I had the same thought. I want my expensive new guitar to be perfect. But those pickups sound great. Especially the humbucker-way too many humbuckers sound muddy to me. The clarity on that humbucker was fantastic.
I'd love to see more videos on brands outside of Gibson and Fender. Like when you covered Vola and FGN. The instrument world has so many cool brands. Cream Guitars from Mexico is cool. Ibanez has been doing a lot of neat modern and vintage type stuff. Eastman, Suhr, JET, Harley Benton, Vintage, etc
Believe it or not, Friedman already has a "vintage" age. These guitars were originally a collaboration between Grover Jackson (who pioneered the compound radius fretboard) And Marty Friedman. They did three vintage style models with modern appointments and a few modern California Hot Rods. The Vintage T's get all the love. The Vintage S and the Metro D (The LP tribute)). Jackson and Friedman ended their relationship and Billy Rowe took over manufacturing.The Grover Jackson ones have mostly dried up. They are going up in value every time I see one on Reverb.There are a few Grover builds left on Reverb, but they are mostly the new ones. I have a Jackson era Vintage T and a Metro D and Now I want a Vintage S to complete the set!
That’s freakin awesome. I had backstage passes to a Megadeth concert in 94. They were all super cool. Smoked one of my first doobs with Mustaine and Pepper Keenan. CoC was the opener. Killer show. I was so enamored with them, I was obsessed with the Crate Blue Voodoo. I have a scribble script 120 now. Yeah I know he just used the power section, but I love that amp.
Curious how they secure the Nut end of the Truss Rod. I can appreciate the adjustment setup they utilize, that and the locking tuners save a lot of time over the life of the instrument. With my vintage Stratocasters and Tele I need to loosen the Neck Screws and crack it loose to adjust the Truss Rod, its definitely an event to do that.
@@hkguitar1984....I'm thinking they drill the truss hole...then ream a female threaded sleeve down that 25" neck shaft ..maybe set with an epoxy ..then ready for the threaded truss rod
It looks so. However based on other photos online they do a maple cap fretboard. A bit like Fender also did sometime in the 60s. It’s a little hard to see when it’s reliced like that.
Fender does not own the stratocaster shape, they could have easily made a knockoff if they wanted, perfectly legal. The fact they chose to do their own thing, it's awesome.
Was really hoping you'd take the neck off. One of the foundational elements to the tone on these back when Grover Jackson was the luthier was the zero shift neck pins he CNCd into the neck. Made the neck pocket about as solid as possible and seemingly caused these things to sustain for days. Massively underrated guitars, thanks for featuring one on here!
Not sure if it's the green screen, but it looks like there's a string alingment issue? The high E looks like it's much closer to the edge of the fretboard than the low E.
Looks like the nut has been replaced with a plastic nut cut too wide - the treble side of the nut is hanging off the edge moving the high E too close to the edge. It’s going to slip off. Easy fix though. Stick a brass nut on it - that fits.
@@grawman67 Don't even think about it, get one. I play Classic Rock and Stoner Rock with my Little Sister and it screams! It has more gain than many demo videos on YT show.
If I'm not mistaken, Grover Jackson was involved in the design of the Friedman guitars. He was developing them the same time he was building his GJ2 guitars, they share similar lines.
That Gibson white explorer was awesome. Not crazy about the relic look. I do like fenders awful expensive, but isn't everything that way these days. I guess I'd need to try it. I've heard a few good things about these guitar it's a matter of taste. It was an interesting review Thanx for showing it to us Trogly. What does your audience think about these? I see a couple people like em.
The neck is interesting. There is usually either a fretboard glued on (even if both are maple) or a skunk stripe on the back so the truss rod can be installed. These must have a hole drilled all the way through from the heel.
I could do without the aging, but these are fantastic playing guitars. I have a purple Vintage T and it’s excellent. Cool to see a review! Congrats on your new guitar.
