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NEW!! INT80 integrated amplifier w/ built-in mm phono input - £999 until 30th September
Ziggy Played Guitar ....
- Thread starter Fretless
- Start date
TheMarlin
Well-known member
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.
(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.
I've always rated Vintage guitars. I've got their 6 and 12-string Gordon Giltrap signature models, plus a random 12-string and a cracking little Startesboro Paul Brett Parlour guitar. On the electric front, I've got a 'V62AB (Vintage 1962 Ash Blonde) Reissue Telecaster.
TheMarlin
Well-known member
I’m also a huge fan of Vintage. I’ve had several over the years. I’ve got expensive guitars, mid price, and cheap models. But, should my house burn down tonight, and I could only grab one guitar, it would be my Vintage SG.
It’s a prototype from the Vintage Custom Shop. A friend bought it from Vintage, and it eventually ended up with me.
It’s got a Mestro Style trem that actually works brilliantly (unlike the Gibson original), the pickups has a raspiness in their tone that I love, no neck dive. it’s got an excellent neck (bit like a chunkier Ibanez wizard neck), and there is just something magical about it. It the one guitar got that everyone seems to want to buy when they play it.
I bought my daughter a matching model, hers is the standard production model with has a thicker neck, different pickups, and more of a blue colour. A fine guitar, but mine is a bit more special
TheMarlin
Well-known member
Nice. Although I can take or leave trems, I did rather fancy one of these at one time, the Vintage Midge Ure signature....
I’m a complete trem nerd. Not Floyd Rose style, but basic trems like a Bigsby. I like a gentle wobble.
The Midge Ure model is great, but has an oversized body, and weighs about as much as the moon.
I’ve almost bought one about a half dozen times.
Fretless
Active member
Synth time;
I saw a YouTube film where someone fired up the simple Donner B1 bass sequencer, turning it into a huge Ambient soundscaping machine with the use of some extra effects.
And I thought: 'I can do that too!....'
My trawl through the bargain basement of AliExpress has left me with an excess of pedals (if I ever make an album that would be a great title 'An Excess of Pedals'). So, after a bit of trial and error (2 pedals died, one of which was useless anyway) this is the result:
The MicroFreak and B1 can now be run through:
Phaser
Flanger
Delay 1
Delay 2
Reverb
Looper / Drum
The B1 is very basic but has a rich, powerful sound, slamming it through the extra effects and delays creates a vast, organic, pulsating mass!
Get a groovy drum pattern going with some space-guitar on top and you're flying through the Stratosfear (TD fans will know!).
Now just an ABY switch needed to merge the input from the 2 synths ...
I saw a YouTube film where someone fired up the simple Donner B1 bass sequencer, turning it into a huge Ambient soundscaping machine with the use of some extra effects.
And I thought: 'I can do that too!....'
My trawl through the bargain basement of AliExpress has left me with an excess of pedals (if I ever make an album that would be a great title 'An Excess of Pedals'). So, after a bit of trial and error (2 pedals died, one of which was useless anyway) this is the result:
The MicroFreak and B1 can now be run through:
Phaser
Flanger
Delay 1
Delay 2
Reverb
Looper / Drum
The B1 is very basic but has a rich, powerful sound, slamming it through the extra effects and delays creates a vast, organic, pulsating mass!
Get a groovy drum pattern going with some space-guitar on top and you're flying through the Stratosfear (TD fans will know!).
Now just an ABY switch needed to merge the input from the 2 synths ...
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Fretless
Active member
And there was me promising to myself that I now had enough guitars and stuff and so on and so on........
It's New Guitar Day (again!)!
So, what we have here is the Donner DST-550, one of their higher-end models aimed at experienced players. Upgraded specs and hardware, roasted Maple neck and fretboard, split-coil Humbucker at the bridge. The sort of thing you dream about (well, I do).
Anyhows - I'd been wondering about a Stratocaster-style axe as they appear to be the most widely used guitar type. Then Donner (Germany) started dropping emails about their Summer Sale as I've also been intrigued by their Hush-X headless, travel guitar. Went idly over to have a look and there was this rather striking-looking Strat reduced from €430 to €170. Hmmm.
