bigswifty
Well-Known Member
It's finally here! (Well, it has been for a week and a bit now)
Went a week ago to pick up my new ECG Strandy Copy, have a looks
Impressions
Firstly, this thing looks AWESOME!
Very pleased with how the top came out, the binding accentuates everything and the PME looks to be sucking the stain right out of the top. Gnarly
This guitar is the lightest guitar I've ever held/played. It literally weighs nothing. It is super balanced as well. When I first picked it up expecting something a bit heavier, my jaw dropped at the weightlessness of it. Craftsmanship is phenominal.
So at first, having only played Ibanez wizard necks for years now, the neck (Endurneck) was a bit to get used to. The fretboard has a 26"-27" fan, so this was also a new feat for me. The more I play, the better it feels. It is almost seamless going up and down the fretboard, thumb following the guide of the neck profile. Some parts have my hand dipping down a bit too high or low, but I figure the more I play, the more likely it will be corrected.
The pickups (Lace Deathbar Alumitones) are not too bad. It almost seemed a bit "scratchy" when first plugging it in, I guess due to their clarity - these are obscenely clear pickups. They lack a bit of the aggression I was used to having with my Aftermath in my RG, but still the more I play the more they warm up. Cleans sound great too. More tweaking and I'm sure it'll be even better, though I still have a desire to try some slanted Holy Divers in the Swamp Ash. Eventually..
The body shape is fantastic. Playing on the bottom curve near the knobs in an upright classical position feels great and super comfortable. Hands down my favorite way to play, but the normal position cut allows for great playing too.
As for the hardware, specifically the Strandberg bridge system, I can't say I'm too impressed. I have broken a total of 3 high e strings over the course of half an hour or so, and have learned that bends are practically a "use at your own discretion" kind of deal. This is because the strings are clamped at the top, but are super prone to breaking under pressure (moreso the high strings). So I've come to accept that I will have to focus on other ways to achieve bend-like sounds with this guitar, and also will primarily use this as a riffing guitar. Besides, it has no trem, and trems are more fun to wank on anyway. A plus side of the system, though, is how easy it is to restring. Simply slide the string through, clamp, tighten and play!
Overall, I am both impressed and pleased with this guitar. There is the one setback of the limitations brought by the bridge system, but Joe from ECG did a great job on his part of the build (everything else except hardware!). He was great to work with, super kind and a real stand up dude.
He even took me back to his place for dinner, wine and jams when I missed my first ferry back to the mainland after coming to get the guitar. If that isn't damn good customer service, I don't know what is!
Anyway, back to playin'
Went a week ago to pick up my new ECG Strandy Copy, have a looks
Impressions
Firstly, this thing looks AWESOME!
Very pleased with how the top came out, the binding accentuates everything and the PME looks to be sucking the stain right out of the top. Gnarly
This guitar is the lightest guitar I've ever held/played. It literally weighs nothing. It is super balanced as well. When I first picked it up expecting something a bit heavier, my jaw dropped at the weightlessness of it. Craftsmanship is phenominal.
So at first, having only played Ibanez wizard necks for years now, the neck (Endurneck) was a bit to get used to. The fretboard has a 26"-27" fan, so this was also a new feat for me. The more I play, the better it feels. It is almost seamless going up and down the fretboard, thumb following the guide of the neck profile. Some parts have my hand dipping down a bit too high or low, but I figure the more I play, the more likely it will be corrected.
The pickups (Lace Deathbar Alumitones) are not too bad. It almost seemed a bit "scratchy" when first plugging it in, I guess due to their clarity - these are obscenely clear pickups. They lack a bit of the aggression I was used to having with my Aftermath in my RG, but still the more I play the more they warm up. Cleans sound great too. More tweaking and I'm sure it'll be even better, though I still have a desire to try some slanted Holy Divers in the Swamp Ash. Eventually..
The body shape is fantastic. Playing on the bottom curve near the knobs in an upright classical position feels great and super comfortable. Hands down my favorite way to play, but the normal position cut allows for great playing too.
As for the hardware, specifically the Strandberg bridge system, I can't say I'm too impressed. I have broken a total of 3 high e strings over the course of half an hour or so, and have learned that bends are practically a "use at your own discretion" kind of deal. This is because the strings are clamped at the top, but are super prone to breaking under pressure (moreso the high strings). So I've come to accept that I will have to focus on other ways to achieve bend-like sounds with this guitar, and also will primarily use this as a riffing guitar. Besides, it has no trem, and trems are more fun to wank on anyway. A plus side of the system, though, is how easy it is to restring. Simply slide the string through, clamp, tighten and play!
Overall, I am both impressed and pleased with this guitar. There is the one setback of the limitations brought by the bridge system, but Joe from ECG did a great job on his part of the build (everything else except hardware!). He was great to work with, super kind and a real stand up dude.
He even took me back to his place for dinner, wine and jams when I missed my first ferry back to the mainland after coming to get the guitar. If that isn't damn good customer service, I don't know what is!
Anyway, back to playin'
Sorry to hear about the hardware issues 
to you good sir, cause I love this strap!
