The Larry Carlton line at Sire Guitars has started an avalanche of awesome mid-priced guitars. To me, nearing $500CAD and getting quality is the whole ballgame. The company actually caring about what they produce is a great thing. What a time for players!
Keep that styrofoam mold!!! You can easily make a custom guitar case for your Musi/Eart. You can simply take a regular hardcase, remove the fabric, replace the original mold with the styrofoam one and glue back the fabric! :) Especially useful for the Eart GW2 headless!
You can also fashion a molded case from pallets and simple latch clasps. It's gonna work for what ya need and a little time on UA-cam and it'll look good too with all the arts and crafts stuff going on.
J-Man : being from new brunswick and living in Alberta since 2005 i appreciate your maritime honesty. love your reviews and as a being an older than dirt returnee to relearning my past gig playing musicianship, i really appreciate you! God bless you and your family! keep on rockin'
Thanks Don! I'm very humbled and appreciative of the fact that they would even consider me a serious musician! I'm thankful for the opportunity to review this guitar!
Yeah. It really looks like they are putting out a nice line of products. I've been looking at 3 or 4 of them for quite a while. And every review or vid I've seen... has been really good. One of these will be on the list at some point. Definitely a few more bucks than the typical "budget guitar." But it looks like they give you one heck of a guitar. And now, add to that... it also sounds like they care about what they ship out, and that they have great customer service. Gotta love that - especially now days. I already see a thumbnail for that Fusion - can't wait to see that vid! That's one of the guitars I've been looking at.
Yeah they went above and beyond for me! These are a bit pricey, but they are not a budget instrument! These are on par with any 1000+ dollar telecaster that I've ever played! Totally impressed. 2 for 2!
Cool video. Because of your in depth reviews on these guitars, I have purchased the Virgo classic. It’s a fantastic guitar for $320! Thanks for the videos! Keep it up!
Hey Rick! Thanks for the kind words! Glad the information I shared was helpful! I appreciate the comment! Wow, $320? Awesome! Here in Canada I paid $525 after taxes for mine... Enjoy the Musi Classic! What was your color of choice?
Mine had no issue w scratchy pots, or hum. Someone did remove the plastic and play it(some playing scratches on pickguard). I kept it anyway. Not a big deal
Might run into intonation problems when changing necks, often times a fretboard that hangs over the body, won't line up with one that doesn't,legth is more of a problem then pocket fit.
Yeah I hear ya, the original strat neck 21 frets on the hybrid I built doesn't over hang but the tele neck 22 frets I installed does. I had to re-intonate but no problems. All the saddles had to move forward a bit is all😀
I use to be a quality engineer this is another loaded question. Quality is an entire system from from design to in process to packaging and delivery and there are standards to follow as well as your internal policy and processes.
Yes, I realize there is alot involved in the quality of... well... anything! I'm just refering to what I see in stores from the big names right down to the budget purchases I've modded over the last 2 years.... if fender, Ibanez, gibson etc... are considered quality instruments as per the standard, then these Musi teles are definitely High Quality😃
Have you tried the Sire line of guitars? Supposedly designed by Larry Carlton. They have 2 Telecaster models and are very reasonably priced. They also get very good reviews. Haven't tried one yet myself but would like to.
Hey Mr. D, I have tried one. I don't own one though. In the US they are between 500 and 600 but here in Canada close to or just over a grand after taxes. The one I tried was super nice, but I did have to set the truss rod and lower the action to get it playing how I like it. It was a friends guitar. He likes it alot!
Hi Question for you J-Man .... I have a Virgo Classic as well. LOVE IT! But ... one annoying issue. Since the day it arrived .... the high E string plays kind of dead .... sounds muted when played open or when fingering the first few frets. I know you do a lot of adjustments in your vids. Have you come across this with any of your guitars? I seem to encounter it forms time to time with Teles. I've tried a slight tweak of the neck, saddle height, etc but it's still there. Could it be the nut slot cut too deep on the high E? Any thoughts would vibe greatly appreciated! Thanks for all you do.