Apparently Trog doesn't know that Friedman is known for boutique Marshall-esque amps from here in LA - that's literally an amp logo on the case. EVH, Jerry Cantrell, Steve Stevens just some bad boys that use(d) his amps. 🎸
"So if you want a Strat, but hate that comfortable body, this will give you those bruised ribs you love…" I'm curious as to where these come from. Are they building them; are they being built for them in a "Custom Shop" manner, or are they essentially Warmoth partscasters? There are quite a few brands that are just that. These are different enough that they might be the former, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's the latter. The action looks like it's setup for slide. The pickups sound meh. This argument for relic'd guitars are more comfortable to play is true, but it seems to have this implication that beyond an actual 60 year old guitar, this is the only way to get that feel. You could just as easily build a new guitar, that looks new, but has the same exact feel. Put on a thin finish, round the fretboard, give it a slight asymmetric neck profile, etc.
Change that pickguard! It looks like a signature model for The World Of Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Shell pink is beautiful, but matched w/ the red tortoise guard it is a clash. I’d suggest a parchment 3 ply white or mother of pearl. Let the shell pink do the talking. But if you all disagree with me that’s perfectly fine, and I hope your 4 year old daughter loves her cute guitar. Another pickguard option would be to have one custom made - like a sharp fanged fire cobra holding a fork in its robot arm eating a muscular tiger. Now That would a guitar! Btw- Friedman is a champion. He makes impressively great gear. Plus he looks cool for a big guy. I wonder if he likes strawberry shortcake… nothing wrong with that, it’s delicious. But keep it off guitars. Thank you, and I’m glad we had this conversation. I’m only here to help.
Very long drill bit (very, very long). I've an older Les Paul, the 3/4" hole that is drilled for the output jack runs through the entire body, all the way to the pickup selector switch on the top bought. Obviously they use fixtures for such long drills, I'm gonna check and see if there is a Friedman Factory tour video online.
I hate how on some Strat types, the bridge pickup is sooooooo far away from the bridge. I hate how Strats with humbuckers have a tendency to sound overly smooth compared to Gibbos when you would think it'd be the opposite (to me).
Friedman has been at it making knockoff Stratocasters almost as long as anyone else. I've seen one on my lifetime and it was pretty good. But as you see the process are a little high.
Friedman guitars are way over priced. Who would shell out $3000 when you can get a American Strat for $2400? Actually I bought a brand new 2024 Fender AV II Stratocaster 1973 with case for $1400 from Pro Audio Star on Reverb, they ran a one day sale and I also had a coupon for 15% off new customer of Pro Audio Star and they honor the coupon.
Okay, my opinion on esthetics only. First, too much relic-ing. It doesn’t look worn. It just looks beat up. And that particular pink is butt-ugly. The head stock, not good looking. The neck just looks worn out especially without a fretboard. Making the whole guitar pretty ugly. I can’t see anyone saying, “ Wow, I gotta have that guitar.” Especially at that price point.
Pug fugly! Hard enough to justify paying that for a Gibson, but the workmanship on the Friedman looks awful! AWFUL! And it's a bolt on neck SMH! Maybe you should try an ESP with a neck through design Austin!?!
They look awsome .js5 not.the price butnive alwasunwasntednto haveva nitro guitarna pig tailnchird and a tube amp with a big muff bedoe i kroak...luv ya triglyma oastk and tortice guard or moto makesnme feelnlike ankis Nd ao happy..my firt rig was a harmony strat copy i wish i had hKf the guitars i trad3d before the internet..inhad skk thr grunge ,death metal Nd such..i wksh inhad em I got a old bigsbybreal t tops and blakno9os i wish we were neeibors i wana make a deal rig woth wjat o got .😢😢❤ ya
I just don’t understand the whole aging thing when I buy a new guitar I want to look brand new. I don’t know it would just feel like I’m giving a whole Lotta money away for something that looks like it should go in the garbage can just my opinion
I'm not into modern relic guitars but that Friedman sounded really good.
I had the same thought. I want my expensive new guitar to be perfect. But those pickups sound great. Especially the humbucker-way too many humbuckers sound muddy to me. The clarity on that humbucker was fantastic.
