NGD…Kinda. Black Friday build with issues
Picked up my Black November / Pick Your Own Top build on Friday… and it’s already heading back.
Specs:
O2 w/ trem
Koa top, chambered mahogany
Roasted maple neck + board
Holdsworth bridge, Mark singles neck/middle
The guitar looks incredible. Honestly 80% of it is flawless. But the last 20% is a
dealbreaker. It’s a lefty, so no real return option.
For context, I’ve been a longtime Kiesel / Carvin fan. I bought my first real “nice guitar” 25 years ago at the Santa Ana showroom. A few years ago I spec’d out a CT6 with Flock. Both are flawless and I still have them.
Also worth saying: I’m handy with guitars. I’ve built a few and do my own set ups and fret work, so I know when something’s not right. There were two major issues:
Fretwork
This thing buzzed BAD straight out of the gate. Before doing anything I checked all the usual suspects.
Nut height checked (fretting at 3rd) — good
Relief set with capo at 1st / fretting at neck joint — good
Action arrived nice and low-which I like (.050” low E / .040” high E), then I raised to about .060” / .050”
Notes were still choking out.
I busted out with a fret rocker and found issues on at least 14 frets:
* 4th fret: Low E, D
* 6th: D, G
* 8th: Low E, G, D
* 10th: High E, B, Low E
* 11th: High E, B
* 12th: High E, B, G
* 14th: High E, B, G
* 15th: High E, B
* 16th: Low E
* 18th: High E, B, Low E
* 20th: D, High E
* 21st: High E, A, Low E
* 22nd: Nearly the entire fret
* 23rd: Nearly the entire fret
Fret Issue Video - here’s what I mean, this is just one of the frets.
Pickup balance (somewhat on me)
Based on a recommendation I went with Holdsworth humbucker in the bridge with Mark singles in the neck and middle, hoping to have a vintage modern type thing going on. But they don’t balance well at all, especially with the neck single being pushed farther from the neck position because of the 24-fret layout.
I cannot physically raise the neck pickup any higher without it sounding terrible and getting Stratitis and lowering the Holdsworth any more makes the guitar sound like an acoustic.
Customer Service
I notified my sales rep and customer service and had a phone call. They’re covering the shipping cost to inspect the guitar and may do a complete neck rebuild if the required fret level proves to be too severe. Because these are vintage hight frets, I’m concerned that a heavy fret level would turn this into a fretless wonder.
The team was responsive and prompt, so credit where credit is due. What happens next remains to be seen. But again, after two decades following the brand and having these guitars (alongside of USA Gibsons and Fenders, Japanese Ibanez, and some luthier builds) I’m hopeful. They’ve been good to me so far, which is what keeps me coming back.
I’ll keep you all updated.