Now I own a Fender but decided to buy a 2019 Squier Classic Vibe 60's Lake Placid Blue. Just came in today and can not believe the quality and sound for $349. Really amazing stuff they are doing with the brand.
Dad of Three I just checked out a brand new classic vibe Tele. The neck was amazing. Nothing in that price point came close. Not Ibanez, not Washburn, not even the MIM Charvel. This thing was nice.
You are missing absolutely nothing. Squires are good, inexpensive guitars. They are not built with the professional in mind. A lot of bang for the buck for a budget minded player. I have owned several classic vibe squiers. Including the coveted original pine bodied Tele that was made at the Harmony plant in India. Good guitars, but not as good as the Charvel MIM guitars.
Luey Sixty-six the frets were so much better on the vibe. I like the way it feels. I play a 72 MIM Tele it has a thick poly as well. Guess I just prefer that.
Ha! Sittin' here watching Phil play all these expensive guitars with my brand new CV Tele (not Cort!) in my lap. Plays like a dream, has good pickups and a pine body. My second one. Unbelievable value.
I have to agree , I have the classic vibe 50s tele , its heavy , well made , and the neck is fantastic for the price , although I do steel wool the back of the neck on all my fenders , I don't like the sticky poly on any guitar , makes a big difference , its string through body , brass saddles , and the pickups sound great , dare I ruffle some purists feathers when I say it's almost as good as a fender 50s reissue , I've played both , the classic vibe was a surprise I wasn't expecting.
How about doing a video on Reverend guitars? I’ve played several and really liked them. Great styling, lots of options, and interesting features like roasted necks and the bass contour knob.
bass countour/cutoff knob should be standard on all passive circuits... theirs arent as steep as G&L's (different cap value) but work really well, their korina line was especially resonant iirc!
I have the first Carvin 3 S/C pickup tele from 1997. It is my favorite guitar ever. I have a couple of nice strats, an Epi 339 with Gibson pickups and all the electronics upgraded and a 1976 Les Paul Custom that I bought new. The Carvin outplays them all and sounds great. It would be my dessert island guitar
I have a custom Kiesel Vader and I absolutely love it. I went the opposite way though. Mine is not stripped down. It has virtually every option that was available and even a couple that were not listed. I have the dragonburst finish which looks awesome. I went with the 5 piece thin neck. Went with the 8 string. I don't think I will ever go back to a 6 or 7 string. I almost did not buy it because I wanted a single coil in the middle. I am a long time Ibanez player. I really like the clean tones you can get by playing single coils and I did not want to give that up. I asked them if I could get a single in the middle like all my Ibanezes have. Not only did they put a single coil in the middle for me they one upped it. I have coil taps in both humbuckers controlled by a push pull on the tone knob. The additional single coil in the middle only cost me $75 more. This is the ultimate shred guitar. The neck plays better then my Ibanez Prestige and Universe. As a result I have not played either guitar since I got the Kiesel. It took a while to build bc of all the options I had put in but it was so worth it. Best guitar I have ever played hands down.
Hey Phil, these brands might be out of consideration (price point, custom shop, etc) but I'd love to see a Mayones, Claas, Skervesen, Aristedes, Markline, Vandermeij, or Padalka on the show sometime!
The Charvel DK24 with the caramel maple neck is the best production guitar under $1k of all time. Feels just like the $3500 Govan signature Suhr Used they go for 600-700. You cannot beat that currently. They have literally everything you'd want out of an off the shelf instrument.
Anything by Vintage. Played their Appetite for Destruction LP and their 335 today. Gonna buy both. Their Tele and the Blug strat are on my list as well. SG is cool too. Great price point.
Aldahir Lopez The Blug models have a dummy coil in the bridge pickup which is very cool. this one is an HSS but is at a great price: reverb.com/item/21321143-vintage-v6-electric-guitar-black-finish?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Nj8x7aH5gIV7x6tBh0bvQ7pEAQYBCABEgKIy_D_BwE&merchant_id=101083369&pla=1&
Hey Phil, I got a dozen Kiesels / Carvins... Had owned lots of other brands before but sold them all... The Aries (shown in my profile pic) is the best guitar I have ever played and the best sounding/most versatile guitar I had ever felt. And I sold guitars for 10 years at the biggest musical retail store,so have some experience. Rock on!
Fun fact about the Kiesels, typically on their 5-ways the 2 and 4 the pickups are coil split together utilizing the outer and inner coils, so you can’t cool split separately but you still have the option to split.
You’re not wrong about the Kiesel tuning stability, Phillip! I have an Osiris guitar and a Zeus bass and I can leave them in their cases for a month and they’ll still be in tune or will only need a tiny adjustment. I’m about to order one of their new Type-X headless guitars while they have their Black Friday freebie options going on.
I just got my sixth Kiesel yesterday and it will not be my last. The amount of guitar you get for the money is incredible. All of them have fantastic build quality. I do not care for the lithium pickups, but you can choose several other options as well as sending in your own if you like. I like the fancy woods but it is usually out of my budget range, so I get paint. My five custom builds cost between $1249 - $1589. The most expensive being an 8 string multiscale. The sixth is a used 7 string with piezo for less than $900.
