I was wondering if anyone had the chance to play one of these guitars? Sources tell me that they are made in the USA! Awesome looking axes, but im skeptical because they are CHEAP!
http://www.axlguitars.com/guitars/usa-1216
Axl Badwater 1216
A customer has one of the distressed-finish ones, I think he uses it for guitar lessons. I haven't played it, but I saw it up close and handled it... doesn't seem terrible. The overall quality appears to be about the same as most similarly-priced imports. The paint was kinda quirky and cool, and otherwise, it was probably level with a lower-end Epi Les Paul, which I think are generally a good value for the beginner and early-intermediate player. Those can be pretty okay with some setup and maintenance.
One of my biggest beefs with guitars in this price range is that manufacturers tend to leave the fretboard (and wooden bridges on acoustics) untreated. They show up already dried-out and threatening to crack. Give 'em a drink of lemon oil, at least!
One of my biggest beefs with guitars in this price range is that manufacturers tend to leave the fretboard (and wooden bridges on acoustics) untreated. They show up already dried-out and threatening to crack. Give 'em a drink of lemon oil, at least!
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StumbleFingers
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Thursday Apr 26, 2012
- Location: Altoona
They are designed and assembled in the USA from imported (Chinese?) parts using premium hardware. I haven't played one but the concept is cool and they look great. A lot of people buy decent-quality imports then trick them out with better hardware and end up with a pretty darn good guitar. These are tricked out right from the start.
Compare to Duesenberg guitars, that are designed and assembled in Germany from imported (Korean?) parts using premium hardware. Street price on those in the US is around $2000-3000.
Compare to Duesenberg guitars, that are designed and assembled in Germany from imported (Korean?) parts using premium hardware. Street price on those in the US is around $2000-3000.
Back in black, I need a snack...
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Gallowglass
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- Location: Hlidskjalf
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StumbleFingers
- Gold Member
- Posts: 311
- Joined: Thursday Apr 26, 2012
- Location: Altoona
I have noticed (and so have my co-workers) a shift in overall quality pretty much across the board in that price range. Upwards!
We sell a zillion of the Squier starter packs (guitar, amp, gigbag, tuner, strap, etc.) and while the packaging seems to have suffered, the guitars are substantially better... an Affinity from today is solid wood, nice paint, and with a bit of fret-edge filing and setup, far better than a guitar costing twice as much 20 yrs ago.
The Fender acoustic stuff is the best bang-for-the-buck instrument in our store. It was always worth the price, but a year or so ago, the setup and fit-n-finish inproved tremendously, as well as getting a useable Fishman pre on every one. We don't know why, but the staff thinks they changed factories, or hired better QC and design guys. They're not a high-end Taylor, by any stretch, but MUCH better than what most of us started on, sound surprisingly nice, and seldom need more than a minor neck tweek.
The Schecters still get alot of love, they're TANKS, and the LTD stuff we have now is set up VERY nicely. I never paid much attention to those before, but I'm very much impressed. The Kirk Hammett model is probably too good for Kirk Hammett!
The LP model is the most Paul-like I've played, except the fretwork is more modern, and the semi-hollow we have with a Bigsby... that's a tasty guitar, I'd be happy to play that one in a band.
We have hand-built Guilfords, too, best of everything onboard, lovingly crafted world-class instruments.
I'm afraid to touch 'em! You can, though.
We sell a zillion of the Squier starter packs (guitar, amp, gigbag, tuner, strap, etc.) and while the packaging seems to have suffered, the guitars are substantially better... an Affinity from today is solid wood, nice paint, and with a bit of fret-edge filing and setup, far better than a guitar costing twice as much 20 yrs ago.
The Fender acoustic stuff is the best bang-for-the-buck instrument in our store. It was always worth the price, but a year or so ago, the setup and fit-n-finish inproved tremendously, as well as getting a useable Fishman pre on every one. We don't know why, but the staff thinks they changed factories, or hired better QC and design guys. They're not a high-end Taylor, by any stretch, but MUCH better than what most of us started on, sound surprisingly nice, and seldom need more than a minor neck tweek.
The Schecters still get alot of love, they're TANKS, and the LTD stuff we have now is set up VERY nicely. I never paid much attention to those before, but I'm very much impressed. The Kirk Hammett model is probably too good for Kirk Hammett!
The LP model is the most Paul-like I've played, except the fretwork is more modern, and the semi-hollow we have with a Bigsby... that's a tasty guitar, I'd be happy to play that one in a band.We have hand-built Guilfords, too, best of everything onboard, lovingly crafted world-class instruments.
I'm afraid to touch 'em! You can, though.