NGD: Firefly FFLV
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 11:05 am
https://guitarsgarden.com/collections/f ... urst-color
I have been GASsing for a Vee for several years.
After looking at bang for buck choices in a set neck Vee or possibly a mid grade Rhoads style, I had been looking for the right used Dean '79V for the right price, unless something else came along.
I had moved on as nothing came up.
Until now - @LightWingStudios thread got me interested, and here I am.
I would have preferred the string through, but the TOM is fine.
Verifying the 24-3/4" scale = trigger pulled.
I hoped for a decent budget guitar with at least good bones, and it delivers.
The Good:
Delivered undamaged, no obvious issues.
Neck straight, tuners mounted straight, neck back angle looks ok.
Fit and finish looks pretty good. The stain on the back looks a little smudged or something but it is minor.
Around 7-8lb range, balances great standing = no neck dive!
Plugged it in to check operation, everything functions (but it sounded awful).
The neck profile is a medium C I guess, a little on the thicker side compared to the C profile on my Squier Classic Vibe strat.
I like this a lot, but thats just me.
The tuners are Jin-Ho brand, commonly used as OEM on, I want to say the higher end of budget imports.
They are quite good and I have no plans to change them.
The pots are full size; the taper sounds pretty even. They turn smoothly but are too stiff too spin with my pinky.
I shot a little Faderlube in them and the tone pot is fine now but both volumes are still a little stiff; I may spray them again.
The nut is listed as bone; it may be or it may be a denser synthetic.
Nuts need to be fitted, and this takes labor time and skill not feasible with cheap guitars. The slots are very high and tight. The strings dont ping but they do bind.
After some nut file work, I dont feel the need to change it, though I will file the top down as the strings are pretty deep in now.
I think the low e was still slack when I took the pic.
The fret ends are rounded and dont stick out; they are very smooth.
I didnt rocker or straightedge for level, but find no buzz so far.
Hardware / overall product quality is pretty good, there is no real Bad or Ugly.
There is some finish cracking around the bass side tailpiece insert, but there is no slop in it or the bridge.
The out of the box set up was pretty bad, or none at all, just assembled by eye.
Action not unplayable high - but the bridge had the treble side higher off the deck than the bass side.
This caused a moment distress as I re-sighted the neck for a bad set or twists, etc.
All is well.
The bridge is now all the way decked on the treble side.
I would rather have it go down to string buzz and then adjust up, but it is ok.
I could grind a little off the bottom if need be.
The relief was way flat; I had turn the truss rod quite a bit to get some relief, but the plus is the truss rod turns and the neck responds.
I mentioned it sounded awful at first - the intonation was either a bit, or way off on all strings.
I dont care as I do my set ups anyway, just reporting what came out of the box.
There is a black pickguard, a 90 deg cable and truss rod wrench in the box.
I have not pulled the pickups out yet, but plan to shield the pickup and control cavities, as it is a bit noisy.
But so is my Gibson Studio LP. Gonna shield that one too.
I dont hate or love the pickups but this guitar is a pleasure to play, stays in tune, and I find no discomfort seated given where the jack is located.
For less than $250 to my door this is a complete WIN.
I have been GASsing for a Vee for several years.
After looking at bang for buck choices in a set neck Vee or possibly a mid grade Rhoads style, I had been looking for the right used Dean '79V for the right price, unless something else came along.
I had moved on as nothing came up.
Until now - @LightWingStudios thread got me interested, and here I am.
I would have preferred the string through, but the TOM is fine.
Verifying the 24-3/4" scale = trigger pulled.
I hoped for a decent budget guitar with at least good bones, and it delivers.
The Good:
Delivered undamaged, no obvious issues.
Neck straight, tuners mounted straight, neck back angle looks ok.
Fit and finish looks pretty good. The stain on the back looks a little smudged or something but it is minor.
Around 7-8lb range, balances great standing = no neck dive!
Plugged it in to check operation, everything functions (but it sounded awful).
I like this a lot, but thats just me.
The tuners are Jin-Ho brand, commonly used as OEM on, I want to say the higher end of budget imports.
They are quite good and I have no plans to change them.
I shot a little Faderlube in them and the tone pot is fine now but both volumes are still a little stiff; I may spray them again.
Nuts need to be fitted, and this takes labor time and skill not feasible with cheap guitars. The slots are very high and tight. The strings dont ping but they do bind.
After some nut file work, I dont feel the need to change it, though I will file the top down as the strings are pretty deep in now.
I think the low e was still slack when I took the pic.
I didnt rocker or straightedge for level, but find no buzz so far.
Hardware / overall product quality is pretty good, there is no real Bad or Ugly.
There is some finish cracking around the bass side tailpiece insert, but there is no slop in it or the bridge.
Action not unplayable high - but the bridge had the treble side higher off the deck than the bass side.
This caused a moment distress as I re-sighted the neck for a bad set or twists, etc.
All is well.
The bridge is now all the way decked on the treble side.
I would rather have it go down to string buzz and then adjust up, but it is ok.
I could grind a little off the bottom if need be.
The relief was way flat; I had turn the truss rod quite a bit to get some relief, but the plus is the truss rod turns and the neck responds.
I mentioned it sounded awful at first - the intonation was either a bit, or way off on all strings.
I dont care as I do my set ups anyway, just reporting what came out of the box.
There is a black pickguard, a 90 deg cable and truss rod wrench in the box.
I have not pulled the pickups out yet, but plan to shield the pickup and control cavities, as it is a bit noisy.
But so is my Gibson Studio LP. Gonna shield that one too.
I dont hate or love the pickups but this guitar is a pleasure to play, stays in tune, and I find no discomfort seated given where the jack is located.
For less than $250 to my door this is a complete WIN.
