Cheap guitar of the week #25 - REVV RPX-1
The ultimate "workhorse shredder axe"? Maybe.
I'll be totally honest here. This is a guitar I would never buy. I don't like the HSH pickup configuration, I don't like guitars with 24 frets on them and I don't like Floyd-Rose style tremolo...
...but there are things to this guitar that make it worth owning for some.
The REVV RPX-1 has two really awesome things going for it.
First, it carries its own look and does it well without trying to copy anyone else. That's a rare thing. You might think, "Eh... kinda looks like an Ibanez." Not really. This is just a plain Super Strat style guitar that doesn't pretend to be something it's not.
Second, this is what I call a "shredder's workhorse" guitar. It's cheap, it looks good and most importantly, it can be worked on, as it does have a bolt-on neck.
Here is why the bolt-on is important:
Any shredder could buy this guitar, take off the neck, scallop it, level the frets (and maybe file the edges a bit), and ta-da, instant cheap scalloped fretboard shredder axe. I don't play guitars like that, but there are plenty who would. All they need is the project guitar to mod, and you can't do much better than REVV RPX-1 for a cheap-ass shredder axe.
A few other reasons why the REVV is good guitar to mod is that it has everything routed out already. Toss in a pair of better humbuckers and maybe a better single-coil for the middle position? Do it. Swap out the tuners and locking nut? Go right ahead.
The REVV is one of those "made to be modded" guitars.
Oh, and bonus: The guitar actually has a Licensed Floyd-Rose trem system on it. No, it's not as good as Original Floyd-Rose, but the fact it has anything Floyd-Rose in it for the price this sells for is impressive.
There are four colors available. White, black, blue and yellow. I like the yellow one best because it makes the guitar look like it came straight of the the 1980s. And that's not a bad thing.
The body was definitely designed right. How do I know? The top horn extends exactly to where it should, right over the 12th fret. What does that mean to you as a player? No neck dive. Ever. The bottom horn also sticks out enough to where this would be a really comfortable sit-down guitar as well.
No, it's not an Ibanez, Jackson or Schecter. But given how cheap it is, who cares? Buy and mod the crap out of this thing. Do light modding with some small fret work or major modding with a scalloped fretboard along with some new electronics. Whatever you decide to do, the guitar is yours for the modding.
Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster review
There's some nice technical wizardry going on with this Strat, but is that enough for this model to be truly "Deluxe?" Let's find out.
I'm at the guitar store, and I see a Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster on the wall in Vintage White (seen above.) I've been meaning to try one of these, and did.
What makes a Roadhouse different?
The only thing that lets you know this Strat is different is by looking at the back of it, where you see a 9-volt battery cover. Why is that there? Because this guitar has a preamp in it.
How is the preamp controlled? By the top tone knob. It looks like a tone knob but isn't, and is actually a notched rotary switch with six settings.
What does that rotary switch do? It "colors" the sound in what I can best describe as "thin" to "thick."
Can the preamp be bypassed? Fortunately, yes. Fender thought this one through. The volume knob has a push-in/out S-1 switch that can completely bypass the preamp.
The good
Has a traditional '70s style look with semi-modern flair
Other than the swap of a white pick guard to pearloid, this guitar keeps a mostly-vintage looking appearance. The only thing not vintage are the modern sealed tuners.
My guess is that this guitar is geared towards country players. Country guys like Strats with shiny bits on it (hence the decision for the pearloid guard,) and the name "Roadhouse" totally says "I'm a country guitar." The color choices of Vintage White w/maple fretboard and Sonic Blue w/rosewood fretboard totally fit the country look, too.
Candy Apple Red and 3TSB are also available, all with the pearloid pick guard.
Predictable neck, with bonus fret
While this is a Mexico-made Strat, it has 22 frets just like the American Standard instead of just 21. While I personally prefer 21, it is proper to see 22 on a model labeled as a Deluxe.
Priced well for a Strat with a preamp
Preamps aren't cheap as it can add a bunch of cost to a guitar. In addition, this Strat design strays outside the traditional build where an extra cavity had to be routed in the back, but yet Fender still kept the price quite reasonable. I would expect this guitar to be priced higher than it is, but it isn't.
My suggestion is that if you like this Strat, buy it before the price goes up, as I'm sure it will.
