A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

This was just on Rondo. Looks different than the earlier wave of Callisto quilts. Only one available. So, I bought it for little other reason than I liked it. It was listed at Rondo under SX's model name of EH3D-DS...I think Rondo would normally have called it an SX Callisto CUS-DS which have had strong 2-tone quilt tops.
This one has a muted quilt top, almost a flame/quilt combo look to it. I really like it and hope the pics are of the one I am to receive. I just ordered it and that glorious burst of purchase hormones is still coursing strong.

I got pictures of a gibson like this. It was a very interesting different look. IT was funny because the guy at GC couldn't describe it either.

Partscaster wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:43 pm I just ordered it and that glorious burst of purchase hormones is still coursing strong.

That's a great way of putting it.

Looks real nice! I hope you dig it... I don't have a good history with impulse guitar purchases, but it's good to know you're out there, living on the edge for the rest of us.

nomadh wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 9:11 pm I got pictures of a gibson like this. It was a very interesting different look. IT was funny because the guy at GC couldn't describe it either.

I believe "tobacco sunburst" would be the approved generic description.

Looks like a winner to me. Pricewise and spec wise, that model kind of takes the place of the AL-2000 for probably the best "bang for your buck" LP offering from Rondo. Nice to see a few guitars trickling in too despite the doom and gloom from Kurt.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:13 pm despite the doom and gloom from Kurt.

reminds me of the "discontinuation of the se series", just before hundreds more rolled into Rondo.

Partscaster wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:13 pm despite the doom and gloom from Kurt.

reminds me of the "discontinuation of the se series", just before hundreds more rolled into Rondo.

Yeah, he's gotten better over the years but sometimes the opposite rule still applies.

Looks great, hope that IS the one delivered to you!

Its here in less than 48 hrs. As usual it does route down into Mass. before heading back through southern NH and up to where I am.

So, it is the pictured guitar, as advertised. Top has the exact pattern features. I like it a lot. It has that "Surface of the Sun" look. First thing I noticed was the guitar is heavier than any of my other Callistos. My GT CUS, double bound like this one and perhaps my former heaviest Callisto weighs 7lb, 11oz. This new one weighs 8lbs, 15oz. Makes me wonder if they may be working through a different source of "mahogany" than the last 1-2 years. The back wood grain is very darkly striated, whereas most other of my Callistos have very less pronounced grain line striation. Whatever. Its not bad. Just different.
Strings were detuned in the box. Once tightened I noticed fret buzz first 3 frets. None on rest of frets. Checked relief, it is at .003. quite low, I'll let it sit a few days and maybe later need to add some relief. Relief may have been flat during factory setup as bridge looks pretty high, action is fine at about 4.5/64ths, and strings hit adjustment screws as they run to the low stop-tail.

There is a narrow bit of stain on binding in one place. It didnt show up in a picture. I couldn't care less. And there is a tiny nick missing from binding as it meets the nut. Too tiny to get in focus with my camera. Other than that, finish looks great.

Stock pickups sound clear in bridge not shrill, but not warm. Neck sounds clean and thin in a dark way. I already have a modern-ish set to swap in, thats been needing a good home. Its WCR ( Jim Wagner) Godwood bridge and Crossroads neck. If thats not great, i have a few other options in the drawer.
Tuners are standard SX..smooth, feels like about 14:1.

Here it is compared to the STD+ VS that is still in stock at Rondo.

@Partscaster Hey, Christopher, beautiful guitar. Very nice finish. Love it... Love block inlays, and love first fret block inlays!

Went to SX Guitars web page, and looked for the model EH3D-DS (link below). I think the pics on the site are from older headstock models, as they are diferent as the one offered by Rondo (they look as Agile AL headstocks). There are other single cut LP style variants (EE and EF).

These are the specs of the EH3D-DS on the SX site and a pic of the guitar at SX´s (would have liked to see what Rondo´s specs were).

