As long as the volume and tone knobs do their jobs, dime size pots don't matter. The pickups are WAY more important. Pots are preference, just like the tuners.
Sean is the fairest lip flapper in all the land. Straight shooting, but it’s like tonight love. He gives every guitar the same chance and hope that’ll it’ll be killer on a budget. Constructive criticism, and always highlights all the positives points too. A+!
That foil tape wrap on the threads of the bridge and tailpiece posts is a pretty good hack, right? I suggested that to you a couple months ago after stealing the idea off of another channel. Gets it done. Sure beats changing those things out.
Hi Sean, on so many channels folks speak so highly of locking tuners. You one of the only people suggesting otherwise. I trust your opinion over theres. If the guitar is staying in tune that is all I need. Lol
One thing you can do that I did to mine. I bought a nashville bridge, and the posts to the nashville can be pressed into the posts on this guitar with a clamp. When you do that the bridge sits tight on the bottom with very little adjustment up. I also replaced the tailpiece with an epiphone tailpiece. I replaced the pickups with Alnico V, with push pull. Mine is an older Grote and my only issue is that the paint is soft. Easy to make marks in it. But I do have a nice guitar that looks and sounds great and I only have about $300 in it.
I got one of these about a month ago. Came in an Amazon box. Finish was immaculate. Same issue with loose bridge, etc. Neck and frets feels great. No buzz. Pots are cheap. Tuners are adequate. Pickups are so so. Honestly it's a lot of guitar for the money. A few bucks more and you can upgrade it to be pretty awesome.
Omg 🤣🤣 You earned a sub from me just because of the laughter. I burst out when she bopped u on the head with the guitar and the dog was sniffing XD definitly worth a sub.. love it. First time veiwer. Hope to see more of your content. Yeah grote makes some decent budget guitars. Glad to hear theyre taking a more active approach to their quality control. Wish i could find some budget lefty lp models. Sounds great to my ears.. might swap the nut out for bone but thats always an easy mod. Definitly agree about the pots. 500k all the way.
Thanks for the great review on the Grote. I really enjoyed watching you deconstruct and rebuild it, and thought it sounded really great when you were done.
We have to remind ourselves that this guitar costs $199. Maybe Grote will have a low to mid-range-budget guitar with a little better hardware that'll cost $300 one of these days. I'd say that this one looked pretty good for $199. The humbuckers are what's advertised. It functions and has a fair setup. It's playable for a person looking for a $200 guitar.
I realize that this is outside the norm of what your (great) channel focuses on, but one day I'd love to see you do a full diagnostic on an (overpriced) Fender, Gibson or upper-level Epiphone in the $700-$1000 range. I've seen so many Strats and 335 Dots with issues that were obvious before the plastic even came off the pickguard. Penny-size chip in the neck finish on an Epi Dor, Fender Jimmie Vaughan signature Strat with a misaligned neck, which was white as snow despite the "vintage tinted" finish Fender touts...and more. There probably is a channel that does this with those guitars, but no one does guitar diagnostics as thoroughly as you, and thanks for that!
ITS AWESOME THAT A COMPANY IS FINALLY LISTENING TO SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT... SO I MAY BUY ONE OF THESE AFTER A FEW MONTHS HAVE PASSED HOPING THEY FIX WHAT HE'S TOLD THEM...
Sean got "El-Kabonged"! It's one thing to see it on a cartoon, it was a HOOT to see that happen IRL! I looped that hit about 8 times! Hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great review, to top it all off!
P.S... That ball-end 7th fret that sticks out just a little on the bass side of the neck is a custom Grote feature, a braille position marker for playing in the dark. No extra charge. 😁 (But joking aside, they save enough time doing the ball ends first then pressing them in to give back a few minutes to get them all the right lengths. And it would better to have them a tad short instead of a tad long, IMO.)
I have seen a lot of people rave about Grote and Redid. Particularly a semi-hollow model that's a copy of an ES-130. As you have said they often plan to swap out tuners and pickups but, they have always raved about the fret work. But, several seem to like the stock pickups even if they do plan on changing them.
I'll tell you what , I bought a Grote SG a couple years ago from Amazon. I paid $151 tax included and the thing was in mint condition. Not one flaw or blemish but I installed locking tuners and swapped out the pickups and it plays and sounds almost as good as my $600 Epiphone SG G400 pro. It's always a gamble with budget guitars but if the necks are straight you can mod them into a beast of a guitar! PS the pickups were decent and I saved them for another project guitar...
