Guitar Optics - Guitar Reviews

Started by John Black, October 15, 2015, 01:34:02 PM

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John Black

Hi! I've made a new review on a Jackson JS32 Dinky guitar http://guitaroptics.com/jackson-js32-dinky-bright-blue/! Come check it out and share your thoughts about it. New opinions are welcomed! Thanks guys.  ;D

John Black

A new model came to my studio, ESP LTD EC-256. I had a quick review of it. It seems to be well build, a nice thin neck with a good handling. When plugged in this ESP sounds really solid on the drive channel and the riff part. The downside is the clean channel, but with some pedals and a good tube amp it's pretty decent. All in all for its price range, I think it can be a good choice if you want to do some hard rock/heavy metal stuff. What do you think about this one? If there is somebody who tried this model, feel free to share your thoughts about it! Come check it out on http://guitaroptics.com/esp-ltd-ec-256-black/. Thanks!  ::)

John Black

Some new hot reviews in the house:

An Ibanez S520-http://guitaroptics.com/ibanez-s520/, one of the first S series guitars I've played. It's something between the lower RG/GRG class and the higher Prestige Models. All in all the drive part sounds very good for its price range. What do you think about this model?
An Washburn Idol Series WI64TRK-http://guitaroptics.com/washburn-idol-series-wi64trk/. This is one of the guitars my former vocalist use to play from time to time, along with another washburn ( I think it was some kind of strat but I can't remember the model). I've played only this 2 models from Washburn. With this Idol model I've played almost everything, from funk, reggae and blues to hard rock. I can't say that it's a great guitar but not so bad either, with a good tube amp, some delay, reverb and chorus you can get a decent sound from it. Any Washburn users here?

Thanks!  ::)

John Black

Hi again! I've made a new review about an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. It's my first Epiphone and it was a decent experience, a nice guitar than can be upgraded in time. What do you think about this low cost model? Check out its review on http://guitaroptics.com/epiphone-les-paul-standard-ebony/. Thanks!  ::)

John Black

Hi all. I had the chance to grab another type of guitar and play it at my studio. It's a jazzy one, the Ibanez Artstar SS300 Hollowbody. I was really impressed with it. Come and check its review on http://guitaroptics.com/ibanez-artstar-ss300-hollowbody/. Any feedback is nice! Thanks!  ::)

John Black


Elantric

#6


What are the neck profile dimensions of the guitars you review?


1 ) Nut Width?

2 ) Neck width and depth at 1st fret?

3 ) Neck width and depth at 12th fret?

Adding these Neck dimensions  to all the guitars on your Guitar Optics review site will boost visits.
For me it gets expensive to buy guitars online without being able to know the crucial info I must know - WHAT ARE THE NECK PROFILE DIMENSIONS?

Case in point - my last guitar I bought ( Yamaha SA-200) was a direct result from reading a review which complained the neck was "too massive"  - but its perfect for me!   

90 % of the guitars I try at Guitar center have "too thin "kiddie"  guitar necks that seem to be intended for youngsters, and not adult size hands, and I'm not thrilled to pay Gibson Custom shop prices for a playable new guitar in 2015


Like this:
------
http://65.23.158.135/forum.html?db=qkdjffpc&topic_number=802921
peegoo wrote>

The PRS WF neck is the opposite of a Fender or Gibson neck from a geometry perspective. Back in July of 2014 I measured a Gibson 50s neck and a PRS WF neck and posted the results here.

Here's a flashback to Jul 14. WARNING: Geek Alert!

///

I tried the PRS regular carve and it was similar to Fender's standard US neck, but a tad wider at the nut (it felt that way; I didn't measure it) than the Fender.

The PRS wide/fat neck is the bee's knees for me because it has a similar feel to the Gibson 50s necks, which just seem to fit me best.

I never tried this before, so I just measured both necks with a Mitutoyo model 505 dial caliper to compare the necks, and here's what I found.

