Just wanted to say I've been watching for a little while now and I love your approach to guitar. Telling the story, sharing the joy, not just the typical macho guitar store dude gear style channels. My love for guitar has recently been rekindled after years in pentatonic prison and I'm finally free. Thanks for telling the stories.
These are insane value for the spec and love the roasted maple neck. I have an HSS Strat, my go to for pit band work and a great studio guitar. On stage I use an SSS Strat with low output, 60s style pickups. These sound fatter with overdrive and love Fuzz. The other guitarist plays a Les Paul Custom and the Strat never sounds thin next to him and with fuzz it sounds bigger. It is a never ending journey Mike and after 45+ years playing I am still learning new tricks!
Shijie does a LOT of stuff with mint green. Very interesting array of offerings. If you need mint green strat pickups they're one of the few that have them.
I feel the same about the single coil bridge pickup, so I bought a Yamaha, with a nice fat humbucker at the rear and I wouldn't sell it for anything, it sounds so much better
I own 7 Shijies, including a custom shop s-type. Obviously I think they are amazing guitars! As far as shipping, I've bought 2 direct from the factory, and they took 6 and 10 days to ship to the East Coast USA.
Cool guitar! If you want a hand with the pronunciation: Shi is an unstressed vowel, so you'd pronounce it like "sure" without the R. Then you want to pronounce the E in Jie, so jee-eh.
I have a shijie 2022 model with the 2 point trem since I bought it my Fender elite has been retired , and my Suhr rarely gets played . I think the only weakness was the pickups so I put Suhr ML in it with an Aldridge in the bridge . I’m itching for a 2023 though as they have great sounding USA handwound pickups . And I’m thinking I have to get them ! they were previously on the 5 th anniversary models but are now on all pro series guitars like yours. It sounds fantastic Mike why would you get anything else I don’t know. Cannot understand people who spend $5000 on a custom shop when you can get this for $1400
Oh man, they are such great guitars - I had one in 2020 in Daphne Blue - like a dumbass...I traded it. Honestly one of the best Strat alternatives there is. The Gotoh bridge and tuners are amazing additions to a clearly expertly crafted body and neck. Grrr, I am now looking at them again...dammit!
The Shijie STE-classic+ is $969 and the Shijie STE-pro is $1230/$1530 depending on the finish. Much more expensive than Sire. Sire Larry Carlton S7 is $641 and an S3 is $399.
Glad you like your new "strat". 2 things. 1 I always like a good G&L story. 2 you know what they say about dudes with big hands, they wear big gloves and play Hendrix chords. Keep the great videos coming.
And those only have two knobs, so the volume knob is moved down just enough so it's out of the way, but you can still adjust it with pinky - Fender put it in the wrong place?
I want to get my hands in a Shijie guitar so bad. I've known about them for years but I had a good strat and had to sell it to pay for my divorce (its ok, it was an anniversary gift from my ex, so funding my divorce with its sale seemed fitting). Have you ever tried Wangs amps? They are amazing! Especially their hand wired amps, but even the PCB based builds are solid. By the
Nice job. I'm wondering which at amp and mic you're using to record this guitar for this vid? I dig, but don't hear any bell tones or dynamics out of the pickups or amp/direct? I don't hear a tube amp. Your great playing deserves great tone and dynamics.
Did you buy it or did they send it to you? Big difference in how people should believe your reviews. We need more reviewers that BUY the gear they review so we know its a legit review like Elmo does.
Sorry, I just can't pay 1700 bucks for a Chinese made guitar. That's Fender USA price neighborhood. That being said, the ShieJie looks and sounds great.
Mike, if we're talking about cool guitars from china, you should check out TYMA guitars. Especially the TF-28e which is comparable to a Martin OM-28 but with a big price gap.
The guitar seems nice, but I only like S-types if they try to branch off from the original design (Yamaha Pacifica 612) rather than outright copy it (PRS Silver Sky). Also, getting anything from China nowadays is gonna be very risky, since the U.S. will fight China in a war over Taiwan. We already saw this in the amp department since amp tubes were being imported from Russia before the Ukraine War started last year. On a brighter note, an update video on the G&L would be great!
