I really like the branding on the headstock for all the reasons you stated. In fact, all of changes to the design are a major upgrade. It looks like a stellar guitar option!
I signed up for the original build in the same finish but with fender logo. It took 6 months to finally get it but once I did, I liked it so much I bought another one in tobacco sunburst .Kinda wish I would've waited for the upgrades . Although, I immediately upgraded the pickups and wiring with push/pull coil splits like I always do . Great guitars !
Seems like the perfect blend of styles, and the belly cut and smoothed neck joint really make the difference. Coil splitting is nice too. Pickups sound great, thanks for this informative look at a new affordable guitar!
I ordered this very guitar last week and have not seen a shipping order yet. E-mailed twice and called number on web site twice with no response. Scary! I contacted Bad Cat Amps since they were mentioned on Bad Cat Instruments web Site. All I'll say is it was a very interesting 45 minute conversation. Max I would do some investigating since you're promoting the instrument and company.
I've ordered from them twice and got my guitars. It usually takes a week for shipping confirmation but since they are in the mist of the biggiest holiday of the year, I would expect a delay. Some businesses come back after a week of celebrating, others might take another week off.
Ive got my Fender FMT 2 humbuker split coil. Fenders answer to the Les Paul. Seymour Duncan pickups. Looks and plays awesome. So does this one you reviewed. Thanks for the review. Try the fender special edition. It's Fender's best kept secret.
I love the tele shape! Changing the pickup choices just makes it a perfect guitar! Fender should have gone in that direction years ago! (Although, I do love a sweet sounding single coil)
I like the guitar a lot. Everything I love about an LP and a tele. The Chinese writing reminds me of the George Lynch guitars of the 80's. It's definitely a versatile, cool guitar.
Man. I love everything about this guitar. I don’t say this a lot - ok, actually I don’t say this EVER (because I’m not rich): I WANT one. Man your guitar playing is awesome. You take ANY guitar TO the max. I can barely TELL what a guitar is like unless you’ve played it. You have a freakin’ encyclopedia of riffage in like just one minute. This guitar is my style all the way. I have an Epiphone Gibson, which is an Epiphone guitar in the shape of a Stratocaster, with a humbucker in the bridge in addition to 2 single-coils - and it sounds like a Gibson. Even one of those single coils sounds louder and warmer and just bigger than a double coil on a Strat. The truss rod cover in the 6-in-line-tuners headstock is black and says “GIBSON” on it. I bought it used at Angelo’s record store for $150 and haven’t been able to find any other guitar like it anywhere. Purists will call me a total guitar-heretic for being so proud of having a guitar like this Epiphone Gibson. It bends the mind and really does a number on your ears and eyes and is a crowd pleaser. Really great sounding clean and distorted. I love this Jia with the heretical design and bright, warm, heavy-thrash sound. It sounds like it would melt ears and women’s hearts. I am inspired to do what it takes to save up for this guitar. Even the single coil splits are huge sounding. That would definitely add a certain explosive, apocalyptic cutting sound with extremely sticky, barbed-out, thickly chugging distortion. 🤘 And I noticed that you could easily go from the tones of Iron Maiden, Brad Paisley, Santana and Judas Priest all in one song of you wanted to - you or any professional guitarist. It’s just an extremely versatile, well-designed instrument - and even the prototype is awesome as is - I’d take either one.
I thought the Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster was the only one of its kind, but I'm finding out there's another one that's even more extreme and cheaper. 10 out of 10 bro.
Big fan of the Eastern branding on the headstock too. Imo just needs a Flamed Roasted Maple neck, a solid Brass Hip Shot type bridge in nickel on a matt metallic nitro finish similar to the 665 Tausch Guitars body and contours. That would be the next next level for this brands price point I think.
Every new budget guitar coming out has significantly more features for the money than the big two companies! Before it was just a few features more but the budget brands have really upped their game.
I'm currently reading "The Birth of Loud", about the early electric guitar development at Fender and Gibson. (Excellent book, btw!) This guitar reminds me of something that might have been if Leo Fender and Les Paul had maintained their friendship instead of becoming competitors.
