I got one of these about two weeks ago and am generally pleased so far. Fit and finish are better than one would expect for sub $350 instrument. Pickups are overwound At 13.5K ohms for the bridge; a little dark sounding for my taste but appropriate for hi-gain music styles this guitar is likely to be used for. Tuners are decent and the bone nut is cut properly. Neck profile is a little on the chunky side, binding and inlays are well executed too. I suspect the fretboard is a synthetic material; it didn't really seem to absorb the oil/stain I applied. Length of the ball end frets vary somewhat And four of the frets were slightly high. I reseated one and used a fret file to lightly dress the four until my fret rocked showed them level. I'm a little surprised the frets were not bigger/taller since shred/metal focused instruments these days typically have pretty big frets. I needed to back off the truss rod to get enough neck relief with a 10-42 string set. Intonation was spot on on my example and, after leveling the frets, I managed to get the action pretty darn low. Other than the setup, strings and a set of strap-lock buttons this thing is now ready to rock !
I love how it almost looks exactly like the Destroyer I've had for the past 35 years. I love seeing this design to come back. I'd have more of them if I didn't want to just look like the life-long Def Leppard fan that I am! Awesome review. You play beautifully.
At this point, it's a very generic shape. You'll see them on Ibanez, Schecter, etc. Still looks really cool I'm glad to hear it's a decent guitar. I'm seriously thinking about buying one.
Mine came in the mail today, and honestly I was impressed. It was absolutely playable out of the box, but the neck was set a little too straight for my liking so I adjusted the truss rod just a smidge. The tuning machines are actually quite nice for cheap things, and the biggest surprise was just how useable the pickups were. I originally intended to swap them out for colored ones, but I enjoy the sound enough where I don't think I will. I didn't have the quality issues some brought up like uneven frets or anything. I LOVE the neck profile, and the finish is a lot nicer in person. The one possible nitpick I've found so far is that in the little destroyer-esq notch in the body, there's a noticeable binding seam. Not a gap or anything, but you can feel a "dent" in the clear coat where the seams clearly aren't the same exact height. A very nice alternative (regardless of price point) to a good and proper Gibson Explorer, which I was never a huge fan of mine when I owned one as it was a little dull/warm/dead sounding.
Max you are the best reviewer and you totally shred awesome riffs & noodles, but in this video I especially like the part where you showed the placement of the output jack and then showed the balance of the strap buttons. I like it so much when guitar designers take those sorts of things into consideration!
Wow insane couldn't imagine having these guitars back in the 80's for the price! as always a great honest review👍 would love for you to check out that V looks awesome🙏well done Sir Thx! 🤘⛓⚔☠
Max, as always thank you! I’ve had one of these in GREEN for about 6 months now. Mine REQUIRED a full, professional setup out of the box that included a fret level. That said, after the setup I am very very happy with it, and it is just as good as my Epiphones, Deans and Charvel. It’s very surprising! Thanks again for such a killer review, and putting us on to them having more models out now!!
Don’t read that the wrong way! I grew up with a guy like him. Phenomenal guitarist, and willing to jam with you , and give you pointers, show you an easier way to do this or that, etc. No ego! Just s humble friend, who was seriously interested in helping you out! Side note! He ended up going to Berkeley, and still plays in local bands, and teaches a total guitar system! Rock, metal, jazz, country, etc. he’s still the nicest person I ever met, and the best guitarist I’ve ever seen!
I have both this guitar and the V you mentioned. I bought the Revenge and upgraded everything and it's a monster. In both the Revenge and the V style guitar I put a set of Seymour Duncan Distortion Mayhems. Both guitars are excellent with the main difference being the V just feels like it wants to be thrown around and abused more.
@@JustinNoOriginBand I received mine, it's flawless. I thought I'd need to make some changes but I really can't find any reason to do so except maybe a bridge pu. It stays in tune great! I know with these imports ican be a gamble because they can tend to be inconsistent, but I definitely scored a good one. These things have just gotta scare the bigger manufacturers that sell the same guitars for $999.00 +. Thanks for the reply, enjoy yours!
@@Chosenfew_0129 out of the box the Revenge was more playable but I needed to shield the pickup and control cavities properly to eliminate all the interference. The V needed more setup but I intended to completely overhaul them both anyways. If nothing else I would swap at least the bridge pickups and locking tuners on the Revenge really made it quite nice.
Damn, these videos are becoming addictive! Subscribed! Neat guitar, looking a bit Harley Benton with the "step" on the back edge, but it certainly looks like a decent axe. Perfect for your first Blues jam session 🙂
Great video as always Max. I'd really be interested in you getting your hands on an IYV IS-400 HH. They look like their guitars might be pretty good. Rock On!!
I have a white one. Only one problem..the bridge is put on backwards from the factory. It is a wider Nashville style bridge. I turned it around so the screws face the tail and it will intonate perfectly. I usually play strats and teles..but I found this one very comfortable to hold and play. That one quick and easy tweak, and it is dead on nice. Very pleased with it.
