Anyone order a Kiesel in the last year or two?

[rsm]

I've built many in the builder for years, never purchased one. Seems many are pleased with the results, but a small number of problematic builds get a large amount of attention.

People's opinions on dealing with Jeff don't matter, he runs a business to make money, and is quite successful...I'd be short with timewasters wanting favors for nothing too.


Experiences buying a new Kiesel recently?

 

[stratjacket]

I’ve done the same sand never pulled the trigger. Curious too.

I’d love to get one with 24.75” scale but their configurator only allows for 1 or 2 models, but not the models I’d want. I went through every model in the configurator to check. I sent a message through their contact link asking about getting a smaller scale length but never got a reply.

 

[rsm]

I’ve done the same sand never pulled the trigger. Curious too.

I’d love to get one with 24.75” scale but their configurator only allows for 1 or 2 models, but not the models I’d want. I went through every model in the configurator to check. I sent a message through their contact link asking about getting a smaller scale length but never got a reply.

it seems there are limits to customizations on most models unless an artist wants it, or there's a large customer demand.

Trying to keep costs down and offering options has got to be a real balancing act. I usually watch Jeff's live and he's very candid that he has to be able to cover the costs of adding an option so there has to be a demand for it. Also limiting customizations on some models helps to keep costs down.

IIRC, the only way to get full customizations is to get into the K-series which are their flagship model.

 

[rsm]

FWIW I was looking at the Holdsworth, Kyber headless and the original Devin Townsend Circle, but it's been replaced with a new model with a headstock and two (Fishman sig) pickups, and evertune bridge (which the original version had IIRC). If it was headless, the original OM body shape, 27 frets (now down to 24), with two Fishman sig pickups I'd be more interested.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I haven't since 2016...however, let me give you my experience anyway. I loved creating the builds on their website. Good clean fun. One morning, I pulled the trigger. But not all the options are on the website. So.i called as soon as they opened to give them the final details. They said they could not make changes since order was put in.

So be sure to call in the order

 

[Floyd Eye]

My buddy bought a bass last year. He loves it.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

 

[The~Kidd]

View attachment 430659View attachment 430664

That looks like absolute shit....Ya know











I mean its like they made the back out of a better wood than the top wood....If you want a real guitar, get a fender squire.......................................














I wouldn't even plug a Providence cable into that piece of shit

 

[Faded Abyss]

I couldn’t tell you why, but something about their guitars seem like there are always a few things that are “off” whether it’s aesthetics or whatever. Some of their crazy shaped guitars seem fun but on this one in the pic, the output jack is where your put it between your legs WHY WHY WHY…. But I think Jeff is slowly correcting output jack locations because some of them have 2 choices which is outstanding.

Also this guitar would be fun to get in 24.75 scale to do some crazy stretches. Their customization is limited in areas that I care about. I might want a 28” scale length 6 string but then they come out with 30 inch? Which is a bit much. I got a Balaguer 6 string baritone Growler and it seems nice so far other than pickups… which Kiesel also doesn’t offer good options. I think you can ship them pickups of your choice though which is slick

 

[RaceU4her]

i dont know how they are these days, but my old 80s V220 is the best playing guitar i have, if i was to have a guitar custom made it would be around that neck shape. its in no way "dead" sounding as has been the complaint for years at least with the lawrence xl500l i have in there.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

i dont know how they are these days, but my old 80s V220 is the best playing guitar i have, if i was to have a guitar custom made it would be around that neck shape. its in no way "dead" sounding as has been the complaint for years at least with the lawrence xl500l i have in there.

My guitar I had from them was beautiful. Even though like the kid said, it was more beautiful on the back than the top wood. But the thing was kind of dead. I changed the pickup and pot as soon as I got it to my standard setup, so it wasn't the electronics. But they could have improved since then.

I think a lot of people are attracted to them because of their beautiful wood options. Really, the build was flawless

 

[RaceU4her]

My guitar I had from them was beautiful. Even though like the kid said, it was more beautiful on the back than the top wood. But the thing was kind of dead. I changed the pickup and pot as soon as I got it to my standard setup, so it wasn't the electronics. But they could have improved since then.

I think a lot of people are attracted to them because of their beautiful wood options. Really, the build was flawless

maybe its something with the hardware, mine has a schaller and brass nut so who knows. what i dont get is how there are so many hideous looking ones out there being custom ordered, people just have shitty tastes i guess lol

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

maybe its something with the hardware, mine has a schaller and brass nut so who knows. what i dont get is how there are so many hideous looking ones out there being custom ordered, people just have shitty tastes i guess lol

I think a lot of guys don't need that much freedom to design a guitar. They start doing weird shit. My custom builds are always simple. Mostly about the layout. Unfortunately, the kiesel didnt get my layout, but I learned a lot and got my money back when I sold it.. I dont know how much they are now..but my bulld was 1500$
That is nothing

 

[rsm]

maybe its something with the hardware, mine has a schaller and brass nut so who knows. what i dont get is how there are so many hideous looking ones out there being custom ordered, people just have shitty tastes i guess lol

yes; I think that's what happens when people have many options available, some go overboard; all those options can drive up the price too!

My current builds aren't fancy: I have a Kyber headless spec'd at $1,999; a Holdsworth spec'd at $2,519. Bargains compared to my EBMM and Ibanez Prestige guitars. But neither will add much / something very different to the guitars I already have.

My main guitars are EBMM Kaizen, EBMM Majesty, Ibanez PS10, and Jackson Rhoads/Warrior. I have a few of each; and a few other guitars.

Maybe one of these days...I'll buy something I designed in the Kiesel builder or maybe not.

 

[RaceU4her]

My guitar I had from them was beautiful. Even though like the kid said, it was more beautiful on the back than the top wood. But the thing was kind of dead. I changed the pickup and pot as soon as I got it to my standard setup, so it wasn't the electronics. But they could have improved since then.

I think a lot of people are attracted to them because of their beautiful wood options. Really, the build was flawless

Yours is literally how I would do mine, no inlays, a hard tail term and that headstock with whatever top and color. I thought a custom is built guitar was a steal if it was anything like my v220

 

[DanTravis62]

I've never ordered a new one but i've played a bunch of them.

I've always thought they were underrated, and most of the bad ones were bad because of bad specs by the buyer.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Yours is literally how I would do mine, no inlays, a hard tail term and that headstock with whatever top and color. I thought a custom is built guitar was a steal if it was anything like my v220

Yeah. With my jackson, they disregarded some of my specs too. They got the layout 99% correct, but i had ordered no inlays also....That is the one thing i kind of loved though. I was surprised by how much i liked them

 

[Spaceboy]

I’ve never touched a Kiesel that impressed me. They definitely would not be my first stop for a custom.

 

[jasonP]

My good guitar friend has had 3 of them built for him and all 3 turned out really nice and I thought they played great and sounded great and build quality was top notch on all of them.

 

[chumbucket]

I haven't since 2016...however, let me give you my experience anyway. I loved creating the builds on their website. Good clean fun. One morning, I pulled the trigger. But not all the options are on the website. So.i called as soon as they opened to give them the final details. They said they could not make changes since order was put in.

So be sure to call in the order

Beware though, I think that the extra options that you can get over the phone make it a custom order that can't be returned. If you stick with the online selections, you're safe to send it back it within their return period.