@@macerockson yeah man I've see that before... Typically it's because the nut slot is cut too flat as opposed to on a slant towards the head stock. You need break angle and tension when the string goes over the nut to the tuner... If you do not have a string tree over the E and B strings on your Virgo classic, install one. That may solve your issue. Also if you have a brass hammer, loosen the E and B strings, pull them over towards the g string to expose the fret ends on the 1st 3 frets, make sure to support the back of the neck, and tap the ends of those 3 frets lightly. Sometimes with changes in temperature and humidity, they can unseat themselves slightly. A few taps can s'est them properly again... And yes the nut could be cut too deep. I have bone powder in different colors at home, so when that happens, I put powder in the nut slot, add a couple of drops of super glue, let it cure, re-cut the nut and I'm good to go. Let me know how you make out😀
@@j-man9457 Thanks kindly. I have a few roller string trees around. I'm antsy about installing .... I just tried to replace a cheap string tree on my IYV ITF- 400 and when I put the new string tree in place with the original screw, it broke inside the hole and now I have no string tree at all on the guitar. They make these tiny screws out of pot metal. It's the second time I've had a screw break like that. The other one was a strap button. If I can get up the nerve, I will try that first though. Everything out or else about that Virgo is wonderful! Again ... thanks for getting back to me.
@macerockson ahhh that sucks. That has happened to me as well. If the screw is broken flush to the head stock, just drill a hole directly above it or below it and install a string tree with a wider base like these for example: Metallor Roller String Trees String Retainer Guides Compatible with Strat Tele Style Electric Guitar Parts Replacement Pack of 2pcs with Mounting Screws Chrome. a.co/d/gXGMre4 The broken screw will be hidden. Before installing the new string tree, press the screw into a bar of soap. It will make it easier to thread in, not so much resistance, and least likely to break. Just seat the tree and that's it. Do not over tighten 😉 Cheers and good luck!
Wow!!!!! They must REALLY want to make a good impression, and they’ve clearly taken notice of you as an influencer! That being said, their guitars ARE clearly very good. Some people out there have also remarked that the Musi Virgo Fusion models seem very similar to some of the Harley Benton Fusion models, so I suppose it’s possible they come from the same factories, but I don’t know for sure.
Are they reading this? You would think there would be a market for a 24 fret guitar. That's usually what 'fusion' is, I think. Now, I prefer the 22 fret guitar - because they sound much warmer. But they are hard to find, leading me to think that the 24 is more popular.
Hey they are currently out of stock. The company is relocating to a new production facility and will resume production and new models sometimes this summer ... So I'm told 🤔
FYI the shielding paint was the same on mine, It’s just like a weird set or dust. That being said this is a great guitar with just a few mods. The neck and frets are amazing, worth every nickel and then some.
I have the Strat style guitar, plays beautifully and has a humbucker bridge pickup. Roasted maple neck with stainless steel frets. Has the classic Strat sound. I have the Virgo Tele fusion. Plays great. Love both.
The pickup spec question is loaded and very difficult to answer it would require a matrix not a sentence. They don’t use one pickup or pick type it would be a large range.
Hey Mark My EART is totally modded and ugraded. They are pretty even right now, but keep in mind the Musi is bone stock! So all I can say is out of the box, I prefer the musi over the EART. The Musi stock is far Superior!😀
@@j-man9457 Thanks J-Man for putting out all your videos. I recently bought a used Eart 335. Its stock, but I am really happy with it. If I decide to buy a Tele, i will consider the Musi over the Eart.
@@storeymark yeah mark, they are the same price... well here anyway they are (469 canadian) the electronics, hardware, fit and finish are superior on the Musi....! Now keep in mind my EARt tele is 2 yeara old. Maybe EART has stepped up their game in the last 2 years on these, I don't know? Can't go wromg with the Musi! Amazingly good and no need for mods!
@@bobbywilliams4655 no but they are relocating to a bigger shop which will allow them to have Gibson style offerings when they resume production. Time will tell, but that's what I heard anyway!
Holy smokes really? Awesome price. After taxes here in canada, they are just over 500... at 330, there's really nothing to lose. If you don't like it just return it😀. If they were 330 here, I'd get 2 hahaha. I'd test them both out then keep the better of the 2 and return the other one!
Isn't this what Fender claimed about their guitars. Good Quality at affordable prices because they were easier to build being modular. Now Fender wants a fortune for lower quality products at super high prices. And what is different from being made in Mexico and made in China. The Chinese are at least able to gain knowledge and better manufacturing techniques than Mexico. These Chinese guitars keep getting better and better.
Yeah I agree! With all of the years in experience under their belt, Fender should be untouchable when it comes to build quality and performance however they chose to simply remain idle, source out cheaper parts and increase prices for a bigger profit margin🙄 People are catching on!😉
@@CKS64 thanks man! I do. If a viewer is willing to take the time to write a comment, then I'm gonna take the time to reply😀 Thanks for watching and commenting! J
" You got a free guitar so , obviously, you are going to say it's good so you can get more free guitars ".. does anyone want a crappy free guitar so that they can lie about it to get another CRAPPY free guitar?