My Carvin DC145C is 16 years old and sounds and plays beautifully, always in tune! Recently picked up a PRS Custom 24 and a Vela Semi-Hollow, love them both!!!
Phil, you should try out Eastman guitars. Lots of hollow and semi-hollow bodies and they make one solid body -- an LP-style guitar -- in a few different versions.
I've got one of their Warren Ellis tenor guitars, shockingly flawless for the price, though it's funny they needed three pieces of alder to make that tiny Mustang body, lol.
@@rickc2102 I think that's an Eastwood rather than an Eastman. I get confused myself sometimes! I think Phil has also covered an Eastwood (a Surfcaster) in a previous video
i really like it when you shine a light on lesser known brands like what you did with Tagima guitars. Though its impossible for you to make a comment on EVERY one of their products, but its good that you essentially encourage people to look outside of what's only big, which is Fender and Gibson, Ibanez, and now PRS.
I've been watching your videos for a very long time. I finally subscribed tonight, even though I've been searching out and watching your videos for so long. Thank you for this video. You're the man!
Congrats on those 3 purchases! I hope you keep them because all 3 are amazing! I myself am a huge Kiesel fan and have made several mentions to you to get yourself a Kiesel. In 1 year I have purchased 4 Zeus models and 1 delos and can't say enough good things about all of them. Actually just received my Delos today and it is absolutely incredible! Maybe next year try an Ormsby, Skervesen and Mayones.
Phil, it seems your playing has improved over the years of watching your videos! I think the Knaggs is my favorite looking and sounding of the three. Great video as always!
Great video. I really liked getting to see guitars from these three up-and-coming builders right next to each other. It was very interesting to see all of the contrasts between these three, with the contrasts of the woods, the finishing techniques (covered in more detail on the websites), the frets and fretboards, choices of pickups and components, the geometry differences, and how all of these differences added up to the tonal variations and the differences in feel. As a custom guitar and bass builder and Luthier myself, this was very interesting on many levels. I found the differences in pricing, particularly interesting, relative to the differences in materials and components mentioned earlier, as well as the construction techniques, in terms of not just the construction methods themselves, but also the amount of handwork and hand power tools vs the extent to which CNC machines are used(again, cross referencing on the websites). I also was noticing for each company, and each of these guitars, where everything is sourced globally, and how that may be impacting price point. One last thing I noticed, Phil, and that was when you were discussing pricing, and how the company structured the different levels and how is that affected the price of the guitar, you said that the price increased, "exponentially," and I think that you probably didn't mean to use that word, because that would be an incredibly rapid increase in price. Again, though, enjoyed the video. I really like seeing these smaller craft builders, that we don't often see in the reduced number of brick-and-mortar retailers in most areas.
Vola's have definitely become one of my top 5 brands of Guitar brands in recent times, have a sick tone that can vary across multiple genres, and they feel great to play! Awesome to see you review them!
I would like to see what you think of the new B.C. Rich guitars. I have an older Masterpiece arch top Mockingbird that I love and the new ones interest me.
People are telling you that they are tired of talking about the same damn guitars all the time. I'm 100% in that camp. Let's broaden those horizons. Thanks Phil!
Lots of my fave guitarists are starting to play Legator guitars, I'd love to get your opinion! That Vola is beautiful for sure, though I like the sound of the Keisel more
thoroughly enjoyed listening to you explain things, Phillip - nicely done, sir. By the way, it's neither here nor there, but while you were showing us the1st two guitars, I was eyeballing the wall behind you....& I'd decided I really liked the looks of that blue guitar (completely unaware that it would be your 3rd choice, mind you - lol)
I have 4 Kiesels (Osiris, DC600, Bolt, DC800) and love them all. I can get one tricked out exactly how I want it and still come out cheaper than an American Standard Fender! The Knaggs didn't do anything for me, but the Vola seems pretty cool. One to try: the Schecter E-1 Special Edition (purple burst with a Sustainiac). It's pretty much the ultimate import shred machine! (And I have one of a select few lefties)
My Kiesel Aries is among the best guitars I've owned or played, and I own a few Ibanez Prestiges and two Suhrs. The only guitar in my collection that beats it in value for the money is my RG550 Genesis, which I scored for $799 new. Kiesel is extremely hard to beat!
The moment when your guitar is so expensive that using pickups from one of the biggest and most famous guitar pickup manufacturers seem to be an odd choice.
Try the Kiesel Delos with the thin neck option. You can’t go wrong. Owning a guitar and the way it feels in each individual’s hands is going to be different from one person to the next. For me it’s the Kiesel. I own 37 guitars and out of those 37, 8 are Carvin/Kiesel. All of them are great instruments.
Those lessons are definitely working, your playing is much better or at least you seem more confident and sounds better! Liked the video and keep up the good work. Regular viewer of the stream
Of the 3, I like the Vola best. Ditch the crazy finish, though. Surprisingly, the Keisel sounded very much like a single coil to my ears at the end comparison. Still love my Squiers!
Philip - have you tested a Suhr without Peter Thorn sitting next to you? I second Justin's suggestion below. You sat on a guitar master designer, and an American guitar icon and genius, the great Leo Fender. That will be with you in your heart for the rest of your life. You are blessed in many ways - mostly for being such a wonderful and jovial human being. Cheers and thanks!
