AngryGoldfish wrote:Fuck me, this is a huge change. I guess it was bound to happen. I waited too long to put my foot in the door. This has changes things—a lot. It opens the consumer up to a whole new bracket of companies, like Nik Huber, Fano, Suhr and other highly regarded builders doing amazing things. I think it's got to the stage where if you REALLY want an aluminium guitar then you'll have to bear the brunt of the cost and pay up, where before buying an EGC was an affordable way to attain an excellent custom instrument that should last a long, long time. This is just my opinion, but I feel as if it would have been better to keep the "Standard" and "Signature" range with limited customizable options at around $2500 and the wait time no more than six months, and then jack up the prices for complete custom instruments and the wait time 12 months. Obviously that can't be done simply because some bloke on the net says it's what may have been better economically for both Kevin and the us as the consumers, but maybe the wait time for non-custom pieces will gradually decrease as they bring in more money, and I imagine they will now with these new prices, even if much of it is going back out to their suppliers and to other expenses. $3200 for a Chessie is going to hurt... a lot.
Yeah, this was def to be expected with EGC's first trip to NAMM coming up and the launch of the TB line. And while I still consider $3200 a fair price for a Chessie all things considered, the lack of customizable options is a real killer unless the sig specs happen to be exactly what you're after.
Prices are right in line with the other highly regarded builders you mentioned and still far less than a Gibson or Fender with even limited custom options.
I'm pretty happy with the features listed myself but I imagine many others are kicking themselves. I wish they offered the same colour as yours as a standard option. It just looks like it was built to have that colour. Hopefully when the orders start coming in and pictures are taken we'll be able to see what all the colours look like on the various models.
What worries me is that I wanted a small neck and the Chessie looks like it only comes with a bigger neck.
AngryGoldfish wrote:I'm pretty happy with the features listed myself but I imagine many others are kicking themselves. I wish they offered the same colour as yours as a standard option. It just looks like it was built to have that colour. Hopefully when the orders start coming in and pictures are taken we'll be able to see what all the colours look like on the various models.
What worries me is that I wanted a small neck and the Chessie looks like it only comes with a bigger neck.
The anodizing is the only thing I was charged for above the standard price. It's $150 and includes all the anodizing you want/need. That may still be an upgradable option, not sure, website doesn't really mention it...
Chessies def come with a bigger neck than the other models. It's a 2-piece neck hollowed out to relieve weight leaving it with a thicker exterior. I had mine bumped up a bit more than normal and it's still not huge, really comfortable and taper is unnecessary due to strength of the aluminum.
DarkAxel wrote:haha, so now they don't only have to live up to the huge hype, but also have to feel like the higher prices are justifiable? that's a bold move, man
worst thing is they know they can do this because they will still have people to build for
hopefully, something will change about the waiting though
Yeah, a large price increase and still a 9-month waiting time, that's annoying. And I can imagine nine months is still probably an understatement.
Holy Schnikes wrote:
AngryGoldfish wrote:I'm pretty happy with the features listed myself but I imagine many others are kicking themselves. I wish they offered the same colour as yours as a standard option. It just looks like it was built to have that colour. Hopefully when the orders start coming in and pictures are taken we'll be able to see what all the colours look like on the various models.
What worries me is that I wanted a small neck and the Chessie looks like it only comes with a bigger neck.
The anodizing is the only thing I was charged for above the standard price. It's $150 and includes all the anodizing you want/need. That may still be an upgradable option, not sure, website doesn't really mention it...
Chessies def come with a bigger neck than the other models. It's a 2-piece neck hollowed out to relieve weight leaving it with a thicker exterior. I had mine bumped up a bit more than normal and it's still not huge, really comfortable and taper is unnecessary due to strength of the aluminum.
I've been doing some research on neck dimensions. It looks like the stock Chessie is just a tiny bit smaller than a 60's Les Paul. That's probably about right for me, but I would have preferred slightly less again. To be honest, though, living in Ireland you're limited to Gibson and Fender necks so I don't have much experience outside of those dimensions.
AngryGoldfish wrote:Yeah, a large price increase and still a 9-month waiting time, that's annoying. And I can imagine nine months is still probably an understatement.
Yeah, wait is listed as "starting at 9 months" so that's probably best case scenario.
AngryGoldfish wrote:I've been doing some research on neck dimensions. It looks like the stock Chessie is just a tiny bit smaller than a 60's Les Paul. That's probably about right for me, but I would have preferred slightly less again. To be honest, though, living in Ireland you're limited to Gibson and Fender necks so I don't have much experience outside of those dimensions.
Slimmer '60's-style neck is a very accurate description.
I think people's annoyance with the wait is more the uncertainty of it. If they can give accurate estimates up front and stick to them, its hardly a problem. That said, they're no different from any other small builder in that regard, you're always going to wait; and sometimes there are wait lists, and then waiting on the build itself, and let's face it something like six months is incredibly optimistic for any custom guitar. Fuck, with most contractors, don't you find an estimate is usually 2/3 of how long it'll really take?
They lay it out on the website though, you order and pay your deposit, then you're not gonna hear anything until its ready. As long as you know all that going in and temper your expectations accordingly.... I'm sure Kevin would rather spend his time building guitars than dealing with emails, half of which are probably people thinking outloud about ordering. At least the site will cut that out.
I had a play with it and some of the dimensions pop up when select your options, so scratch my earlier comment about the missing spec sheets.
I agree dub. Wait wouldn't be all that bad if a realistic estimate is given upfront and you know what you're in for. Website def seems to address that. And you're also right about emails. Beyond everything incoming from antsy customers I'm sure Kevin deals with tons of tire kickers asking very specific spec/custom related questions. Time consuming for sure.
that's a bold move, man
