lol! Strokes and all with that heart attack!
I work on a lot of guitars to be an old medically retired guy. I just worked on a left handed guitar that looks beautiful, but that is where it ended. Half of the saddles in the bridge were backwards, fret ends would kill you.But a couple of hours later with a new nut, reverse saddles, fret level, crown, file fret ends, intonate the guitar and it plays well.The owner is a beginner and young and will never advance to pro anyway so this is great for that guy..Made in China
I have bever seen a guitar in tune fresh out of the box...maybe if you lived in the town they were made in...But yeah these guitars are great with a little diy work and a set of your favorite pickups...I got the PRS copy and added some active pickups that came with all the electronics...I bought for the same reason..to see what all the hype was about...This guitar made it to my play/display rack in my office...TOP 3...Replaced a Fender 12 string
Man I had so subscribe. Real honest info is hard to come by as it is... But facts, I can see coming through the video, that you LOVE this stuff! I dont know if I'm interested in that particular guitar, but your video had me thinking lol.
I appreciate that
I have the green one and agree, it's not a bad guitar and is actually fun to play. The electronics are bad, but I only use the bridge pickup and volume knob anyway, so it works. Great job on the video! Another new sub.
Thanks for sharing!
Al least the routs for the pickups doesen't look like it was dug-out with a fork. What 2 do with the sloppy matic bridge posts? Teflon Tape?
A mate of mine (yrs ago) could only afford Les Paul copies.
Years later he actually got a genuine Les Paul.
He found he couldnt play it, as it was so different to his copy.
He eventually learnt to play it.
He's still very good!
I l9ve your nut file and gauges trick. Like it better than the half pencil trick. Thank for that awesome tip.
Never could get the desire for the green one. I wondered when they would put out a pleasing color. Hahaha. This is cool really. 200, some tools and upgrades. Bamm.
I love your trick to cut the nut, but doesn’t that wear down your gauge a bit?
Dang Dude, 😟appreciate all that flip flap. Dig the honest fish gutting attitude🤩
Spot on Shawn!! Just a little tweak and a nice setup and you have a decent playing guitar!! Most people who buy these are not touring artists, just kooks like me that collect cheap guitars!! LOL Great video as usual!!