Love that you explained Knaggs was a PRS master builder. Did not know that. I already have 2 PRS but I'd give Knaggs a look. That radius sounds awesome. I have a 20" PRS and I rarely play it sadly... Maybe I should sell it and get a Knaggs..... Honey???!
But Pam, the viewers wanted me to buy and review these guitars, I have to keep them happy and don’t be surprised if they suggest other ones to buy and review (Which guitars do you think I should try next? Leave your comments below!) now that I put this video out!! SLICK PHIL, REEEAL SLICK!!
Great episode! I really think if possible, you should check out some EBMM. My EBMM Cutlass is a great strat-like guitar. Very light, frets as smooth as glass. The EBMM Stingray is like a Les Paul and Strat had a baby, and it's glorious.
I have that same vader, it's my favorite guitar even over my other kiesels which cost more cash, stock alder Vader plays itself and has some killer tones
Can you review the Kissel Johnny Hiland signature guitar? I want to hear someone other than Johnny play it because he could plug a cigar box into a fridge and it would sound like a custom shop Tele in a fender tube amp.
Novo....built by Dennis Fano and fantastic. He also designs Rivolta, but they’re built by Eastman...I’ve played both (and will be buying each, the Rivolta Mondata in Laguna Blue first since it’s about a third the cost of the Novo).
That Vola paint is... something. I've been to the Kiesel factory and played some of the guitars in their showroom. They were all well made and felt good. The headless thing though doesn't really appeal to me but if I were traveling a lot then I could see it as an awesome travel guitar. I however would get a more traditional model from them. Tha Knaggs would probably be my choice just from the way it looks (as you seem to say they are all really good guitars.). If I were buying for myself though I'd probably go with a low end but different model Kiesel due to as you mention the same quality for a much better price.
Phil, you’ve got to try a few Eastman guitars. I bought single cut LP style with Lollar Imperial pickups. I loved the quality and tone so much I bought their T486 w a Bigsby, and a special edition matte black Wildcat with SD59 pickups. Complete wins. I’m local if you want to borrow them.
Actually sir, the one thing I would love to see ya do is a comparison between guitars with different radius. Like a 12 compared to a 16 and 17. Reason is for people who have smaller hands, would a smaller radius be easier to play or would the higher radius be easier to play in general. I know that also different neck shapes will also come into play but I am just trying to wrap my old mind around the radius thing. Thank you :)
Radius is going to be that of a personal preference and what yours used to. Guys that are classically trained are going to prefer larger radius number. It's really easy to tell just by watching the player play. Classically trained the thumb is perfectly in the center of the neck all the time. The thumb never wraps over the top. Classical guitar fret boards are super high radius number if not flat. So anyway that's what you get used to. 4 years of college being yelled at daily on your form as well as the notes you play. Plus in classical you play a lot of open strings while fingering others very oddly. This is hard to do on smaller radius. Your fingers need to come straight in while fretting. Also there are a lot of players that don't or rarely wrap thumbs just the position of the hand the player is more comfortable. Now if you wrap your thumb you usually want that smaller radius typical to Fenders. While I had a custom shop fender for a long time I had a 16 inch radius on it for me that was the most perfect fender I ever played. However 12" is as low as I can go. Below that the neck feels weird to me. Les Paul which are typically 12" are ok to play but not preference. However I own several Taylor accoustic which are also 12" and I find them extremely comfortable to play. So there is some other magic with Taylor's that make them feel right but don't know what it is. Most manufacturers do a 12 or 14 as that's right in the middle of a lower radius vs the high radius. Oh and there are exceptions to that rule that may have to do with finger length as well. That I can't tell you about. An example.of this is Steve Vai as his guitar are 16-17 inch radius where he always wraps thumb. But he has insane long skinny fingers.
I would like to see you compare the Schecter Diamond series Nick Johnston model (~ $600) to the range of Fender strats. It would be interesting to see where you though it falls in the value range of MIM vs Vintera vs performer vs professional.
I'd like to see you try a Suhr Modern Satin. Those were cool though. I like the Kiesel but that bridge pickup would have to go and it weighs a pound and a half more than a Strandberg.
One of my best friend's has a Kiesel and it has the straightest neck I have seen to date besides his Anderson Tele which you should try. His Kiesel is an Alan Holdsworth model. It is sweet. Try an Anderson made Tele or Strat type. Tom came up with the best neck mount system I have seen for a bolt on.
Great video Phill! I would love to see you review some G&L Tribute guitars like the S-500. It's a Strat-style fiddle like the Legacy but with the MFD single coils and a push-pull to make 7 way switching. I'd like to see your opinion on the Tribute series vs the MIM Strats too. Thanks!
I saw a Wreck guitar and it sounded GREAT... It LOOKED GREAT... Odd pyramid interior to disperse sound evenly. Any chance for a demo of that specialty item?
I would like to see more Kiesel guitars . I know they’re known for exotic builds but I would like to see a standard build single cut LP style and a Strat style one which I forget the model name . I’ve seen some very impressive examples and think they deserve more exposure.
Awesome video. I'd love to see you try a Schecter USA (Production and Masterworks each to compare would be cool, though even just a Production would be interesting to see your take). Maybe I missed it but comparing a PRS Private Stock to a standard one would be cool.