@@mikeg6666 I am a fan of semi-hollow guitars which is why the model I mentioned caught my eye. I wasn't full of enough GAS to actually buy one. Besides, rather than dot markers Grote/Redid use rather large block inlays that just don't look right to me.
I have a groat gt-150 that I've had for about 3 years now the only problem I had with the guitar is that the frets between seventeen and Twentytwo we're a little sharp so I had to work them over other than that the guitar plays great sounds good I think I gave $89 for it on Amazon
Grote seems to have it together for the most part. I bought a Grote 335 knock-off back during the Covid lockdowns. I did have to upgrade the machine heads because the original ones were pretty crappy. Other than that, I have no complaints and I just love the guitar.
bought 2 grote lp's new and both 1,000s perfect! I own gib son-epi-fender-squier-prs-dean-schecter-ibanez. pups are fine. both rock as hard as my long gone 2 mid '70s lp. i'm no tech, but no prob's here. good show!
That's a very honest re-evaluation of that Grote; they definitely should fix those loose bridge posts. A Grote rep I've been messaging said that he thought the new ones were being updated with stainless steel frets, and would confirm shortly. I'm wondering if those rounded end frets are a giveaway as I've seen them on some Fireflys that do have SS ones.
Im glad you did this re check on the Grote. Im even happier that you mentioned the ball end frets that are inconsistently located on the neck. It would be super cool if you did a video on how to correct the fret alignment, if you know what I mean.
Ive not held 9r played one but im sure its great quality to have no problems playing hell 46 years ago My first electric was a kent and I wish i had one like this grote
looked for the blue one on amazon not there yet glad to hear they're listening if nothing else that makes reviewing the cheapos worthwhile looking forward to seeing your censtar mfg scars in december
The reason for me using locking tuners is at 75 years old,it makes changing strings easier for me. So I like locking tuners but that’s just my personal preference.
Great review. I have had super luck with Grotes bought off Amazon. I have gigged a zillion Gawwwwd awful cowboy gigs on one of their 335ish thangs and a set neck tele thang they used to offer. Some of their stuff has Jin Ho parts from Korea that are excellent.
If their alpha brand pots there is good as CTS from the research I've done...them being small is not an issue... If you think about it what's in all of your analog FX pedals or should I say most of them.
Yeah, this is more like what people usually get when they buy Grote. Surprisingly good for the price (especially when you're lucky enough to get it for free).
he has done a les paul look back in the vids I have their ijz300 jazz guitar and am well satisfied with it especially since I found out jatoba wood is also known as brazilian cherry on the fretboard it was thirsty for some lemon oil to bring out the deep color however
Nice looking guitar ,if I were to buy one I'd change the pups and the control pots and put some good wiring in there,I'm a firm believer better wiring makes a difference and if you are gonna replace the pots you might aswell replace the wiring .
You need one of those thin Japanese saws so you can cut through pickup cover solder. It is cleaner and when you resolder, you just have to reheat with a little extra solder and viola'!
500k pots are the only thing to use with an orange capacitor , it is not the place to cut corners, I hate scratchy 250ks potentiometers, no excuse and they don’t turn right, when you are playing and you need a smooth roll those sloppy things you can roll it half around and sound like you don’t know what you are doing. Take your pinky and roll a tone knob and what the heck just happened? I heard a little warble. And those pots have to go.
Wanting get one but my OCD wants to rip the Pots out and put some good 500k ones in. And you are correct, the correct Pot sizes would be worth a little extra.
Great video! I just ordered one of these, but I would love to know how much it weighs. Actual Les Pauls have some weight on them and I am hoping this one does also. I just prefer the feel of a heavier guitar.
Heck i can be your review side kick i am from Missouri south city St Louis and i love guitars and bass my favorite that i own is a American Elite Jazz bass from Fender right behind that is my Charvrl desolation skate caster 1 that's covered from head to toe in abalone binding and inlays such a sweet guitar i got 8 years ago for less than $300 at GC its now worth double and sometimes more now freaking amazing guitar for the he money
ROFL nothing like a 'good wallop to the back of ya head' from wifey lol, She's really good at that! Some use frying pans and the clever ones use Les Pauls!