I love the new neck joint. Looks very similar to my Schecter C-1 E/A. I'd like to see a semi-hollow body version. Everything else seems very good. Peace, Max
Some folks might call me, "Thoroughly Modern Eddie." I am the last guy on Earth to be married to the past or to "vintage" features. That means I like the redesigned neck joint a LOT. I have one "Ultra Access" neck (It's a Schecter, so I'm using their terminology.) and one through neck, and I REALLY like them, so yeah, I'd like it on that guitar, too. Not in the market right now, but maybe if I can bring myself to sell something and make some room ...🤔
Tnx,,Guitar Max,......cool unit here,...imo= you get better at leading every time we see your posts,,...Q= please tell us all about the music shop that got flooded when the car crashed into the fire hydrant,!??,,.follow up on that crazy event for us please,,...pat& family,,land o' lakes,wi.😮
Wow. Nitro on a guitar at that price. That's crazy. It's a gorgeous guitar. I really like that neck joint and belly cut too, but the lack of a forearm bevel always kills me on Teles and Les Pauls.
I bought the first version of this after watching the first video, and the guitar is unplayable beyond the 15th-ish fret. The neck pocket extends further and towards the headstock than a Les Paul does so it’s even harder to play. Also, the neck is thick, if that matters. Wish it had a 60’s shape neck.
I posted about this last time. I know it's a different company and all, but we've seen this hybrid design before when it was called the Peavey Odyssey. Do an image search.
Les Paul / Esquire, LesQuire............ Make a single pickup version with a thick '50s style neck. Single pickup and retain the 3-position toggle switch, it could be configured with a normal position, a tone-cap position with the Eldred Esquire mod, and then a position with the pickup bypassing the tone and volume and go straight to the output jack.
I think it`s pretty well awesome & I`ve been thinking about a Tele body guitar with a humbucker. Now use a lefty Strat headstock configured for right handed players & ditch the Chinese font!
Everytime I see one of these. The first thing that comes to mind. Is that the color and finish is exactly the same as the Epiphone '59 LP standard outfit. Can't remember the name of that color spec for Epiphone. I'm fairly certain its the same satin clear finish also. My guess, is they're made in the same factory by the same builders. The knobs are the same too. Too many things are the same for it to be coincidence. These are great quality for that price, if I'm correct in my assumptions. If I didn't already have 5-6 high end models. With these basic specs. I'd be all over it. Peace!
I would prefer the Telecaster bridge and a bolt on maple 25.5" neck. The clean sound is really good. Don't make a guitar like I want, because I already have one that is really good. The best thing any guitar company can do is make guitars with low buzz free action no matter what style they make. I've heard that EART guitars are great at doing that.
It seems like a guitar I’d have to feel to decide on how I like it. Given it’s a mix of two styles it’s hard to justify this as a blind purchase on the website. Are the old ones on discount now? I actually like the features on those more.
Those tuners look sketchy af. How do they feel? Are they going to have to be replaced? I like the ergonomics of its shape. The black finish is even cheaper on their website, which is a plus since all my guitars are black.
A 3 to a side paddle type headstock would have sealed the deal for me, cant stand the thin telecaster headstock. And a P90 in the neck position would be nice as well
Dear sir, I have a suggestion, if you could find it in your heart, and mind, could you send this one to 6 string stanger? I think he would really like it. Or at least he might find it interesting, I think scar my guitar would find it interesting as well
I have no idea how they are selling these at such a low price. An actual 5A flamed maple top, stainless steel with ball ends AND a nitro finish? You normally wouldn't see a combination of these features until you hit the 3k or even 4k price range.
It just needs a capstan truss rod adjuster on the body end...Oh wait, is that even possible on a set neck? You'd need to lose a fret or move the pick up...I really should think these comments through before I post them...Looks nice though. Ta Max.
It’s kind of blowing my mind! My favorite shape with the hearty goodness of a Les Paul? Yep! This is good.
Glad you like it!
BTW RIP John sykes
Nice!
But i wish they would use a mini toggle or a push push for the coil split..
Yes, may he "Rest in Peace".
Very sad news and huge loss to music.
Without actually having it in hand, I like what I see with the neck joint and belly cut. Love the nice thick tone and pickup versatility.
I wouldn't change one thing, the pickups are even super articulate
Dammit MAX! I have wanted one of these for a long time and it seems like the one I need to purchase has finally showed up to the party!