The guitar shop I work at just got a Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster in. I think it is great and I would like to hear your opinion about it. I also would like to hear your thoughts on mini-humbuckers from Gibson/epiphone (firebird & sg), and your thoughts on Gretsch Dynasonic pickups.
Awesome video Phillip. Personally, i am more curious with the Vola. Specially with the OZ V3 MC. i wanna see you break apart the guitar and explain it same as you did with your other demos. Wanna know your opinion about the Vola build quality. Thanks!
I have that very same kiesel, they sit different than my other guitars,took a few days of adjusting, it quickly became my number1 over guitars that cost me more cash,I just play better on this guitar.
Kiesel is a D shape neck, it reminds me a lot of an SG 60s neck from Gibson. Thin but with rounded shoulders and a flat carve on the back of the neck. Its not as thin as an Ibanez though.
@@anonymoususer3496 yep i have a kiesel zeus with the normal kiesel neck size and a 60s sg and the necks are similar thickness and general feel, but I think the sg tapers more as you get toward the body than the kiesel neck and the sg is slightly more d shaped. My two favorite necks out of all my guitars so that is saying something to be sure.
Tie dye guitar with the backwards headstock sounds best. Wood grain with the bigsby headsrock sounds a little warmer. Non headstock guitar sounds in the middle of both but I gotta have a headstock even if it's a backwards one.
Hey Phil...great video and thanks for sharing! ???How about trying a Fan Fret guitar next??? I know you're not a shredder and neither am I really, but curious about your thoughts on playability...maybe a Standberg? Thanks again for all you do for this community!
Schecter evil twin V. I have not seen a video on this guitar yet. It has 24 frets but a hard tail. Also, it has the fishman fluence moderns which people ask you about.
Great video! Now try some of the new Epiphone Artist Series guitars. They look great and come in at good prices. I would like to know what you think of some of them??
It's weird how much more noticeable the delay is with the Kiesel. I know they're all using the same settings, but the delay just pops with that headless guitar. It really made it sound awesome.
I think the Knaggs sounded best but dam that’s a price tag. Vader is the coolest looking tho I’d say! Maybe try one of the new BC Rich’s as they are making a bit of a comeback 😊
Hey Phil, Do you find after having demonstrated so many guitars that they all pretty much sound the same? It seems it goes back to basics where the feel and appearance of the instrument are the only factors that distinguish any of these models. Would you agree?
You’re so good to us.
Now I own a Fender but decided to buy a 2019 Squier Classic Vibe 60's Lake Placid Blue. Just came in today and can not believe the quality and sound for $349. Really amazing stuff they are doing with the brand.
Dad of Three I just checked out a brand new classic vibe Tele. The neck was amazing. Nothing in that price point came close. Not Ibanez, not Washburn, not even the MIM Charvel. This thing was nice.
You are missing absolutely nothing. Squires are good, inexpensive guitars. They are not built with the professional in mind. A lot of bang for the buck for a budget minded player. I have owned several classic vibe squiers. Including the coveted original pine bodied Tele that was made at the Harmony plant in India. Good guitars, but not as good as the Charvel MIM guitars.
Luey Sixty-six the frets were so much better on the vibe. I like the way it feels. I play a 72 MIM Tele it has a thick poly as well. Guess I just prefer that.
Ha! Sittin' here watching Phil play all these expensive guitars with my brand new CV Tele (not Cort!) in my lap. Plays like a dream, has good pickups and a pine body. My second one. Unbelievable value.
I have to agree , I have the classic vibe 50s tele , its heavy , well made , and the neck is fantastic for the price , although I do steel wool the back of the neck on all my fenders , I don't like the sticky poly on any guitar , makes a big difference , its string through body , brass saddles , and the pickups sound great , dare I ruffle some purists feathers when I say it's almost as good as a fender 50s reissue , I've played both , the classic vibe was a surprise I wasn't expecting.
How about doing a video on Reverend guitars? I’ve played several and really liked them. Great styling, lots of options, and interesting features like roasted necks and the bass contour knob.
I came here to make the same comment. Great guitars.
bass countour/cutoff knob should be standard on all passive circuits... theirs arent as steep as G&L's (different cap value) but work really well, their korina line was especially resonant iirc!
You’re a Strat guy Phil, get a Kiesel Delos and compare that with a high end Fender or Suhr
Kiesel would demolish a Fender for sure, but I'd be interested in a head to head against Suhr.
@@SoupKitchen91 - but keisel guitar has no head
@@danielmann5427 that was a beautiful reply
I'm a Strat guy too...so, just gimme a Strat lol 😉
@@danielmann5427 But he's suggesting a Delos which is a Strat copy with a headstock.
I have the first Carvin 3 S/C pickup tele from 1997. It is my favorite guitar ever. I have a couple of nice strats, an Epi 339 with Gibson pickups and all the electronics upgraded and a 1976 Les Paul Custom that I bought new. The Carvin outplays them all and sounds great. It would be my dessert island guitar
I have a custom Kiesel Vader and I absolutely love it. I went the opposite way though. Mine is not stripped down. It has virtually every option that was available and even a couple that were not listed.
I have the dragonburst finish which looks awesome. I went with the 5 piece thin neck. Went with the 8 string. I don't think I will ever go back to a 6 or 7 string.