Model#: EH3D-DS

Scale: 625mm

Body: Mahogany with Quilted Maple Veneer

Neck: Mahogany

Truss Rod: 2 Way Truss Rod

Neck Joint: Set Neck

Fingerboard: Engineered Rosewood or Rosewood

Frets: Nickel

Number of Frets: 22

Position Marks: Block Inlayed, Pearl

Machine Heads: High Mass, Gold

Nut: Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Gold

Strings: D'Addario

Pickups: 2 x Humbucker

Controls: 2V.2T.,3 Way Switch

Color: DS

Finish: Glossy


link for the DS guitar: http://www.sx-guitar.com/index.php/Prod ... /26/id/332

link for SX guitars site: http://www.sx-guitar.com/index.php/Index/index

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 5:30 pm @Partscaster Hey, Christopher, beautiful guitar. Very nice finish. Love it... Love block inlays, and love first fret block inlays!

Went to SX Guitars web page, and looked for the model EH3D-DS (link below). I think the pics on the site are from older headstock models, as they are diferent as the one offered by Rondo (they look as Agile AL headstocks). There are other single cut LP style variants (EE and EF).

These are the specs of the EH3D-DS on the SX site and a pic of the guitar at SX´s (would have liked to see what Rondo´s specs were).

Model#: EH3D-DS

Scale: 625mm

Body: Mahogany with Quilted Maple Veneer

Neck: Mahogany

Truss Rod: 2 Way Truss Rod

Neck Joint: Set Neck

Fingerboard: Engineered Rosewood or Rosewood

Frets: Nickel

Number of Frets: 22

Position Marks: Block Inlayed, Pearl

Machine Heads: High Mass, Gold

Nut: Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Gold

Strings: D'Addario

Pickups: 2 x Humbucker

Controls: 2V.2T.,3 Way Switch

Color: DS

Finish: Glossy


EH3D-DS (450 x 680).png


EH3D-DS-3 (450 x 680).png


link for the DS guitar: http://www.sx-guitar.com/index.php/Prod ... /26/id/332

link for SX guitars site: http://www.sx-guitar.com/index.php/Index/index

Thank you, Sabas. I hope you are well.

That finish looks beautiful... You should get rid of that STD.

Lovely guitar!

Came home after letting new string tension have it's effect on buzzing frets for a day,. There was no change. First 3 frets still had buzz on all strings.

I'm now happy to report that the truss rod does work nicely, and that 1/4 turn counterclockwise has brought on enough neck relief for the buzzing to entirely go away. Now the entire neck plays nicely. So, no fret level needed. Yay!

Soon. I'll dig into pup cavities and see about the neck tenon and body woods, and how they look compared to earlier lighter Callisto's.

I'm getting cts pots and some russian pio caps that I like from Art-of-Tone shop.
Am also thinking about amber top-hat knobs, while keeping the rings and pick-guard black.
Depending on tone with new pups, may put GFS brass saddle bridge on it.

I'm so happy that the truss rod works, and got rid of all the buzz.

Here's the look currently w/ amber knobs.

Partscaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:38 am Here's the look currently w/ amber knobs.

DSCN2512.jpeg

I like it better with amber knobs. And although I like the pickguard on, I prefer the look without one instead of the black it came with. Definitely looks better without.

I love it, man. First block inlay is magical...

sabasgr68 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:44 am

Partscaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:38 am Here's the look currently w/ amber knobs.

DSCN2512.jpeg

I like it better with amber knobs. And although I like the pickguard on, I prefer the look without one instead of the black it came with. Definitely looks better without.

I love it, man. First block inlay is magical...

Thanks, Sabas.

I am stunned looking at it. Its not a flame, but its not a typical quilt style, either. As far as I know.
What appears to be the black edging, is really more tobacco dark brown. Its got a deep amber look to it.
And the amber knobs fit that right.
Its hard for me to get my camera to capture the accurate colors.

I pulled my old SX Callisto CUS (pre quilt tops) out the other day just to admire it. I said the same thing about the weight. I didnt remember it being that heavy.

Do you still have the Gold CUS? That's the one I wanted.

idiotsdelight wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:39 pm I pulled my old SX Callisto CUS (pre quilt tops) out the other day just to admire it. I said the same thing about the weight. I didnt remember it being that heavy.

Do you still have the Gold CUS? That's the one I wanted.

Oh yeah. I've still got my Gold CUS with some very nice pickups in them styled after a 57 PAF dissected for a repair a few years ago.