No... they are a good company because their customer support is top notch. I'm a nobody and they treated me like royalty. When you e-mail them they actually reply and never brush you off. Other than the free on I received because of the grounding issues I had with the 1st one I bought, I have purchased every one of their models and they are all fantastic! Not perfect, but an unbelievable value for what you're getting. I'm sure a few "crappy" ones escape Quality control, from time to time, but in my experience, the guitars I've bought, were giggable right out of the box with a basic set up😀
The Larry Carlton line at Sire Guitars has started an avalanche of awesome mid-priced guitars. To me, nearing $500CAD and getting quality is the whole ballgame. The company actually caring about what they produce is a great thing. What a time for players!
Couldn't agree more CB & RC! Players now have fantastic options at extremely affordable prices!
Keep that styrofoam mold!!! You can easily make a custom guitar case for your Musi/Eart. You can simply take a regular hardcase, remove the fabric, replace the original mold with the styrofoam one and glue back the fabric! :) Especially useful for the Eart GW2 headless!
Friggin great Idea David! Thanks will do!
You can also fashion a molded case from pallets and simple latch clasps. It's gonna work for what ya need and a little time on UA-cam and it'll look good too with all the arts and crafts stuff going on.
J-Man : being from new brunswick and living in Alberta since 2005 i appreciate your maritime honesty.
love your reviews and as a being an older than dirt returnee to relearning my past gig playing musicianship, i really appreciate you!
God bless you and your family!
keep on rockin'
Thanks buddy! Very much appreciated😊
Great to see you're getting something back for all your hard work with the channel! Enjoy!
Thanks Don! I'm very humbled and appreciative of the fact that they would even consider me a serious musician! I'm thankful for the opportunity to review this guitar!
Yeah. It really looks like they are putting out a nice line of products. I've been looking at 3 or 4 of them for quite a while. And every review or vid I've seen... has been really good. One of these will be on the list at some point. Definitely a few more bucks than the typical "budget guitar." But it looks like they give you one heck of a guitar. And now, add to that... it also sounds like they care about what they ship out, and that they have great customer service. Gotta love that - especially now days. I already see a thumbnail for that Fusion - can't wait to see that vid! That's one of the guitars I've been looking at.
Yeah they went above and beyond for me! These are a bit pricey, but they are not a budget instrument! These are on par with any 1000+ dollar telecaster that I've ever played! Totally impressed. 2 for 2!
I bought the Jurassic green fusion, absolutely love this guitar, it is amazing and sounds amazing .
Cool man, I love mine as well... killer axe!
Enjoy and Rock on man!
Cool video. Because of your in depth reviews on these guitars, I have purchased the Virgo classic. It’s a fantastic guitar for $320! Thanks for the videos! Keep it up!
Hey Rick!
Thanks for the kind words! Glad the information I shared was helpful! I appreciate the comment! Wow, $320? Awesome! Here in Canada I paid $525 after taxes for mine...
Enjoy the Musi Classic! What was your color of choice?
Mine had no issue w scratchy pots, or hum. Someone did remove the plastic and play it(some playing scratches on pickguard). I kept it anyway. Not a big deal
Scratches give it character😃 thanks for sharing enjoy!
I ordered my fusion after watching your videos.
Ahhh thanks man! I hope you like it!
I love my virgo fusion. Only thing I did was change the bridge pup to a dimarzio humbucker. Love the neck, fretwork and compound radius.
Sweet upgrade man! Yeah these are super nice right out of the box! Can you still split the new pup?
I put P90s on my Virgo Fusion. The coil-tap isn't a big deal to me. Great guitar
@@jrockofages5413 can't beat a good set of P90s! Awesome man!
Might run into intonation problems when changing necks, often times a fretboard that hangs over the body, won't line up with one that doesn't,legth is more of a problem then pocket fit.
Yeah I hear ya, the original strat neck 21 frets on the hybrid I built doesn't over hang but the tele neck 22 frets I installed does. I had to re-intonate but no problems. All the saddles had to move forward a bit is all😀
I use to be a quality engineer this is another loaded question. Quality is an entire system from from design to in process to packaging and delivery and there are standards to follow as well as your internal policy and processes.
Yes, I realize there is alot involved in the quality of... well... anything! I'm just refering to what I see in stores from the big names right down to the budget purchases I've modded over the last 2 years.... if fender, Ibanez, gibson etc... are considered quality instruments as per the standard, then these Musi teles are definitely High Quality😃
Have you tried the Sire line of guitars? Supposedly designed by Larry Carlton. They have 2 Telecaster models and are very reasonably priced. They also get very good reviews. Haven't tried one yet myself but would like to.