I almost did not buy it because I wanted a single coil in the middle. I am a long time Ibanez player. I really like the clean tones you can get by playing single coils and I did not want to give that up. I asked them if I could get a single in the middle like all my Ibanezes have. Not only did they put a single coil in the middle for me they one upped it. I have coil taps in both humbuckers controlled by a push pull on the tone knob. The additional single coil in the middle only cost me $75 more.
This is the ultimate shred guitar. The neck plays better then my Ibanez Prestige and Universe. As a result I have not played either guitar since I got the Kiesel. It took a while to build bc of all the options I had put in but it was so worth it. Best guitar I have ever played hands down.
Pls do a complete guitar collection video!
Oehhhhh yes please I second this!
Yea Phil, been a while since you did one.
Hey Phil, these brands might be out of consideration (price point, custom shop, etc) but I'd love to see a Mayones, Claas, Skervesen, Aristedes, Markline, Vandermeij, or Padalka on the show sometime!
Currently have a Kiesel on order! I'm stoked for it to arrive
Same. So you're the reason I'm waiting so long :)
To bad they dont roll the fretboard on any models. To sharp I sold mine
I ordered mine on jan 31st! I know your pain bro im so excited, it's gonna be my first headless, Vader 6
Oh yes I just pushed the button myself+
The Charvel DK24 with the caramel maple neck is the best production guitar under $1k of all time. Feels just like the $3500 Govan signature Suhr
Used they go for 600-700. You cannot beat that currently. They have literally everything you'd want out of an off the shelf instrument.
Love the video. I own a Kiesel V6X with the tremolo option and the 14 in radius neck. The tuning stability, as you stated. is impressive.
Anything by Vintage. Played their Appetite for Destruction LP and their 335 today. Gonna buy both. Their Tele and the Blug strat are on my list as well. SG is cool too. Great price point.
The V6 are the ones that look interesting from vintage
Aldahir Lopez The Blug models have a dummy coil in the bridge pickup which is very cool. this one is an HSS but is at a great price:
reverb.com/item/21321143-vintage-v6-electric-guitar-black-finish?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Nj8x7aH5gIV7x6tBh0bvQ7pEAQYBCABEgKIy_D_BwE&merchant_id=101083369&pla=1&
Hey Phil, I got a dozen Kiesels / Carvins... Had owned lots of other brands before but sold them all... The Aries (shown in my profile pic) is the best guitar I have ever played and the best sounding/most versatile guitar I had ever felt. And I sold guitars for 10 years at the biggest musical retail store,so have some experience. Rock on!
Fun fact about the Kiesels, typically on their 5-ways the 2 and 4 the pickups are coil split together utilizing the outer and inner coils, so you can’t cool split separately but you still have the option to split.
You’re not wrong about the Kiesel tuning stability, Phillip! I have an Osiris guitar and a Zeus bass and I can leave them in their cases for a month and they’ll still be in tune or will only need a tiny adjustment. I’m about to order one of their new Type-X headless guitars while they have their Black Friday freebie options going on.
Yeah. I just ordered a Type-X. The free options saved me at least $700.
Jason Hetzler damn, you must’ve went with every option available to hit $700!
I just got my sixth Kiesel yesterday and it will not be my last. The amount of guitar you get for the money is incredible. All of them have fantastic build quality. I do not care for the lithium pickups, but you can choose several other options as well as sending in your own if you like.
I like the fancy woods but it is usually out of my budget range, so I get paint. My five custom builds cost between $1249 - $1589. The most expensive being an 8 string multiscale. The sixth is a used 7 string with piezo for less than $900.
Phil with that tasty finger tapping lick! 👍
My Carvin DC145C is 16 years old and sounds and plays beautifully, always in tune! Recently picked up a PRS Custom 24 and a Vela Semi-Hollow, love them both!!!
Phil, you should try out Eastman guitars. Lots of hollow and semi-hollow bodies and they make one solid body -- an LP-style guitar -- in a few different versions.
Yeah I'd love to see a review of one of the antique varnish LP-style guitars from Eastman
Eastman's are so good. I'd like to see his thoughts on them as well.
I own two SB59s -- a nitro and an antique varnish. I love them.
I've got one of their Warren Ellis tenor guitars, shockingly flawless for the price, though it's funny they needed three pieces of alder to make that tiny Mustang body, lol.
@@rickc2102 I think that's an Eastwood rather than an Eastman. I get confused myself sometimes! I think Phil has also covered an Eastwood (a Surfcaster) in a previous video
Thanks for the details on these guitars , i really like how you play on them enhancing their best tones right away like a pro
I'm in love with the Vader. I also appreciate that Jeff and "his guys" are cramming as much value as possible for the price.
Call my guys😁
@@j.d.leslie8458 RAAAAAAD!!!!
love mine too, such a killer guitar.
I am not sure if I have seen an ESP Custom, USA or EII on the channel. I really love vintage ESP guitars.
i really like it when you shine a light on lesser known brands like what you did with Tagima guitars. Though its impossible for you to make a comment on EVERY one of their products, but its good that you essentially encourage people to look outside of what's only big, which is Fender and Gibson, Ibanez, and now PRS.
I love my Kiesel headless basses. A Type-X guitar is likely in my future.
