DiPinto Galaxie IV
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 4:47 pm
Here's a guitar I did no NGD for, but it deserves one. I don't think I would have bought it if I hadn't been drinking, but I'm glad I did. I am not advocating for drunk GAS binging, it just happened to work out well. I had no idea what it was when I saw it listed, but I did some quick research and found a lot of people talking it up, so I took a chance, not even thinking I'd love a 4 pickup guitar.
According to the designer (Chris DiPinto), this guitar is supposed to look like a 60's toy catalog guitar but play like a pro, and I agree that's exactly what it is. It was made in (hopefully South) Korea. It's a single coil based Fender scale offset with a comfortable medium C neck and nicely rolled edge fretboard. Butter. With the roller bridge, it stays in tune unusually well.
Each of the 4 single coil pickups has its own on/off switch, so there are a lot of tonal choices. With the spacing, they are distinctly voiced too. Two pairs do work in humbucking mode, so it ends up being very versatile. I think it might be nice if each pickup switch was 3-way to allow phase reversal, but it's still great without that. Most combinations are useful to me. Engaging just the outer 2 pickups gives what I think is its most distinct tone. To my ears it sounds like 2 guitars overdubbing the same part because you hear each of those pickups so clearly but tonally opposite.
The fit and finish are unexpectedly good - I don't know of any flaws on this pretty inexpensive instrument. I just love that it looks goofy and sounds however you want, so the whole thing works for some of my quirkier music. It is flexible enough to just use for recording too though. Since I have never seen a DiPinto NGD here, I'm glad to talk this one up. Not actually fancy, but distinct tones and so easy playing I can't fault it on any front.
Let me make a comparison so you can understand this guitar better. I have two Danelectro guitars. They are toys that play well and sound good. This guitar is different from the Danelectros in that it is built better. The build is along the lines of my better Strats, Teles, and Jazzmasters. It is solid mahogany with a maple neck, rosewood fretboard, and no cut corners. So it looks like a toy, but is a very serious guitar. I feel like I could easily break my Danelectros, but not the DiPinto.
The color does not photograph well with a cell phone. It is a (slightly greenish tint) silver sparkle with bold gold pickguard, and the headstock matches the pickguard. Oops, the pictures don't have the trem popped in, but it has one that works well, just doesn't dive bomb.
Each of the 4 single coil pickups has its own on/off switch, so there are a lot of tonal choices. With the spacing, they are distinctly voiced too. Two pairs do work in humbucking mode, so it ends up being very versatile. I think it might be nice if each pickup switch was 3-way to allow phase reversal, but it's still great without that. Most combinations are useful to me. Engaging just the outer 2 pickups gives what I think is its most distinct tone. To my ears it sounds like 2 guitars overdubbing the same part because you hear each of those pickups so clearly but tonally opposite.
The fit and finish are unexpectedly good - I don't know of any flaws on this pretty inexpensive instrument. I just love that it looks goofy and sounds however you want, so the whole thing works for some of my quirkier music. It is flexible enough to just use for recording too though. Since I have never seen a DiPinto NGD here, I'm glad to talk this one up. Not actually fancy, but distinct tones and so easy playing I can't fault it on any front.
Let me make a comparison so you can understand this guitar better. I have two Danelectro guitars. They are toys that play well and sound good. This guitar is different from the Danelectros in that it is built better. The build is along the lines of my better Strats, Teles, and Jazzmasters. It is solid mahogany with a maple neck, rosewood fretboard, and no cut corners. So it looks like a toy, but is a very serious guitar. I feel like I could easily break my Danelectros, but not the DiPinto.
The color does not photograph well with a cell phone. It is a (slightly greenish tint) silver sparkle with bold gold pickguard, and the headstock matches the pickguard. Oops, the pictures don't have the trem popped in, but it has one that works well, just doesn't dive bomb.
-, but it the feel is solid and it plays well as you say, then there´s nothing to talk about; score!