Great guitar and great review! When ordering a V or Explorer style guitar, always get a case. Whether soft or hard case, they are always difficult to find later. Love the channel 😁.
Fesley is a good, cheap brand. Had some issues with mine (rough back of the neck and gritty frets), but nothing that a little sandpaper, polish, and elbow grease couldn't fix. Not the greatest feeling guitar, but for $130, it's hard to beat. Censtar is another brand I've heard good things about, and they offer a number of styles.
Gorgeous guitar for so little money! Stick some double cream Super Distortions and some matching rings that sucker would be beautiful! Would go good with the cream binding
I'm stoked, I passed on the last round before they sold out completely, but I just nabbed one when they came back in stock today. It can't get here soon enough.
Fun fact, I've known Mike Batio from way back in the Holland days. Joey Cetner produced my brother's band. Mike's is a real piece of work as a human, but the writing and playing on Holland's "Little Monsters" is legendary.
Bought one! $199 on Amazon, I like it, probably replace the tuners some were a little hard to tune in. Cool color and the back is ocean blue, to me the sound is in the high side, perfect for power chords.
This looks a lot like the purple Schecter E - 1 special edition you've got, Max. Definitely has a different sound though and there might be a slight difference in price as well, lol. I agree, it does look like it has a nice fit and finish. It could be a great mod platform for ppl who like that Explorer style body and it's far more affordable than what you'd have to spend on a Gibson.
I really ike the way you play, Max. I am beating myself up for not snatching this guitar up fast enough. But thanks for yet another great tip. Your reviews always give enough info to make a decision. I appreciate it a lot. I'll be ready for the next one.
Man, if only they had an all black one or the red one they list as unavailable. Looks purple to me but oddly enough, they list the color as "Pink Lizard" (and "Green Lizard" for the green one).
I bought a red one at the beginning of the year and it blew me away! I always wanted an Ibanez destroyer, but by the time I could afford one, they stopped selling them. I definitely want to get one of their new V guitars! Also, check out some of the IYV guitars. They're also very good!
@@ernestalcala4369 yea I saw that. It was like $130. Not bad at all, but you can get a JS-11 Dinky with bigger frets for like $160 and they're basically identical in looks.
I got the Green one about a month now and LOVE IT!!! That being said, When I got it, I changed out the crappy strings it came with. Also had to drop the action, raise the pickups, and set the intonation. I did change out the knobs that came with it and added strap locks. I may change out the tuning machines at some point, but they are not that bad really. Pickups are pretty beefy! It's Great for High Gain Metal! Honestly have no idea what it sounds like on a clean channel. Great Axe for the price but just be ready to give it a set up or take it to a shop when it arrives. This has become my 2nd favorite guitar in my collection.
This model is the closest thing to owning a Schecter E-1 for those on a budget. That's what this one reminds me of. It would be nice if a few more other colors were available like Honeyburst and Vintage Sunburst - but I can understand why.
That is exactly why I clicked on the thumbnail. I have been searching for the E-1 with sustainiac at a price I can afford ever since Max did that review. They have always fallen through my fingers (budget).
@@hotchow8766 I'm in the same position right now. I had a hustle that was guaranteed to get me this guitar here or something close but the gas tank always go empty so I always have to put most of it towards that. Priorities first, leisures last.
I was eyeing this guitar for a couple weeks now. Planned on buying it tomorrow when my credit statement came in. There were 15 in stock for the longest time. Then I saw this video. Checked Amazon before bed, only 10 left in stock. Woke up and checked again, only 4 left. Needless to say, I wasn't waiting until tomorrow so I just ordered one. Lol With a $20 coupon and $60 in credit card points, I spent less than $200 out of pocket. Probably gonna swap the pickups simply because I have a pink set of Seymour Duncan's that have been lying around unused for the past year or so.
With big name brands jacking up prices and having quality control issues, this is a GREAT market for up and coming manufacturers to offer great quality at affordable reasonable prices. Guitar looks and sounds amazing!
I'll preface this by saying I like mine a lot (have the green one.) That being said, a couple of things you may or may not run into: The frets - Yes they have nice ends on them. However, on mine I needed to "run the grits" on them because they were really gritty when doing vibrato. I used a set of fret erasers for this (cheap set also found on amazon,) and it cleaned them up pretty nicely. The inlays - mine are sticking out above the board (basically all of them.) They are still smooth, it's not like there were sharp inlay edges or anything. This hasn't caused me any issues as far as play-ability, and at this price point, I can't really whine about it. The volume knobs - I have heard mixed things on this. Some people experience this and some don't. On mine, the volume knobs are basically an "on/off" switch, and they don't actually roll the volume down in any way. I will likely change them out myself, which is not particularly hard if you know how to solder. Honestly though, for what they're charging, it's not a big deal. If you're experienced and still buying cheap guitars to mess with, you probably already have to tools to make this thing great. And if you're a beginner, the cost of this guitar + a setup is still going to put you in a better place than most budget guitars. They look really great too. I have some Jackson Kellys that don't look this good and cost me a lot more.
it is listed as $239 with a $20 coupon as of 9/18/2023 at 9 pm on the amazon link you have posted. That makes it $219. Killer deal. Thanks for the heads up. I still love my Firefly 335 copy you brought to my attention like 3 years ago for $140 with a really good cord and picks. I sold my 1976 Gibson 335 TD because the Firefly was actually just as good in my opinion. Not as heavy but just as good.
