2009 SX Calisto Joy

[andrewsrea]

I play this guitar infrequently as it has a wide string spacing at the nut (1.75") and a '58 C shaped neck, which requires about 10 minutes of playing before I get used to it.

When I do, I am amazed at how great this guitar is. Forget that I paid around $120 new for it, but it plays and sounds divine. The only 'mods' are a set of Harpmaster Pure P-90's (Alnico 2), rolled the finger board edges and changed it to 50's wiring.

The intonation is fantastic. As I was cleaning it, I noticed a sticker on the back of the headstock which reads "Two Way Truss Rod". This sucker has a dual-action truss found on >$1000 guitars!

I decided that this is one I am going to record my next original with. This guitar sounds pro with a little (or a lot of) dirt.

I'd recommend to anyone who finds one, to grab it!

[tonebender]

Some times even a cheapy has that magic. Wow, I thought I was the only member here still rocking some Harp Master pups!

[Tonray's Ghost]

That's a beaut !

[dabbler]

Hmm, I don't know why but my post here disappeared.

Anyways I agree, as I also have one, that this is a gem. Enjoy!

[andrewsrea]

Some times even a cheapy has that magic. Wow, I thought I was the only member here still rocking some Harp Master pups!

Tony had given me three sets to do an honest video review for him and he also told me how he sourced them and the specs. They were actually a very high quality, at a good price point. I sold off the Strat set and the A2 Humbucker sets, as the ones I make are slightly better and I didn't need them. The P-90's were as good as the one's I make, so there was no point of uninstalling them from my Calisto.

Anyone I know who used the Harpmasters, were very pleased with them. If you recall on the old forum, Tony ruffled some feathers and stopped doing it, so they are now unobtanium.

[Tiga]

Love the Callisto - the neck sounds great. Keeping my eye out now LOL.

[uglyvw]

I do dig the old sx guitars. I had one of the old gg1 goldtops for a long time. I sometimes wish I still had it. It had a great thick sound, but it was a tank, and the early ones had a body shape with the lower bout just a little too wide to fit in a LP case. The neck profile was really nice though, and the gold color was perfect. That one looks like a winner.

[idiotsdelight]

I do dig the old sx guitars. I had one of the old gg1 goldtops for a long time. I sometimes wish I still had it. It had a great thick sound, but it was a tank, and the early ones had a body shape with the lower bout just a little too wide to fit in a LP case. The neck profile was really nice though, and the gold color was perfect. That one looks like a winner.

Another name from the past.

Are you in FLA?

[Buddha Pickups]

Some times even a cheapy has that magic. Wow, I thought I was the only member here still rocking some Harp Master pups!

Tony had given me three sets to do an honest video review for him and he also told me how he sourced them and the specs. They were actually a very high quality, at a good price point. I sold off the Strat set and the A2 Humbucker sets, as the ones I make are slightly better and I didn't need them. The P-90's were as good as the one's I make, so there was no point of uninstalling them from my Calisto.

Anyone I know who used the Harpmasters, were very pleased with them. If you recall on the old forum, Tony ruffled some feathers and stopped doing it, so they are now unobtanium.

If I recall he took Scott's/MSC's Gibson Melody maker to refinish then disappeared. It took a village to get him to eventually give it back 5ish years later (not refinished and can't remember if he returned the money too?)then he disappeared for good.
If you can find RH Tone factor pickups from around that era, they were the same source (not sure if they were specd the same too).
I had my issues with him and that's all I'll say on that.

[andrewsrea]

If I recall he took Scott's/MSC's Gibson Melody maker to refinish then disappeared. It took a village to get him to eventually give it back 5ish years later (not refinished and can't remember if he returned the money too?)then he disappeared for good.
If you can find RH Tone factor pickups from around that era, they were the same source (not sure if they were specd the same too).
I had my issues with him and that's all I'll say on that.

I vaguely recall that - good memory!

My dealings with him were, you didn't know which Tony you were going to correspond with, and I'll leave it at that.

[uglyvw]

I do dig the old sx guitars. I had one of the old gg1 goldtops for a long time. I sometimes wish I still had it. It had a great thick sound, but it was a tank, and the early ones had a body shape with the lower bout just a little too wide to fit in a LP case. The neck profile was really nice though, and the gold color was perfect. That one looks like a winner.

Another name from the past.

Are you in FLA?

No, I'm in Arkansas. Unfortunately I have not been active on here much. I do check in from time to time, and I do miss all the old folks on here.

[nomadh]

Wow. Flashback time. I was just playing my callisto jr. Still great I got it on the $89 closeout. All stock

[Buddha Pickups]

These did have a wide neck, very comfortable though
Looks great
I wish I still had mine

[dabbler]

Wow. Flashback time. I was just playing my callisto jr. Still great I got it on the $89 closeout. All stock

Mine was $99, and one of the absolute best value guitars I ever bought from Rondo... which is really saying something. Oh yeah, mine is also stock, no need to change a thing!

[nomadh]

It was crazy back then. I think these were new only 129? Maybe 149? Maybe got it at 99 but I think the closeout was 89. I think I was buying my ash contoured tele about 169 or so and the jr was a closeout add on. Both impressive

[peskypesky1]

I have no doubt it's a sweet guitar.
I have four SX guitars and love them all.

[toomanycats]

I have no doubt it's a sweet guitar.
I have four SX guitars and love them all.

I love you Pesky. I mean that, sincerely.