Before you get sold on this Grote, check this video out on this LP copy. Much nicer for a few pennies more. Too many little details on this guitar needed attention.
Hey Shawn, how you doing? I missed your channel, I moved into a two bedroom apartment, and boy was it tiring! Finished all the unpacking and now I have to wait months before I can own my own guitar and amplifier sp i get my notes in, ut it sure is good to hear you my friend. By the way you and your wife are so funny, and your dog is a cutie! My Mollie (English Bulldog passed away recently), and I sure miss her - was crying tears today missing her ( saw her tags)...
Hay Shawn . Thanks for the tip with the shielding tape . When I was looking through Grote's home page . I seen something in the menu under weekly specials . It was a single cut 12 string hollow body . And I can only find one review if. And im Hoping Grote sees this and sends you one for a Honest Review . Or they can send me one for a5 Star Review. I already have their 335 style and I love it . Even better than mt Epiphone LP Costume . Thanks And Keep Rocking 🤟😎🤟
I got a grote 335 copy a couple of years ago. Great guitar, but the pickups were meh. I put some fleor alnico 5’s in it and now it’s as good as an epi or an Ibanez. I tried another grote 335 in a store and it was nowhere near as good. It’s the luck of the draw and it was nowhere near as good. All the savings on these guitars is on Q.C. They’re getting a lot better though, lately.
2:20 lol Cathy is the best!!! Never fails to clock you a good one!
Hey Sean, Cathy sure plays a mean guitar! Great reverb🎸
😅
As long as the volume and tone knobs do their jobs, dime size pots don't matter. The pickups are WAY more important. Pots are preference, just like the tuners.
I bought a grote tele copy ola few years back and it's still one of my main guitars, over my fenders
Great video Shawn and Kathy! Love the comical parts!
Sean is the fairest lip flapper in all the land. Straight shooting, but it’s like tonight love. He gives every guitar the same chance and hope that’ll it’ll be killer on a budget. Constructive criticism, and always highlights all the positives points too. A+!
That foil tape wrap on the threads of the bridge and tailpiece posts is a pretty good hack, right? I suggested that to you a couple months ago after stealing the idea off of another channel. Gets it done. Sure beats changing those things out.
Hi Sean, on so many channels folks speak so highly of locking tuners. You one of the only people suggesting otherwise. I trust your opinion over theres. If the guitar is staying in tune that is all I need. Lol
One thing you can do that I did to mine. I bought a nashville bridge, and the posts to the nashville can be pressed into the posts on this guitar with a clamp. When you do that the bridge sits tight on the bottom with very little adjustment up. I also replaced the tailpiece with an epiphone tailpiece. I replaced the pickups with Alnico V, with push pull. Mine is an older Grote and my only issue is that the paint is soft. Easy to make marks in it. But I do have a nice guitar that looks and sounds great and I only have about $300 in it.
Man oh man you just made my day. I love when you guys go at it like that. That absolutely cracks me up
Congrats on your first guitar sent for review... you're getting their attention! Love your videos bro
Glad you like them!
I got one of these about a month ago. Came in an Amazon box. Finish was immaculate. Same issue with loose bridge, etc. Neck and frets feels great. No buzz. Pots are cheap. Tuners are adequate. Pickups are so so. Honestly it's a lot of guitar for the money. A few bucks more and you can upgrade it to be pretty awesome.
Omg 🤣🤣 You earned a sub from me just because of the laughter. I burst out when she bopped u on the head with the guitar and the dog was sniffing XD definitly worth a sub.. love it. First time veiwer. Hope to see more of your content. Yeah grote makes some decent budget guitars. Glad to hear theyre taking a more active approach to their quality control. Wish i could find some budget lefty lp models. Sounds great to my ears.. might swap the nut out for bone but thats always an easy mod. Definitly agree about the pots. 500k all the way.
Sean out here keeping people honest. Best guitar videos on RUclips right here.
Thanks for the great review on the Grote. I really enjoyed watching you deconstruct and rebuild it, and thought it sounded really great when you were done.
My new favorite channel. Love your reviews Sean .
Wow, thanks!
We have to remind ourselves that this guitar costs $199. Maybe Grote will have a low to mid-range-budget guitar with a little better hardware that'll cost $300 one of these days. I'd say that this one looked pretty good for $199. The humbuckers are what's advertised. It functions and has a fair setup. It's playable for a person looking for a $200 guitar.