I've been seeing these pop up every now and then, not going to lie the Revenge looks like it's right up my alley being mainly an Explorer guy myself. Might have to spend some extra pennies on one eventually and see if can hang with my LTD EX Black Metal and Schecter E-7 Apocalypse, good review!
2 Questions, and thanks for the post Max. 1) What is the radius of this guitar? All of my shredder guitars are 9.5" or lower, but for chords-I have found that 12'' or 16" Radius are easier to play. 2) Can you research any Bass Models of any of these guitar manufacturers? I have a student who needs a P-Bass or possibly a J-Bass. Thanks again, Man.
YES!!!! Please do an episode on the Flying V!! I’m dying to see a review on it because I’ve always wanted a V but I’m afraid to pull the trigger on a more expensive one because I’m not sure if I would like the body style and feel. I’m torn between the V and the Revenge, both are cool!
Guitar Max is the Patron Saint of Quality Inexpensive guitars!!! Always an advocate for the working budget minded musicians!!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗👍👍👍👍👍😀😀😀😀 Enjoy watching his channel!!!! 😀😀😀👍👍👍 Max is an awesome dude!!!! Seriously thinking 🤔 about purchasing this guitar!!!!! Wanted to buy an Explorer shaped guitar without paying a shit load of $money!!!! I was considering buying a Jackson Kelly or an 1980s Ibanez Destroyer but too expensive for my budget!!!!
I could definitely work with that. My first guitar which I still love is an old sonnex 180 deluxe. I learned on that neck profile, and the gloss finish. I miss playing that guitar since I retired it. It needs serious work to get back into playable shape. The way you describe this neck reminds me of that guitar, and for the price, it's not a bad thing to try.
had an Ibanez destroyer dt420 for many years, it was my favorite guitar, traded it in for a Geddy Lee Fender J bass, and regret it .. I think one of these will hit the spot.
At first glance I thought it was an Epiphone Extura Prophecy (I own one) but seeing the extra cut on the back I thought a Schecter with a hard tail. When seeing that head stock I was lost. Looks like a project guitar
Nice review, max 😎🤘🏻🎸 I’m a huge fan of explorer styled guitars and I have been curious about this one. And I can see that this guitars closely resemble an Ibanez destroyer. Other than that, this guitar sounds awesome for the price. I’m thinking about buying this guitar.
I love these Westcreek guitars I own a couple of their models and love them. Other than a step up and new strings the ones I have were great right out of the box after buying.
The next guitar on my one day list is the Grote LPS003 I especially want it in that awesome green I already have the Grote 335 with the trapeze tale in the beautiful purple with the red pick guard I can’t wait to see that West Creek flying V in action when you get it
Awesome review as always. Zero gimmicks. Just easy listening honesty. As far as future reviews, I'd like to toss into the hat. Samick Guitars - Greg Bennett design Rockwell (Explorer style body). I'm pretty sure these can only be found 'used'. I've heard that 'other' guitar companies have used Samick guitars. Any knowledge of these 'rumors' being true?
I would love to see a review on the IYV 6 String IYV-ILP-400FR Electric Guitar. It has a Les Paul style body, but it has 24 frets, and a floyd rose! It is really cool looking, in satin black. It is also under $200!
Yo Max! I kept checking in on this sold out guitar. And I got it in green. They say it's in new condition. I wanted it, so I went for it. Of course I'm worried about where this one came from and why, but I trust Amazon's policies about describing the guitar's condition truthfully. I'm full on in the purchase, so again, thanks for the review. I guess I wanted it bad enough because yo! It's mine! Thanks.
I'm pretty sure the frets are NOT stainless. They filed and polished pretty easily. Good video review. Now I need to find a case or gig bag to fit this crazy thing !
I am so happy that I have grown out of the "omg, I need to buy that guitar" phase or I would have bought a few just to mod out. The boxes of EMG's, Seymour Duncans, Epiphone humbuckers, nuts, tuners, hardware, pots, jacks.. I would have created a monster. But if it's a full Mahogany body with just a veneer, with a set neck and finished frets, I couldn't even build one for that price.
Few things. If someone doesn’t like the tone, it seems worthy of a pup swap. If someone doesn’t like the gloss neck, tape the neck on the binding, heel and at the headstock. Run some 220 grit sandpaper on the neck and just check the finish for the feel that you want after a couple passes.
Firefly came out with one that was red like my Destroyer FFLX a while back. I got it and set it up and put in EMG H4 pickups and all new electronics . Haven't seen the all red ones since.
