Been awhile since I've had a NGD, it feels good man.
Let's start with some pictures, then i'll get down to the review.
First off:
Glory Days Music and Benji had absolutely OUTSTANDING customer service. Benji held multiple of these guitars in order to allow me to choose which I wanted to get. He set up the guitar to my specs and even waited on a custom set of strings to set it up to my liking. They took the buyer/seller relationship and made it much more personal and enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend another dealer over Glory Days. Plus, they even added a free Gruv Fretwrap and the guitar was set up PERFECTLY.
Basic Specs:
Body: African Mahogany
Neck: Roasted Curly Maple
Fretboard: Roasted Curly Maple
Top: Quilted Maple
Strings: 7
Scale Length: 25.5
Bridge Pickup: Dimarzio Crunchlab
Neck Pickup: Dimarzio Liquifier
Strings: Kalium
Onto the review:
Playability wise, the guitar's action is completely on the deck. It requires little to no effort to even fret and takes only a frail touch. The only guitar I have played that is relatable is the Vigier Excalibur which has a bit lower action, but almost too low. It's ridiculously easy to play in all aspects. The only thing I have some trouble with is the fact that my big hands have a slight tendency to hit the tone toggle.
In terms of acoustic tone, the guitar sounds absolutely MASSIVE. It has much more character than a normal BFR. It's got an extra sort of brightness to it coming from a combination of both my string choice, as well as the roasted maple fretboard. It compliments my tastes very well. This thing is LOUD.
Comfortability wise, it's a 10/10. I barely even have to hold the neck. It's a fairly light guitar, lighter than the other BFR's that I've played. I think that also adds to overall resonance. It seems much more balanced overall than the normal BFR's, as well. The neck has a gunstock oil finish. It's smooth as silk, and doesn't catch your fingers like that nitro finish on the other models. It's extremely fast. Fretboard feels great, allows for massive but controlled vibrato's. I personally enjoy the maple more than the Rosewood boards specifically because it adds a lot more control to my playing.
As far as tone when it's plugged in...
Well, obviously, this thing sounds absolutely massive, but also very clear. Has a really big mid/low end punch and obviously is a bit brighter than a normal BFR. I love the neck pickup. Nice and warm, cleans up very well.
I dig these pickups, but I think i'm going to end up switching them out for a Bareknuckle Rebel Yell in the bridge, and a VHII in the neck.
Overall, I have to say, this is by far one of the best guitars I have ever played/owned. The difference between this and a normal BFR is that the normal pales in comparison in practically all aspects. It's really hard to explain what it is, but there are just those guitars that you pick up that just make you want to play for months upon months. This in my opinion, is the guitar that defines that feeling.
Hope you enjoyed my review, i'll post some clips in the next few weeks.
Cheers.
PS, I've been watching a lot of Breaking Bad. I figured the song was a good title and reference.
Let's start with some pictures, then i'll get down to the review.
First off:
Glory Days Music and Benji had absolutely OUTSTANDING customer service. Benji held multiple of these guitars in order to allow me to choose which I wanted to get. He set up the guitar to my specs and even waited on a custom set of strings to set it up to my liking. They took the buyer/seller relationship and made it much more personal and enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend another dealer over Glory Days. Plus, they even added a free Gruv Fretwrap and the guitar was set up PERFECTLY.
Basic Specs:
Body: African Mahogany
Neck: Roasted Curly Maple
Fretboard: Roasted Curly Maple
Top: Quilted Maple
Strings: 7
Scale Length: 25.5
Bridge Pickup: Dimarzio Crunchlab
Neck Pickup: Dimarzio Liquifier
Strings: Kalium
Onto the review:
Playability wise, the guitar's action is completely on the deck. It requires little to no effort to even fret and takes only a frail touch. The only guitar I have played that is relatable is the Vigier Excalibur which has a bit lower action, but almost too low. It's ridiculously easy to play in all aspects. The only thing I have some trouble with is the fact that my big hands have a slight tendency to hit the tone toggle.
In terms of acoustic tone, the guitar sounds absolutely MASSIVE. It has much more character than a normal BFR. It's got an extra sort of brightness to it coming from a combination of both my string choice, as well as the roasted maple fretboard. It compliments my tastes very well. This thing is LOUD.
Comfortability wise, it's a 10/10. I barely even have to hold the neck. It's a fairly light guitar, lighter than the other BFR's that I've played. I think that also adds to overall resonance. It seems much more balanced overall than the normal BFR's, as well. The neck has a gunstock oil finish. It's smooth as silk, and doesn't catch your fingers like that nitro finish on the other models. It's extremely fast. Fretboard feels great, allows for massive but controlled vibrato's. I personally enjoy the maple more than the Rosewood boards specifically because it adds a lot more control to my playing.
As far as tone when it's plugged in...
Well, obviously, this thing sounds absolutely massive, but also very clear. Has a really big mid/low end punch and obviously is a bit brighter than a normal BFR. I love the neck pickup. Nice and warm, cleans up very well.
I dig these pickups, but I think i'm going to end up switching them out for a Bareknuckle Rebel Yell in the bridge, and a VHII in the neck.
Overall, I have to say, this is by far one of the best guitars I have ever played/owned. The difference between this and a normal BFR is that the normal pales in comparison in practically all aspects. It's really hard to explain what it is, but there are just those guitars that you pick up that just make you want to play for months upon months. This in my opinion, is the guitar that defines that feeling.
Hope you enjoyed my review, i'll post some clips in the next few weeks.
Cheers.
PS, I've been watching a lot of Breaking Bad. I figured the song was a good title and reference.
HNGD man! Love that top
