Blackmachine B6 [NGD]

  • Thread starter Thread starter KyleKing
  • Start date Start date
KyleKing

KyleKing

Member
Hello RigTalk folks!

Managed to snag this wonderful Blackmachine B6 brand new a few months ago (so not a super new NGD, but still exciting) and I'm really enjoying it.

Not sure how aware on the forum folks are of these guitars, I've seen some other posts on forums with mixed opinions, especially in regards to the more upmarket and even rarer B2 models being sold on by people for eye watering prices.

I had a phase about 8-10 years ago when I was really enamoured with these instruments but eventually (especially with how little were being made) the moment passed and I assumed I'd probably never get one. Funny how things come around again sometimes.

In my experience, it's a fantastic instrument for my tastes. It's light, holds tune like a rock and gives back everything you throw at it with a punch. I actually quite like the stripped down aesthetic compared to the B2's, although with that said if someone was offering one for free I wouldn't say no ?

The pickups are Oil City Blackbirds to my knowledge, which I haven't tried before but seem to suit the guitar well, no complaints on my end.

Here are some pics and a test clip for anyone interested! Would love to hear your folks opinions on these things and especially from any owners out there. Also happy to answer any questions anyone might have as I know these aren’t super common!


View attachment DSC00048.JPG
 

Attachments

Last edited:
So are these being built by Feline or Doug? I can't keep up with these anymore. Sick guitars either way and yes, these were ALL the rage back in the day. I remember guys like Nolly and Misha rocking these.
 
Apex1Rg7X said:
So are these being built by Feline or Doug? I can't keep up with these anymore. Sick guitars either way and yes, these were ALL the rage back in the day. I remember guys like Nolly and Misha rocking these.
Click to expand...
These are built by Feline.

I saw a couple of B6’s for sale over the last few years that said “ built by Feline” in the listing, but I honestly had no idea that it wasn’t Doug that built them all so I assumed (ignorantly) they were knock offs or something.

I saw on Doug’s site earlier this year that he was taking orders again and shot him a message, he then pointed me in Feline’s directions to get to a B6.

As far as I’m aware, this is the last B6 run for the foreseeable future. Doug still builds the B2’s and the others by hand custom.

Seeing Misha/Nolly playing these in back in the 2010’s we’re the main reasons I lusted after them ?
 
Congrats on a fine instrument! I had 1 opportunity back in ‘13 to buy a used one for a “reasonable” price and blew it. Guy was more than fair and gave me 4 days to mull it over since I was his highest bidder but I tire kicked and it was gone the 5th day. Still to this day kick myself about it.

Enjoy and hang onto that one!
 
Very cool! I had a B2 briefly several years ago and I thought it was a really well-built guitar, but I hated the way it sounded. I've always been curious about others but that first one soiled my opinions on them and then they became outrageously priced ?
 
MatrixClaw said:
Very cool! I had a B2 briefly several years ago and I thought it was a really well-built guitar, but I hated the way it sounded. I've always been curious about others but that first one soiled my opinions on them and then they became outrageously priced ?
Click to expand...
If I had a dollar for every time I had or tried a super sleek looking boutique guitar that had everything going for it but sound lol. We still gotta remember that these are musical instruments at the end of the day
 
MatrixClaw said:
Very cool! I had a B2 briefly several years ago and I thought it was a really well-built guitar, but I hated the way it sounded. I've always been curious about others but that first one soiled my opinions on them and then they became outrageously priced ?
Click to expand...
same experience. very dull sounding and uninspiring. what a disappointment. one of the few pieces of gear i really couldn't believe i was going to own. i couldn't flip it fast enough.

i am happy that the op is having the opposite experience.
 
Aestetics are strong with this one. Took some inspiration on the horn shape when ordered my custom back in those days. Headstock shape also rips on these.

Happy NGD!
 
PurityS.L.G said:
Congrats on a fine instrument! I had 1 opportunity back in ‘13 to buy a used one for a “reasonable” price and blew it. Guy was more than fair and gave me 4 days to mull it over since I was his highest bidder but I tire kicked and it was gone the 5th day. Still to this day kick myself about it.

Enjoy and hang onto that one!
Click to expand...
How much was the price, if no secret?
 
espdna said:
same experience. very dull sounding and uninspiring. what a disappointment. one of the few pieces of gear i really couldn't believe i was going to own. i couldn't flip it fast enough.

i am happy that the op is having the opposite experience.
Click to expand...
I’ve not tried a Blackmachine, but have had the the exact same experience with lots of other expensive guitars that looked and played great (Vik, McNaught and Barlow as a few of many examples). It’s really sad that most guys that review guitars (especially on YouTube) will go over with a fine toothed comb everything but how the damn thing sounds. It’s like judging a restaurant on everything but how the food tastes. I don’t care how immaculate the fit and finish is or how perfect the frets are or if I like the color. We gotta focus on how an actual musical instrument sounds
 
Last edited:
MatrixClaw said:
Very cool! I had a B2 briefly several years ago and I thought it was a really well-built guitar, but I hated the way it sounded. I've always been curious about others but that first one soiled my opinions on them and then they became outrageously priced ?
Click to expand...
I had likewise reviews from a gentleman who owned A LOT of BMs. But I thought I could get shot in the knee for saying so in a guitar community ?

Still takes nothing away from the sheer power of aesthetics of these. I would keep in a glass case hanged on a wall, just to look at it, if I was a millionaire.

But the butt (pun intended) part could use a liiiiitle more roundness to it to my taste. On my custom made I actually combined horn shape of these with some more usual Suhr Modern butt and “offsetness” in overal shape. Arm bevel and belly carve too, ofc.

Came out quite nice, everybody said it was a good Idea. Might want to start a guitar company, eh?
 
CrystalSky said:
I had likewise reviews from a gentleman who owned A LOT of BMs. But I thought I could get shot in the knee for saying so in a guitar community ?

Still takes nothing away from the sheer power of aesthetics of these. I would keep in a glass case hanged on a wall, just to look at it, if I was a millionaire.

But the butt (pun intended) part could use a liiiiitle more roundness to it to my taste. On my custom made I actually combined horn shape of these with some more usual Suhr Modern butt and “offsetness” in overal shape. Arm bevel and belly carve too, ofc.

Came out quite nice, everybody said it was a good Idea. Might want to start a guitar company, eh?
Click to expand...
No we shouldn’t be afraid to voice our opinions about guitar gear on a guitar gear forum LOL. It’s their problem if it offends them. Your guitar does look very cool. The DAR amps I had looked super cool, but didn’t sound as good as they looked
 
braintheory said:
No we shouldn’t be afraid to voice our opinions about guitar gear on a guitar gear forum LOL. It’s their problem if it offends them. Your guitar does look very cool. The DAR amps I had looked super cool, but didn’t sound as good as they looked
Click to expand...
Sadly I can’t claim any expercy in the field of identifying good sounding guitars because of small number of them I had opportunity to try and my ears are blown out from all that great loud music probably lol

Not that great of a musician too haha

I would actually love to let you guys here try my guitar and give your verdict. Or maybe advice on pickups too.
 
braintheory said:
No we shouldn’t be afraid to voice our opinions about guitar gear on a guitar gear forum LOL. It’s their problem if it offends them. Your guitar does look very cool. The DAR amps I had looked super cool, but didn’t sound as good as they looked
Click to expand...
More like a “don’t want to upset these good guys here” kind of vibe :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top