Awesome video! I'd like to see you check out some of the M Musi guitars they have features that you usually only get on $2000 guitars for less than $400.👍👏
im sold on the feel of it after a proper set up. its more comfortable playing my epiphone les paul traditional pro 2 that i got for free , it just feels right
Hey guitar hero just wanted to say looking sharp,I'm getting that guitar next,it gets killer reviews,I have Ben waiting for you to do this one first,ur the man I trust the most I no u no ur shit and ty for all u had to do to be the best,ur welcome
I forgot to request a review. I dont think you reviewed this one yet. And I should say right up front, I took a gamble and bought one already. It's on Amazon, and it's called a Fesley. The same model seems to be priced by color for about $130 - $150, and they're being marketed as "for beginners". I'm pretty positive I saw it on someone else's YT Channel. I guess all you need to decide whether it's worth your time. So anyway, I vote that way for now.
I got mine. Mine is the red one. I have the covered pickups, not like the ones on you guitar featured in this video. Mine sounds just like my Epiphone Les Paul.. I posted a pick of it on Amazon.
I've been looking at these for a few months now and wondered if they were any good. Gave me the early 80's Phil Collen destroyer vibe. Thanks for making the video. Please review the Cerberus.
Glam metal band in the 80's would kill to get that guitar. I would like to see you review the prince cloud guitar. I'm not sure who makes the official one.
Lol I was waiting for one of you guitarists that I follow on RUclips, to do a review of this guitar! Yeah looks and sounds pretty good, thanks for reviewing this one!
Here is the thing you have to consider about these "off-brand" guitars, many of them are built in the same factories in Indonesia, China, and Korea that the big names are using to manufacture their affordable lines in. These are more or less factory "house brands", with the difference being that they do not demand a higher pricetag simply because of the reputation associated with any specific trademarked branding. It all boils down to whether or not the name on the headstock is really that important to you because honestly you are paying a premium for very few upgrades, a few different angles to the body and headstock shape, and a sticker that says, "LTD, Jackson, Epiphone, Squire, Gretsch, Guild, Yamaha, Ibanez, PRS, and so on." I work for one of the largest US retailers of musical instruments and I see thousands of guitars a week in every price range. What is crazy is some of the stuff coming from Asian manufacturers are better finished than those coming out of the American manufacturing facilities. Sure the hardware and electronics aren't always as good as what you get in a US made but for as cheap as they are if you upgrade the electronics and hardware you are still thousands less for an instrument that is built to the same dimensional specs, looks, and is going to sound as good. The only thing is the high gloss finishes on the necks. However, that is rectified by using ultra-fine steel wool and reworking the finish on the back of the neck to give it a more matte feel.
I ordered one of these months ago and jeez, man, it's such an incredible guitar. One of my favorites I own
I got one of these about two weeks ago and am generally pleased so far. Fit and finish are better than one would expect for sub $350 instrument. Pickups are overwound At 13.5K ohms for the bridge; a little dark sounding for my taste but appropriate for hi-gain music styles this guitar is likely to be used for. Tuners are decent and the bone nut is cut properly. Neck profile is a little on the chunky side, binding and inlays are well executed too. I suspect the fretboard is a synthetic material; it didn't really seem to absorb the oil/stain I applied. Length of the ball end frets vary somewhat And four of the frets were slightly high. I reseated one and used a fret file to lightly dress the four until my fret rocked showed them level. I'm a little surprised the frets were not bigger/taller since shred/metal focused instruments these days typically have pretty big frets. I needed to back off the truss rod to get enough neck relief with a 10-42 string set. Intonation was spot on on my example and, after leveling the frets, I managed to get the action pretty darn low. Other than the setup, strings and a set of strap-lock buttons this thing is now ready to rock !
Ive been following Max for a while. Always seems like a cool guy. He really does try his hardest to give a very honest review of the guitars
I love how it almost looks exactly like the Destroyer I've had for the past 35 years. I love seeing this design to come back. I'd have more of them if I didn't want to just look like the life-long Def Leppard fan that I am!
Awesome review. You play beautifully.
Adrian Smith played it before and better than Phil Collen. 😝😂
At this point, it's a very generic shape. You'll see them on Ibanez, Schecter, etc. Still looks really cool I'm glad to hear it's a decent guitar. I'm seriously thinking about buying one.
@@bitburg40 i love them both 🤩🤘🏼
an absolute beauty of a guitar right there. Reminds me a lot of the Firefly FFLX in purple they had last year.
That's actually the one I bought.
@@nychold
Are you happy with your purchase?
Mine came in the mail today, and honestly I was impressed. It was absolutely playable out of the box, but the neck was set a little too straight for my liking so I adjusted the truss rod just a smidge. The tuning machines are actually quite nice for cheap things, and the biggest surprise was just how useable the pickups were. I originally intended to swap them out for colored ones, but I enjoy the sound enough where I don't think I will. I didn't have the quality issues some brought up like uneven frets or anything. I LOVE the neck profile, and the finish is a lot nicer in person. The one possible nitpick I've found so far is that in the little destroyer-esq notch in the body, there's a noticeable binding seam. Not a gap or anything, but you can feel a "dent" in the clear coat where the seams clearly aren't the same exact height. A very nice alternative (regardless of price point) to a good and proper Gibson Explorer, which I was never a huge fan of mine when I owned one as it was a little dull/warm/dead sounding.