I'd love to see more videos on brands outside of Gibson and Fender. Like when you covered Vola and FGN. The instrument world has so many cool brands. Cream Guitars from Mexico is cool. Ibanez has been doing a lot of neat modern and vintage type stuff. Eastman, Suhr, JET, Harley Benton, Vintage, etc
Or another Iceman… those are awesome guitars. Wish I had never sold my IC400.
Friedman on trogly? Ok, yes please.
I know right.
I actually really dig the Friedman headstock. A lot of s-style boutique headstocks look out of place and weird.
It's definitely better than PRS.
Dude your playing has definitely improved lately.
Yeah! Just give Trogly a great guitar and he takes off!!
Believe it or not, Friedman already has a "vintage" age. These guitars were originally a collaboration between Grover Jackson (who pioneered the compound radius fretboard) And Marty Friedman. They did three vintage style models with modern appointments and a few modern California Hot Rods. The Vintage T's get all the love. The Vintage S and the Metro D (The LP tribute)). Jackson and Friedman ended their relationship and Billy Rowe took over manufacturing.The Grover Jackson ones have mostly dried up. They are going up in value every time I see one on Reverb.There are a few Grover builds left on Reverb, but they are mostly the new ones. I have a Jackson era Vintage T and a Metro D and Now I want a Vintage S to complete the set!
Very cool
That’s freakin awesome. I had backstage passes to a Megadeth concert in 94. They were all super cool. Smoked one of my first doobs with Mustaine and Pepper Keenan. CoC was the opener. Killer show. I was so enamored with them, I was obsessed with the Crate Blue Voodoo. I have a scribble script 120 now. Yeah I know he just used the power section, but I love that amp.
1 piece neck and no skunk stripe ? Interesting
Right, that's the hardest way to do it.
Curious how they secure the Nut end of the Truss Rod.
I can appreciate the adjustment setup they utilize, that and the locking tuners save a lot of time over the life of the instrument.
With my vintage Stratocasters and Tele I need to loosen the Neck Screws and crack it loose to adjust the Truss Rod, its definitely an event to do that.
@@hkguitar1984....I'm thinking they drill the truss hole...then ream a female threaded sleeve down that 25" neck shaft ..maybe set with an epoxy ..then ready for the threaded truss rod
I caught that too. Why would you choose to do it the hardest way possible?
It looks so. However based on other photos online they do a maple cap fretboard. A bit like Fender also did sometime in the 60s. It’s a little hard to see when it’s reliced like that.
Fender does not own the stratocaster shape, they could have easily made a knockoff if they wanted, perfectly legal. The fact they chose to do their own thing, it's awesome.
Was really hoping you'd take the neck off. One of the foundational elements to the tone on these back when Grover Jackson was the luthier was the zero shift neck pins he CNCd into the neck. Made the neck pocket about as solid as possible and seemingly caused these things to sustain for days. Massively underrated guitars, thanks for featuring one on here!
Not sure if it's the green screen, but it looks like there's a string alingment issue? The high E looks like it's much closer to the edge of the fretboard than the low E.
Looks like the nut has been replaced with a plastic nut cut too wide - the treble side of the nut is hanging off the edge moving the high E too close to the edge. It’s going to slip off. Easy fix though. Stick a brass nut on it - that fits.
I don't have a Friedman guitar yet but I do have a Little Sister tube amp and it's the best amp I've owned. Hand wired, hand built in America.
The Runt and Little Sister have really been speaking to me. I'm really considering picking up one. Glad to hear you like yours
@@grawman67 Don't even think about it, get one. I play Classic Rock and Stoner Rock with my Little Sister and it screams! It has more gain than many demo videos on YT show.
The thing I like about reliced guitars is the immediate loss of anxiety of getting that first new guitar ding.
If I'm not mistaken, Grover Jackson was involved in the design of the Friedman guitars. He was developing them the same time he was building his GJ2 guitars, they share similar lines.
That Gibson white explorer was awesome. Not crazy about the relic look. I do like fenders awful expensive, but isn't everything that way these days. I guess I'd need to try it. I've heard a few good things about these guitar it's a matter of taste. It was an interesting review Thanx for showing it to us Trogly.
What does your audience think about these? I see a couple people like em.