Dropped it into my shopping cart and went to dig up some reviews about the DST-550 - is it any good? Basically the opinion was that this is an excellently made and spec'd guitar and a bargain at the list-price.
My attention had been well and truly grabbed but I still was doubting if I really needed it. Then another promotion email: 'There is something sitting in your cart - here is an extra discount code you can use.'.
I'm a sucker for discount and the code got the price down to just over €140. That's it - press buy!
Well it's in and it's gorgeous. Sounds elegant and refined at first go, feels lovely in balance and weight.
Tomorrow I'll change the strings as the stock ones aren't great. Also I'll give the tremolo a try. Then I have all weekend to indulge myself.
This guitar has sold out at the German warehouse but Donner UK still have some. Offer price is £189.99 but enter code 'CEV' at the checkout and it goes down to £167.20.
https://uk.donnermusic.com/products/donner-dst-550-electric-guitar
For me this is a very serious guitar, a definite step above the beginner and cheapo models. And a great bargain as well!
It's New Guitar Day (again!)!
So, what we have here is the Donner DST-550, one of their higher-end models aimed at experienced players. Upgraded specs and hardware, roasted Maple neck and fretboard, split-coil Humbucker at the bridge. The sort of thing you dream about (well, I do).
Anyhows - I'd been wondering about a Stratocaster-style axe as they appear to be the most widely used guitar type. Then Donner (Germany) started dropping emails about their Summer Sale as I've also been intrigued by their Hush-X headless, travel guitar. Went idly over to have a look and there was this rather striking-looking Strat reduced from €430 to €170. Hmmm.
Dropped it into my shopping cart and went to dig up some reviews about the DST-550 - is it any good? Basically the opinion was that this is an excellently made and spec'd guitar and a bargain at the list-price.
My attention had been well and truly grabbed but I still was doubting if I really needed it. Then another promotion email: 'There is something sitting in your cart - here is an extra discount code you can use.'.
I'm a sucker for discount and the code got the price down to just over €140. That's it - press buy!
Well it's in and it's gorgeous. Sounds elegant and refined at first go, feels lovely in balance and weight.
Tomorrow I'll change the strings as the stock ones aren't great. Also I'll give the tremolo a try. Then I have all weekend to indulge myself.
This guitar has sold out at the German warehouse but Donner UK still have some. Offer price is £189.99 but enter code 'CEV' at the checkout and it goes down to £167.20.
https://uk.donnermusic.com/products/donner-dst-550-electric-guitar
For me this is a very serious guitar, a definite step above the beginner and cheapo models. And a great bargain as well!
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TheMarlin
Well-known member
I just bought another Gretsches Rat Rod. I’ve got a matt white one, this is ‘matt phantom metallic’
This one is getting surgury pretty much immediately, it’s getting a 50’s wind set of hot Dynasonic pickups. Getting my 50’s single coil roots rock vibe one.
I’m a complete Gretsxh nerd, I’ve had everything from super budget models to Masterbuilt works of art.
These are Korean built beauties, and play as well as any Japanese made model. I can’t recommend them highly enough
This one is getting surgury pretty much immediately, it’s getting a 50’s wind set of hot Dynasonic pickups. Getting my 50’s single coil roots rock vibe one.
I’m a complete Gretsxh nerd, I’ve had everything from super budget models to Masterbuilt works of art.
These are Korean built beauties, and play as well as any Japanese made model. I can’t recommend them highly enough
TheMarlin
Well-known member
I’ve had a purple Brian Setzer Hot Rod (6120), and the green sparkle model. Fabulous guitars.
My friend has a mid 60’s double cut Chet Atkins it’s got a fabulous neck on it, a bit more girth than modern Gretsches. And it’s got some magic in its tone, there is something special about the old 60’s Filtertrons
TheMarlin
Well-known member
So, back to the Harley Benton.
Turns out the fret work on it is a bit shonky. They’re good quality frets, but not factory finished properly. There are 16 high frets, and the frets have all got poily lacquer sprayed over the top. Some sharp fret ends need addressing.
