NGD!! The SX Strat-copy has arrived!

[peskypesky]

Ok, first I have to give a shout-out to Goodwill. The shipping was fast (1 week with Fedex) and this was probably the best-packed guitar I've ever received. The guitar was totally wrapped in a cocoon of bubble-wrap, and then placed in a large box that was stuffed full of foam peanuts. There was zero damage to the box, so kudos to Fedex.

Here it is:

Not sure what model it is. Hawk or something else. It's a Standard Series and came with a satin finish on the neck. My Vintage Series Hawk came with glossy neck finish.

It came missing a string and selector switch, but I knew that when I bid. Cheap, easy fixes.

Out of the box, the guitar was almost unplayable. The strings were about half of an inch off the fretboard up the neck and the bridge was floating super high. The guitar was tuned about two whole steps high. Insane.

I quickly detuned it, took the trem cover off, tightened the trem screws a bit, then CRANKED the saddle screws way down.

Once the action was decent, I tuned it up, plugged it in...and the sounds put a big smile on my face.

These pickups will probably not need to be replaced. And the guitar plays nicely (even with this quick and rough set-up). I'll tighten the truss rod a bit, slap on some new strings (the ones on it are crusty), intonate and have a blast playing this. There is some pinging in the nut when I tune, but luckily I aready have a Tusq XL nut I can put in.

The build quality is as good as my other three SX guitars. I would put it very close if not equal to the Squier Classic Vibes. It actually feels better than the Fender MIM Player Strats I tried at Sam Ash a couple of weeks ago. Those cost about $800.

So far, even though I really did not need another guitar, I'm pleased as punch with this purchase.

[peskypesky]

more photos

[uwmcscott]

HNUGD. Even at full price the SX strat/tele style guitars have to be one of the greatest values of all time. Even more amazing when you think of all the competition that has come and gone against Kurt he’s still putting them out there for the better part of 2 decades.

How many strats does that make for now?

[peskypesky]

How many strats does that make for now?

ummm. like 8?

[peskypesky]

ok, update.

Overall, I am LOVING this guitar. LOVING. I'm having a blast playing it and it sounds wonderful. I'll be making some videos soon to show it in action.

I took the strings off, tightened the tuning machines, oiled the fretboard, put on new strings, adjusted the truss rod (it was loose and neck needed a bit of straightening), set the intonation and found a trem bar that fits.

The quality of the neck is very impressive and just feels well-made as I play it.

BUT...after taking a photo of the back, I noticed the neck-plate was askew, and then that the neck is askew.

This results in the low E being closer to the side of the neck than the high E.

Now, although this is a defect (and kind of hard to understand in the age of CNC's), it actually doesn't negatively impact my playing. In fact, I sometimes have a tendency to pull the high E string over the edge of the fretboard when I'm playing leads fast and aggressively. For this reason, I've thought of using a higher gauge string for the high E (I usually use 10s), because the higher tension would make those edge pulls less likely.

And I never pull the low E off the fretboard...so this defective string alignment actually kinda works for me.

So get ready for the Peskypesky Signature Model SX Hawk with misaligned neck!!

[peskypesky]

Just realized that if I wanted to, I could slide the nut over a bit towards the high E side of the neck. But I'll only do that if I notice that I'm having issues.

[pdcorlis]

I’ll take character over perfection any day. Glad she’s scratching your itch.

[dabbler]

Congrats, Pesky! Even though I paid more for all of mine, you KNOW I know how you feel!

[Jaymo]

HNUGD. Congrats on a good deal.
I really like that sunburst with rosewood fretboard.
Can we look forward to a new YouTube video of a Gilmour-esque solo played on this guitar? I’d love to hear it.

Also, I’m glad you’re back here hanging out with us again.

[Partscaster]

I have had good luck loosening neck screws and pressuring the neck in the direction needed, then hold as I retighten, in order to get the E and e - strings better centered at highest frets. If I sit with guitar body between legs and pressure guitar neck into my shoulder as I retighten bolts, it works for me.
Sometimes I've had to use a thin shim on low-e sidewall edge of neck pocket. But sometimes the neck will stay in its more centered position.

[peskypesky]

HNUGD. Congrats on a good deal.
I really like that sunburst with rosewood fretboard.
Can we look forward to a new YouTube video of a Gilmour-esque solo played on this guitar? I’d love to hear it.

Also, I’m glad you’re back here hanging out with us again.

Yes, I plan to make a few videos soon.

[peskypesky]

I have had good luck loosening neck screws and pressuring the neck in the direction needed, then hold as I retighten, in order to get the E and e - strings better centered at highest frets. If I sit with guitar body between legs and pressure guitar neck into my shoulder as I retighten bolts, it works for me.
Sometimes I've had to use a thin shim on low-e sidewall edge of neck pocket. But sometimes the neck will stay in its more centered position.

Thanks for the tip!
So far I'm not having an issue with playing, so I may just leave as is. As I wrote above, I actually have more of an issue with some necks that are centered, because I accidentally pull the high E off the edge while soloing aggresively.

[nomadh]

So what was the price? I never find good deals at gw

[peskypesky]

So what was the price? I never find good deals at gw

$41

[devdem]

I remember those, the hook headed versions. That goes back a way. Looks to be in overall good shape. I'd be 50/50 about adjusting that neck or just playing it. If you ever take the pickguard off, would be curious to see if the neck is sitting askew in the pocket, or it's snug and just a crooked pocket. I bet it's in there crooked and could be adjusted as noted above.

Anyhoo, congrats. I'm waiting for a classical to arrive from San Antonio that I bought off GW last week. I've had ok luck buying from Goodwill, just hold your breath on an acoustic and hope it arrives without any major issues.

[peskypesky]

I remember those, the hook headed versions. That goes back a way. Looks to be in overall good shape. I'd be 50/50 about adjusting that neck or just playing it. If you ever take the pickguard off, would be curious to see if the neck is sitting askew in the pocket, or it's snug and just a crooked pocket. I bet it's in there crooked and could be adjusted as noted above.

Anyhoo, congrats. I'm waiting for a classical to arrive from San Antonio that I bought off GW last week. I've had ok luck buying from Goodwill, just hold your breath on an acoustic and hope it arrives without any major issues.

Took the neck off...the pocket is cut askew. Not a big deal for me, because I actually like the way the strings are on the neck. Suits my playing style.

And I'm in love with the guitar. A slight neck shim allowed me to get the action right where I like it.