Weighted correct
Typical Strat weight and not too heavy. Has an alder body with maple neck, just as most Strat players expect.
Passive mode sounds very correct
With the preamp off, you get the passive sound of the Texas Special single-coils loaded into this guitar.
Now although I can't confirm this, I am assuming that this Strat can be played even if the 9-volt battery goes totally dead just from bypassing the preamp.
Does the extra routed cavity affect the tone negatively? Not that I could tell.
The bad
Gloss urethane coated neck
The Fender Standard Stratocaster, also a Mexico build, has a satin finish on the neck. The Roadhouse does not and it's super-shiny, just like most Squier Stratocasters.
I can only assume the only reason Fender decided to do this is because it makes the back of the neck look shinier because some country guys and gals like shiny-everything on a Strat.
Personally, I can get along with satin or urethane. But when I felt that urethane on the Deluxe, I was thinking, "A Strat labeled as a Deluxe model with a urethane finish neck and not satin? Seriously?"
Rotary switch did not feel solid
The #1 feature on this guitar, the notched rotary switch, was two things. Too stiff, and when going from one notched position to the next, it felt flimsy.
While the click-in/out S-1 switch felt perfect, that rotary left a lot to be desired.
Did it work? Yes. But it felt all wrong.
Fender needs to dump whomever is supplying that switch and go with someone else. I'll put it this way: This is the main feature of the guitar. And it's the worst-feeling part of it. Not good.
Wing string trees have no place on a model labeled as Deluxe
These type of string trees are something I'd expect on the Mexico Standard and Squier Strats. But this is a Deluxe model. Fender should have spent the extra 50 cents and put the "T"-roller trees on this, just like the ones on the American Special Stratocaster.
C'mon, Fender. If you're going to label a guitar a "Deluxe," put string trees on it that make it truly deluxe.
The sound
With the preamp bypassed, the Texas Special pickups definitely deliver. I could tell they had higher output from the first chord strummed...
...but does the preamp "color" the sound noticeably when in use?
Well, here's how I describe my experience with it.
Yes, the preamp works and you can hear the subtle differences from one setting to the next. I understand that the change in tone is not supposed to be drastic from use of this preamp, nor should it be.
What struck me as odd at first is how much the preamp "flattens" the sound of the guitar. However, that could in fact be really useful both in the studio and on stage. In the studio, a flat response that's adjustable is actually quite desirable at times. On stage, same thing. You can "tame" the tone of this Strat easily because of that preamp.
Is six settings enough? I think so. However, I did find myself wishing there were two more notches for more treble cutoff. Then again, that is what the tone knob is for.
But again, my biggest knock against this guitar is how flimsy that rotary switch felt going from notch to notch. I wasn't expecting this guitar to be perfect, but again, this is a Deluxe model. And that rotary absolutely did not feel deluxe at all.
Verdict
- Priced right for what it is.
- Sounds great for what it is.
- Looks good and has nice blend of modern + vintage.
- Urethane finish neck may turn some players off.
- Good color choices.
- Very nice that both maple and rosewood fretboard options are available.
- Rotary switch sucks.
Vintage guitar of the week #8 - 1965 Fender Jaguar
For many fans of this guitar, this is The Jag.
A real-deal '65 Jag is a highly desirable Jag with a price tag to match. This is the kind of Jag that has the character Jag fans look for. It is the ultimate hipster Jag. Hipsters drool over guitars like this...
...but is it overpriced? Good question.
You'll see full photo sets on the link above along with its price tag. Personally, I think the guitar is priced at $800 too much. Prepare to do some dealing to get the price down so you don't overspend, if you go for the real vintage.
Why did the Jag get a bump up in price?
Kurt Cobain. He played a sunburst Jag, but it was modified with dual humbuckers along with modified switchgear on the bottom horn. That guy was wildly popular with his band Nirvana in the '90s, fans saw him with his old Jag, and that's basically what brought the guitar back into the limelight again.
Now if you want to get really technical about it, the Jag Kurt used was a '66 and not a '65 (he stated that in a 1992 Guitar World interview.) If you want a '66 in sunburst, there are several to be had, but you'll notice that few of them have the weathered/checked look of the '65 models you'll see. When you want a Jag that has "that look," you have to go slightly older.