The models:

-PRS Custom 22 with wide/fat neck; 25" scale with 22 frets

-Gibson 339 Pro with 50s neck; 24.5" scale with 22 frets

Nut width
PRS WF: 1.689"
Gib 50s: 1.697"
Neck thickness at first fret
(not counting fret height)
PRS WF: 0.824"
Gib 50s: 0.799"

Neck width at 5th fret
PRS WF: 1.893"
Gib 50s: 1.857"
Neck thickness at 5th fret
PRS WF: 0.855"
Gib 50s: 0.877"

Neck width at 12th fret
PRS WF: 2.086"
Gib 50s: 2.027"
Neck thickness at 12th fret
PRS WF: 0.972"
Gib 50s: 0.974"

Neck width at 22nd fret
PRS WF: 2.262"
Gib 50s: 2.199"
Neck thickness at 22nd fret
N/A

The interesting result here is the Gibson has more of a taper through the thickness of the neck than the PRS. The PRS WF is thicker than the Gib 50s at the nut, but it's thinner than the Gib 50s at the 12th fret.

However, the PRS WF has more of a variance than the Gib 50s between the nut width and the width at the 22nd fret.

That probably accounts for the slightly strange feel of the PRS neck (strange to me at first, at least). There's less of a "ramp" on the thumb as you go up the neck, but there's a faster increase in width.

And not that it matters to neck dimensions, but in case you're curious, fret wire on these guitars is as follows. I averaged the fret heights from 20 random samples across each fretboard to account for leveling & polishing:

PRS: 0.046" high x 0.105" wide
Gibson: 0.050" high x 0.093" wide
They're pretty close.

///



other examples
https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/customer-appreciation-instruments/

John Black

Quote from: Elantric on October 27, 2015, 01:09:14 PM
What are the neck profile dimensions of the guitars you review?


1 ) Nut Width?

2 ) Neck width and depth at 1st fret?

3 ) Neck width and depth at 12th fret?

Adding these Neck dimensions  to all the guitars on your Guitar Optics review site will boost visits.
For me it gets expensive to buy guitars online without being able to know the crucial info I must know - WHAT ARE THE NECK PROFILE DIMENSIONS?

Case in point - my last guitar I bought ( Yamaha SA-200) was a direct result from reading a review which complained the neck was "too massive"  - but its perfect for me!   

90 % of the guitars I try at Guitar center have "too thin "kiddie"  guitar necks that seem to be intended for youngsters, and not adult size hands, and I'm not thrilled to pay Gibson Custom shop prices for a playable new guitar in 2015

Hi Elantric!

First of all, many thanks for the feedback! I've reviewed those models from my point of view, and I always thought that such technical aspects are a little bit boring (especially for beginners), so I was focused on the feeling that particular guitar neck gives and not the dimensions. But I must agree with you that not all of us "feel" a guitar in the same way (as I'm a proud user of strats and super strats I like my neck very thin, even if I have large hands  :D), so those dimensions may prove useful! I will try to integrate those in my reviews! Thanks again for the feedback mate, it was very useful!  ;D

mooncaine

I wish there was an easy standard way to measure neck profiles, just scan 'em or make a quick mold.

I think it's cool to see neck profile diagrams, and it's very cool to try out different neck shapes in a store. I have a hard time with text descriptions of them, though they are quite good.

I used to think a thin, narrow neck was best for me, but then I got a guitar with a fuller, rounder neck that feels more like a baseball bat, and that neck feels just wonderful for most things. Was really surprised. Was also surprised the first time I picked up one of those v-neck profiles that I suppose was meant to be vintage-like. It was surprisingly comfy to play. I have an Ibanez Gio with a somewhat wide, flat fretboard and I find it tiring to play barre chords there.

It can all be just so much minutiae, but I am fascinated by it.

John Black

Quote from: mooncaine on October 28, 2015, 05:24:45 PM
I wish there was an easy standard way to measure neck profiles, just scan 'em or make a quick mold.

I think it's cool to see neck profile diagrams, and it's very cool to try out different neck shapes in a store. I have a hard time with text descriptions of them, though they are quite good.

I used to think a thin, narrow neck was best for me, but then I got a guitar with a fuller, rounder neck that feels more like a baseball bat, and that neck feels just wonderful for most things. Was really surprised. Was also surprised the first time I picked up one of those v-neck profiles that I suppose was meant to be vintage-like. It was surprisingly comfy to play. I have an Ibanez Gio with a somewhat wide, flat fretboard and I find it tiring to play barre chords there.

It can all be just so much minutiae, but I am fascinated by it.

