Thank you for this, been on the fence about getting a 400-700$ guitar and this was on the list. I watch 1000 of guitar videos/reviews and appreciate how fast and to the point you got with specs
I have the 60 Burl Ultra which is essentially the same guitar just a different finish and it is probably my favorite guitar, although it didn't start that way. The fretboard was very dry so it needed to be oiled and and the fret ends were very sharp so I had to smooth those. The stock pickups were not good to my ear. The website says they're supposed to be Rockfield but there is no branding anywhere on the covers and the name was something different on the bottom. I swapped them out for the Tonerider Alnico II HSS set and that was a huge improvement to the sound. The 5 way switch went out not long after so I had to replace that. The tremolo stays in tune for me at least although I had to file the nut slots. I also had to remove the middle spring as there wasn't enough tension on it causing it to fall out with use. That's fine because it's now so light and buttery smooth with 2 springs. The tuners were fine although I swapped them for locking tuners for stability/ease of re-stringing. With all of that out of the way, it's a fantastic guitar! Just be prepared to do some minor work if necessary.
Do you know if the pickups are ceramic or alnico? the MK website doesn't say. They one thing that I don't like is the blue jean wash. It is so unpredictable from one guitar to the next.....I guess that is the idea for blue jean "wash" but the colors are all over the place. Some look blue, some look green, some look more blue or green on one side of the flame maple than the other. Some look very washed out. One really needs to be able to look through the stock first hand in order the pick the one that you prefer. I own a MK Patriot custom collection in a scorched color (LP style guitar). It's beautiful and sounds fantastic.
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Thank you for this, been on the fence about getting a 400-700$ guitar and this was on the list. I watch 1000 of guitar videos/reviews and appreciate how fast and to the point you got with specs
Thanks! Glad it was helpful that is the goal.
I have the 60 Burl Ultra which is essentially the same guitar just a different finish and it is probably my favorite guitar, although it didn't start that way. The fretboard was very dry so it needed to be oiled and and the fret ends were very sharp so I had to smooth those. The stock pickups were not good to my ear. The website says they're supposed to be Rockfield but there is no branding anywhere on the covers and the name was something different on the bottom. I swapped them out for the Tonerider Alnico II HSS set and that was a huge improvement to the sound. The 5 way switch went out not long after so I had to replace that. The tremolo stays in tune for me at least although I had to file the nut slots. I also had to remove the middle spring as there wasn't enough tension on it causing it to fall out with use. That's fine because it's now so light and buttery smooth with 2 springs. The tuners were fine although I swapped them for locking tuners for stability/ease of re-stringing. With all of that out of the way, it's a fantastic guitar! Just be prepared to do some minor work if necessary.
I bought the 55 tele custom,swamp ash body, everything was high end esp the finish. You should review that one,
I just bought one to try it. Might put some new hardware in it if I don't like the tone, or just sell it for something else.
Do you know if the pickups are ceramic or alnico? the MK website doesn't say. They one thing that I don't like is the blue jean wash. It is so unpredictable from one guitar to the next.....I guess that is the idea for blue jean "wash" but the colors are all over the place. Some look blue, some look green, some look more blue or green on one side of the flame maple than the other. Some look very washed out. One really needs to be able to look through the stock first hand in order the pick the one that you prefer.
I own a MK Patriot custom collection in a scorched color (LP style guitar). It's beautiful and sounds fantastic.
I think ceramic but I’m not absolutely sure.
Nice review. How is the balance on this one when you play it standing with a strap, any neck dive?
The balance was pretty good but not quite perfect.
I have been looking at a 1960 version. I have to play it first.