Achilles
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Ever checked out a Kiesel Vadar?
Korea vs Indonesia (QC etc.)
- Thread starter GuitarJon
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Ever checked out a Kiesel Vadar?
paisleywookiee
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Yeah. Kiesel makes me nervous though. Despite seeing many that were great, their rep can be weird too.
So having played at 100-200 different situations since 2018 in a major metropolitan area, I have seen 1 strandberg on stage in all of that time.
I just don't think they are that popular as the internet and fb groups would have us believe. I can tell you I've seen 1 in the wild and dozens requiring nut replacement, bridge work, and side filing on the internet though. Just funny little anecdotal thing.
The internet can often obscure our perception of reality by making the uncommon common, or the unrealistic realistic.
Finishes and wood choices are highly subjective.
Personally, if I were paying $1.5k to $2k on a guitar, I'd definitely not be looking for a gimmick like the strandberg neck.
Also, $1k isn't much for a guitar when you consider half the squier line from Cort is north of $400. But, I'm also not going to be lulled into the belief that Cort is touching what's coming out of Strandberg's Japanese partners for example.
All things aside, I do think if you spec a $2k cost guitar from Cort, you're going to get a good guitar, depending on what's in the contract. I think some companies are jumping ship from Cort due to brand perception and because they aren't big enough fish to receive the special treatment that Squier likely does for being THE largest contract they have other than maybe Ibanez.
I just don't think they are that popular as the internet and fb groups would have us believe. I can tell you I've seen 1 in the wild and dozens requiring nut replacement, bridge work, and side filing on the internet though. Just funny little anecdotal thing.
The internet can often obscure our perception of reality by making the uncommon common, or the unrealistic realistic.
Finishes and wood choices are highly subjective.
Personally, if I were paying $1.5k to $2k on a guitar, I'd definitely not be looking for a gimmick like the strandberg neck.
Also, $1k isn't much for a guitar when you consider half the squier line from Cort is north of $400. But, I'm also not going to be lulled into the belief that Cort is touching what's coming out of Strandberg's Japanese partners for example.
All things aside, I do think if you spec a $2k cost guitar from Cort, you're going to get a good guitar, depending on what's in the contract. I think some companies are jumping ship from Cort due to brand perception and because they aren't big enough fish to receive the special treatment that Squier likely does for being THE largest contract they have other than maybe Ibanez.
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Depends on the model
Not cheap materials at all and similar build quality to similarly priced instruments. Way better fit and finish than any Gibson. Yes some have issues but the perception is more than the actual. It comes up mostly because of people having a problem with a $2k + Indonesian guitar.
paisleywookiee
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None of the newer Boden Standard or Original models are roasted anymore. Also, read the other posts. I’ve already said my issues with them. Whether that mirrors anyone else’s experience doesn’t really change my opinion or perception of them.
Also, Gibson QC comparisons is a pretty low bar, no? How about Fullerton G&Ls in the same price range, PRS S2, ESP E-II, all generally immaculate in this price range.
Again, as has been stated, I’ve seen and played a bunch. In my experience with them, as well as the techs that worked on them, not impressed for the money. YMMV.
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Astrides is right in the mid-level strandberg range. Sure, they aren't $1600, but they aren't $6k either. --Definitely a competitive product.
Seeing one guitar with a perfect neck pocket doesn't really help with the consistency conversation either. I have a fender on the wall over here I can stick a .88mm pick in, so obviously I don't think Neck pockets are that important. But when I hear from a local tech that they have done quite a few side-files on Strandbergs that have come in, that tells me a pretty different story.
Seeing one guitar with a perfect neck pocket doesn't really help with the consistency conversation either. I have a fender on the wall over here I can stick a .88mm pick in, so obviously I don't think Neck pockets are that important. But when I hear from a local tech that they have done quite a few side-files on Strandbergs that have come in, that tells me a pretty different story.
JiveTurkey
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Is this a Grote?
I have seen lots. I am a tech. show a photo of one needing a side fill it shouldn't be hard to find if they are as common as you seem to think.
Achilles
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I'm 100% with Eagle on this! Everyone's entitled to opinions based on their own experiences but I'm teaming up with the Eagle to counter-balance the Wookie.
paisleywookiee
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Whatever floats your boat. You can't expect me to say they're amazing, when I've seen plenty to the contrary. Like I said, I guess I'm just unlucky.I'm 100% with Eagle on this! Everyone's entitled to opinions based on their own experiences but I'm teaming up with the Eagle to counter-balance the Wookie.
Achilles
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You saw a few bad ones. Between me and Eagle we've seen lots of good ones.
Not sure what floats your boat has to do with it.
Who's expecting this? I consider your experience an outlier that's all.
Indeed!
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paisleywookiee
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Sure, I guess. How many do I need to see before my opinion is valid? Not so much you, but I get tired of the "I'm a tech, therefore know more than you" mentality that sometimes comes across here.
EDIT
"Whatever floats your boat" meant whatever makes you happy, or whatever you like, you like. It's fine.
Achilles
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Our opinions are valid the moment we take our first breath. I don't think anyone is trying to change your mind as much as convince you that your experience with Strandberg is quite different than most. That's all.
I have a 2019 Prog that I bought thinking Strandberg might end up a flash in the pan!
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It may be, I’ve never played a Strandberg but their innovation and unique design elements deserve a premium imo.
How much that should add to the price, idk..
Although they are made in smaller numbers, It should have basic guitar playability and QC for sure.
paisleywookiee
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No problem...
I couldn't find the one from instagram the other night, but it wasn't an NX, and the technician had posted asking why he has to do this all the time.
If you care to, you can also join the FB groups. I follow a bunch of tech instagrams, and I do some of my own work (the minor stuff) so it's useful to pickup tips.
Fret ends are a minor setup problem though. I'd be more concerned about neck pocket and alignment problems as that's harder to correct. But full disclosure, I haven't seen any threads about neck alignment issues in recent memory, but I have seen some specifically after they switched to Cortek. Maybe it's the taint of internet griping--who knows? I'm not a dealer, and TBH I rarely ever see them in person as noted previously.
Fwiw, I had an SRV Strat that had a twisted neck and a bad pocket. Was a cool guitar before it became unplayable--and that is DEFINITELY a guitar that was way more money than it should've been.
Yep, exactly like I said. Strandberg runs from about $1600 up to around $8k. Aristides doesn't have a 'lower end' line so they run from about $2750 to $5-$6k. Sure looks like a big chunk of Aristides competes with a big chunk of Strandberg's lineup.
Also worth noting that the 'most popular' strandbergs at sweetwater are $2500ish. Just at a glance, those are mostly extended-scale guitars too. I'm not surprised that the less expensive ones are more popular; that's pretty much how this industry works.
Don't worry, I'm used to having unpopular opinions and being told so--I've played like 12 Suhrs that I didn't think were even close to being worth the money, bought one that was really good, and returned it because it wound up being the only Suhr I've encountered without SS frets. Bottom line hot-take: You'd be way better off buying a USA G&L/Fender Ultra/Ibanez AZ (and that's a tough pill for me to swallow as I've played more than a few of those and also returned one) than a Suhr Classic.
Look, my intention is not to defame Strandberg here, some people clearly really dig them, and there are enough good ones that it's created a pile on, but It's not been my experience that they are super-special or anything. Maybe I'll get into a position where I see a wider swathe than I have and I'll change my tune, but right now I remain skeptical.
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