So, a few days with the HB Cabronita. There are a few minor issues, the pickguard isn’t sitting flush to the surface (easy fix), the bridge is all over the place, needs height and intonation sorting, and there must be some debris or paint buildup in the neck pocket, as the neck is slightly tilted along its axis (tilted in relation to the top of the guitar). It also needs s slight shim to get the neck angle perfect
(which explains weird bridge setup).
It sounds a lot, but it’s usual mass produced guitar issues.
It’s gone to my luthier for a pro setup, tidy the neck pocket, nut fettle, and level and polish the frets. He’s also going to look at the pots, and if they look cheap, replace with CTS or Alpha pots.
So, minor niggles, but I had WAY worse issues on brand new Gibsons…..and I’m a fussy bugger, it was perfectly playable, but I like a perfectly setup guitar.
I know when it comes back (with a nice set of 11’s) the action will be silky low, and it’ll practically play itself.
These guitars are made in the same factory, and by the same team that build Vintage guitars. If this guitar carried the Vintage brand, it’s be double the price!
Amazing value for money.