I have an old usa made peavey predator that I paid 115 for like 8 or 9 years ago. The dude even modded it with usa fender staggered locking tuners and fender mim pickups. I’d put that against anything too. People pay waaaay to much for stuff because of branding.
Dear Mike...Why don't u checkout the Sterling's Cutlass CT50 HSS (and the just released Sterling Cutlass CT50 Plus). It is one of the best super Strat (with HSS pickups) that only cost about USD500. I use to own a Fender American Professional HSS Strat about 3 years ago. It was a good Strat but somehow i just felt that something is lacking, so i sold it off after using it for about one & half years. I was introduced to the Sterling Cutlass CT50 HSS super Strat by a friend of mine & was amazed at how really good it sounds & felt really good playing it. I bought one & have never regretted it since. It's a budget friendly HSS Strat but a top quality professional guitar. The only downside is that the guitar does not come with any gig bag or hard case. But out of the box (my personal experience), just needed a little bit of setting up to suit my personal taste. Anyway, this is just my opinion...🙏 Also, checkout the Sire Larry Carlton S7 HSS super Strat. This one cost about USD600 & are also one of the best super Strat out there. Both the Sterling Cutlass CT50 & the Sire S7 have roasted maple neck, locking tuners, etc, just like the Shiejie...
Agreed. I have the actual Music Man Cutlass and it's so much more than a Strat copy with the humbucker in the bridge, active tone controls and of course, stainless steel frets. Which feel like butter and make it effortless to play. Seems it was under a grand when I got it and it's an incredible instrument, as all MM stuff is.
Heres the bigger secret about the "Brand Name" guitars vs the "Alternatives". The brand names resell easier. You will get close to or more than you paid for a Fender or Gibson than you will for a "Shijei" Thats just a fact of life. So while I do appreciate and love the alternatives, I am also keenly aware that I have to accept that if I get one, I am either stuck with it, or have to accept I may never get near its value if I go to sell it. Some of those guitars on Reverb are going for over a grand. That a big investment on a guitar I may only get half back used, if that much. Until that changes, thats another reason I stick to Fender or Gibson.
Same as cars. Here in eastern europe you buy VAG cars cause you can sell your tiguan or golf in 2 days after 5 years. Good luck selling your lexus to 5 people looking to buy one used
I agree. If you’re going to get one of these China budget guitars to try out… get it used. I have a harder time selling known but smaller brands like sterling by music man or even Ibanez. If you put a fender or Gibson up for sale at the appropriate price on a Monday you’ll be either shipping it on Wednesday or driving to meet up with someone. Good luck selling one of these at all 😂
Wise words come to mind from the old proverb. "You Get What You Pay For," period! It's one thing if you're 8 or 9 & your mom & pop's buy you a cheap Strat or Les Paul copy for a couple hundred bucks as your first electric guitar for your B-day or whatever to see if you're really serious about playing. But, anything after that when you realize guitar isn't just a fad for you & strive to play music. Then that first Chinese guitar goes back in it's case & in the closet for a keepsake & memory of your past cause that's about all it's worth. Not that you have to go out & buy a vintage American made Fender or Gibson or anything like that. But, if you wanna be a serious guitar player you're not about to sling some cheap azz copy ripoff over our shoulder at a gig to jam on stage. It's not about showing off thinking you're cool cause you got some killer Axe. It's because you deserve better & a whole lot more when you're a serious guitar player. Now, there's a few exceptions to the rule, but not really. Blah,ha,ha!!! +++Peace, Funk & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Souls My Friends+++
Actually, the used prices have held up quite well for Shijie (3 of my 7 were bought used, and I've kept track of their prices for a couple of years on RV). Part of the reason is that they've developed some notoriety thanks to Braun, McKnight etc on UA-cam, so people want to try them. Second, people would prefer not to deal with shipping from overseas (although that isn't actually a problem in my experience). And third, they only make ~1000 guitars a year, so there are not a lot of them out there. So used ones disappear fast. They've also jacked prices, so used ones will probably actually appreciate to match. I could probably sell some of mine for more than I paid for them. Not saying that will be true forever, but it is now.
