ETA - 3rd custom ordered guitar is here!

[Mossman]

They'll work from a drawing? I really didn't need to find out about this...

[Mossman]

And how the hell is anybody supposed to PLAY this thing???

[slowhand84]

And how the hell is anybody supposed to PLAY this thing???

Tapping, mostly.

[mickey]

And how the hell is anybody supposed to PLAY this thing???

Looks like the first cousin of a "lap steel" to me.

https://www.rondomusic.com/lap2natlh.html

[andrewsrea]

[Mossman]

Looks like the first cousin of a "lap steel" to me.

Yeah, you try playing a 27-string bass on your lap...

No, I didn't count the strings, because it doesn't matter... A bass that has more than 5 strings isn't a bass... it's a fretted harp.

[mighty_duck]

Following the truck on the little map

[mighty_duck]

It's here!
Quick run through:
Pros:
Really pretty, superior flame. Light (~7 pounds). Most of my specs met. Ebony board is super smooth.
Cons:
Neck is on the thin side Despite asking for a beefier neck, I got one identical to my Harley Benton CST-24

I suspect the frets are not Stainless Steel. Is there any way to verify this? The frets are scratchy. This normally isn't a problem (and common for IYV guitars), and fixed with a good polish. They also seem to be the same tint as the CST-24.

Not sure if cap is maple or mahogany.

Going to play it a bit before deciding what to do next.

[Mossman]

Looks beautiful! The exposed wood "binding" does look a little dark for Maple, but I'm sure they would tint that. Stark white Maple wouldn't look very good. What little I can see of the grain in the side photo looks consistent with Maple. I would guess you have a Maple cap from what I can see. Bummer about the neck profile though... Is this a situation where you can return it if you're not satisfied with it?

[mighty_duck]

Looks beautiful! The exposed wood "binding" does look a little dark for Maple, but I'm sure they would tint that. Stark white Maple wouldn't look very good. What little I can see of the grain in the side photo looks consistent with Maple. I would guess you have a Maple cap from what I can see. Bummer about the neck profile though... Is this a situation where you can return it if you're not satisfied with it?

I compared it to another guitar with similar exposed top, and it looks pretty consistent with that. Another data point - in the high-e side cutaway where they tinted it all the way to the top, you can see the cap is darker than the body. That's unusual for maple.

They claim to stand behind their products. I'll have to see how much of that is true...

From IYV:
"Regarding the protection policy of custom orders, we will take responsibility for goods that [are] damaged during transportation and or the guitar's specs do not match to customer's order."

[Mossman]

Looks beautiful! The exposed wood "binding" does look a little dark for Maple, but I'm sure they would tint that. Stark white Maple wouldn't look very good. What little I can see of the grain in the side photo looks consistent with Maple. I would guess you have a Maple cap from what I can see. Bummer about the neck profile though... Is this a situation where you can return it if you're not satisfied with it?

I compared it to another guitar with similar exposed top, and it looks pretty consistent with that. Another data point - in the high-e side cutaway where they tinted it all the way to the top, you can see the cap is darker than the body. That's unusual for maple.

They claim to stand behind their products. I'll have to see how much of that is true...

From IYV:
"Regarding the protection policy of custom orders, we will take responsibility for goods that [are] damaged during transportation and or the guitar's specs do not match to customer's order."

I think see what you mean about the cut-away. It could be because it's end-grain, and it soaked up more of the dye.

It's good to see that they made a statement regarding specs. I hope they honor it if you decide to return it. Have you come to a verdict yet?

[mighty_duck]

I think see what you mean about the cut-away. It could be because it's end-grain, and it soaked up more of the dye.

It's good to see that they made a statement regarding specs. I hope they honor it if you decide to return it. Have you come to a verdict yet?

Not sure yet.
It plays really nice. I polished the frets, and oiled the fretboard, set intonation.
One of the best flames I've seen.

Anyone know how to tell if the frets are Stainless steel? I've never played SS. They look and feel like regular frets to me.

[BatUtilityBelt]

It plays really nice. I polished the frets, and oiled the fretboard, set intonation.
One of the best flames I've seen.

Anyone know how to tell if the frets are Stainless steel? I've never played SS. They look and feel like regular frets to me.

I think if the frets needed polishing, it would have taken more work than normal to get a good polish on SS. My SS frets feel like butter when bending, otherwise seem the same to me.

