Warning for folks looking into getting a Strandberg, specifically one from the Indonesian factory (I've no way of knowing whether other manufacturing places will have the same issue).
Preface; I've owned 3 Strandbergs, all have had issue. First one (2015 US Washburn-made Boden 6) could never get a decent setup (note, a friend of mine loved it and bought it, so I could just be very picky). Second one (2017 or 2018 Boden Metal 7 MIK) had misplaced side-dots and other cosmetic issues that should not be on a guitar this price. Third one is my Boden Standard 7 which is built perfectly, but has the below fret issues.
When I got it everything seemed fine. The set was a little loose with small and high strings, but it was built impeccably. Straight side-dots, 0 high-frets, very pretty top, just great.
However, when I took it home and put in some new strings (11-64) and lowered the strings to a reasonable action (~2mm on low-B), I got hit with the worst fret buzz I ever encountered on any guitar I ever owned.
Cue a few days of diagnosis, playing with relief, string-height, etc... but I could never get rid of it. Finally I just checked for fallaway and yup, barely any at all.
The bill is a hefty $582 dollars at my local luthier (Mike Lull's near Seattle) for a Plek dress and new setup.
This isn't on the seller, who kept the very high factory setup and probably didn't know to check. But I do my own setups and know how to check, so here we are.
If your Strandberg has that same issue and you didn't know where to check, I hope this can help a little.
I am obviously staying away from the brand from now-on and will look for ergonomics elsewhere. I have cancer and favor lighter guitars as I am a little on the weaker side than before, but I do want a guitar that plays as per its price-tag, and one built to the regular electric guitar standards. Fallaway is a known requirement, not some luxury feature.