I really like the branding on the headstock for all the reasons you stated. In fact, all of changes to the design are a major upgrade. It looks like a stellar guitar option!
Love the guitar! The LP type tuners, but 6 in line is perfect. I want one!
I signed up for the original build in the same finish but with fender logo. It took 6 months to finally get it but once I did, I liked it so much I bought another one in tobacco sunburst .Kinda wish I would've waited for the upgrades . Although, I immediately upgraded the pickups and wiring with push/pull coil splits like I always do . Great guitars !
Seems like the perfect blend of styles, and the belly cut and smoothed neck joint really make the difference. Coil splitting is nice too. Pickups sound great, thanks for this informative look at a new affordable guitar!
Beautiful axe. The best of both worlds on a budget. I buy one in a heartbeat. Love the upgrades. Pass it on!!!!!
For around $500 USD this looks and sounds amazing! A reverse headstock would be over the top! Thanks for sharing this badcat!
I ordered this very guitar last week and have not seen a shipping order yet. E-mailed twice and called number on web site twice with no response. Scary! I contacted Bad Cat Amps since they were mentioned on Bad Cat Instruments web Site. All I'll say is it was a very interesting 45 minute conversation. Max I would do some investigating since you're promoting the instrument and company.
Hey! i'm in the same boat as you, it has been over a week and I have not heard anything... were you able to get an update???
No reply yet…I have filed a dispute and refund with PayPal
@ I just did the same exact thing with Paypal… bummer, I knew these guitars seemed to good to be true.
I've ordered from them twice and got my guitars. It usually takes a week for shipping confirmation but since they are in the mist of the biggiest holiday of the year, I would expect a delay. Some businesses come back after a week of celebrating, others might take another week off.
@ thank you for some insight into this. Did you eventually receive tracking info or did they just show up at your door one day???
Ive got my Fender FMT 2 humbuker split coil. Fenders answer to the Les Paul. Seymour Duncan pickups. Looks and plays awesome. So does this one you reviewed. Thanks for the review. Try the fender special edition. It's Fender's best kept secret.
I have 2 of those fmt one is korea the other is with the pearly gates.
I love the tele shape! Changing the pickup choices just makes it a perfect guitar! Fender should have gone in that direction years ago! (Although, I do love a sweet sounding single coil)
Nice guitar, good upgrades, dig the new logo.
Cool look. Love the new features.
I have the previous version and my one gripe was that neck joint. But this axcess heel takes care of that. The one I have is extremely built
Thanks for this video! I ordered one!🎸
You're gonna love it!
I like the guitar a lot. Everything I love about an LP and a tele. The Chinese writing reminds me of the George Lynch guitars of the 80's. It's definitely a versatile, cool guitar.
Looks awesome! Great upgrades!
The Tele Paul looks great 🙂 That neck joint 😀
Fabulous! It's like a custom guitar. A great price. Good luck!
Awesome guitar Max! 👍
The Tele-Gib has been a proven rock work horse design since the early ‘70’s.
Just say LESCASTER, it's already the title of his video..😮😂
It has a Vintage style. So Cool !!!!
Man. I love everything about this guitar. I don’t say this a lot - ok, actually I don’t say this EVER (because I’m not rich): I WANT one.
Man your guitar playing is awesome. You take ANY guitar TO the max. I can barely TELL what a guitar is like unless you’ve played it. You have a freakin’ encyclopedia of riffage in like just one minute.
This guitar is my style all the way. I have an Epiphone Gibson, which is an Epiphone guitar in the shape of a Stratocaster, with a humbucker in the bridge in addition to 2 single-coils - and it sounds like a Gibson. Even one of those single coils sounds louder and warmer and just bigger than a double coil on a Strat. The truss rod cover in the 6-in-line-tuners headstock is black and says “GIBSON” on it. I bought it used at Angelo’s record store for $150 and haven’t been able to find any other guitar like it anywhere.
Purists will call me a total guitar-heretic for being so proud of having a guitar like this Epiphone Gibson. It bends the mind and really does a number on your ears and eyes and is a crowd pleaser. Really great sounding clean and distorted.