True, the '66 has neck binding while the '65 doesn't, but that's your preference whether you want that or not.
Newer, cheaper options?
Fender does make a reissue Kurt Cobain Jaguar with all the mods Kurt had on his.
For a traditional Jag, Fender Classic Player Jaguar Special fits the bill.
And, of course, there's Squier that has a Jag as well, including one in sunburst.
Worth it to get the real-deal '65?
For Jag fans, yes it is.
But like I said, I'd try to knock the price down by $800. That '65 totally has the look, no question there, but it's not worth its inflated asking price.
Squier Affinity Telecaster guitar (with rosewood fretboard) review
I put my money where my mouth is. I bought one.
I've talked, and talked, and talked, again and again, about the Squier Affinity Telecaster. I finally bought one in Metallic Red. More on that in a moment.
Why a Telecaster again?
I actually did own a Telecaster before. A Squier Thinline model in Shoreline Gold. But it had electronics issues so I had to part with it. That, and it sounded too "screechy" for my liking.
This time around I went with the Affinity. No electronics issues with this one at all, and I went with this model for three main reasons. First, it's cheap. Second, it looks proper because of the headstock logo change from 1 color to 2-color (gold w/black outline.) Third, the neck.
The bad
In all honesty, there's very little not to like about this guitar, but here are my turn-offs.
"Muddy" neck pickup
The rear pickup is full-on Telecaster goodness, but the front pickup doesn't have as much treble response as I'd like. I might swap out the front pickup later on.
Adjusting the neck pickup height requires removing the pick guard
True to 1960s Fender vintage design spec, the Affinity requires the pick guard to be removed to adjust the front pickup height.
"Top hat" switch tip
There are two types of Telecaster switch tips. Top hat and barrel. I don't like the top hat, but that's what the Affinity comes with.
This is, by the way, another thing that's 1960's vintage-correct. But I still like the barrel tip better.
Loading strings through the top-loader bridge is a bit weird
The Affinity is not a string-through-body but rather a top-loader. That's not a problem and I in fact prefer that, but the way the strings are loaded takes a little getting used to.
A string is installed in the bridge by snaking it through the back, then pushing down so the string tilts up, allowing you to push the string through the bridge saddle. If that doesn't make sense to you, it will once you use a bridge like this.
Is this bad? No. Just weird.
The good
Just-right weight
The Affinity uses an alder body and not basswood, and the resulting weight as good as it gets. Not too heavy, not too light. Just right. Easy to pick up and play, but still has enough weight so it feels like a proper Telecaster.
Best knobs on a Squier ever?
Quite possibly. They're the best on a Squier model I've ever used. The knobs are the metal knurled flat-top style with a side screw for tightness, and the knob tension on a turn is about as perfect as it gets. Feels very upscale. Crazy-good knob feel and performance for a sub-$200 guitar.
Proper pickup switch
Again the electronics shine here. The pickup selector blade has good tension to it and smooth action.
Better-than-normal sealed tuners
I won't say these tuners are as good as what's on the American Standard, but they're darned close.
The tuners on the Affinity are all separate and attached via a nut that goes over each tuning post. Also, there is screw tension adjustment on the top of each button. On a Squier model, or any guitar in this price range for that matter, that's really good. They also hold tune very well.
Single string guide
The single string guide (which some call a string tree) is great because there is no guide holding the G string down; that means less string kinking noise for G string bends.
Gorgeous finish
The Metallic Red is not Candy Apple Red, but rather a darker, deeper red with just a very slight hint of metallic. Pictures do not do this color justice.
Lake Placid Blue also looks great, but if the red doesn't suit you, the Brown Sunburst will, believe me.
Proper 3-ply pick guard
The white-black-white guard the Affinity has is exactly the way you'd want it to look. Proper and upscale.
"Unfinished" neck feel
The neck isn't unfinished, but it feels that way, and that's a very good thing. The reason for it is that it's not the typical thickly-coated high-gloss that's on most Squier necks. What this does is make the neck feel very smooth and not sticky whatsoever.
True, the neck has no walnut stripe a.k.a. "skunk stripe" on the rear, but who cares? It feels proper.
How does it sound?
Like a Telecaster should.
The rear pickup on the Affinity is amazing, but like I said, the front pickup doesn't have as much treble response as I'd like.
