I ordered a Balaguer Astra Custom UPDATE/Finished Pics

[vultures]

So after searching for a while for company that'll build a Singlecut/Les Paul style guitar with a Maple Fretboard, I settled on Balaguer. I posted in a FB group about who could make one, and a rep for Balaguer got in touch with me. After that chat and seeing the really nice guitars they're putting out like mystixboi/John's build. I scheduled an appointment to check out their "Showroom". The owner, Joe, was really down to earth, let me stay as long as I wanted to play as many of his guitars as I wanted. They didn't have any of their custom shop stuff for me to check out because they get shipped right out, but their production stuff was surprisingly really nice, even the really "low end" models. I can only imagine their custom builds feel and sound better. I really went in as a skeptic, I went in expecting nothing and almost wanting to hate it so I had an excuse not to order one. I went with a buddy and as soon as we walked out the door I just said "Fuck.. Gotta get one."

After asking a million questions on their build process, and the hour and half drive back home, I ordered a custom shop that night (a couple weeks ago). If this comes out as nice as I expect, I really want to order one of their Thickett models.

Specs:
Mahogany Body / Flamed Maple top obviously
Neck Thru
5 Piece Roasted Maple & Walnut Neck
Roasted Birdseye Maple Fretboard
Truss rod adjustment wheel at the heel!!
Natural mask binding on body
Cream binding on neck
Hipshot bridge
Strat style headstock

 

[maddnotez]

Very awesome man. They are doing great as a company.

 

[Meeotch]

I've been really close to ordering a semi-custom Balaguer a few times, most notably the Astra. But every time I spend a bit of time looking at the various shapes in his lineup, I always get turned off. Nothing against the brand, and I've heard nothing but positive things about even the production models. Congrats dude, I'm sure it will be a killer axe!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats! They are GREAT guitars!

 

[mystixboi]

That is absolutely awesome. The company has some cool stuff planned for Namm. Pretty exciting!

I live in South Jersey so you are always welcome to come over and try this if you want.

 

[mystixboi]

I've been really close to ordering a semi-custom Balaguer a few times, most notably the Astra. But every time I spend a bit of time looking at the various shapes in his lineup, I always get turned off. Nothing against the brand, and I've heard nothing but positive things about even the production models. Congrats dude, I'm sure it will be a killer axe!

Hi there. I was just curious to see what turns you off about the designs. Is there something in particular you’re looking for or is something you wanna see? I’d love to hear some feedback. I’ll be sure to pass things along to Joe. Thanks.

 

[Meeotch]

Hi there. I was just curious to see what turns you off about the designs. Is there something in particular you’re looking for or is something you wanna see? I’d love to hear some feedback. I’ll be sure to pass things along to Joe. Thanks.

Most of the shapes have a bit of that amoeba offset thing going on, some more apparent than others. I think it just comes down to personal taste, and if those are the shapes that Joe likes then more power to him. Otherwise I have no complaints!

I was excited for the Toro but it just looks a little bloated to me for a super strat shape. I like the "Woodsman" aka Thicket BB since the offset has been removed. Anyways thanks for being interested in my tastes!

 

[mystixboi]

Hi there. I was just curious to see what turns you off about the designs. Is there something in particular you’re looking for or is something you wanna see? I’d love to hear some feedback. I’ll be sure to pass things along to Joe. Thanks.

Most of the shapes have a bit of that amoeba offset thing going on, some more apparent than others. I think it just comes down to personal taste, and if those are the shapes that Joe likes then more power to him. Otherwise I have no complaints!

I was excited for the Toro but it just looks a little bloated to me for a super strat shape. I like the "Woodsman" aka Thicket BB since the offset has been removed. Anyways thanks for being interested in my tastes!

Understood. That’s a bummer because they really are fantastic guitars. My toro doesn’t feel bloated at all it is actually pretty darn light. I was shocked. But I’ll make sure Joe gets your feedback.

Also, the Growler(offset) has been rereleased as of last week! One of my favorite models for sure.

Thanks again!

 

[vultures]

Hi there. I was just curious to see what turns you off about the designs. Is there something in particular you’re looking for or is something you wanna see? I’d love to hear some feedback. I’ll be sure to pass things along to Joe. Thanks.

Most of the shapes have a bit of that amoeba offset thing going on, some more apparent than others. I think it just comes down to personal taste, and if those are the shapes that Joe likes then more power to him. Otherwise I have no complaints!

I was excited for the Toro but it just looks a little bloated to me for a super strat shape. I like the "Woodsman" aka Thicket BB since the offset has been removed. Anyways thanks for being interested in my tastes!

Interesting. The offset is one of the big reasons I went with them, that little tilt hits the right spot for me. I really want this specific Thickett:

That is absolutely awesome. The company has some cool stuff planned for Namm. Pretty exciting!

I live in South Jersey so you are always welcome to come over and try this if you want.

I tried to get him to tell me what the big news was gonna be, but he wouldn't budge. He also said it probably wouldn't be something I'm into anyway

I saw you post on the MD group and creeped on your page, I think you're a little too far out from me. I'm in Basking Ridge.