I love this Jia with the heretical design and bright, warm, heavy-thrash sound. It sounds like it would melt ears and women’s hearts. I am inspired to do what it takes to save up for this guitar. Even the single coil splits are huge sounding. That would definitely add a certain explosive, apocalyptic cutting sound with extremely sticky, barbed-out, thickly chugging distortion. 🤘 And I noticed that you could easily go from the tones of Iron Maiden, Brad Paisley, Santana and Judas Priest all in one song of you wanted to - you or any professional guitarist. It’s just an extremely versatile, well-designed instrument - and even the prototype is awesome as is - I’d take either one.
My go to for LP tones is a 90's Squier double fat has set neck and rocks!
I thought the Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster was the only one of its kind, but I'm finding out there's another one that's even more extreme and cheaper. 10 out of 10 bro.
Very nice. I have an old Indie Tribal which is the exact same as this.
Now we're rockin' great looking & sounding geetar
I like it! Unique for sure.
Big fan of the Eastern branding on the headstock too. Imo just needs a Flamed Roasted Maple neck, a solid Brass Hip Shot type bridge in nickel on a matt metallic nitro finish similar to the 665 Tausch Guitars body and contours. That would be the next next level for this brands price point I think.
Very cool. I was looking at Troublemaker Telecasters yesterday. This could be a contender.
A great looking axe. Tempted to build one but i am doing a walnut tele. But if you prefer the new one, i can take the old one off your hands 😊
Every new budget guitar coming out has significantly more features for the money than the big two companies! Before it was just a few features more but the budget brands have really upped their game.
I'm currently reading "The Birth of Loud", about the early electric guitar development at Fender and Gibson. (Excellent book, btw!) This guitar reminds me of something that might have been if Leo Fender and Les Paul had maintained their friendship instead of becoming competitors.
Really wish I could pick up something like this in the UK
Man I love that guitar!
It looks great! I may have to pick one up to try. I wonder how much it costs in Canadian?
verry cool. I just recently learned about glarry guitars having an elite series. perhaps you could get one of the elites and do a demo.
I love the new neck joint. Looks very similar to my Schecter C-1 E/A. I'd like to see a semi-hollow body version. Everything else seems very good. Peace, Max
I have the firefly version...no coil splits but 25.5 scale ss frets locking tuners and a roasted maple neck for $179...its a beast
They should make it in a Fender Scale Length (25.5").
Also, having a real Telecast style Bridge would be cool too.
Fender already makes one and it's loaded with SD humbuckers. It's made Indonesia. I own one and it's a really great guitar that is well built.
A skunk line on the body a la Mad Cat or Santana PRS would really complete this package.
Sick guitar ❤❤❤❤❤
Sweet unit!
I like the Bad Cat Acrylic Electric Guitar, Custom AC-230 Transparent Lucite model.
Some folks might call me, "Thoroughly Modern Eddie." I am the last guy on Earth to be married to the past or to "vintage" features. That means I like the redesigned neck joint a LOT. I have one "Ultra Access" neck (It's a Schecter, so I'm using their terminology.) and one through neck, and I REALLY like them, so yeah, I'd like it on that guitar, too. Not in the market right now, but maybe if I can bring myself to sell something and make some room ...🤔
Awesome guitar you need a budget friendly model of this
That is very, very nice! I just wish they made a tobacco sunburst finish.
That is a perfect guitar 🎸 that I love to have
Tnx,,Guitar Max,......cool unit here,...imo= you get better at leading every time we see your posts,,...Q= please tell us all about the music shop that got flooded when the car crashed into the fire hydrant,!??,,.follow up on that crazy event for us please,,...pat& family,,land o' lakes,wi.😮
Wow. Nitro on a guitar at that price. That's crazy. It's a gorgeous guitar. I really like that neck joint and belly cut too, but the lack of a forearm bevel always kills me on Teles and Les Pauls.
Great , now I want to see a Strat/SG and an 33/Jazzmaster hybrids
This has my name on it. I think I need one.
I need to hangout passed the 12th fret more.
I bought the first version of this after watching the first video, and the guitar is unplayable beyond the 15th-ish fret. The neck pocket extends further and towards the headstock than a Les Paul does so it’s even harder to play. Also, the neck is thick, if that matters. Wish it had a 60’s shape neck.