At this point its not hard to make a Fender Style guitar better than Fender. Brands love to live on old glory and forget to invent. For example Sire is utterly destroying Fender when it comes to the Bass department and Gibson in price to quality comparison. A 500$ guitar sounds tree times its price.
$1300? I’ll just build one from parts. Then you get EXACTLY what you want. Money don’t grow on trees, bruh. And I’m lefty, so no Silver Sky on my horizon either.
I don't have a problem with Chinese craftsmanship, by most accounts they're making good stuff, but I've avoided buying guitars from China because I don't want to use my dollars to prop up the CCP. It's difficult to avoid Chinese products more broadly but there are so many great guitar options coming out of Korea, Mexico , & Indonesia for me to bother with China.
Gotta admit, the thing is beautiful. Sonically and aesthetically.
Have several…love Shijie
Just wanted to say I've been watching for a little while now and I love your approach to guitar. Telling the story, sharing the joy, not just the typical macho guitar store dude gear style channels. My love for guitar has recently been rekindled after years in pentatonic prison and I'm finally free. Thanks for telling the stories.
They’re amazing guitars! I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing their STE Pro, TLV, and STE hardtail. The consistency and detail is amazing.
These are insane value for the spec and love the roasted maple neck.
I have an HSS Strat, my go to for pit band work and a great studio guitar. On stage I use an SSS Strat with low output, 60s style pickups. These sound fatter with overdrive and love Fuzz. The other guitarist plays a Les Paul Custom and the Strat never sounds thin next to him and with fuzz it sounds bigger.
It is a never ending journey Mike and after 45+ years playing I am still learning new tricks!
Shijie does a LOT of stuff with mint green. Very interesting array of offerings.
If you need mint green strat pickups they're one of the few that have them.
I have a Ste in Green and got it back when they were $700. It feels smooth like butter to the touch and sounds great.
I really enjoy your channel dude.
Man Mike… sounds really meaty. So mellow sounding. Thnx for the tip
Looks beautiful, sounds fantastic. 👌👌👌 Marvelous playing, sir!
I feel the same about the single coil bridge pickup, so I bought a Yamaha, with a nice fat humbucker at the rear and I wouldn't sell it for anything, it sounds so much better
I own 7 Shijies, including a custom shop s-type. Obviously I think they are amazing guitars! As far as shipping, I've bought 2 direct from the factory, and they took 6 and 10 days to ship to the East Coast USA.
Lol the Darrell Braun reference, love that guy, totally appeals to the gear nerd in me. Also thanks for your channel, really dig it.
I really wish one was easily tested in person here somehow in the states. I'm big on test in person, but these look and always sound stellar.
You have a dealer in the USA called baylands guitars and he holds stock
Cool guitar!
If you want a hand with the pronunciation:
Shi is an unstressed vowel, so you'd pronounce it like "sure" without the R. Then you want to pronounce the E in Jie, so jee-eh.
Young Mike, I’m glad to see you also using a Sterling by MM, now try a Cutless(hss), can’t go wrong(Strat style).
I would love to see you build a Warmoth guitar. there is so much cool stuff there. I am on my 5th one i got freaking addicted.
Really nice looking and sounding guitar! Awesome playing
Sounding good my man, keep up the playin' and never let that music die.
lol watching too many darrel braun videos, im with you 😅
Absolutely love my Shijie Tele relic, awesome guitar! Better than any of my Fender guitars and half the price.
