What's the story with these "Custom Shop" Chinese strats?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kapo_Polenton
  • Start date Start date
Kapo_Polenton

Kapo_Polenton

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Priced anywhere from 400-800$, they take the order and "craft" the guitar to "perfection" in their custom shop. I don't doubt that they would have capable luthiers and other there given how much volume is produced there but are they a sub standard ali Express axe going for way more or are they using decent parts and paying attention to fretwork and setup vs painting fretboards and fake skunk stripes on the back of the guitar necks? Anyone have any insight on these ?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/16525559008...wVd8xyV3AJUpLwTE0%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2563228
 
Kapo_Polenton said:
Priced anywhere from 400-800$, they take the order and "craft" the guitar to "perfection" in their custom shop. I don't doubt that they would have capable luthiers and other there given how much volume is produced there but are they a sub standard ali Express axe going for way more or are they using decent parts and paying attention to fretwork and setup vs painting fretboards and fake skunk stripes on the back of the guitar necks? Anyone have any insight on these ?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/16525559008...wVd8xyV3AJUpLwTE0%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2563228
Click to expand...
No
 
why take a $600 chance when for $300 more you can get a 2009 -2012 MIM Road Worn LEGIT Fender guitar that many, including myself, think are dang near as nice as current custom shop options,,..
 
tonedover said:
why take a $600 chance when for $300 more you can get a 2009 -2012 MIM Road Worn LEGIT Fender guitar that many, including myself, think are dang near as nice as current custom shop options,,..
Click to expand...
I heard Rick graham say those are great also
 
I haven’t bought a full guitar from one of those Chinese sellers, but I have bought two necks. Don’t expect to get anything playable.

One neck I bought since I wanted to make a 7 string Tele but necks are beyond me. It was my first try so I didn’t want to drop big money on a custom neck and then ruin it. Neck is decent after putting some work in (which involved fretwork and filling and recutting the nut slot since it was crooked and way off). The other was a cheap strat neck which I primarily got to practice fretwork on, and it’s a piece of firewood. I got it playing okay after major fretwork and relocating the nut again. It now plays in-tune but every guitar I’ve put it on just sounds dead and dull.
 
You can buy one for like 199 and distress yourself. Me Id rather have a squire fender for 199 and then beat it with a hammer
 
Thanks for the replies fellas...I agree, I don't think I can trust Chinese " custom shop".. for the price I am seeing a lot of MIJ strats at around 700 -1000 and I think those would probably be a safer bet where quality is concerned.
 
For a little more, you could get a used G&L USA.
 
Well I got bit by the impulse offer bug on ebay and put in an offer for a 1990 MIJ pre Malmsteen sig model but that has all the specs. Brass nut, bullet truss rod, HS3, scalloped neck etc.. always wanted one so what the hell. Let's see if he takes my offer.
 
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