Then again, this may be a totally different experience for you. You may like the voicing of the front pickup just fine.
Other benefits of this Tele
"Civilized" tone
Something I didn't know until buying one is that this Tele behaves very nicely as far as its tone is concerned.
I'll explain.
Some guitars require a lot of tone tweaking before you can get a good recorded sound out of it. Any by tweaking I mean messing around with EQ settings and such. The Affinity Tele hardly requires any tweaking like that at all, other than just a turn of the volume or tone knob on the guitar.
For example, this Tele works wonderfully with just about any kind of effect you can throw at it. Delay, overdrive, reverb, phaser, flanger, reverb, etc., this Tele can make all that sound good easily without spending hours tweaking just to make it sound right.
Great "chorder"
While a Telecaster can be soloed on, its main strong point is chording. The Affinity Tele can definitely chord all day without a problem. This isn't to say it can't be soloed on, because you certainly can do that, but it's great chording character makes it much more friendly to certain effects like chorus and delay.
Is a Telecaster a better chorder than a Strat? Yes. The position and voicing of the rear pickup is what makes work so well for chords.
And let's face it, most guitar players aren't soloists. Chords are what guitarists play the most, and the Tele delivers in fine style there, no question about that.
Final word, availability
Here's the oddity about Squier Affinity Telecasters: Hard to find in a guitar store. Guitar stores don't stock these for some reason.
I live in Tampa Bay Florida. A lot of guitars go through this area. I have three Guitar Center stores and one Sam Ash store all within driving distance of me. And the only Squier Affinity Telecaster usually in stock is the maple-board "Special." I've never seen a rosewood-board Affinity Tele in a guitar store.
My Affinity is in fact a 2015 build, meaning it was made this year. That in itself is an oddity because it's usually the case that Squier guitars in guitar stores are at least a year old in new condition.
The reason I tell you this is that if you want one, it's probably true you'll have to buy it online just to get it.
Worth it? I think so. I bought mine sight-unseen (other than just seeing it in a photo,) and was pleased with what I received.
Cheap guitar of the week #24 - Fretlight 5
Times have changed, and now this is affordable. Really affordable.
I remember a time - and this truly was not all that long ago - when a Fretlight guitar was quite expensive, but now it's cheap.
Why was Fretlight expensive before and cheap now?
When the Fretlight guitar was first introduced, it was not cheap to make. The very idea of having lights on the fretboard showing you where to place your fingers for certain chords and scale patterns was just mind-blowing.
As time went on, the technology got cheaper. Think of it the same way as the way smartphones have progressed. It used to cost $500 for one. Now it's under 30 bucks.
In addition, modern machining allows for smaller electronics to be put into guitars these days with relative ease. Heck, there are guys who even put fiber optic lightning in fretboards and binding now.
Is the Fretlight the best way to learn guitar?
I would call it one of the best (the best teacher is experience.) For learning chords and scales, having lights directly on the fretboard is really, really convenient.
Why is this one called the "Fretlight 5?"
Answer: Because only the first 5 frets and the nut have lights on them. And to be honest, those are the only frets that matter when it comes to learning chords and scales.
It is important to note that the Fretlight 5 is in fact a real guitar. Some think it's a toy. It isn't. While the guitar is really basic, you still have to install strings and tune it up just like any other solid-body electric. It also has a truss rod, again just like any other solid-body.
The two best parts about the Fretlight 5 is that it's affordable and stupidly easy to use. All you have to do is tune up and then literally follow the lights to start learning immediately. It doesn't get much easier than that.
What are the more expensive Fretlight models like?
This is a Fretlight Pro model, in acoustic flavor.
This is more than double the price of the Fretlight 5. The advantage is that almost the whole fretboard lights up, allowing to learn over 5,000 different chords and scales. I'm not kidding.
The Fretlight Pro Acoustic is, without a doubt, the more usable guitar. There is a Fishman system within that allows this axe to be used for studio or stage, if desired. The Fishman system also has a built-in tuner, EQ controls and so on.
So not only do you get a guitar that's more usable, you can also learn more because more stuff lights up on the fretboard.
Do you need the Pro model? That's up to you.
Personally, I think the Fretlight 5 gets the job done. But if you want something that goes beyond being just a basic learning tool that you could play in a studio or band, Fretlight Pro answers the call there.