[JimyTheAssassin]

Wow that’s stunning. The grain on the flame top shows signs that it lines up perfectly with the wood grain that’s visible on the sides of the cap. I would believe it’s solid thru from here. Their custom work is impressive too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RiverDog]

It's here!
Quick run through:
Pros:
Really pretty, superior flame. Light (~7 pounds). Most of my specs met. Ebony board is super smooth.
Cons:
Neck is on the thin side Despite asking for a beefier neck, I got one identical to my Harley Benton CST-24

I suspect the frets are not Stainless Steel. Is there any way to verify this? The frets are scratchy. This normally isn't a problem (and common for IYV guitars), and fixed with a good polish. They also seem to be the same tint as the CST-24.

Not sure if cap is maple or mahogany.

Going to play it a bit before deciding what to do next.

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That top is on point!

[nomadh]

How long did that take from plans to reciept?

[uwmcscott]

That is a killer looking guitar, I hope the neck profile works out for you. I generally don't like thin necks either, but I have one les paul studio that's got a super slim 60's neck and it's been growing on me.

I know you said that at the get-go you are pretty much rolling the dice on these, but I'd say you came out pretty well.

[mighty_duck]

How long did that take from plans to reciept?

Made first contact January 14th. Received March 8th.

This includes two weeks where the factory was closed for Vietnamese New Years. And another two weeks after initial contact where they forgot to reply, and needed nudging. Communication was pretty smooth for a while, and then another week lost until I nudged them again.

It was less than two weeks from the moment they accepted payment and when I had the guitar in my hands.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Made first contact January 14th. Received March 8th.

This includes two weeks where the factory was closed for Vietnamese New Years. And another two weeks after initial contact where they forgot to reply, and needed nudging. Communication was pretty smooth for a while, and then another week lost until I nudged them again.

It was less than two weeks from the moment they accepted payment and when I had the guitar in my hands.

That is really very good turn-around. That's how custom orders are done right. I custom-ordered a G&L once, and canceled it after they screwed around and gave me excuses for more than 8 months. Nice to hear about your quick success with greater barriers to clear!

[UrenragK]

Happy NGD! That is a beauty!!

[Rollin Hand]

I think see what you mean about the cut-away. It could be because it's end-grain, and it soaked up more of the dye.

It's good to see that they made a statement regarding specs. I hope they honor it if you decide to return it. Have you come to a verdict yet?

Not sure yet.
It plays really nice. I polished the frets, and oiled the fretboard, set intonation.
One of the best flames I've seen.

Anyone know how to tell if the frets are Stainless steel? I've never played SS. They look and feel like regular frets to me.

Do magnets stick to stainless?

[tobijohn]

I think if the frets needed polishing, it would have taken more work than normal to get a good polish on SS. My SS frets feel like butter when bending, otherwise seem the same to me.

Yes, I've heard the primary complaint with SS frets is that they wear out fret tools very quickly. I've got a couple Agiles with SS frets but from memory, can't recall which ones they are. I'll try to check my records later though...

[honyock]

I think see what you mean about the cut-away. It could be because it's end-grain, and it soaked up more of the dye.

It's good to see that they made a statement regarding specs. I hope they honor it if you decide to return it. Have you come to a verdict yet?

Not sure yet.
It plays really nice. I polished the frets, and oiled the fretboard, set intonation.
One of the best flames I've seen.

Anyone know how to tell if the frets are Stainless steel? I've never played SS. They look and feel like regular frets to me.

Do magnets stick to stainless?

Depends upon the grade/quality of stainless and type of magnet

Some very strong magnets will stick to even non-magnetic stainless.

Also how the metal is formed. Even non-magnetic grades of stainless fasteners will be a little magnetic due to the processing

[BatUtilityBelt]

Yes, I've heard the primary complaint with SS frets is that they wear out fret tools very quickly. I've got a couple Agiles with SS frets but from memory, can't recall which ones they are. I'll try to check my records later though...

I know my AL-3001 is SS, and I think that's what the 1 in the model number means.

[tobijohn]

Yes, I've heard the primary complaint with SS frets is that they wear out fret tools very quickly. I've got a couple Agiles with SS frets but from memory, can't recall which ones they are. I'll try to check my records later though...

I know my AL-3001 is SS, and I think that's what the 1 in the model number means.

I've got one too, it was the second Agile I'd ever bought (May 2014) and I believe it was the very last left-handed one ever available...