I realize that this is outside the norm of what your (great) channel focuses on, but one day I'd love to see you do a full diagnostic on an (overpriced) Fender, Gibson or upper-level Epiphone in the $700-$1000 range. I've seen so many Strats and 335 Dots with issues that were obvious before the plastic even came off the pickguard. Penny-size chip in the neck finish on an Epi Dor, Fender Jimmie Vaughan signature Strat with a misaligned neck, which was white as snow despite the "vintage tinted" finish Fender touts...and more. There probably is a channel that does this with those guitars, but no one does guitar diagnostics as thoroughly as you, and thanks for that!
Enjoyed that 2nd look at Grote.
Thanks for the great content.
ITS AWESOME THAT A COMPANY IS FINALLY LISTENING TO SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT... SO I MAY BUY ONE OF THESE AFTER A FEW MONTHS HAVE PASSED HOPING THEY FIX WHAT HE'S TOLD THEM...
Sean got "El-Kabonged"! It's one thing to see it on a cartoon, it was a HOOT to see that happen IRL! I looped that hit about 8 times! Hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great review, to top it all off!
Also. It’s a $200 guitar. Thanks for a great video!
BTW, the posts being loose in the holes doesn't matter when there is string tension.
Teflon tape will also work to wrap on the posts
P.S... That ball-end 7th fret that sticks out just a little on the bass side of the neck is a custom Grote feature, a braille position marker for playing in the dark. No extra charge. 😁 (But joking aside, they save enough time doing the ball ends first then pressing them in to give back a few minutes to get them all the right lengths. And it would better to have them a tad short instead of a tad long, IMO.)
It doesn't sound half bad honestly i like that neck pickup sound
I have seen a lot of people rave about Grote and Redid. Particularly a semi-hollow model that's a copy of an ES-130. As you have said they often plan to swap out tuners and pickups but, they have always raved about the fret work. But, several seem to like the stock pickups even if they do plan on changing them.
I'll tell you what , I bought a Grote SG a couple years ago from Amazon. I paid $151 tax included and the thing was in mint condition. Not one flaw or blemish but I installed locking tuners and swapped out the pickups and it plays and sounds almost as good as my $600 Epiphone SG G400 pro. It's always a gamble with budget guitars but if the necks are straight you can mod them into a beast of a guitar! PS the pickups were decent and I saved them for another project guitar...
@@mikeg6666 I am a fan of semi-hollow guitars which is why the model I mentioned caught my eye. I wasn't full of enough GAS to actually buy one. Besides, rather than dot markers Grote/Redid use rather large block inlays that just don't look right to me.
@@MisterJWJ71 I hear ya , and I'm tapped out for awhile with new guitars myself...
I have a groat gt-150 that I've had for about 3 years now the only problem I had with the guitar is that the frets between seventeen and Twentytwo we're a little sharp so I had to work them over other than that the guitar plays great sounds good I think I gave $89 for it on Amazon
I am glad for this video and that they fixed that weird pickup issue..... I like the Grote brand's finishes and affordability.
Grote seems to have it together for the most part. I bought a Grote 335 knock-off back during the Covid lockdowns. I did have to upgrade the machine heads because the original ones were pretty crappy. Other than that, I have no complaints and I just love the guitar.
bought 2 grote lp's new and both 1,000s perfect! I own gib son-epi-fender-squier-prs-dean-schecter-ibanez. pups are fine. both rock as hard as my long gone 2 mid '70s lp. i'm no tech, but no prob's here. good show!
i meant my 2 70's gibson lp's.
Plumber's tape works excellent also to tighten the screws and posts , occasionally I run into that on some of my expensive guitars...
That's true, but metal should touch metal if a post has been connected to the ground wire.
@@woochyna Yes that's true but sometimes there's no grounding wire connected to the post...
Was that shielding tape or just copper tape?
@@PunkrockClub No it's Teflon tape...
Pretty sure the studs for the bridge that are pounded into the wood are not connected to ground, so teflon is fine.
Another cool review bro. Still waiting to see you try out an Agile LP copy. Thanks!