I have a shijie 2022 model with the 2 point trem since I bought it my Fender elite has been retired , and my Suhr rarely gets played . I think the only weakness was the pickups so I put Suhr ML in it with an Aldridge in the bridge . I’m itching for a 2023 though as they have great sounding USA handwound pickups . And I’m thinking I have to get them ! they were previously on the 5 th anniversary models but are now on all pro series guitars like yours. It sounds fantastic Mike why would you get anything else I don’t know. Cannot understand people who spend $5000 on a custom shop when you can get this for $1400
Oh man, they are such great guitars - I had one in 2020 in Daphne Blue - like a dumbass...I traded it. Honestly one of the best Strat alternatives there is. The Gotoh bridge and tuners are amazing additions to a clearly expertly crafted body and neck. Grrr, I am now looking at them again...dammit!
what did you trade it for
honestly I can't remember now..problem with serial GAS. I only know that it went towards a trade in ChicagoMusicExchange early 2021@@pumpkincoffee
I keep hearing good things about these guitars. I'd really like to play one.
Mike I think you’d love a Yamaha Pacifica 612!
I have both, and although I love my 612 (I actually moderate a Pacifica group), my Shijies are next level
The right man with the right guitar! 😮
I want to hear the end of the G&L story please
What about Japan made Fenders with similar price points? the recent JV series?
also GREAT channell
Check out a Sire Larry Carlton S7 FM Electric Guitar - Transparent Blue at Sweetwater
That’s a sexy little biotch 😅
It's good to know I'm not the only one obsessed with watching guitar videos on the internet
I got a thing for roasted maple necks and I cannot lie
That neck is great.
How about a comparison between Shiejie vs. Sire S-style guitars. Aren't they comparatively priced?
The Shijie STE-classic+ is $969 and the Shijie STE-pro is $1230/$1530 depending on the finish. Much more expensive than Sire. Sire Larry Carlton S7 is $641 and an S3 is $399.
Glad you like your new "strat". 2 things. 1 I always like a good G&L story. 2 you know what they say about dudes with big hands, they wear big gloves and play Hendrix chords. Keep the great videos coming.
Oh, and they make one with a soapbar in the bridge, and one with 2 soapbars!
And those only have two knobs, so the volume knob is moved down just enough so it's out of the way, but you can still adjust it with pinky - Fender put it in the wrong place?
HSS Strats 🔛🔝🗣️‼️
There's amazing Chibson Les Paul's that are perfect on specs weight, neck, frets.. I'm stumped how they're getting these into the country.
I f*cking love your vids.
Great alternatives. But I would also be looking at Edwards guitar too for an alternative.
love my shijie, was fortunate to find it used at GC for $700 back in 2020
Hey Mike. Can you do a video on how to get that John mayer tone 👌
Tell us about the G&L!
I played a Shijie TLV once, thought it was amazing, 98% chance that'll be my next and last electric guitar (famous last words I know)
Agree on the HSS Strats. You need that humbucker in the bridge on a Strat.
I want to get my hands in a Shijie guitar so bad. I've known about them for years but I had a good strat and had to sell it to pay for my divorce (its ok, it was an anniversary gift from my ex, so funding my divorce with its sale seemed fitting).
Have you ever tried Wangs amps? They are amazing! Especially their hand wired amps, but even the PCB based builds are solid.
By the
Star Trek reference! Cool!
Nice job. I'm wondering which at amp and mic you're using to record this guitar for this vid? I dig, but don't hear any bell tones or dynamics out of the pickups or amp/direct? I don't hear a tube amp. Your great playing deserves great tone and dynamics.
nice intro laforge!!!
How do you feel about Reverend guitars? I'd love to see a review!
Their motto is "BORN IN DETROIT, PERFECTED IN TOLEDO, PLAYED AROUND THE WORLD."
stratocaster moment
*fake stratocaster moment*
bald moment
goober moment
indeed
5:02 PLEASE IS THIS A REAL SONG?!
You ever find out?
This guy has more strats than anyone
Lyxpro is a really good affordable brand
I still like my strat, but my main guitar is hss ibanez az now. Funny, at first I didn't liked it so much.
Did you buy it or did they send it to you? Big difference in how people should believe your reviews.