 

[mystixboi]

Hi there. I was just curious to see what turns you off about the designs. Is there something in particular you’re looking for or is something you wanna see? I’d love to hear some feedback. I’ll be sure to pass things along to Joe. Thanks.

Most of the shapes have a bit of that amoeba offset thing going on, some more apparent than others. I think it just comes down to personal taste, and if those are the shapes that Joe likes then more power to him. Otherwise I have no complaints!

I was excited for the Toro but it just looks a little bloated to me for a super strat shape. I like the "Woodsman" aka Thicket BB since the offset has been removed. Anyways thanks for being interested in my tastes!

Interesting. The offset is one of the big reasons I went with them, that little tilt hits the right spot for me. I really want this specific Thickett:

That is absolutely awesome. The company has some cool stuff planned for Namm. Pretty exciting!

I live in South Jersey so you are always welcome to come over and try this if you want.

I tried to get him to tell me what the big news was gonna be, but he wouldn't budge. He also said it probably wouldn't be something I'm into anyway

I saw you post on the MD group and creeped on your page, I think you're a little too far out from me. I'm in Basking Ridge.

Ahhhh. Bummer.

 

[vultures]

UPDATE: So I've been getting a stream of progress pics the past couple months as well as asking my input on the final layout of things, etc.. I ended up going for a blade switch instead of a toggle up top. This in combination with a push/pull I think will give me better versatility and be a lot more comfortable for me. It's really cool to see the guitar coming along, thought I'd share.

I just have to say once again, to actually chat with the owner of the company, visit their PA place to sit down and try their guitars and then to receive updates like this is absolutely insane to me. What other company would dedicate this much to a customer at this price range? No one else is going to build me a HS 24 Fret singlecut like this in the same range (pls don't mention kiesel). I'm not the oddball either, their FB group is filled with dudes getting updates like this. I haven't even gotten this guitar yet and I put in an order for a Thickett/Tele.

First set of pics, everything roughed out:

Second set. Body, neck and top all put together and ready for finishing:

Electronics cavity & layout cut, finish applied and roughly polished:

Finish buffed out a little more, neck finish made satin, tape removed to give an idea of what it'll look like. Final buffing, assembly and QC next. The owner himself emailed me these pics and said I should see it soon.

 

[mystixboi]

Wow. That looks awesome. It’s going to be absolutely sick

 

[MetalHeadMike]

His guitars are amazing from a playability, tone, fit/finish perspective and then there's the price which makes them just even more amazing. Congrats!

 

[Readyaimfire]

I have four Balaguers now. Joe and the team go the extra mile to make sure you are more than happy with your guitar. I can't say enough great things about the company.

 

[Devin]

Excellent choice sir. My custom Dark Matter (Balaguer) is as good as any other guitar out there and an insane value; i absolutely love it

 

[vultures]

So a couple weeks ago I got my guitar from Balaguer and the first thing I noticed was how heavy and big it is. I mean from the build pics you could see it was a solid chunk of mahogany before they cut it for the neck through. It plays like a champ, low action, thinner neck than usual singlecuts and just feels smooth up and down. Having owned a metric fuck ton of JEMs and RGs, this thing easily holds up to a super shredder. One thing I'm really happy about is that it's tone is thick while still remaining bright/punchy. I'll attribute that to the thick maple top and maple neck. Sometimes a Les Paul/Singelcut can sound dead or too dark because of the mahogany neck.

Side by side to my PRS CU24 it resonates louder, sustains just as long if not longer and looks a whole heck of a lot nicer (disclaimer: my PRS top is butt ugly though). I compare it directly with a PRS because when I tried to order a Tremonti Singlecut with a maple fretboard last December/November, PRS outright refused to do it on an Artist Package. Although they're putting out the Dustie Waring, Silver Sky, some basses and a handful of SE's with maple boards. I got to choose every single option on my Balaguer and spent less than half of what I would on a Private Stock.

I don't see myself ever parting with this one. I'm working 2-3 jobs now and I still sit down and play it every night. I already ordered a Tele/Thicket model from them too, so I imagine I'll make a post about that too. I'll stop writing now because no one really wants to read this.

Their Studio Pics:

My at in home pics:

disclaimer: I am affiliated with Balaguer. I bought my Astra build and paid in full before being affiliated with them, these opinions are my own.

 

[mystixboi]

Fantastic! Enjoy

 

[japetus]

Man, that guitar just LOOKS like it plays awesome!

 

[Devin]

Looks incredible dude, and as a fellow Balaguer owner I know it IS incredible

Enjoy it bro.....

 

[vultures]

Fantastic! Enjoy

Thanks man. You and Madison are the big reasons I own this and opened opportunities for me

Man, that guitar just LOOKS like it plays awesome!

I think I'm most excited to just play the heck out of it and put some honest relic'ing on it, is that crazy?

Looks incredible dude, and as a fellow Balaguer owner I know it IS incredible

Enjoy it bro.....

It's crazy how many people I've found with Balaguers now that they're heavily on my radar.