😂 that was great. You got a concussion bro? 😅
Yeah I do
Hey Sean! Are you running through a mic to your pc for your audio? Or what are you using? It sounds great
Super nice going over and presentation of a beautifully affordable guitar .
That's a very honest re-evaluation of that Grote; they definitely should fix those loose bridge posts. A Grote rep I've been messaging said that he thought the new ones were being updated with stainless steel frets, and would confirm shortly. I'm wondering if those rounded end frets are a giveaway as I've seen them on some Fireflys that do have SS ones.
for 199 I can add the copper tape myself. (easy fix)
Im glad you did this re check on the Grote. Im even happier that you mentioned the ball end frets that are inconsistently located on the neck. It would be super cool if you did a video on how to correct the fret alignment, if you know what I mean.
Man that was a correct sauter on that Pickup cover! Good to see QUALITY WORK. Take care man
Thanks for the review. Did you ever conclude whether the body cover was was a print or was it a veneer? Sure looks beautiful!
print
Another great video, Sean!
Ive not held 9r played one but im sure its great quality to have no problems playing hell 46 years ago My first electric was a kent and I wish i had one like this grote
Personally I find Grote to be a decent product, and rather exceptional for their price range.
looked for the blue one on amazon not there yet glad to hear they're listening if nothing else that makes reviewing the cheapos worthwhile looking forward to seeing your censtar mfg scars in december
Would you guys go with a grote or an IYV? Been wanting a cheap LP for years, and my skill doesn't justify buying something over $500
I bought the Grote. I actually prefer it to my Eppiphone greatly. I like my buddies PRS a little better. But not by much. Grote for the win
The reason for me using locking tuners is at 75 years old,it makes changing strings easier for me. So I like locking tuners but that’s just my personal preference.
Another top review, thanks Sean, ps, hope that guitar's okay 😂
Great review. I have had super luck with Grotes bought off Amazon.
I have gigged a zillion Gawwwwd awful cowboy gigs on one of their 335ish thangs and a set neck tele thang they used to offer.
Some of their stuff has Jin Ho parts from Korea that are excellent.
Rock on!
Brother! Preach on!!! I watch ALL of your videos and hit Like before you say FlipFlapp
Had to stop at about 2:33 because I was laughing out loud! That was TOO funny!
Grote looks good but I'll still wait for a Censtar made Scarred Guitar baby. Giggitty!
That reverb was natural from Sean’s head… cathedral
If their alpha brand pots there is good as CTS from the research I've done...them being small is not an issue... If you think about it what's in all of your analog FX pedals or should I say most of them.
I like the neck pickup it cuts through without being wooly
Yeah, this is more like what people usually get when they buy Grote. Surprisingly good for the price (especially when you're lucky enough to get it for free).
What did you use to tighten up the screws on the bridge? Was it a copper wrath of some kind?
www.amazon.com/s?k=copper+shielding+tape&crid=3AH8L5D8SP6XZ&sprefix=COPPER+SH%2Caps%2C99&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_9_9
You should try some of the IYV guitars. Pretty good for the price as well.
he has done a les paul look back in the vids I have their ijz300 jazz guitar and am well satisfied with it especially since I found out jatoba wood is also known as brazilian cherry on the fretboard it was thirsty for some lemon oil to bring out the deep color however
I like the look of IYV’s Byrdland styled guitar and may look into purchasing one.
This makes me miss the blue LP copy I used to have that was made by Dillion. But mine was a quilt top.
Nice looking guitar ,if I were to buy one I'd change the pups and the control pots and put some good wiring in there,I'm a firm believer better wiring makes a difference and if you are gonna replace the pots you might aswell replace the wiring .
Great review Sean.
she "jeff jarreted" ya with that guitar haha!
great entertainment and educational content my brotha!
You need one of those thin Japanese saws so you can cut through pickup cover solder. It is cleaner and when you resolder, you just have to reheat with a little extra solder and viola'!
This fine channel is endlessly entertaining.
500k pots are the only thing to use with an orange capacitor , it is not the place to cut corners, I hate scratchy 250ks potentiometers, no excuse and they don’t turn right, when you are playing and you need a smooth roll those sloppy things you can roll it half around and sound like you don’t know what you are doing. Take your pinky and roll a tone knob and what the heck just happened? I heard a little warble. And those pots have to go.
I liked the sound of the bridge pickup, but not so much the neck. But at that price, wellllllll worth the money! Beautiful guitar.