Max you are the best reviewer and you totally shred awesome riffs & noodles, but in this video I especially like the part where you showed the placement of the output jack and then showed the balance of the strap buttons. I like it so much when guitar designers take those sorts of things into consideration!
Awesome as always!!! I love that color. The value is amazing…
Wow insane couldn't imagine having these guitars back in the 80's for the price! as always a great honest review👍 would love for you to check out that V looks awesome🙏well done Sir Thx! 🤘⛓⚔☠
Would be interested in seeing you showcase the Cerberus V from West Creek as well! Love the vid!
Id dig a V like this quality.
MAB! 😊Good to see fit & finish showing up on affordable guitars. Would be nice if the lower end guitars of the big two had excellent fit & finish.
Max, as always thank you! I’ve had one of these in GREEN for about 6 months now. Mine REQUIRED a full, professional setup out of the box that included a fret level.
That said, after the setup I am very very happy with it, and it is just as good as my Epiphones, Deans and Charvel.
It’s very surprising!
Thanks again for such a killer review, and putting us on to them having more models out now!!
i truly believe if you knew this guy in person and asked he would just give you a guitar if you couldn't afford one
he 🤔 may always be indoors...
You may have to wash his windows first... 🎉
And , if you asked nice enough, maybe he’d give a few free lessons as well.
Don’t read that the wrong way! I grew up with a guy like him. Phenomenal guitarist, and willing to jam with you , and give you pointers, show you an easier way to do this or that, etc. No ego! Just s humble friend, who was seriously interested in helping you out! Side note! He ended up going to Berkeley, and still plays in local bands, and teaches a total guitar system! Rock, metal, jazz, country, etc. he’s still the nicest person I ever met, and the best guitarist I’ve ever seen!
@@syndicatedsatellite7288I’d wash more than just his windows 😈.
FYI I mean his guitars
Thanks for the neck dive test. Probably the single most frustrating thing about odd bodies.
I have both this guitar and the V you mentioned. I bought the Revenge and upgraded everything and it's a monster. In both the Revenge and the V style guitar I put a set of Seymour Duncan Distortion Mayhems. Both guitars are excellent with the main difference being the V just feels like it wants to be thrown around and abused more.
Did you upgrade the bridge ? If so, what did you use?
@sjs793 yeah, I put Guyker Tune-o-matic bridges in both.
@@JustinNoOriginBand I received mine, it's flawless. I thought I'd need to make some changes but I really can't find any reason to do so except maybe a bridge pu. It stays in tune great! I know with these imports ican be a gamble because they can tend to be inconsistent, but I definitely scored a good one. These things have just gotta scare the bigger manufacturers that sell the same guitars for $999.00 +. Thanks for the reply, enjoy yours!
Which one is better out of the box this one or the flying v westcreek
@@Chosenfew_0129 out of the box the Revenge was more playable but I needed to shield the pickup and control cavities properly to eliminate all the interference. The V needed more setup but I intended to completely overhaul them both anyways. If nothing else I would swap at least the bridge pickups and locking tuners on the Revenge really made it quite nice.
Damn, these videos are becoming addictive! Subscribed! Neat guitar, looking a bit Harley Benton with the "step" on the back edge, but it certainly looks like a decent axe. Perfect for your first Blues jam session 🙂
Great video as always Max. I'd really be interested in you getting your hands on an IYV IS-400 HH. They look like their guitars might be pretty good. Rock On!!
Yes, the WestCreek Cerberus V Heavy Metal Guitar in Stardust Blue is also intriguing.
Awesome guitar! Awesome review! (as always) and man, I wish I had half of your talent. BTW it's only $239 right now.
Owow dude, really cool solo in the intro! The guitar looks very cool!
love it! love the V.. and the green headless too!! i would be very much interested in watching a review or demo of it too
I have a 1981 Destroyer I got back in 83 still have it. I noticed that notch right away. Cool guitar Bro great video.
Wanna sell that destroyer?...lol...
I have a white one. Only one problem..the bridge is put on backwards from the factory. It is a wider Nashville style bridge. I turned it around so the screws face the tail and it will intonate perfectly. I usually play strats and teles..but I found this one very comfortable to hold and play. That one quick and easy tweak, and it is dead on nice. Very pleased with it.
Great guitar and great review!
When ordering a V or Explorer style guitar, always get a case.
Whether soft or hard case, they are always difficult to find later.
Love the channel 😁.
Blistering opening jam, Sir Maxingham!
Just received the green one.
Fesley is a good, cheap brand. Had some issues with mine (rough back of the neck and gritty frets), but nothing that a little sandpaper, polish, and elbow grease couldn't fix. Not the greatest feeling guitar, but for $130, it's hard to beat.
Censtar is another brand I've heard good things about, and they offer a number of styles.