Black Snowman Ha, I just typed the same thing! I have an Osiris guitar and Zeus bass and I’ll be ordering a Type X tonight.
I want to get one of those so bad. Wish they would do those left handed.
My Kiesel will be in less than a month can't wait! Ordered my Know Your Gear shirt the other day too! Excited to rock them both.
I've been watching your videos for a very long time. I finally subscribed tonight, even though I've been searching out and watching your videos for so long. Thank you for this video. You're the man!
I got a Kiesel a year ago. Love it. May be getting another one in the future.
I really enjoyed your tap n slide technique on the Knaggs!! Great video!!
Went to Reverb to check out the Violas. Not much info on the specs, but what a great look. Your playing continuously gets better. Great review!
I recently started watching your show instead of the news. Coincidentally I'm loving life now, so thanks my dude.
Congrats on those 3 purchases! I hope you keep them because all 3 are amazing! I myself am a huge Kiesel fan and have made several mentions to you to get yourself a Kiesel. In 1 year I have purchased 4 Zeus models and 1 delos and can't say enough good things about all of them. Actually just received my Delos today and it is absolutely incredible! Maybe next year try an Ormsby, Skervesen and Mayones.
Phil, it seems your playing has improved over the years of watching your videos! I think the Knaggs is my favorite looking and sounding of the three. Great video as always!
Great video. I really liked getting to see guitars from these three up-and-coming builders right next to each other.
It was very interesting to see all of the contrasts between these three, with the contrasts of the woods, the finishing techniques (covered in more detail on the websites), the frets and fretboards, choices of pickups and components, the geometry differences, and how all of these differences added up to the tonal variations and the differences in feel.
As a custom guitar and bass builder and Luthier myself, this was very interesting on many levels.
I found the differences in pricing, particularly interesting, relative to the differences in materials and components mentioned earlier, as well as the construction techniques, in terms of not just the construction methods themselves, but also the amount of handwork and hand power tools vs the extent to which CNC machines are used(again, cross referencing on the websites).
I also was noticing for each company, and each of these guitars, where everything is sourced globally, and how that may be impacting price point.
One last thing I noticed, Phil, and that was when you were discussing pricing, and how the company structured the different levels and how is that affected the price of the guitar, you said that the price increased, "exponentially," and I think that you probably didn't mean to use that word, because that would be an incredibly rapid increase in price.
Again, though, enjoyed the video. I really like seeing these smaller craft builders, that we don't often see in the reduced number of brick-and-mortar retailers in most areas.
I felt vertigo when you were playing close to that kiesel fretboard edge... I felt I was falling, lmao
I think that's why, if I ever get a headless, it'll probably be a Strandberg.
We so appreciate how you “suffer” for your fans😊. Love the Knaggs spalted maple.
Awesome video Phil! Very informative for those of us that wonder about these guitars but don't have a place to lay hands on them!
Vola's have definitely become one of my top 5 brands of Guitar brands in recent times, have a sick tone that can vary across multiple genres, and they feel great to play! Awesome to see you review them!
I would like to see what you think of the new B.C. Rich guitars. I have an older Masterpiece arch top Mockingbird that I love and the new ones interest me.
I really like the sound of the Keisel.
People are telling you that they are tired of talking about the same damn guitars all the time. I'm 100% in that camp. Let's broaden those horizons. Thanks Phil!
Lots of my fave guitarists are starting to play Legator guitars, I'd love to get your opinion!
That Vola is beautiful for sure, though I like the sound of the Keisel more
thoroughly enjoyed listening to you explain things, Phillip - nicely done, sir.
By the way, it's neither here nor there, but while you were showing us the1st two guitars, I was eyeballing the wall behind you....& I'd decided I really liked the looks of that blue guitar (completely unaware that it would be your 3rd choice, mind you - lol)
I have 4 Kiesels (Osiris, DC600, Bolt, DC800) and love them all. I can get one tricked out exactly how I want it and still come out cheaper than an American Standard Fender! The Knaggs didn't do anything for me, but the Vola seems pretty cool.
One to try: the Schecter E-1 Special Edition (purple burst with a Sustainiac). It's pretty much the ultimate import shred machine! (And I have one of a select few lefties)
Hey Phil, how about putting your Kiesel up against a Strandberg Boden Prog 6 neck-thru!!
My Kiesel Aries is among the best guitars I've owned or played, and I own a few Ibanez Prestiges and two Suhrs. The only guitar in my collection that beats it in value for the money is my RG550 Genesis, which I scored for $799 new. Kiesel is extremely hard to beat!
The moment when your guitar is so expensive that using pickups from one of the biggest and most famous guitar pickup manufacturers seem to be an odd choice.
I personally liked the Knaggs the best. It had the beefiest tone. I'd like to see you get your hands on a new BC Rich Mockingbird.
Did he say which Duncan’s are in it?
Try the Kiesel Delos with the thin neck option. You can’t go wrong. Owning a guitar and the way it feels in each individual’s hands is going to be different from one person to the next. For me it’s the Kiesel. I own 37 guitars and out of those 37, 8 are Carvin/Kiesel. All of them are great instruments.
Definitely Kiesel guitar. I love their guitars. Quality, price are unbeatable.