The Fender American Deluxe series had a 9.5 inch to 14 inch compound radius neck so they changed it slightly from fenders design.
You think compound radius are Fenders design? 😂
The neck is interesting. There is usually either a fretboard glued on (even if both are maple) or a skunk stripe on the back so the truss rod can be installed. These must have a hole drilled all the way through from the heel.
I had a Friedman Vintage T, it was such an amazing guitar. Wouldnt mind having another one. Well worth the money. Would love you to check out Kauer
I’ve got a vintage t with p-90’s and it’s easily one of my favorites
Same here, from the Grover era. It's a phenomenal instrument. Best guitar I've ever played. The sustain is absolutely absurd
Dig the aesthetics of that thar jobby , looks goot , I've read good things about the Friedman amps too ! Boom-Boom- Quack-Quack !! THANKS Troglyz !
I can’t get it through my mind that someone pays a premium price for a beat up guitar…
I have an Abasi made by Grover Jackson (they make the Friedman most of the time) and it is amazing. Same case layout too.
Evening Troglodytes!!!
Modern 'relic' - MEH.
A great way for the company to ensure there are not returns due to QC.
I could do without the aging, but these are fantastic playing guitars. I have a purple Vintage T and it’s excellent.
Cool to see a review! Congrats on your new guitar.
Quite versatile. Love the look.
Very cool, maybe demo a small Friedman amp?
Apparently Trog doesn't know that Friedman is known for boutique Marshall-esque amps from here in LA - that's literally an amp logo on the case. EVH, Jerry Cantrell, Steve Stevens just some bad boys that use(d) his amps. 🎸
I like an 11 screw pickguard on a fender Stratocaster.
Having to use a screw driver to lock the strings defeats the purpose of locking tuners. Which is to speed up string changing 🤔
How would you decide which pair of pre-ripped jeans to wear when playing this guitar?
From the nut down, it looks great.
Sounds good to me. More of a Les Paul guy... My brother would probably like it. Though I do have a Japanese "Strat".
No blue, sunburst, white or surf green?
Trogly, I sand down all my gloss necks when I get them so that’s less work for me.
"So if you want a Strat, but hate that comfortable body, this will give you those bruised ribs you love…" I'm curious as to where these come from. Are they building them; are they being built for them in a "Custom Shop" manner, or are they essentially Warmoth partscasters? There are quite a few brands that are just that. These are different enough that they might be the former, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's the latter. The action looks like it's setup for slide. The pickups sound meh.
This argument for relic'd guitars are more comfortable to play is true, but it seems to have this implication that beyond an actual 60 year old guitar, this is the only way to get that feel. You could just as easily build a new guitar, that looks new, but has the same exact feel. Put on a thin finish, round the fretboard, give it a slight asymmetric neck profile, etc.
Change that pickguard! It looks like a signature model for The World Of Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Shell pink is beautiful, but matched w/ the red tortoise guard it is a clash. I’d suggest a parchment 3 ply white or mother of pearl. Let the shell pink do the talking. But if you all disagree with me that’s perfectly fine, and I hope your 4 year old daughter loves her cute guitar.
Another pickguard option would be to have one custom made - like a sharp fanged fire cobra holding a fork in its robot arm eating a muscular tiger.
Now That would a guitar! Btw- Friedman is a champion. He makes impressively great gear. Plus he looks cool for a big guy. I wonder if he likes strawberry shortcake… nothing wrong with that, it’s delicious. But keep it off guitars. Thank you, and I’m glad we had this conversation. I’m only here to help.
All through the playing demo, I kept expecting you to launch into the Beatles song "Hey Bulldog".
I think these are Grover Jackson guitars:o)
How did they get the truss rod in there if there isn’t a skunk stripe or a fretboard?
Very long drill bit (very, very long).
I've an older Les Paul, the 3/4" hole that is drilled for the output jack runs through the entire body, all the way to the pickup selector switch on the top bought.
Obviously they use fixtures for such long drills, I'm gonna check and see if there is a Friedman Factory tour video online.
