AlbertA
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Kiesel Mark 66 Offset
- Thread starter AlbertA
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ragingplatypi
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I like this one a lot. Just wish they’d offer a 3rd pickup as an option.
metropolis_4
Rock Star
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Is Kiesel realizing not everyone plays modern metal?
I like this! My only complaint is the position of the pickup selector.
Also wish they had a 24.75” scale option
I like this! My only complaint is the position of the pickup selector.
Also wish they had a 24.75” scale option
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Baba
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Agreed on all accounts
newholland
Roadie
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- 975
I like it better than the last model posted.
The no pickguard version is cool too.
its... modern?
better than the last for sure. i mean... did the world need a dinky special? ima guess hard no.
Baba
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I don't disagree, but, for me, seeing all of their most recent ideas, maybe it's a bit refreshing.
They've already had the classic shapes, for many decades now, so I can see how they may have had to innovate, but, there have been SO many models, that have come and gone, and a lot of them have been just too "out there" for me, this is a nice change.
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I like this body shape. Just a slightly refined S style with smaller lower horn with better access I'm guessing. I like the angle at the bottom of the body too. I know it's been beaten to death, but I could see a modified strat pickguard that covers more surface area being used, maybe with some sharper edges similar to an RG pickguard.
eggpl@nt
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I really like what Kiesel has to offer (even the more modern designs that haven't necessarily been super well received here), but I just can't bring myself to order one because of all the horror stories I've read.
What's the feeling amongst the TGF crowd? Any Kiesel patrons? Are my horror story worries outdated?
What's the feeling amongst the TGF crowd? Any Kiesel patrons? Are my horror story worries outdated?
OrganicZed
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I ordered a bolt-t model (basically a strat) back in 2008 when they were still under the Carvin brand. The guitar was an excellent value because the only upgrades I added were abalone dot inlays and a transparent blue finish. I was approximately $700 for a USA made semi-custom guitar. That price is insane in retrospect considering it only took about 8 weeks to arrive and it came with a hard case as well.
Given that this was 18 years ago and I had way less experience with judging guitars back then, these were the things I remember. It had a good setup when it arrived and all features were as I had ordered them. The fretwork was pretty good (comfortable fret ends, no obvious high spots or buzzing), but there were visible tool marks in the ebony fretboard that were kind of a bummer. The AP11 pickups were not was I was hoping for. They were fairly high output and didn't have the strat sparkle that I was expecting. I recall thinking that they sounded cool (more like a P90), but they just were not what I was after. I was much happier with the sound of the guitar after I swapped the pickups for some Suhr Fletcher Landau single coils. Acoustically, it was really nice sounding and I actually played it more sitting on the couch with no amp than through an amp.
eggpl@nt
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Around the same time you bought your Carvin, I stumbled across a DC700 (or something like that) in the used section of a Guitar Center, and I remember really liking it. So I know they can produce a good or even great guitar. The horror stories usually start where something is *not* quite right, then it all goes to hell (or so the stories go).
laxu
Rock Star
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I own a 2010 Carvin C66 (bought used) and a 2015 Kiesel Aries AM7 (ordered new). Both are great guitars, with very minor cosmetic issues.
Ordering process back then went well, they answered questions over email promptly and delivered pretty much exactly what I asked for visually.
The specific cosmetic issue this era guitars can have is that some of the side dots are not totally aligned correctly. My understanding is that a few years after my Kiesel was made they changed their process to fix this.
But they are built well where it counts. All parts fit together great, lovely figured woods, good hardware, Jescar fretwire. They play really well.
I really like the Aries design. It has a very flat fretboard and the steep contours of the body make it very comfortable.
I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the AM7's Kiesel Lithium pickups at first, because they sounded different from what I'm used to. They are extremely bright, with a slight low mid scoop. This makes them actually really good because you can tame the brightness with the tone knob and they cut through even with heavy gain.
The Kiesel Softcase is also a really good case as an alternative to heavier hard cases. It offered a lot of protection. Junkies stole mine from storage, the bastards. As well as my Skervesen headless flight case.
Kiesel has gotten pretty expensive over the years though.
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I've always wanted a Holdsworth model. The main gripe I've heard with Kiesel is the necks are thin. Although I think the Holdsworth might be the thickest.
laxu
Rock Star
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They have a normal and thin neck profile afaik. My AM7 is the normal one and I don't consider it thin by any means. The profile on the Carvin is downright chunky, but I have no idea what its actual specs are.
paisleywookiee
Rock Star
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1.69" Wide @ Nut, 0.82" Thick @ 1st Fret, 0.94" Thick @ 12th Fret
That's a little thicker than a PRS Pattern Thin, or Warmoth Standard Thin.
GuitarsnGravel
Groupie
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- 20
I love the necks on Carvin and now Kiesel guitars. I haven't had anything bad happen with any of my Kiesel guitars. I've owned several. Currently own two 7 strings by them with a third on order. I can't say anything bad about the guitars, excellent components and quality craftsmanship. What's not to like? I've read about the horror stories, but my experience has only been positive. If you are interested in trying out a Kiesel, GC used has many guitars at good prices. You have 45 days to return, all you'll pay is shipping if you return it to a local GC. Think of it as a rental fee!
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