Hi mooncaine, and thanks for the feedback! I agree with you in this case, the neck is definitely one of the most important aspects when choosing a guitar. I would add to those said by you, that we must think about the music genre we would like to play on that neck. Most of the ppl want a versatile guitar that can play everything. Well if you want to do something good, you must choose a genre. You can't do blues and jazz so well on a thin super strat neck, or vice versa for metal on a flat c shaped neck of a hallow body guitar. This is an important factor as well. I've done some research and technical aspects such as 1st fret/12th fret neck width and depth are really hard to find, even on the producers main websites. So the only thing to be done here, is me actually measuring every each neck, which is almost impossible, because I've played some of those guitars a long time ago, and I don't have them anymore  ::). But I'll do my best to search and provide the best technical info for this one, because is really important. Thanks!  ;D

John Black

The new Schecter PT Standard – Butterscotch Blonde guitar review is in the house! Come check it out on http://guitaroptics.com/schecter-pt-standard-butterscotch-blonde/. Thanks!  8)

John Black

Check out my latest Fender American Standard Stratocaster – Olympic White guitar review on http://guitaroptics.com/fender-american-standard-stratocaster-olympic-white/! That Hendrix feel in one guitar! Please share your thoughts about it! Thanks!   8)

John Black

Some new Squier Stratocaster, FMT – Crimson Red Transparent review! Check it out! Thanks!  8)
http://guitaroptics.com/squier-stratocaster-fmt-crimson-red-transparent/

John Black

New review in the house! Check out my new Gretsch G5434 Electromatic Pro Jet Limited Edition – White / Gold guitar review on http://guitaroptics.com/gretsch-g5434-electromatic-pro-jet-limited-edition-whitegold/! My first Bigsby bridge. What do you think about this one? Any of you had something like this? Please share your thoughts about it. Thanks!  8)

John Black

Check out my new shred guitar review on http://guitaroptics.com/dean-dimebag-stealth-floyd-fm-dime-slime/! It's a Dean Dimebag Stealth Floyd FM – Dime Slime! Love the color, love the feeling, love the riff sound! Really amazing one! What do you think about this model? Cheers guys!  8)

neshel

Given the title, I was thinkin this had to do with optical pick-ups. I'm crushed.

John Black

Quote from: neshel on November 23, 2015, 10:58:27 AM
Given the title, I was thinkin this had to do with optical pick-ups. I'm crushed.

Lol, you're not the first one to think of that  ;D. It was the only .com decent domain name available that time. It was thinking to ad some info on the optical pick-ups. It's a very interesting subject! Cheers!

John Black

Check out our new category "Vox Populi" with comments from ppl all over the world. Lots of fun info, about guitars, guitar playing, amplifiers, etc. Check it on http://guitaroptics.com/guitar-reviews/vox-populi/. Share your own opinions about them. Thanks!  ::)

neshel

I think you got the wrong smiley there, beau.

John Black

Hi guys! Check out my new Ibanez Prestige RG 2550ZA guitar review on http://guitaroptics.com/ibanez-prestige-rg-2550za-mym-mystic-night-metallic/! This model is one of the best shredding guitar I have ever played! What do you think about it? Cheers!  8)

John Black

The new Fender Jaguar guitar review is here. Come check it out on http://guitaroptics.com/fender-classic-player-jaguar-special/. Thanks!  8)

Elantric

#21
 I will say this about the Jaguar  - its a short 24" scale length, and if you string it with EB Super Slinkys 009-042 super light strings - you will be hopelessly out of tune unless you change your whole approach to playing guitar

QuoteI've reviewed those models from my point of view, and I always thought that such technical aspects are a little bit boring (especially for beginners)

We welcome all guitarists here who seek to expand their sonic abilities - but you will find very few beginners here or folks bored by technical details here.

When i was learning the guitar - I thought the best guitars must be the ones with more Pickups?
Eventually I learned the difference between playing a Gibson vs a Fender vs a Martin and more ( explained here)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=82.0

My 2 cents - these weekly "Guitar Optics reviews provide less details about the guitar "under review" than I can already read from any other online store product description (Sweetwater) - not finding any  content on your site that provides  value to our VGuitarforums members   - this thread is just a portal source for generating more traffic / hits to your URL page which is high in pop up advertising content and little else    - its SPAM

I'm locking the thread

But encourage your continued participation on topics relevant to our High tech Guitar community here.