Very cool
5:13 “middle position 6.8 fun”
I hate how on some Strat types, the bridge pickup is sooooooo far away from the bridge. I hate how Strats with humbuckers have a tendency to sound overly smooth compared to Gibbos when you would think it'd be the opposite (to me).
Those torn guitar are so silly!
It did sound and look good a light blue or off white
It looks like somebody ran it over with a truck from the sewage plant
Troggy joins the Friedman club!
I'd still get it refinished.
sounds great
not sure I agree with the pups. I preferred the middle and the bridge/middle pairing.
Thanks for the video.
😮.... Oulala..!!!!... La Guitare du long filiforme... Allen Collins🫠🎸⚠️🐎...
For that money it should also be a wall hanger. Good sound but no where near a Fender.
Id rock it ..i dnt mind a relic but case buy case
Who is building this for them or is it in-house?
In-house
Yes, the house from Fight Club.
@0:56 Like some B'nez RG's.
Naw, I hate side mounted output jacks, I've smacked more than a few 1/4" jacks to pieces when they're placed there!!😢 😠
Love it.
Now try one of their amps!
I hate relic guitars. Just a beat up guitar in my mind. Want a real reliced guitar, buy one and play it for 30 years.
Another Strat, but not quite shape is the new Greg Koch model from Reverend.
Their guitars are $3500 to start.
Middle position 6.8fun 😂
Yea at that price point I will just get a used fender custom shop Strat
🤮relic
$3,500?
Nien, Danke.
Friedman has been at it making knockoff Stratocasters almost as long as anyone else. I've seen one on my lifetime and it was pretty good. But as you see the process are a little high.
$3500 dollars for a $500 dollar guitar?...wow
✌️
Friedman guitars are way over priced. Who would shell out $3000 when you can get a American Strat for $2400? Actually I bought a brand new 2024 Fender AV II Stratocaster 1973 with case for $1400 from Pro Audio Star on Reverb, they ran a one day sale and I also had a coupon for 15% off new customer of Pro Audio Star and they honor the coupon.
Eh..
I’ll do some dirty stuff for a pink guitar…
Nope. No way I want a new guitar (or any guitar) to look all beat up. No way.
Okay, my opinion on esthetics only. First, too much relic-ing. It doesn’t look worn. It just looks beat up. And that particular pink is butt-ugly. The head stock, not good looking. The neck just looks worn out especially without a fretboard. Making the whole guitar pretty ugly. I can’t see anyone saying, “ Wow, I gotta have that guitar.” Especially at that price point.
I don’t get the relic look. To each their own and if you do like that style good for you. But in my opinion just a gimmick.
Yp
Relicing 🤮 Palatable, wooooo, touch you 🤣
Whatever, I guess.
Pug fugly! Hard enough to justify paying that for a Gibson, but the workmanship on the Friedman looks awful! AWFUL! And it's a bolt on neck SMH! Maybe you should try an ESP with a neck through design Austin!?!
Not impressed! Especially for the price.
I hate reviews of boutique guitars. Gibson, Fender, or Rickenbacker for me.
They look awsome .js5 not.the price butnive alwasunwasntednto haveva nitro guitarna pig tailnchird and a tube amp with a big muff bedoe i kroak...luv ya triglyma oastk and tortice guard or moto makesnme feelnlike ankis Nd ao happy..my firt rig was a harmony strat copy i wish i had hKf the guitars i trad3d before the internet..inhad skk thr grunge ,death metal Nd such..i wksh inhad em
I got a old bigsbybreal t tops and blakno9os i wish we were neeibors i wana make a deal rig woth wjat o got
.😢😢❤ ya
Please stick to gibson
I just don’t understand the whole aging thing when I buy a new guitar I want to look brand new. I don’t know it would just feel like I’m giving a whole Lotta money away for something that looks like it should go in the garbage can just my opinion
Yahoo
4k and you get the same flawed trem that nobody uses *
Butter 🧈 butter 🧈 butter
Sounds like a toy, please buy a gibson
What a pink chuck of crap!
Wow it ain’t a crappy Gibson for a change
God, I hate relic'd guitars. Earn that yourself.