Kiesel Guitar Builder is fun... Until the inevitable happens

[Machew]

I have spent the last couple of weeks playing with the builder. It is really fun to see the different options available
Pick a style, click build and see what it'll look like with whatever options. https://www.kieselguitars.com/models/guitar

I started really wanting an Osiris, and now I have one on the way! Wallet is $2150 lighter.
Swamp Ash, 'Raw Tone' finish, Lava Stain, Hipshot/Kiesel Tremolo, Walnut neck, Ebony board, 14" Radius, staggered offset ring inlays, Beryllium pickups (PAF low output type), Dunlop strap locks. ~15 to 20 weeks build time.

View attachment 623517

The builder adiction is real. I have a second one already but the cost is over the top.

 

[Jimbo99]

It was on AMS website. It was $$299…SSS. No locking tuners and non roasted maple.

Saw it is a CT30.

 

[Alex_C]

Blasphemy!

But seriously, do you find the guitar neck-light? Do you also have an SG to help maintain the universal balance in your household?

Cut the head off of an old Kramer neck and purchased a cheap headless bridge and neck cap(?) for like $80. The guitar feels so slinky and it is light! The balance is good, the body was light from the start and removing the tremelo made it even lighter. I figured if my hack job feels this good, a custom shop will be incredible.
Here is my hack job headless: The Decapacaster
:

 

[Alex_C]

The builder adiction is real. I have a second one already but the cost is over the top. View attachment 623785 View attachment 623786

Funny how they start out at a reasonable price. How do you like the Osiris? That Type-X looks incredible! Is it on the way?

 

[Machew]

Funny how they start out at a reasonable price. How do you like the Osiris? That Type-X looks incredible! Is it on the way?

I like the osiris, if I could change one thing it would to have jumbo fret wire. I ordered medium jumbo. I have issues with the b and high e string sounding different, no clue what the issue is. It's at the luthier for him to take a look. He is also fixing a bit of fret sprout. The black limba neck is amazing and super smooth. It's been an over all great guitar. I bought it to be my main practice guitar and to be able to change tunings. I've since fell in love with the Nanoweb strings and am changing all my guitars to them.

 

[Machew]

Funny how they start out at a reasonable price. How do you like the Osiris? That Type-X looks incredible! Is it on the way?

No on the type x. $3200 is out of the budget for this year. I may do it in December when they put stuff on sale.

 

[dspellman]

I can't pull off a Kiesel like the V220.

I've got a pearl white V220 from the mid-80's. Think Craig Chaquico from Starship during "We built this City."

Current V220s are neck-through, but my vintage is set neck. Still an absolutely awesome 24-fret ebony fretboard, great fret access and, with the hotter 14Kohm bridge pickup, a serious rock machine.

 

[Dik Ellis]

They make top quality guitars. I bought my TL60 when it was Carvin. Won the Tele Shootout in Guitar Player magazine.

 

[JJ119]

They make top quality guitars. I bought my TL60 when it was Carvin. Won the Tele Shootout in Guitar Player magazine. View attachment 623840 View attachment 623841

Loving the colors!!
Very Nice!

 

[3bolt79]

Nice looking axe. I have a Carvin but I never play it because the radius is 20" and it feels like I'm playing an acoustic. Way to flat for me.

Post a pic. I have had 3 different Carvin guitars. The only one that really spoke to me is the V220.

 

[3bolt79]

They make top quality guitars. I bought my TL60 when it was Carvin. Won the Tele Shootout in Guitar Player magazine. View attachment 623840 View attachment 623841

Does that work in the 21st century, to tell BWC lovers that you are packing?

 

[revtime]

The Harley Benton headless is a good choice to get your feet wet with a headless. Mine sits out ready to play.

 

[Alex_C]

No on the type x. $3200 is out of the budget for this year. I may do it in December when they put stuff on sale.

What is this 'budget' you speak of?!
I made the mistake of applying for the Kiesel card. I have a year to pay off whatever I put on it. I need to heed your advice and wait until December where I will do my best not to buy another friggin' guitar!

 

[Machew]

What is this 'budget' you speak of?!
I made the mistake of applying for the Kiesel card. I have a year to pay off whatever I put on it. I need to heed your advice and wait until December where I will do my best not to buy another friggin' guitar!

Ya, I'm still debating on if I'll spend that much on my first 7 string. I can get a Japanese Ibanez for around $1600.00. This gets my feet with with the extra string and the guitar will be every bit as playable as a Kiesel.

 

[Alex_C]

They make top quality guitars. I bought my TL60 when it was Carvin. Won the Tele Shootout in Guitar Player magazine. View attachment 623840 View attachment 623841

I have a a DC135 with the same color scheme. It is a great instrument and my first Carvin order.

 

[Alex_C]

Ya, I'm still debating on if I'll spend that much on my first 7 string. I can get a Japanese Ibanez for around $1600.00. This gets my feet with with the extra string and the guitar will be every bit as playable as a Kiesel.

I had a 7 string Kiesel, longer scale (26.5"). It was a great guitar that I bought used for $1200. I sold it because of the scale length, which I loved but it made all of my other guitars feel cramped. It also lacked a tone knob, which is something I use often. Ibanez Japan guitars are excellent, the Wizard neck is a bit thin for me but it is a fast neck.

 

[Dik Ellis]

Fell in love with the DC150. A bandmate had one. So I said "Summa day, I gonna have one!!!" By then, I was in the hunt for a Tele style guitar, hence the TL60.

 

[Red Bread]

Kiesel makes great stuff forsure

I had to try a headless so when Ibanez brought the Q series out last year I grabbed a Q52
Sooooo happy i did it has become my number one playing guitar
Anyone that knows me still doesn’t beleave i have one let alone love it
Its very modern (everything)sounding pick ups,id play a gig with one of my other guitars but the headless guitars of quality are amazing tools of the trade and really bought life an adventure back into my playing
The tonal options have been endless

 

[Alex_C]

Kiesel makes great stuff forsure

I had to try a headless so when Ibanez brought the Q series out last year I grabbed a Q52
Sooooo happy i did it has become my number one playing guitar
Anyone that knows me still doesn’t beleave i have one let alone love it
Its very modern (everything)sounding pick ups,id play a gig with one of my other guitars but the headless guitars of quality are amazing tools of the trade and really bought life an adventure back into my playing
The tonal options have been endless View attachment 624153

That is a beauty! Headless have a really nice feel and the tuning stability is excellent.

 

[Red Bread]

Yea they do,,barely tune it once a day
Its beyond light,the body carve and shape ate perfect it just sits on your lap perfect
The Ibanez(wish they-did the burl tops last year cause there popn and im not getting rid of the one i got,,,ever) has it all as far as modern guitars go,,AZ switching,ultra modern pick ups,Evo gold frets,glow in the dark side markers,amazing fixed bridge,3 piece roasted maple burl an walnut neck with roasted maple birds eye fret board
The finish work was spot on,only thing i had to do was pick the high E up just a tad but even the intonation was on the money
The input jack loosened up,so little blue loctite and tightened it back up and thats it
I literally play that guitar 8-10hrs a week
Only thing i see that would be an issue if i didnt like the pick ups is it wouldnt be a regular pick up swap there circuit boards that i know nothing of in there
But giving the picks a chance has warmed me to them greatly
Ibanez knocked it out of the park in the Q’s cause they basically copy’d alot of what kiesel is doing and listened to the younger
crowd blah blah blah i like it