We need more reviewers that BUY the gear they review so we know its a legit review like Elmo does.
Is that the poly or nitro finish? looks super cool
I have a 2021ste, in poly, and I believe they all are. Beautiful instruments, don't hesitate to get one. Only going up in price.
Nitro is an option on the Pro models I believe
I bought Shijie strat last year. Outstanding guitar.
Bergnaum Mountain
dooope
This guitar looks nice.
nice vid
Please review ibanez azes 40 some of 'em saying this is close to the fender strat sound is it right?
There’s not much of a savings here lol, it’s still a 1500$ guitar
ahh do you play metal
Sorry, I just can't pay 1700 bucks for a Chinese made guitar. That's Fender USA price neighborhood. That being said, the ShieJie looks and sounds great.
Mike, if we're talking about cool guitars from china, you should check out TYMA guitars. Especially the TF-28e which is comparable to a Martin OM-28 but with a big price gap.
Ever seen a G&L. Leo last strat design was a comanche. It's got z pickups, but its real awesomeness is the floating trem.
I love my g&l legacy, prefer their vibrato/tremolos
Yessir
The guitar seems nice, but I only like S-types if they try to branch off from the original design (Yamaha Pacifica 612) rather than outright copy it (PRS Silver Sky). Also, getting anything from China nowadays is gonna be very risky, since the U.S. will fight China in a war over Taiwan. We already saw this in the amp department since amp tubes were being imported from Russia before the Ukraine War started last year.
On a brighter note, an update video on the G&L would be great!
By the way, I still have my 2002 Fender Highway One Strat, but with Tex-Mex pickups installed.
I also had a Highway One Strat that I mistakenly sold many years ago...
Uhm…. Dimarzio & Seymour Duncan both make a Tele style pickup for a Strat. Red Velvet & Twang Banger. Perfect world
Sydni Station
Only a Strat is a Strat
I have an Epiphone Strat copy. (S300) paid $80 for it. Changed the pickups and the tuners and I'll put it up against any American Strat.
I have an old usa made peavey predator that I paid 115 for like 8 or 9 years ago. The dude even modded it with usa fender staggered locking tuners and fender mim pickups. I’d put that against anything too. People pay waaaay to much for stuff because of branding.
The country of origin definitely plays a role for me. If there are good and affordable alternatives, I won't buy any products from China.
Dear Mike...Why don't u checkout the Sterling's Cutlass CT50 HSS (and the just released Sterling Cutlass CT50 Plus). It is one of the best super Strat (with HSS pickups) that only cost about USD500. I use to own a Fender American Professional HSS Strat about 3 years ago. It was a good Strat but somehow i just felt that something is lacking, so i sold it off after using it for about one & half years. I was introduced to the Sterling Cutlass CT50 HSS super Strat by a friend of mine & was amazed at how really good it sounds & felt really good playing it. I bought one & have never regretted it since. It's a budget friendly HSS Strat but a top quality professional guitar. The only downside is that the guitar does not come with any gig bag or hard case. But out of the box (my personal experience), just needed a little bit of setting up to suit my personal taste. Anyway, this is just my opinion...🙏 Also, checkout the Sire Larry Carlton S7 HSS super Strat. This one cost about USD600 & are also one of the best super Strat out there. Both the Sterling Cutlass CT50 & the Sire S7 have roasted maple neck, locking tuners, etc, just like the Shiejie...
Agreed. I have the actual Music Man Cutlass and it's so much more than a Strat copy with the humbucker in the bridge, active tone controls and of course, stainless steel frets. Which feel like butter and make it effortless to play. Seems it was under a grand when I got it and it's an incredible instrument, as all MM stuff is.
Heres the bigger secret about the "Brand Name" guitars vs the "Alternatives". The brand names resell easier. You will get close to or more than you paid for a Fender or Gibson than you will for a "Shijei" Thats just a fact of life. So while I do appreciate and love the alternatives, I am also keenly aware that I have to accept that if I get one, I am either stuck with it, or have to accept I may never get near its value if I go to sell it.
