After a pretty poor start to the week, it must be said, it ended on a high with the arrival of 4 new models from the second supplier we met at Frankfurt.
I was really excited about these, because the kits and finished guitars on their stand were another level and the Rep I spoke to was very professional and knowledgeable and her English was exceptional.
Anyhoo... they didn't disappoint with this first sample shipment of 100 kits.
There's 4 models and a mix of fretboards and/or hardware (colour) between them.
Excuse the Phone photos of the kits in boxes, I will try and do the proper shots this weekend. I literally pulled one random sample out of one box for each model.
First up is what I'm calling an ESR-1, for ES Resonator. This is the one that drew me to their stand. Many visitors have asked for this style kit and I think this one will go off.
There is a Maple Fretboard kit (AU$329) and an Ebony Fretboard option (AU$355)
I will have to check, but I think that "Top" (or veneer?) is Paulownia.
Haven't had a look at the Parts bag yet, so i don't know what the pickup/s and hardware look like. I will have all this detail up on the site by Sunday.
Next up (Brendan) is a rather yummy semi hollow, small body, 5 string bass. I got the Fretted and Fretless versions. Phil W and I were mouths agape looking at the quality of the necks... they just feel so good. They've got a bit more weight (the necks on all the kits) than our regular supplier. Plus, they are bit more finished (sanded) than what we are used to.
I give you the HBB-5 (unless someone identifies a particular Bass this is styled on... Grestch?)
Yep.
AU$295 fretted and AU$290 fretless.
I'm calling this one the FTD-1, for Flame Teardrop. Maybe a bit self-indulgent, but if I wasn't so bad at building, this is a kit I'd really like to make.
The quality on this kit and the others does look really good. The factory where these are made are now specialising in Kits, rather than our other suppliers who make finished guitars and stop the process at finishing, to supply "kits".
This has a Flame maple veneer over Basswood body
Chrome hardware with Maple Fretboard AU$279
Gold hardware with Ebony Fretboard AU$339
Last up... did anyone say "Offset Tele"? Honestly, Frankfurt was April (May?) last year, and I had completely forgotten about these. I don't think it's as sexy as SonicMountain's offset TL design, this is a more of a Jazzmaster/Tele hybrid, but I love it!
2 piece Ash body (centered) and, again, the neck feels really good. A noticeable step up in quality from what we are used to... hence the extra cost (they will be less if and when we order a container load).
I only have the Maple Fretboard option, at this stage, and they will be AU$225 for the Chrome or Black hardware and AU$259 for Gold.
What do you think?
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Originally Posted by Simon Barden