Those lessons are definitely working, your playing is much better or at least you seem more confident and sounds better! Liked the video and keep up the good work. Regular viewer of the stream
Of the 3, I like the Vola best. Ditch the crazy finish, though. Surprisingly, the Keisel sounded very much like a single coil to my ears at the end comparison. Still love my Squiers!
Philip - have you tested a Suhr without Peter Thorn sitting next to you? I second Justin's suggestion below. You sat on a guitar master designer, and an American guitar icon and genius, the great Leo Fender. That will be with you in your heart for the rest of your life. You are blessed in many ways - mostly for being such a wonderful and jovial human being. Cheers and thanks!
The Leo Fender comment comes from your G&L video.
Love that you explained Knaggs was a PRS master builder. Did not know that. I already have 2 PRS but I'd give Knaggs a look. That radius sounds awesome. I have a 20" PRS and I rarely play it sadly... Maybe I should sell it and get a Knaggs..... Honey???!
But Pam, the viewers wanted me to buy and review these guitars, I have to keep them happy and don’t be surprised if they suggest other ones to buy and review (Which guitars do you think I should try next? Leave your comments below!) now that I put this video out!! SLICK PHIL, REEEAL SLICK!!
Great episode! I really think if possible, you should check out some EBMM. My EBMM Cutlass is a great strat-like guitar. Very light, frets as smooth as glass. The EBMM Stingray is like a Les Paul and Strat had a baby, and it's glorious.
I agree. The James Valentine model is really something too. I have a hh albert lee with hums and totally love it.
Digin that keisel, now I have to try it!
I have that same vader, it's my favorite guitar even over my other kiesels which cost more cash, stock alder Vader plays itself and has some killer tones
That Kiesel sounds pretty good but it looks like a spatula.
For me, the Vola was the best sounding, that bridge pickup is great
I love spatula thats why i have Vader hahaH
Could be good for Flippin burgers.
Spatula? Is that an Italian guitar maker? haw haw haw
Great, now I'm gonna be hungry when I play my spatulas.
Reverend BC 1 looks actually innovative and high quality love to see you give it a go
Can you review the Kissel Johnny Hiland signature guitar? I want to hear someone other than Johnny play it because he could plug a cigar box into a fridge and it would sound like a custom shop Tele in a fender tube amp.
I'd recommend you give a Yamaha Revstart 502T a try. Excellent guitars for the price. The low cut on it is a very nice addition also.
Novo....built by Dennis Fano and fantastic. He also designs Rivolta, but they’re built by Eastman...I’ve played both (and will be buying each, the Rivolta Mondata in Laguna Blue first since it’s about a third the cost of the Novo).
I liked the clean sound of knag the most
It's weird watching you play these guitars, but, you are so versatile that right out the way it feels familiar, nice work, as always, Phill
Thank you Phillip! I will buy my first KIESEL then!
Love the Keisel. The Knaggs sounded the best.
Great video as always. How about a reverend guitar?
The Knaggs neck pickup sounded wonderful.
That Vola paint is... something. I've been to the Kiesel factory and played some of the guitars in their showroom. They were all well made and felt good. The headless thing though doesn't really appeal to me but if I were traveling a lot then I could see it as an awesome travel guitar. I however would get a more traditional model from them. Tha Knaggs would probably be my choice just from the way it looks (as you seem to say they are all really good guitars.). If I were buying for myself though I'd probably go with a low end but different model Kiesel due to as you mention the same quality for a much better price.
Saw Elvis Costello playing a Baldwin 12 String with Burns pups. Also recently heard a Reverend solid electric 12.Compare or comment??
Phil, you’ve got to try a few Eastman guitars. I bought single cut LP style with Lollar Imperial pickups. I loved the quality and tone so much I bought their T486 w a Bigsby, and a special edition matte black Wildcat with SD59 pickups. Complete wins. I’m local if you want to borrow them.
Actually sir, the one thing I would love to see ya do is a comparison between guitars with different radius. Like a 12 compared to a 16 and 17. Reason is for people who have smaller hands, would a smaller radius be easier to play or would the higher radius be easier to play in general. I know that also different neck shapes will also come into play but I am just trying to wrap my old mind around the radius thing. Thank you :)
Radius is going to be that of a personal preference and what yours used to. Guys that are classically trained are going to prefer larger radius number. It's really easy to tell just by watching the player play. Classically trained the thumb is perfectly in the center of the neck all the time. The thumb never wraps over the top. Classical guitar fret boards are super high radius number if not flat. So anyway that's what you get used to. 4 years of college being yelled at daily on your form as well as the notes you play. Plus in classical you play a lot of open strings while fingering others very oddly. This is hard to do on smaller radius. Your fingers need to come straight in while fretting. Also there are a lot of players that don't or rarely wrap thumbs just the position of the hand the player is more comfortable.
Now if you wrap your thumb you usually want that smaller radius typical to Fenders. While I had a custom shop fender for a long time I had a 16 inch radius on it for me that was the most perfect fender I ever played. However 12" is as low as I can go. Below that the neck feels weird to me. Les Paul which are typically 12" are ok to play but not preference. However I own several Taylor accoustic which are also 12" and I find them extremely comfortable to play. So there is some other magic with Taylor's that make them feel right but don't know what it is. Most manufacturers do a 12 or 14 as that's right in the middle of a lower radius vs the high radius.