Gorgeous guitar for so little money! Stick some double cream Super Distortions and some matching rings that sucker would be beautiful! Would go good with the cream binding
I'm stoked, I passed on the last round before they sold out completely, but I just nabbed one when they came back in stock today.
It can't get here soon enough.
Fun fact, I've known Mike Batio from way back in the Holland days. Joey Cetner produced my brother's band. Mike's is a real piece of work as a human, but the writing and playing on Holland's "Little Monsters" is legendary.
Bought one! $199 on Amazon, I like it, probably replace the tuners some were a little hard to tune in. Cool color and the back is ocean blue, to me the sound is in the high side, perfect for power chords.
This looks a lot like the purple Schecter E - 1 special edition you've got, Max. Definitely has a different sound though and there might be a slight difference in price as well, lol. I agree, it does look like it has a nice fit and finish. It could be a great mod platform for ppl who like that Explorer style body and it's far more affordable than what you'd have to spend on a Gibson.
I really ike the way you play, Max. I am beating myself up for not snatching this guitar up fast enough. But thanks for yet another great tip. Your reviews always give enough info to make a decision. I appreciate it a lot. I'll be ready for the next one.
You have to review the Flying V with the reverse headstock!
Man, if only they had an all black one or the red one they list as unavailable. Looks purple to me but oddly enough, they list the color as "Pink Lizard" (and "Green Lizard" for the green one).
Nice shirt, Max! I'll be seeing him on Saturday! 🤟
Hey, Max. The thing I like about your channel is there's always another opportunity. Seriously... giant thanks for the windows you open!
I bought a red one at the beginning of the year and it blew me away! I always wanted an Ibanez destroyer, but by the time I could afford one, they stopped selling them. I definitely want to get one of their new V guitars!
Also, check out some of the IYV guitars. They're also very good!
Iyv had a dinky copy on amazon that quickly sold out before i could grab one
@@ernestalcala4369 yea I saw that. It was like $130. Not bad at all, but you can get a JS-11 Dinky with bigger frets for like $160 and they're basically identical in looks.
Definitely review that V! I was waiting for them to release one after I first saw the explorers months ago
I got the Green one about a month now and LOVE IT!!! That being said, When I got it, I changed out the crappy strings it came with. Also had to drop the action, raise the pickups, and set the intonation. I did change out the knobs that came with it and added strap locks. I may change out the tuning machines at some point, but they are not that bad really. Pickups are pretty beefy! It's Great for High Gain Metal! Honestly have no idea what it sounds like on a clean channel.
Great Axe for the price but just be ready to give it a set up or take it to a shop when it arrives. This has become my 2nd favorite guitar in my collection.
Yeah Max , I just bought the Green Lizard . 3 left now at the mentioned $239.00 price on Amazon. Thanks all .
@thetattedbaldguy has some great videos to check out! Love what you're doing here max
This model is the closest thing to owning a Schecter E-1 for those on a budget. That's what this one reminds me of. It would be nice if a few more other colors were available like Honeyburst and Vintage Sunburst - but I can understand why.
That is exactly why I clicked on the thumbnail. I have been searching for the E-1 with sustainiac at a price I can afford ever since Max did that review. They have always fallen through my fingers (budget).
@@hotchow8766 I'm in the same position right now. I had a hustle that was guaranteed to get me this guitar here or something close but the gas tank always go empty so I always have to put most of it towards that. Priorities first, leisures last.
There’s a red and green to
I was eyeing this guitar for a couple weeks now. Planned on buying it tomorrow when my credit statement came in. There were 15 in stock for the longest time. Then I saw this video. Checked Amazon before bed, only 10 left in stock. Woke up and checked again, only 4 left. Needless to say, I wasn't waiting until tomorrow so I just ordered one. Lol With a $20 coupon and $60 in credit card points, I spent less than $200 out of pocket. Probably gonna swap the pickups simply because I have a pink set of Seymour Duncan's that have been lying around unused for the past year or so.
Most Explorer players I know place the strap over the upper rear bout keeping the axe tight to the body. Try it when standing.
I would love to see you review a Sandberg Forty Eight guitar. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
With big name brands jacking up prices and having quality control issues, this is a GREAT market for up and coming manufacturers to offer great quality at affordable reasonable prices. Guitar looks and sounds amazing!
I'll preface this by saying I like mine a lot (have the green one.) That being said, a couple of things you may or may not run into:
The frets - Yes they have nice ends on them. However, on mine I needed to "run the grits" on them because they were really gritty when doing vibrato. I used a set of fret erasers for this (cheap set also found on amazon,) and it cleaned them up pretty nicely.
The inlays - mine are sticking out above the board (basically all of them.) They are still smooth, it's not like there were sharp inlay edges or anything. This hasn't caused me any issues as far as play-ability, and at this price point, I can't really whine about it.
The volume knobs - I have heard mixed things on this. Some people experience this and some don't. On mine, the volume knobs are basically an "on/off" switch, and they don't actually roll the volume down in any way. I will likely change them out myself, which is not particularly hard if you know how to solder.