Hey Mr. D,
I have tried one. I don't own one though. In the US they are between 500 and 600 but here in Canada close to or just over a grand after taxes. The one I tried was super nice, but I did have to set the truss rod and lower the action to get it playing how I like it. It was a friends guitar. He likes it alot!
Hi Question for you J-Man .... I have a Virgo Classic as well. LOVE IT! But ... one annoying issue. Since the day it arrived .... the high E string plays kind of dead .... sounds muted when played open or when fingering the first few frets. I know you do a lot of adjustments in your vids. Have you come across this with any of your guitars? I seem to encounter it forms time to time with Teles. I've tried a slight tweak of the neck, saddle height, etc but it's still there. Could it be the nut slot cut too deep on the high E? Any thoughts would vibe greatly appreciated! Thanks for all you do.
@@macerockson yeah man I've see that before... Typically it's because the nut slot is cut too flat as opposed to on a slant towards the head stock. You need break angle and tension when the string goes over the nut to the tuner... If you do not have a string tree over the E and B strings on your Virgo classic, install one. That may solve your issue. Also if you have a brass hammer, loosen the E and B strings, pull them over towards the g string to expose the fret ends on the 1st 3 frets, make sure to support the back of the neck, and tap the ends of those 3 frets lightly. Sometimes with changes in temperature and humidity, they can unseat themselves slightly. A few taps can s'est them properly again...
And yes the nut could be cut too deep. I have bone powder in different colors at home, so when that happens, I put powder in the nut slot, add a couple of drops of super glue, let it cure, re-cut the nut and I'm good to go.
Let me know how you make out😀
@@j-man9457 Thanks kindly. I have a few roller string trees around. I'm antsy about installing .... I just tried to replace a cheap string tree on my IYV ITF- 400 and when I put the new string tree in place with the original screw, it broke inside the hole and now I have no string tree at all on the guitar. They make these tiny screws out of pot metal. It's the second time I've had a screw break like that. The other one was a strap button. If I can get up the nerve, I will try that first though. Everything out or else about that Virgo is wonderful! Again ... thanks for getting back to me.
@macerockson ahhh that sucks. That has happened to me as well. If the screw is broken flush to the head stock, just drill a hole directly above it or below it and install a string tree with a wider base like these for example:
Metallor Roller String Trees String Retainer Guides Compatible with Strat Tele Style Electric Guitar Parts Replacement Pack of 2pcs with Mounting Screws Chrome. a.co/d/gXGMre4
The broken screw will be hidden. Before installing the new string tree, press the screw into a bar of soap. It will make it easier to thread in, not so much resistance, and least likely to break. Just seat the tree and that's it. Do not over tighten 😉
Cheers and good luck!
enjoyed your review, i found it like talking with a friend.
keep up with it. great information. thank you, re
Thanks Red! Much appreciated!
Wow!!!!! They must REALLY want to make a good impression, and they’ve clearly taken notice of you as an influencer! That being said, their guitars ARE clearly very good. Some people out there have also remarked that the Musi Virgo Fusion models seem very similar to some of the Harley Benton Fusion models, so I suppose it’s possible they come from the same factories, but I don’t know for sure.
Yeah don't know... but they are doing something right at this factory!😍
I got the galaxy virgo with the 2 humbuckers and 3 way switch, great guitar for the price, plays extremely well and sound decent enough
Cool, I haven't heard of the Galaxy. Only the classic and the fusion are available in Canada!
@@j-man9457 sorry, correction, the color is called galaxy, it's the M Musi Virgo
@@TheCrimson173 ahhh got ya! Those are nice looking! Let me know how you like it😁
Are they reading this? You would think there would be a market for a 24 fret guitar. That's usually what 'fusion' is, I think. Now, I prefer the 22 fret guitar - because they sound much warmer. But they are hard to find, leading me to think that the 24 is more popular.
Hey man, yeah not sure on that! I love it the way it is. Very functional, however I'm not a shreader😎
I can't find them on Amazon can some help
Hey they are currently out of stock. The company is relocating to a new production facility and will resume production and new models sometimes this summer ... So I'm told 🤔
FYI the shielding paint was the same on mine, It’s just like a weird set or dust. That being said this is a great guitar with just a few mods. The neck and frets are amazing, worth every nickel and then some.