Some of those guitars on Reverb are going for over a grand. That a big investment on a guitar I may only get half back used, if that much. Until that changes, thats another reason I stick to Fender or Gibson.
Same as cars. Here in eastern europe you buy VAG cars cause you can sell your tiguan or golf in 2 days after 5 years. Good luck selling your lexus to 5 people looking to buy one used
I agree. If you’re going to get one of these China budget guitars to try out… get it used. I have a harder time selling known but smaller brands like sterling by music man or even Ibanez. If you put a fender or Gibson up for sale at the appropriate price on a Monday you’ll be either shipping it on Wednesday or driving to meet up with someone. Good luck selling one of these at all 😂
Ya for sure! I feel that 1000% but ya like the other dude mentioned but different brands but only used so you don't have to keep it forever
Wise words come to mind from the old proverb. "You Get What You Pay For," period! It's one thing if you're 8 or 9 & your mom & pop's buy you a cheap Strat or Les Paul copy for a couple hundred bucks as your first electric guitar for your B-day or whatever to see if you're really serious about playing. But, anything after that when you realize guitar isn't just a fad for you & strive to play music. Then that first Chinese guitar goes back in it's case & in the closet for a keepsake & memory of your past cause that's about all it's worth. Not that you have to go out & buy a vintage American made Fender or Gibson or anything like that. But, if you wanna be a serious guitar player you're not about to sling some cheap azz copy ripoff over our shoulder at a gig to jam on stage. It's not about showing off thinking you're cool cause you got some killer Axe. It's because you deserve better & a whole lot more when you're a serious guitar player. Now, there's a few exceptions to the rule, but not really. Blah,ha,ha!!! +++Peace, Funk & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Souls My Friends+++
Actually, the used prices have held up quite well for Shijie (3 of my 7 were bought used, and I've kept track of their prices for a couple of years on RV). Part of the reason is that they've developed some notoriety thanks to Braun, McKnight etc on UA-cam, so people want to try them. Second, people would prefer not to deal with shipping from overseas (although that isn't actually a problem in my experience). And third, they only make ~1000 guitars a year, so there are not a lot of them out there. So used ones disappear fast. They've also jacked prices, so used ones will probably actually appreciate to match. I could probably sell some of mine for more than I paid for them. Not saying that will be true forever, but it is now.
Great guitar. However, you can get the same thing with a sterling cutlass ct50 for way less.
At this point its not hard to make a Fender Style guitar better than Fender. Brands love to live on old glory and forget to invent.
For example Sire is utterly destroying Fender when it comes to the Bass department and Gibson in price to quality comparison. A 500$ guitar sounds tree times its price.
The correct pronounciation is She jay er, not She gee.
Sounds buzzy
Go Cutlass (Sterling ou MM)! ✊️✊️✊️
On my l lefty they’re almost $1400
$1300? I’ll just build one from parts. Then you get EXACTLY what you want. Money don’t grow on trees, bruh.
And I’m lefty, so no Silver Sky on my horizon either.
I don't have a problem with Chinese craftsmanship, by most accounts they're making good stuff, but I've avoided buying guitars from China because I don't want to use my dollars to prop up the CCP. It's difficult to avoid Chinese products more broadly but there are so many great guitar options coming out of Korea, Mexico , & Indonesia for me to bother with China.
CCP or the USA. Same difference as far as I can see.
I’ll take made in the USA.
@@maxwellblakely7952 One foreign country is the same as the next ;-)
@@detailsdetails...9571 yeah whatever, I hate how dependent we are on china. If I have a choice I’ll buy my instruments stateside.
This is the crazy take it’s a fucking guitar company
Retsacotarts Rednef
Whatever, I'm not buying Chinese guitar. Period! Thank you though!
First
That is NOT a fender strat
First
Too Bad, sorry for you.
Ok yawn
Best guitar built by a 8 year old lol
Kanji is also another insanely good alternative to a Fender strat. most people dont know who they are i feel
Shijie is not cheap