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I have several headless models : Kiesel, Strandberg, Legator, Valravn
So final verdct will highly depend on budget : 1k -> Legator, Under 2k -> Strandberg, over 2k -> Kiesel. I would stay away from Valravn for a first headless 8...
I think for the sub 2k range kiesel is hard to beat. Keep your build simple and stick with standard items. Can spec out a decent Osiris or Zeus with quarter sawn maple neck and stainless steel frets for about $1700. They catch a lot of flack on this forum but if you stay simple and cheap, hard to beat
I’ve got a Kiesel Osiris Multiscale 8, and for a short while I had a Strandberg Boden Metal NXT 8. The Strandberg wasn’t bad but I found it to have so many little problems that made it really annoying to deal with and maintain. The Kiesel’s neck also played much better in my hands. I ended up selling the Boden and kept my Kiesel. Still love it. I’m sure there are great Strandbergs out there but I couldn’t jive with that one. I’d like to try Aristides next.
I’ve had good luck with Kiesel vaders and Osiris.
I put in another vote for Kiesel. My two are awesome. The Vader was used and the Osiris was spec'd very very well on one of their holiday sales for not much over $2k. It's been over 2 years and I haven't GAS'd once, it's an incredible guitar.
My Vader is all walnut with the Lithium in both positions and the Osiris is all Black Limba with a Thorium in the bridge and Lithium in the neck. Both are chambered. The Thorium is a little too thick and powerful IMO and I have a Lithium to put in it to see if it helps. It's on the thin side but I like it for the most part, bright and tight.What pickups are in y'alls Kiesels? Feel like I hear conflicting things about which of their in-house pickups sound good (for ERGs).
I just have stock lithiums. They’ve been great for me. Haven’t really felt the need or desire to swap em for anything, although it would be fun to experiment at some point. I’ve recorded with the lithiums and played them live a lot already, no complaints.What pickups are in y'alls Kiesels? Feel like I hear conflicting things about which of their in-house pickups sound good (for ERGs).
I have the same model, but in black. The QC on mine was incredibly good for the price- I concur!This is my Legator Ghost 8 (performance series, ie the cheap ones - this was £900) and I love it. I have heard their QC is a bit hit and miss so maybe I lucked out but it plays great and never had an issue with it.
The stock pickups are weak but they are the exact same size as Fishmans, and even though the stocks are passive they include a battery compartment etc so it's a super easy upgrade.
Would recommend.
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I was looking at these too, I love the body shape! How much did yours go for? They seemed pretty pricey to me, but they’re very unique.Recently got a GOC Materia+ 8 string and have been nothing short of impressed. Phenomenal guitar.
I was looking at these too, I love the body shape! How much did yours go for? They seemed pretty pricey to me, but they’re very unique.
Are they hand made or factory made?
Hand made as in a small team, factory made as in mass-produced. In any case, GOC has some sexy looking guitars!I think it $1200 CAD with $100 CAD shipping. Mine is more expensive than most models because it has a figured top. The ones that don’t have the figured maple tops are usually a good amount cheaper.
Not sure what you mean by hand made or factory made. I think they are made by a small team of builders.
Oh ok. Yes, they are made by a small team.Hand made as in a small team, factory made as in mass-produced. In any case, GOC has some sexy looking guitars!
@Halowords Congratz from a fellow Valravn owner
Btw., what buildtime did they cite and how long did it actually take?