Chinese Fakemachine build thread

[vansinn]

I've been following this, and have a couple of comments..

Isn't it so that there's often a (maybe even heated) debate against Chinese stuff?
I've only dealt with a few, and not yet with guitars, but always had good contact.
WRT safety on the buy, as mentioned by someone, there's the buyer-protection escrow mechanism, so how bad do things absolutely have to get..

I'll agree that $400 may be a Bit steep for the seemingly medium finish (but hey, so far we haven't seen hi-quality pics) - however, we don't know how it'll flex once in the buyers hands.

As a comparison, you can find comments dating many years back against basses from Wolf Guitars (smaller Korean biz, ocmpared to the larger ones). I've now had my 7-string Wolf bass for a few years, and regard it a fine piece of gear, though not a Conklin (sorry 'bout speleng).

 

[Tesla]

One thing I noticed when browsing was some kit guitars. Some come with Basswood bodies which is fine, but also come with Basswood necks... I've never encountered a Basswood necked guitar so I'm no expert, but I can guess that it's a disaster waiting to happen...right?

 

[flint757]

I assume that would be a disaster considering basswood is probably the softest wood around. I'm going to assume it's a typo (or a disaster waiting to happen ). A lot of the things I read in English off of Chinese websites read like someone just typed it into google translate.

 

[Tesla]

That was what I thought. I was trying to find the listing again but it seems to have disappeared and a new one has taken it's place...with Maple neck this time!

 

[flint757]

So probably a typo then.

 

[asher]

A lot of the things I read in English off of Chinese websites read like someone just typed it into google translate.

Someone probably did just that.

 

[spn_phoenix_92]

I just emailed the seller for a quote for this guitar with these customizations:

Les Paul labeling on front of headstock removed
Serial Number & "Made in USA" stamping on back of headstock removed
Satin/Matte finish
Back of body & neck to be stained like included picture (it's normally cherry on this model)

Hoping it doesn't cost too much extra, but if it's good I might do a few more things to it, like maybe get those cutaways on the back & neck joint, or a maple fretboard with no inlay

 

[Deadnightshade]

Someone probably did just that.

Oh boy I'll never forget that chinese e-multistore that had some toy balls listed as the literal Greek curse word for testicles

 

[mortbopet]

I just emailed the seller for a quote for this guitar with these customizations:

Les Paul labeling on front of headstock removed
Serial Number & "Made in USA" stamping on back of headstock removed
Satin/Matte finish
Back of body & neck to be stained like included picture (it's normally cherry on this model)

Hoping it doesn't cost too much extra, but if it's good I might do a few more things to it, like maybe get those cutaways on the back & neck joint, or a maple fretboard with no inlay

Pretty sure you can get your specifications, but i'm almost 100% sure that they wont be able to do the cutaways. You have to remember, there's an established production process, and the guitar must not deviate from that. That's why these aren't custom guitars, but semi-custom/customizable.

 

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Pretty sure you can get your specifications, but i'm almost 100% sure that they wont be able to do the cutaways. You have to remember, there's an established production process, and the guitar must not deviate from that. That's why these aren't custom guitars, but semi-custom/customizable.

They pretty much send a sheet with specs to the factory. If you ask for pictures, you can pretty much say, "That's not the guitar I asked for," and the rational sellers will have it fixed before they send it.

 

[spn_phoenix_92]

Pretty sure you can get your specifications, but i'm almost 100% sure that they wont be able to do the cutaways. You have to remember, there's an established production process, and the guitar must not deviate from that. That's why these aren't custom guitars, but semi-custom/customizable.

The guitar with cutaways in the picture is another les paul from his shop, otherwise I wouldn't have asked him. He actually just got back to me & said it would only be about $20 more for it & a matching flamed maple top on the headstock, so it's going to be about $300 will all of the customizations.

 

[mortbopet]

The guitar with cutaways in the picture is another les paul from his shop, otherwise I wouldn't have asked him. He actually just got back to me & said it would only be about $20 more for it & a matching flamed maple top on the headstock, so it's going to be about $300 will all of the customizations.

Ah, perfect then! didn't consider that they had the design in another guitar.
did you also get the maple fretboard in the deal?

 

[spn_phoenix_92]

Ah, perfect then! didn't consider that they had the design in another guitar.
did you also get the maple fretboard in the deal?

Nah I decided against it, I feel like it would steer too far from the classic LP look. I did get a flamed maple veneer on the headstock that matches the body, so it wont's be so plain with that Les Paul labeling removed. I'm thinking of someday getting a custom headstock decal made with my symbol in my avatar, it's like my label I put on all my music stuff.

 

[mortbopet]

not an update, but got a few more pictures for you guys!
browsed around on aliexpress and found this item:
Top Manufactory Custom Ash Body Natural Wood Blue Burst Burl Blackmachine B7 Special Shape 6. 7. 8 Strings Electric Guitar-in Guitar from Sports & Entertainment on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
recognize it? it's not even from the same seller! just goes to show how many different sellers use the same factories.

 

[theo]

The only thing that irks me is the flat arse on that guitar haha.

 

[Renkenstein]

The only thing that irks me is the flat arse on that guitar haha.

The flat ass and the tight radius of the upper and lower bouts kinda ruin it for me too.

 

[theo]

Shave some weight off those hips and she'd be just dandy!

 

[Tesla]

I take it those new pictures aren't actually the newest, seeing as it has the plastic nut..?

Looking good though, anticipating the hands on review. Wouldn't mind one myself!

 

[ThatCanadianGuy]

The flat ass and the tight radius of the upper and lower bouts kinda ruin it for me too.

It's funny, that's one of the things that makes it aesthetically pleasing for me. Hahah.

 

[Renkenstein]

I actually hate picking on curve transitions and whatnot because they're the individual's art, but they're often the first thing I notice. Hard curve transitions that look out of place and aren't blended make me want to buy every builder set of french curves.

I'm obsessive when it comes to curve transitions though, so much so that I've final shaped entire templates with card scrapers to make sure they all flow.