markd21
New Member
I ordered a Dustie Waring CE24 Floyd in Waring Burst last week. I wasn't sure, and in one of those late night impulse buys, I went for it despite reservations. Concurrently I had been looking at an EBMM St. Vincent Ball Family Reserve model in a cool Sparkle Turquoise finish. I decided to pass on the St. Vincent, even though I have had them in the past and really dig 'em.
Anyway, the DW arrived yesterday. Here's the quick review:
Feel: Fantastic. The neck has a black satin finish and plays fast. I like it. The Floyd Rose is an OFR, not a 1000 series. It feels great and works the way a FR should. I was doing flutters and Vai-style harmonic pull-ups with ease
Tone: Not what I gravitate to these days, but it offers me something very usable. The output is not too hot, and I find the pickups more musical than HFS/VB, but not as organic as my favored 57/08. They are really more akin to an SD JB N/B set.
Appearance: YUCK The Satin finish on the body feels AWFUL. It's like there is "overspray" on the top of the body. It's not what I like to feel. I also HATE the open pore finish on the sides and back of the body, with the satin black. I know it's a popular thing these days - it's just not for me. I can deal with the idea of satin finishes if at least the wood grain is filled. Interesting, the trem bar on the FR seems to have the same "over-spray-y" feel the top of the body has.
The flame seems obscured by the color (basically reminds me of a flat Angry Larry, which glossed is a KILLER color). It IS a Figured Maple Top, but looks like a Schecter quality veneer.
Verdict: In the end it is not the guitar for me. Really, I should return it. BUT, I am not going to. I have a plan. A diabolical plan to turn this "mistake" into something SUPER rad and unique.....
THE PLAN (already in motion, muwahaha)
I took the guitar apart last night. Stripped it to it's barest component. I will admit I first did this to see if I hit the top with some 5000 grit wet/dry paper if I could take the "weird" feel off the top. I will admit that, while I didn't ruin the top, I messed it up enough to not be able to do anything but play it as is, or do this plan....
First, I am keeping the neck as-is. It looks cool, feels awesome and will add to the RAD effect I am going to create with this guitar.
Second, I am keeping the Black OFR and hardware. I debated chrome, but decided against it as my plan solidified.
Third, while the DW pickups aren't bad, I am going to out 59/09s in it instead. If I am going as far as I am, I might as well make the tone more in-line with what I like.
Finally, the body....
I am sending the body off to Marty Bell for an AMAZING Sparkle refinish. We'll need to discuss specifics once he receives the body, but I know the color I want....
The options I want to discuss with Marty are:
1) Just doing the whole body in that color
2) Doing just the top, keeping the natural binding, and having a gloss black back
I'll be fine either way, though option 2 will look WAY cooler. However, I just paid FULL PRICE for the DW and wifey isn't too pleased about the plan on top of the cost. So, if there's a big difference then I'll just do one color. If it's not that big of a difference than I'll go for option 2.
We'll see, and I'll keep you posted....
Anyway, the DW arrived yesterday. Here's the quick review:
Feel: Fantastic. The neck has a black satin finish and plays fast. I like it. The Floyd Rose is an OFR, not a 1000 series. It feels great and works the way a FR should. I was doing flutters and Vai-style harmonic pull-ups with ease
Tone: Not what I gravitate to these days, but it offers me something very usable. The output is not too hot, and I find the pickups more musical than HFS/VB, but not as organic as my favored 57/08. They are really more akin to an SD JB N/B set.
Appearance: YUCK The Satin finish on the body feels AWFUL. It's like there is "overspray" on the top of the body. It's not what I like to feel. I also HATE the open pore finish on the sides and back of the body, with the satin black. I know it's a popular thing these days - it's just not for me. I can deal with the idea of satin finishes if at least the wood grain is filled. Interesting, the trem bar on the FR seems to have the same "over-spray-y" feel the top of the body has.
The flame seems obscured by the color (basically reminds me of a flat Angry Larry, which glossed is a KILLER color). It IS a Figured Maple Top, but looks like a Schecter quality veneer.
Verdict: In the end it is not the guitar for me. Really, I should return it. BUT, I am not going to. I have a plan. A diabolical plan to turn this "mistake" into something SUPER rad and unique.....
THE PLAN (already in motion, muwahaha)
I took the guitar apart last night. Stripped it to it's barest component. I will admit I first did this to see if I hit the top with some 5000 grit wet/dry paper if I could take the "weird" feel off the top. I will admit that, while I didn't ruin the top, I messed it up enough to not be able to do anything but play it as is, or do this plan....
First, I am keeping the neck as-is. It looks cool, feels awesome and will add to the RAD effect I am going to create with this guitar.
Second, I am keeping the Black OFR and hardware. I debated chrome, but decided against it as my plan solidified.
Third, while the DW pickups aren't bad, I am going to out 59/09s in it instead. If I am going as far as I am, I might as well make the tone more in-line with what I like.
Finally, the body....
I am sending the body off to Marty Bell for an AMAZING Sparkle refinish. We'll need to discuss specifics once he receives the body, but I know the color I want....
The options I want to discuss with Marty are:
1) Just doing the whole body in that color
2) Doing just the top, keeping the natural binding, and having a gloss black back
I'll be fine either way, though option 2 will look WAY cooler. However, I just paid FULL PRICE for the DW and wifey isn't too pleased about the plan on top of the cost. So, if there's a big difference then I'll just do one color. If it's not that big of a difference than I'll go for option 2.
We'll see, and I'll keep you posted....
