I know you should never do this, but I've..........

[Ian B]

....just taken delivery of a guitar I bought online and unplayed
A extra cheap Harley Benton HBT2000 from Thomann, and I've gotta say, first impressions are very favourable (considering the cost ) Tele shape, neck thro' body, not sure about the main body, could be anything really. 2 single coil pickups, flame maple (?) top, oil/wax finish, natural satin colour, and was playable straight out of the box Well set up with a very nice action, (not a buzz to be heard) and a bit of room for lowering further. No doubt the electrics will be the real weak point, but it's just for home use so I guess they'll do fine for that.

I sold my last guitar 'cos I couldn't play it (well) enough thro' illness, but I really missed having one around. A mate of a mate of a mate, recommended this guitar, and there are quite a few positive reviews knocking around, and I had a bit of spare cash, so what the hell, I ordered it..............on Monday, it arrived today, Thursday Fantastic service from Thomann, I'll certainly use them again

I also wanted a decent small amp, but couldn't really afford one as well as the guitar, so I settled for a Digitech RP80. Heard one a few months back, not great, but not bad. It'll do me for a while anyway
All in all, I quite happy with my weeks shopping (lets hope my neighbours are as well ) No doubt they'll be complaining over me crying about having sore fingers for a week or two at first

[ugo]

congrats on the new guitar. it sounds like it must look rather nice.

I bought online and unplayed

i've done this several times now too, and with some pretty expensive stuff. i used to swear i'd never buy a guitar or bass online, but when the deal is right there on the screen....

usually i only do so in situations were there is a return policy. however, i did not have that option with my most recent, and by far most expensive, online purchase and i was really nervous about it.

in most cases, the basses were either exactly as described, or nearly so. this time it clearly was not. but thankfully, in all cases, i have been really happy with the instruments and this new bass is no exception. (a modulus quantum 6! )

All in all, I quite happy with my weeks shopping (lets hope my neighbours are as well )

yeah, i bet my neighbors arent too thrilled with me lately. i've been trying to keep it as low as i can but i really like playing/recording the new bass through my amp (instead of just going direct.) the amp is only on 1 or 2, but it moves a lot of air, especially for an apartment.

-ugo

[mckenic]

Congrats Ian!!!

I said I'd never do it too & I said I'd never buy from the States (import duty etc.) & NEVER from E-Bay...

Dropped Euro850 on a Gretsch - best money I ever spent - seriously

Dave

[j_T]

Congrats from me, too

I'm glad that your "experiment" seems to turn out fine. Actually I took a step in the same direction on Tuesday. Same dealer. I realised that they still had ESH basses on sale for a very good price. Still more than I wanted to spend on a bass but I couldn't resist the offer. Haven't got an order confirmation so far, though. We'll see.

Good luck with your new guitar - and I'm sure your fingers will be ok quite soon. Might take a lot longer till they move the way they used to. At least from my experience

Regards,

Tommy

[scuzzphut]

enjoy your new guitar, Ian.

How's the back after nearly getting knocked down last week?

[P.T.]

I think it is easier to buy a guitar now without playing it because the inexpensive ones are completely machine made to tight tolerences.

[Ian B]

enjoy your new guitar, Ian.

How's the back after nearly getting knocked down last week?

My back is fine thamk's I took an extra 50mg of baclofen (skeletal muscle relaxant) the following day did wonders.

As for the guitar, I'm even more impressed after a nights playing. For £132/198 Euro, it's an excellent 'budget' guitar, I'm really pleased to have found they also supplied allen keys for the truss rod and bridge, a very nice touch The skunk type neck is probably unpalyably thin for most people, but I've got 'girly' size hands so it suits me perfectly. The fretboard is all but flat, again something I prefer. No scratch plate, which together with the oil/wax finish may also be a issue, it may mark easily, tho' it seems solid enough.
I dare say it wouldn't stand up to much live use, but for a cheap tele style back-up, I can recommend one if mine is typical.

and I'm sure your fingers will be ok quite soon. Might take a lot longer till they move the way they used to

They never moved that well before, tbh
It's funny you haven't recieved confirmation yet, I got mine within seconds of placing he order. They are supposed to mail you just before your order is dispatched. I guess they didn't have time to mail me before my order was delivered

I think it is easier to buy a guitar now without playing it because the inexpensive ones are completely machine made to tight tolerences.

Yeah, you're right about that. This guitar is obviously mass produced, but when I think back a few years at the out and out crap, 'cheap' mass produced guitars were, a guitar of this quality and price is amazing.
Thanks to ugo and mckenic for their good wishes

'EDIT'
I've done a bit of tinkering with the action, all done via the bridge, didn't need to touch the truss rod, and..............
The pickups need a bit of balancing, but that's about it

'EDIT #2'
The pickups are now balanced, and I've dropped the action a bit more F#ck, this is one playable guitar How can they make such a nice guitar at this cost? I know it'll not come close to a decent 'pro' model, even so, this is superb.

[Ian B]

After a few day's with this guitar, I'm more impressed by the hour I've just slapped some 11's on and the extra tension means I can lower the action even more

Anyhow, as with all single coil pickups, they're f#cking noisy at times, has anyone used/heard/installed the Fender Silent tele pickups? I can get a set at a decent price, and it's not a big job to change pickups, but don't wanna spend money need;essly. I'm not likely to do it immediately, but if possible, I'd much rather keep the single coil character than change to humbuckers.

[scuzzphut]

My cheapo Squier Telecaster Custom II is also a fantastic little plank.
I guess the budget models are catching up with the big boys
Enjoy your widdlings, Ian

[multree]

well at least in germany you have four weeks to test the guitar at home and sent it back and get all your money back if you don't like it..... but only if you order thru the internet

[Ian B]

well at least in germany you have four weeks to test the guitar at home and sent it back and get all your money back if you don't like it..... but only if you order thru the internet

I don't want to return it Mully, they would have a hell of a job job getting it back off me I'm just thinking out loud about the pickups, they 'can' be a bit noisy, I'm just going thro' the options should I opt to replace them sometime.

My cheapo Squier Telecaster Custom II is also a fantastic little plank.
I guess the budget models are catching up with the big boys
Enjoy your widdlings, Ian

The more I play this guitar, the harder I find it to believe I only paid £132 I remember buying 'cheap' guitars when I first started playing, they were cheap for a reason, they were crap. As often as not, you needed a vice in your left hand to get the strings on the frets The only weak point is the pickups, even so, they're not that bad. I reckon if I make the right choice if/when I replace them, I'll have my dream guitar

'EDIT'
Possibly the oil/wax finish may be a problem if people are not very careful how the handle it. It appears a solid enough finish, but I noticed yesterday, I've managed to get a small scratch Nothing major, you can only see it in a certain light, but it's there.