Yes sir. I agree 100%
Both ours must have been sheilded the same day haha
@@j-man9457 mine is on the bench right now getting Tom Anderson pick ups, shielding tape and new electronics.
@@chucksouth1522 ahhhh nice Chuck! Going all out, love it!
I have the Strat style guitar, plays beautifully and has a humbucker bridge pickup. Roasted maple neck with stainless steel frets. Has the classic Strat sound. I have the Virgo Tele fusion. Plays great. Love both.
Both of my guitars have epiphone pots on it
The pickup spec question is loaded and very difficult to answer it would require a matrix not a sentence. They don’t use one pickup or pick type it would be a large range.
Yup agreed but whatever their specs, from their telecaster pups to their Humbuckers, they are doing something right!
@@j-man9457 if it is specific to one instrument, yes I agree.
Lol, I was going to say you must be a maritimer. Helping your analytics out on the west coast. But it doesn't count I'm a cape
It counts! Close enough! You're in! 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Man!!! Fantastic!!!! Good for you!!! I got no Free Stuff!!! Hahahaha! Appreciate you. It's a Good guitar.
This thing is even better than my classic! Gave you a shout out and told people to go watch your vid!
@@j-man9457 I havnt played your CLASSIC!!!! Appreciate you brother!!
@@theguitarprofessionals8584 you'll have to plan a trip down to PEI then😀
You mean up!!!!! whats the closest town ill see how far I have a friend in Maine
Haha the only town in PEI is Charlottetown! It has an airport and everything lol!
Do you like this one better than the Eart telecaster?
Hey Mark
My EART is totally modded and ugraded. They are pretty even right now, but keep in mind the Musi is bone stock! So all I can say is out of the box, I prefer the musi over the EART. The Musi stock is far Superior!😀
@@j-man9457 Thanks J-Man for putting out all your videos. I recently bought a used Eart 335. Its stock, but I am really happy with it. If I decide to buy a Tele, i will consider the Musi over the Eart.
@@storeymark yeah mark, they are the same price... well here anyway they are (469 canadian) the electronics, hardware, fit and finish are superior on the Musi....!
Now keep in mind my EARt tele is 2 yeara old. Maybe EART has stepped up their game in the last 2 years on these, I don't know? Can't go wromg with the Musi! Amazingly good and no need for mods!
That's the same packaging Styrofoam. Just like firefly. From firebird music.
Hey Chuck cool, thanks for the info! I have heard good things about the fireflys but can't find them here in Canada!
Are they out of business 😮
@@bobbywilliams4655 no but they are relocating to a bigger shop which will allow them to have Gibson style offerings when they resume production. Time will tell, but that's what I heard anyway!
Wonder if their new models will include a 5 string bass great info you look pale you should get some sun .
They do make bases man😁 lots of sun coming up in 7 days!
I’m thinking of picking one up. They are $330 US dollars right now
Holy smokes really? Awesome price. After taxes here in canada, they are just over 500... at 330, there's really nothing to lose. If you don't like it just return it😀. If they were 330 here, I'd get 2 hahaha. I'd test them both out then keep the better of the 2 and return the other one!
Isn't this what Fender claimed about their guitars. Good Quality at affordable prices because they were easier to build being modular. Now Fender wants a fortune for lower quality products at super high prices. And what is different from being made in Mexico and made in China. The Chinese are at least able to gain knowledge and better manufacturing techniques than Mexico. These Chinese guitars keep getting better and better.
Yeah I agree! With all of the years in experience under their belt, Fender should be untouchable when it comes to build quality and performance however they chose to simply remain idle, source out cheaper parts and increase prices for a bigger profit margin🙄
People are catching on!😉
@@j-man9457 Thanks for reading comments. You evidently care about guitars and your channel. All the best.
@@CKS64 thanks man! I do. If a viewer is willing to take the time to write a comment, then I'm gonna take the time to reply😀
Thanks for watching and commenting!
J
" You got a free guitar so , obviously, you are going to say it's good so you can get more free guitars ".. does anyone want a crappy free guitar so that they can lie about it to get another CRAPPY free guitar?
No... they are a good company because their customer support is top notch. I'm a nobody and they treated me like royalty. When you e-mail them they actually reply and never brush you off. Other than the free on I received because of the grounding issues I had with the 1st one I bought, I have purchased every one of their models and they are all fantastic! Not perfect, but an unbelievable value for what you're getting. I'm sure a few "crappy" ones escape Quality control, from time to time, but in my experience, the guitars I've bought, were giggable right out of the box with a basic set up😀