Oh and there are exceptions to that rule that may have to do with finger length as well. That I can't tell you about. An example.of this is Steve Vai as his guitar are 16-17 inch radius where he always wraps thumb. But he has insane long skinny fingers.
For a person with smaller hands, the main consideration is the neck profile (thinner is easier) and nut width (e.g. standard Strat width is 41mm).
Arda , Caparison ,Sully ,BlackMachine all very worthy Luthiers all different price points
Just got that exact vola at the shop!!!!
I would like to see you compare the Schecter Diamond series Nick Johnston model (~ $600) to the range of Fender strats. It would be interesting to see where you though it falls in the value range of MIM vs Vintera vs performer vs professional.
How about CMG? Chris Mitchell Guitars. Your old shop in AZ is still listed as a dealer on their website.
Try Vayper Guitars
I'd like to see you try a Suhr Modern Satin. Those were cool though. I like the Kiesel but that bridge pickup would have to go and it weighs a pound and a half more than a Strandberg.
One of my best friend's has a Kiesel and it has the straightest neck I have seen to date besides his Anderson Tele which you should try. His Kiesel is an Alan Holdsworth model. It is sweet. Try an Anderson made Tele or Strat type. Tom came up with the best neck mount system I have seen for a bolt on.
Great video Phill! I would love to see you review some G&L Tribute guitars like the S-500. It's a Strat-style fiddle like the Legacy but with the MFD single coils and a push-pull to make 7 way switching. I'd like to see your opinion on the Tribute series vs the MIM Strats too. Thanks!
I saw a Wreck guitar and it sounded GREAT... It LOOKED GREAT... Odd pyramid interior to disperse sound evenly. Any chance for a demo of that specialty item?
I would like to see more Kiesel guitars . I know they’re known for exotic builds but I would like to see a standard build single cut LP style and a Strat style one which I forget the model name . I’ve seen some very impressive examples and think they deserve more exposure.
Used to have an old Fresher guitar. I dont know much about them but it played great. Would be nice to know your thoughts on them Phillip.
Scar-You-A-Guitar and a Santa Cruz acoustic. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!
Awesome video. I'd love to see you try a Schecter USA (Production and Masterworks each to compare would be cool, though even just a Production would be interesting to see your take). Maybe I missed it but comparing a PRS Private Stock to a standard one would be cool.
The guitar shop I work at just got a Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster in. I think it is great and I would like to hear your opinion about it. I also would like to hear your thoughts on mini-humbuckers from Gibson/epiphone (firebird & sg), and your thoughts on Gretsch Dynasonic pickups.
Awesome video Phillip. Personally, i am more curious with the Vola. Specially with the OZ V3 MC. i wanna see you break apart the guitar and explain it same as you did with your other demos. Wanna know your opinion about the Vola build quality. Thanks!
I'm curious how the Kiesel felt in your hands. There's less to it and I noticed you held it differently.
I have that very same kiesel, they sit different than my other guitars,took a few days of adjusting, it quickly became my number1 over guitars that cost me more cash,I just play better on this guitar.
Kiesel is a D shape neck, it reminds me a lot of an SG 60s neck from Gibson. Thin but with rounded shoulders and a flat carve on the back of the neck. Its not as thin as an Ibanez though.
@@anonymoususer3496 yep i have a kiesel zeus with the normal kiesel neck size and a 60s sg and the necks are similar thickness and general feel, but I think the sg tapers more as you get toward the body than the kiesel neck and the sg is slightly more d shaped. My two favorite necks out of all my guitars so that is saying something to be sure.
I love the bridge rock tone on the Vola. Does anyone know what model that is? Thanks for the demo 👍
Wonder how different the Kiesel guitars are compared to the old Carvins. I have an early nineties dc200 wich i really love.
Kickass! I liked all 3 as far as sound goes & your playing was great. 😊👍🏻
Tie dye guitar with the backwards headstock sounds best. Wood grain with the bigsby headsrock sounds a little warmer. Non headstock guitar sounds in the middle of both but I gotta have a headstock even if it's a backwards one.
Phil what is the green guitar behind you to your right? It looks super cool
Hey Phil...great video and thanks for sharing! ???How about trying a Fan Fret guitar next??? I know you're not a shredder and neither am I really, but curious about your thoughts on playability...maybe a Standberg? Thanks again for all you do for this community!
Schecter evil twin V. I have not seen a video on this guitar yet. It has 24 frets but a hard tail. Also, it has the fishman fluence moderns which people ask you about.
Great video! Now try some of the new Epiphone Artist Series guitars. They look great and come in at good prices. I would like to know what you think of some of them??
It's weird how much more noticeable the delay is with the Kiesel. I know they're all using the same settings, but the delay just pops with that headless guitar. It really made it sound awesome.
Phil: Takes out a guitar that looks nothing like a PRS.
*I know what you're thinking. It's a PRS.*
I think the Knaggs sounded best but dam that’s a price tag. Vader is the coolest looking tho I’d say! Maybe try one of the new BC Rich’s as they are making a bit of a comeback 😊
Hey Phil, Do you find after having demonstrated so many guitars that they all pretty much sound the same? It seems it goes back to basics where the feel and appearance of the instrument are the only factors that distinguish any of these models. Would you agree?