cyndicate
Well-known member
Held off on writing a review since I didn't have much time with the guitar. Its a Caparison TAT II in red sunset, which I think is a limited color for the US only at the moment.
So far I am really digging the TAT II, it is currently setup in E Standard and will probably be down tuned when I have some time to buy new strings. The feel of the neck is really similar to the Jackson Soloist, however it is a little thicker. It's round on the edges, but towards the center of the neck it gets flat, which is something that actually feels really comfortable when playing for a few hours, makes resting your thumb on the back of the neck really comfortable. Has a Schaller Floyd rose and so far its held in tune really well even with abuse to the Floyd. It actually came to me in perfect tuning and I haven't retuned it since. The tone knob has a push/push button to split the coils and the sound difference is really noticeable, really great for getting a nice clean tone , and it turns really easily as well, however I don't know why they didn't make the volume knob turn just as easily. Feels a bit too stiff for my taste
Three way pickup switch is placed pretty much exactly where it is placed on the ESP M-II, which is directly across from the bridge, I am not a big fan of pickup switches in this area, main problem is I leave the whammy bar hanging down so sometimes that gets in the way.
The only gripe I have is the back of the neck is finished, so it feels like your hand gets sticky sometimes like on Soloist necks. It took some time to get used to it but after awhile it started getting really easy to play. Acoustically, unplugged it actually rings out really well. As for the pickups, they are Caparison Wound PH-F and PH-R. They are high output and sounds really balanced, harmonics ring out pretty easily as well, sounds really awesome so far for higher gain, so I think they are staying in the guitar. As for the paint job, it looks really awesome, they didn't go as crazy with the sponge as the previous models and you can barely notice it's a sponge finish. However, at the neck joint where the neck meets the body there are some spots where it looks like they missed painting a small spot, and its just orange
Not sure if that was intentional but it actually stood out.
As for upper fret access, the neck attaches to the body starting at about the 19th fret, upper fret access is fairly easy. Especially for someone with small hands like myself. Overall a really solid guitar, probably a little costly but its definitely a great player and most likely a keeper for me.
Here's also a update of my current rig. If anyone feels like reading here's a review of the Variplex. I ordered this amp in Mid April and received it just last week, so about a 4 month lead time. IMO it is definitely worth the wait! I ordered it in a Orange Headbox to match my GB loaded Splawn Cab. In regards to the Variac on the amp, the amp dimed is still F'n Loud, for it to be pretty quiet you have to cut the variac down to output about 20-30 volts, which is only about 1 watt of output
It's a 50 watt amp and when you start cranking it more it just starts sounding much better. For the clips you see on youtube they say its dimed and variac set to about 90 volts, and based on my experience with it that is fucken loud as hell. Roy says the master volume amps are quieter but you start losing touch dynamics. To deal with volume issues I am currently re-amping it with a Hotplate and sending the signal into my VHT 2/50/2 for a W/D setup. I have it setup at about 90 volts through this method and it is as brown as it gets! Power tube saturation sounds f'n awesome and everyone should at least play one at least once. It cleans up extremely well with your volume knob.
Well thanks for hearing me ramble on. Oh, yeah the VH4 is going out the door, so if anyone wants to buy one let me know
So far I am really digging the TAT II, it is currently setup in E Standard and will probably be down tuned when I have some time to buy new strings. The feel of the neck is really similar to the Jackson Soloist, however it is a little thicker. It's round on the edges, but towards the center of the neck it gets flat, which is something that actually feels really comfortable when playing for a few hours, makes resting your thumb on the back of the neck really comfortable. Has a Schaller Floyd rose and so far its held in tune really well even with abuse to the Floyd. It actually came to me in perfect tuning and I haven't retuned it since. The tone knob has a push/push button to split the coils and the sound difference is really noticeable, really great for getting a nice clean tone , and it turns really easily as well, however I don't know why they didn't make the volume knob turn just as easily. Feels a bit too stiff for my taste
Three way pickup switch is placed pretty much exactly where it is placed on the ESP M-II, which is directly across from the bridge, I am not a big fan of pickup switches in this area, main problem is I leave the whammy bar hanging down so sometimes that gets in the way. The only gripe I have is the back of the neck is finished, so it feels like your hand gets sticky sometimes like on Soloist necks. It took some time to get used to it but after awhile it started getting really easy to play. Acoustically, unplugged it actually rings out really well. As for the pickups, they are Caparison Wound PH-F and PH-R. They are high output and sounds really balanced, harmonics ring out pretty easily as well, sounds really awesome so far for higher gain, so I think they are staying in the guitar. As for the paint job, it looks really awesome, they didn't go as crazy with the sponge as the previous models and you can barely notice it's a sponge finish. However, at the neck joint where the neck meets the body there are some spots where it looks like they missed painting a small spot, and its just orange
Not sure if that was intentional but it actually stood out. As for upper fret access, the neck attaches to the body starting at about the 19th fret, upper fret access is fairly easy. Especially for someone with small hands like myself. Overall a really solid guitar, probably a little costly but its definitely a great player and most likely a keeper for me.
Here's also a update of my current rig. If anyone feels like reading here's a review of the Variplex. I ordered this amp in Mid April and received it just last week, so about a 4 month lead time. IMO it is definitely worth the wait! I ordered it in a Orange Headbox to match my GB loaded Splawn Cab. In regards to the Variac on the amp, the amp dimed is still F'n Loud, for it to be pretty quiet you have to cut the variac down to output about 20-30 volts, which is only about 1 watt of output
It's a 50 watt amp and when you start cranking it more it just starts sounding much better. For the clips you see on youtube they say its dimed and variac set to about 90 volts, and based on my experience with it that is fucken loud as hell. Roy says the master volume amps are quieter but you start losing touch dynamics. To deal with volume issues I am currently re-amping it with a Hotplate and sending the signal into my VHT 2/50/2 for a W/D setup. I have it setup at about 90 volts through this method and it is as brown as it gets! Power tube saturation sounds f'n awesome and everyone should at least play one at least once. It cleans up extremely well with your volume knob.Well thanks for hearing me ramble on. Oh, yeah the VH4 is going out the door, so if anyone wants to buy one let me know
My neighbors are even gayer than before, 
No beer at my house.