Honestly though, for what they're charging, it's not a big deal. If you're experienced and still buying cheap guitars to mess with, you probably already have to tools to make this thing great. And if you're a beginner, the cost of this guitar + a setup is still going to put you in a better place than most budget guitars.
They look really great too. I have some Jackson Kellys that don't look this good and cost me a lot more.
it is listed as $239 with a $20 coupon as of 9/18/2023 at 9 pm on the amazon link you have posted. That makes it $219. Killer deal. Thanks for the heads up. I still love my Firefly 335 copy you brought to my attention like 3 years ago for $140 with a really good cord and picks. I sold my 1976 Gibson 335 TD because the Firefly was actually just as good in my opinion. Not as heavy but just as good.
I've been seeing these pop up every now and then, not going to lie the Revenge looks like it's right up my alley being mainly an Explorer guy myself. Might have to spend some extra pennies on one eventually and see if can hang with my LTD EX Black Metal and Schecter E-7 Apocalypse, good review!
2 Questions, and thanks for the post Max. 1) What is the radius of this guitar? All of my shredder guitars are 9.5" or lower, but for chords-I have found that 12'' or 16" Radius are easier to play. 2) Can you research any Bass Models of any of these guitar manufacturers? I have a student who needs a P-Bass or possibly a J-Bass. Thanks again, Man.
YES!!!! Please do an episode on the Flying V!! I’m dying to see a review on it because I’ve always wanted a V but I’m afraid to pull the trigger on a more expensive one because I’m not sure if I would like the body style and feel. I’m torn between the V and the Revenge, both are cool!
Guitar Max is the Patron Saint of Quality Inexpensive guitars!!! Always an advocate for the working budget minded musicians!!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗👍👍👍👍👍😀😀😀😀 Enjoy watching his channel!!!! 😀😀😀👍👍👍 Max is an awesome dude!!!! Seriously thinking 🤔 about purchasing this guitar!!!!! Wanted to buy an Explorer shaped guitar without paying a shit load of $money!!!! I was considering buying a Jackson Kelly or an 1980s Ibanez Destroyer but too expensive for my budget!!!!
Great review! It looks like a good Schecter E1 and Ibanez Destroyer alternative.
I've been buying a few IYV"s here and there and they have so many incredible offerings it's tough to choose just one.
I could definitely work with that. My first guitar which I still love is an old sonnex 180 deluxe. I learned on that neck profile, and the gloss finish. I miss playing that guitar since I retired it. It needs serious work to get back into playable shape. The way you describe this neck reminds me of that guitar, and for the price, it's not a bad thing to try.
had an Ibanez destroyer dt420 for many years, it was my favorite guitar, traded it in for a Geddy Lee Fender J bass, and regret it ..
I think one of these will hit the spot.
At first glance I thought it was an Epiphone Extura Prophecy (I own one) but seeing the extra cut on the back I thought a Schecter with a hard tail. When seeing that head stock I was lost. Looks like a project guitar
Nice review, max 😎🤘🏻🎸 I’m a huge fan of explorer styled guitars and I have been curious about this one. And I can see that this guitars closely resemble an Ibanez destroyer. Other than that, this guitar sounds awesome for the price. I’m thinking about buying this guitar.
Great video! Enjoyed this one. Beautiful guitar!
I love these Westcreek guitars I own a couple of their models and love them. Other than a step up and new strings the ones I have were great right out of the box after buying.
The next guitar on my one day list is the Grote LPS003 I especially want it in that awesome green I already have the Grote 335 with the trapeze tale in the beautiful purple with the red pick guard I can’t wait to see that West Creek flying V in action when you get it
I bought the green burst and put dimarzios in it,and its badass. Love it.
Awesome review as always. Zero gimmicks. Just easy listening honesty. As far as future reviews, I'd like to toss into the hat. Samick Guitars - Greg Bennett design Rockwell (Explorer style body).
I'm pretty sure these can only be found 'used'. I've heard that 'other' guitar companies have used Samick guitars. Any knowledge of these 'rumors' being true?
I would love to see a review on the IYV 6 String IYV-ILP-400FR Electric Guitar. It has a Les Paul style body, but it has 24 frets, and a floyd rose! It is really cool looking, in satin black. It is also under $200!
I might give this guitar a try sometime, looks beautiful.
Yo Max! I kept checking in on this sold out guitar. And I got it in green. They say it's in new condition. I wanted it, so I went for it. Of course I'm worried about where this one came from and why, but I trust Amazon's policies about describing the guitar's condition truthfully. I'm full on in the purchase, so again, thanks for the review. I guess I wanted it bad enough because yo! It's mine! Thanks.
Wow that sounds really good and looks great. Nice playing and nice tone
West Creek also has a beautiful flying-V in 3 colors $259
Yes, I was thinking of buying a West Creek V, but there is a notice from Amazon that says this V guitar has a "high return" rate.
Awesome! I need this axe! Great video Max!,
Cool guitar. I had a Destroyer in the late eighties. Wish I still had it. How ‘bout you review their flying V
I'm pretty sure the frets are NOT stainless. They filed and polished pretty easily. Good video review. Now I need to find a case or gig bag to fit this crazy thing !