It didn’t play bad out of the box, but it will play Ana only well when I get it back.
it is absolutely worth getting a luthier to go over any new guitar. My luthier does ALL my guitars. He’s not cheap, but they’re always amazing when I get them home.
So, @Fretless vondider giving one of your new guitars to a guitar tech/luther for a going over. I guarantee you’ll love the difference.
If you let me know your region, I can recommend a good guitar tech in your area, there is a thread with guitar tech recommendations by region over at The Fretboard
Turns out the fret work on it is a bit shonky. They’re good quality frets, but not factory finished properly. There are 16 high frets, and the frets have all got poily lacquer sprayed over the top. Some sharp fret ends need addressing.
It didn’t play bad out of the box, but it will play Ana only well when I get it back.
it is absolutely worth getting a luthier to go over any new guitar. My luthier does ALL my guitars. He’s not cheap, but they’re always amazing when I get them home.
So, @Fretless vondider giving one of your new guitars to a guitar tech/luther for a going over. I guarantee you’ll love the difference.
If you let me know your region, I can recommend a good guitar tech in your area, there is a thread with guitar tech recommendations by region over at The Fretboard
Fretless
Active member
Thanks for the tip, Marlin. My inexperience shows in the fact that I haven't noticed that - or thought to check it. Also a lack of exposure to "properly" setup guitars means being unaware of the improvement it brings.
Maybe I'll b considering a Luthier check-up at some point but circumstances are now shifting and I'm looking at moving house to another region of The Netherlands in the near future.
The guitars and basses will be going with me!
I have changed the strings on the Donner DST-550 and given the fretboard a good clean (it was rather grubby). For my standards, this axe plays like a dream and has 7(!) different tonal settings on the pickups - plenty to play with.
As an owner of several Chinese guitars, here is an instruction video over how best to handle them:
Maybe I'll b considering a Luthier check-up at some point but circumstances are now shifting and I'm looking at moving house to another region of The Netherlands in the near future.
The guitars and basses will be going with me!
I have changed the strings on the Donner DST-550 and given the fretboard a good clean (it was rather grubby). For my standards, this axe plays like a dream and has 7(!) different tonal settings on the pickups - plenty to play with.
As an owner of several Chinese guitars, here is an instruction video over how best to handle them:
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TheMarlin
Well-known member
Damn shame.
TheMarlin
Well-known member
That video annoyed me. Just wilful destruction. I’d rather have had it sorted by a pro and given to and school or something than just destroy it. How hard is it to use a screwdriver to turn a screw? Why use a hammer and chisel? I have to turn it off halfway through, was quite annoyed.
Ho hum.
As crap as that guitar was, it’s was probably better than my first guitar.
Fretless
Active member
Deconstruction video.
That was a follow up to his getting that guitar in an earlier video where it arrived already broken and he did make a serious attempt to get it playable.
I think the thing was just so bad it frustrated him into finally destroying it.
Many of his films have him displaying 'cheap' guitars and giving them simple mods to improve them. This Rick-copy obviously couldn't be saved.
That was a follow up to his getting that guitar in an earlier video where it arrived already broken and he did make a serious attempt to get it playable.
I think the thing was just so bad it frustrated him into finally destroying it.
Many of his films have him displaying 'cheap' guitars and giving them simple mods to improve them. This Rick-copy obviously couldn't be saved.
TheMarlin
Well-known member
Further update.
I’ve got the Harley Benton back, it’s has a fret level, crow, and polish, and full setup with fresh 11’s.
It plays and feels brilliant. The bridge pickup is bitey, cutting, and punchy. The neck pickup is much smoother and warmed. Exactly what you want from a tele.
Apparently, I am wrong. These are NOT made in the Vintage factory.
The first versions of these WERE made in the Vintage factory, but for this run, production moved to Cort. The V1 edition used a Vintage tele body, vintage parts, and a really really bad cheapo neck.
These later editions have all Cort parts, the frets are fabulous quality, the neck is a million times better on these than on the V1 editions, and generally the parts are very decent. Pots look like Alpha, which are good quality.
Basically, this is a crazy good quality guitar for no money. I’m going to have to buy another from the series now!!!