Your wifes guitar had a little acoustic tone when it cracked your knogin...lolol 🤣 Enjoyed the video bro 👍
😁
Does it have stainless steel frets? Some of theirs do, some don't, but ball end frets are USUALLY an indication.
I have a grote 335 and i have many gibbys but i prefer my grote , love it
Never a good idea to dis the Wife hahahaha Great video man
Wanting get one but my OCD wants to rip the Pots out and put some good 500k ones in. And you are correct, the correct Pot sizes would be worth a little extra.
Great video! I just ordered one of these, but I would love to know how much it weighs. Actual Les Pauls have some weight on them and I am hoping this one does also. I just prefer the feel of a heavier guitar.
Hahaha! Yeah, that was funny Sean. wasn’t expecting that👍🎸
Dang, that copper tape was a good idea.
I just bought one. Im gonna rip it apart anyway to make sure it aint screwed
Great video!! Gotta a new sub brudda!! 🎸🥃
What kind of "tape" is used for those screws?
That is copper shielding tape
Heck i can be your review side kick i am from Missouri south city St Louis and i love guitars and bass my favorite that i own is a American Elite Jazz bass from Fender right behind that is my Charvrl desolation skate caster 1 that's covered from head to toe in abalone binding and inlays such a sweet guitar i got 8 years ago for less than $300 at GC its now worth double and sometimes more now freaking amazing guitar for the he money
That's a pretty good guitar. Those pickups are a little spicy.
ROFL nothing like a 'good wallop to the back of ya head' from wifey lol, She's really good at that! Some use frying pans and the clever ones use Les Pauls!
That thing sounds good!!
Lol....didn't expect her to smack ya.....caught me off guard!
Sounds great unplugged.
Before you get sold on this Grote, check this video out on this LP copy. Much nicer for a few pennies more. Too many little details on this guitar needed attention.
Which video are you referring to? There is no link in your comment.
@@marcd1981These people kill me with their mystery links.
Can you say what the copper looking wrap u used for the bridge and tail screws was?
Copper shielding tape!
Thx
Is that used because it must be conductive or can teflon tape be used
@@ralphrufrano7163 - he said in the previous video that it needs to be conductive.
done that post trick with aluminum foil. Still conductive and more available
Wow. Love it. I like the blue too. Sounds great to me.
Someday, I'll have the skill to solder over an uncovered guitar without worrying about messing it up.
Roll the copper tape the other way so it won't bindup
The pickups sound a little dark for my taste. Do you think pots and a different value cap would open it up and bring the pickups more to life ????
Hey man I love your frenchie! I've had three over the years. Great dogs! The guitar is also nice!
Hey Shawn, how you doing? I missed your channel, I moved into a two bedroom apartment, and boy was it tiring! Finished all the unpacking and now I have to wait months before I can own my own guitar and amplifier sp i get my notes in, ut it sure is good to hear you my friend. By the way you and your wife are so funny, and your dog is a cutie! My Mollie (English Bulldog passed away recently), and I sure miss her - was crying tears today missing her ( saw her tags)...
Full size pots should be a easy move as standard for a few $'s
I don't need another Les Paul. I don't need another Les Paul. I WANT another Les Paul :D
Is it a flat top or is it curved?
what size tuners for the grote i dont want to order the wrong ones from amazon
Hay Shawn . Thanks for the tip with the shielding tape . When I was looking through Grote's home page . I seen something in the menu under weekly specials . It was a single cut 12 string hollow body . And I can only find one review if. And im Hoping Grote sees this and sends you one for a Honest Review . Or they can send me one for a5 Star Review.
I already have their 335 style and I love it . Even better than mt Epiphone LP Costume . Thanks And Keep Rocking 🤟😎🤟
LOL! That into cracked me up!
what's the drak blue guitar above the orange tools box ????
Nice and honest review!! This is why I love this channel!! Oooohhhh GIGGY!!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘
I got a grote 335 copy a couple of years ago. Great guitar, but the pickups were meh. I put some fleor alnico 5’s in it and now it’s as good as an epi or an Ibanez. I tried another grote 335 in a store and it was nowhere near as good. It’s the luck of the draw and it was nowhere near as good. All the savings on these guitars is on Q.C. They’re getting a lot better though, lately.