Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 7 Mar 2005 3:22 pm |
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Got the guitar, and have had a little time to get acquainted, share a shot, etc., so I thought I'd share my impressions of this fine "budget" 8-string.
The guitar is made of ash, like most of Herb's steels, and has a nice grain with a thin, nicely applied finish. It has a slotted headstock, with a thin brass nut and a chrome bridge. The string spacing might be slightly narrower than my Sierra, but it is still comfortable. It has the George L E-66 pickup in it, and it came adjusted perfectly under the strings out of the box. I got the legs, adding about $150 to the price, but well worth it. Tone and volume knobs are on the end behind the bridge.
I am not by any stretch of the imagination a good steeler, but I have been playing guitar for 22 years; the tone is quite sweet to my ears, a lot more organic and woody than my Sierra. Very Fendery. The tone control is set slightly above it's bottom, as the guitar is extremely trebly; I can't take the tone set any higher for my taste, but I can't say it won't cut through the mix. It sounds quite pleasant at this setting though. I may get a cap to change that a bit later. (any of you tech heads wanna make a recommendation?) I am primarily into sacred steel, and this guitar testifies- I like the Sierra tone better for rhythm, but the wah will be attached to this one. It really drives my effects well.
Negatives? Well, to nitpick, the action at the nut is pretty low. I tend to strike the wood a lot. The fretboard is a bit narrow, so the high string kinda hangs off a little. And, lastly, the trebly thing is a real ear-piercer- but that's why the tone control goes down!
All in all, I'd say for the money it is a truly great deal! It will be a great guitar for taking to jams and such, it's built well and looks great. And Herb is a really great guy to deal with, I'll have fond memories of listening to stories from one of the legends of the instrument!
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