Yup, regular nickel silver frets. Mine were polished well and had the nice rounded ball end fret ends.
I am so happy that I have grown out of the "omg, I need to buy that guitar" phase or I would have bought a few just to mod out. The boxes of EMG's, Seymour Duncans, Epiphone humbuckers, nuts, tuners, hardware, pots, jacks.. I would have created a monster. But if it's a full Mahogany body with just a veneer, with a set neck and finished frets, I couldn't even build one for that price.
Hell yeah ,review all of them, if there's a chance,they all sound as good as that one,rock 'n' roll won't be as expensive.
Few things. If someone doesn’t like the tone, it seems worthy of a pup swap.
If someone doesn’t like the gloss neck, tape the neck on the binding, heel and at the headstock. Run some 220 grit sandpaper on the neck and just check the finish for the feel that you want after a couple passes.
Firefly came out with one that was red like my Destroyer FFLX a while back. I got it and set it up and put in EMG H4 pickups and all new electronics . Haven't seen the all red ones since.
A review of the Jackson JS22 AH SC Monarkh Snow White would be nice and appreciated! Thanks for what you do!💪🤘
Awesome video! I'd like to see you check out some of the M Musi guitars they have features that you usually only get on $2000 guitars for less than $400.👍👏
Either the west creek "racer" dc, or the v looks cool, I'd love to see reviews of those.
im sold on the feel of it after a proper set up. its more comfortable playing my epiphone les paul traditional pro 2 that i got for free , it just feels right
Hey guitar hero just wanted to say looking sharp,I'm getting that guitar next,it gets killer reviews,I have Ben waiting for you to do this one first,ur the man I trust the most I no u no ur shit and ty for all u had to do to be the best,ur welcome
West Creek revenge guitar does sound very nice for the money
I really want to see the Westcreek Helios. I've been eyeing the silverburst.
Thanks for BOSS IR tip. I have a 15+ year old ZOOM that makes my guitar sound right out of the Stone Age.
I forgot to request a review. I dont think you reviewed this one yet. And I should say right up front, I took a gamble and bought one already. It's on Amazon, and it's called a Fesley. The same model seems to be priced by color for about $130 - $150, and they're being marketed as "for beginners". I'm pretty positive I saw it on someone else's YT Channel. I guess all you need to decide whether it's worth your time. So anyway, I vote that way for now.
I got mine. Mine is the red one. I have the covered pickups, not like the ones on you guitar featured in this video. Mine sounds just like my Epiphone Les Paul.. I posted a pick of it on Amazon.
I've been looking at these for a few months now and wondered if they were any good. Gave me the early 80's Phil Collen destroyer vibe. Thanks for making the video. Please review the Cerberus.
I’d love to see a review of the V! 🙏🏼🤘🏼
I wish I could get one of these left handed. My first guitar in the 80’s was a destroyer that I flipped the nut on and played upside down.
My first thought was "that's a dead ringer for the old Ibanez Destroyer"! 😊 Looks great.
Gus G. has made Explorer style guitars great again! 😆
I wish your shirt also said, "The keys to the Lamborghini!"
I have it in green..Love this guitar!
Good stuff brother- definitely review the V 🤘💪⚡️
Smokin opening jam. Nice video.
I appreciate it!
I would love to see a review of the flying V.
Glam metal band in the 80's would kill to get that guitar. I would like to see you review the prince cloud guitar. I'm not sure who makes the official one.
It looks like the Schecter E1 special. Minus floyd, carbon fiber binding and quilt top but this guitar for $240 sounds and looks great to me!
Yes! A review on that one that looks like Dave’s would be cool! Thanks
Lol I was waiting for one of you guitarists that I follow on RUclips, to do a review of this guitar! Yeah looks and sounds pretty good, thanks for reviewing this one!
Excellent, thanks!
Here is the thing you have to consider about these "off-brand" guitars, many of them are built in the same factories in Indonesia, China, and Korea that the big names are using to manufacture their affordable lines in. These are more or less factory "house brands", with the difference being that they do not demand a higher pricetag simply because of the reputation associated with any specific trademarked branding. It all boils down to whether or not the name on the headstock is really that important to you because honestly you are paying a premium for very few upgrades, a few different angles to the body and headstock shape, and a sticker that says, "LTD, Jackson, Epiphone, Squire, Gretsch, Guild, Yamaha, Ibanez, PRS, and so on."
I work for one of the largest US retailers of musical instruments and I see thousands of guitars a week in every price range. What is crazy is some of the stuff coming from Asian manufacturers are better finished than those coming out of the American manufacturing facilities. Sure the hardware and electronics aren't always as good as what you get in a US made but for as cheap as they are if you upgrade the electronics and hardware you are still thousands less for an instrument that is built to the same dimensional specs, looks, and is going to sound as good. The only thing is the high gloss finishes on the necks. However, that is rectified by using ultra-fine steel wool and reworking the finish on the back of the neck to give it a more matte feel.