I posted about this last time. I know it's a different company and all, but we've seen this hybrid design before when it was called the Peavey Odyssey. Do an image search.
This is nice!
Damn, a bigsby on this would be sick!
With the reduced amount of wood in the neck joint, I would hope that it is a long tenon neck.
why those pick ups sound so good damn
Les Paul / Esquire, LesQuire............
Make a single pickup version with a thick '50s style neck.
Single pickup and retain the 3-position toggle switch, it could be configured with a normal position, a tone-cap position with the Eldred Esquire mod, and then a position with the pickup bypassing the tone and volume and go straight to the output jack.
thatsa ton of guitar for the price. good job !
I think it`s pretty well awesome & I`ve been thinking about a Tele body guitar with a humbucker.
Now use a lefty Strat headstock configured for right handed players & ditch the Chinese font!
Man I was about to get one of those Squier Paranormal Troublemaker Teles until I saw this. Decisions decisions...
Very cool!
Everytime I see one of these. The first thing that comes to mind. Is that the color and finish is exactly the same as the Epiphone '59 LP standard outfit. Can't remember the name of that color spec for Epiphone. I'm fairly certain its the same satin clear finish also.
My guess, is they're made in the same factory by the same builders. The knobs are the same too. Too many things are the same for it to be coincidence. These are great quality for that price, if I'm correct in my assumptions.
If I didn't already have 5-6 high end models. With these basic specs. I'd be all over it.
Peace!
I would prefer the Telecaster bridge and a bolt on maple 25.5" neck. The clean sound is really good.
Don't make a guitar like I want, because I already have one that is really good. The best thing any guitar company can do is make guitars with low buzz free action no matter what style they make. I've heard that EART guitars are great at doing that.
It seems like a guitar I’d have to feel to decide on how I like it. Given it’s a mix of two styles it’s hard to justify this as a blind purchase on the website. Are the old ones on discount now? I actually like the features on those more.
I suppose im getting a telecaster les paul now. 🙄 ❤
I would like to see a neck through ,string through Tele with Firebird pickups.
Sounds good
I might be in trouble with this lol.
Those tuners look sketchy af. How do they feel? Are they going to have to be replaced? I like the ergonomics of its shape. The black finish is even cheaper on their website, which is a plus since all my guitars are black.
A 3 to a side paddle type headstock would have sealed the deal for me, cant stand the thin telecaster headstock.
And a P90 in the neck position would be nice as well
Think that’s what Eddie kind of did with the Wolfgang best of both worlds 😊
Has that Dulled finish , but does not look cheap
Most do
Beautiful looking guitar but the pickups sound weak. Thanks Max🤘
Dear sir, I have a suggestion, if you could find it in your heart, and mind, could you send this one to 6 string stanger? I think he would really like it. Or at least he might find it interesting, I think scar my guitar would find it interesting as well
Whats the neck profile like? The website says slim 60s but your last review said it was chunky.
how cool is that.
Just bought one of the pro models before they sell out !
Nice clear tone great playing love feedback on my original guitar compositions played on a fender
Similar to the fender squier paranormal troublemaker telecaster deluxe
Are the pickups wax potted???
Just got an Epi Firebird , so i have to chill for a bit
Unless you sell me the old one ?
I have no idea how they are selling these at such a low price. An actual 5A flamed maple top, stainless steel with ball ends AND a nitro finish? You normally wouldn't see a combination of these features until you hit the 3k or even 4k price range.
Nice.
oh no my shirt!
Wayyyyyyy nicer than the ugly Squier troublemaker. I like the silver burst and the phantom style white. ❤
Not sure about the headstock
Maple cap
or
veneer?
Please mention the setups again.
Nice guitar, but a bit heavy for me. If it had weight relief on it I would pull the trigger.
Decent playing yo
I think I just found my new toy!
It just needs a capstan truss rod adjuster on the body end...Oh wait, is that even possible on a set neck? You'd need to lose a fret or move the pick up...I really should think these comments through before I post them...Looks nice though.
Ta Max.
Is there a lefty model??? 😳👀😳
lengthening the high "E" was an unforced error
I guess the closest thing I have to this is my Epiphone Nighthawk. And not those new ones!!! Those are wank.