ShortScale.org

Bacchus wrote:That's gorgeous.

Those three guitars near the radiator are making me feel queasy though!

Hi everyone

Just thought that I would check back in here, after the guitars were officially announced and shipped on Friday.

Vacafeliz - it's really nice to see that someone owns and is enjoying the guitar. When we were initially designing the instruments we were mainly thinking about how we wanted them to turn out for our own tour usage first and foremost, and so reviews were pretty much in the back of our minds...and to be honest, I guess I always knew that the people at OSG would be the most, shall we say 'discerning' critics out there . So it's nice to see that you dig the guitar. I guess it's the first review ever too so good job!

The most gratifying thing to see is that the small details are appreciated here - they were the things that were laboured over and most time was spent on - and I think that these are all the reasons why cumulatively the guitars don't feel like traditionally 'lower cost' instruments. It can be the little things that count.
Regarding a few specific points:
As far as I know, the neck was not modelled on the Jag-Stang, more on a vintage Mustang template. I think it has most in common with the 90's Mustang re-issues. But the Jag-Stang was definitely a reference point in the spec process.
The switching - I don't know about that, would have to ask Ryan. I know there was a lot of discussion on that subject though.
Ryan wanted the guitar to feel substantial - Although he is a small guy he's aware that a Mustang can look a bit toy-like on bigger people, and so the extended butt and Jaguar treble side really fills it out.

The bridge - originally the prototype was shipped to us with a mustang style bridge, which from the Chinese factory looked very similar to the Bass VI reissue bridge. It was unsuitable as the strings didn't line up correctly with the pole pieces on the pickups and Ryan felt it was detrimental to the sustain - which was a MAJOR consideration in the design process. He plays hard live and uses heavy/unusual gauge strings, so the A-O-M ticked all the boxes. The prototype's bridge was switched to one of those vintage TOM 'harmonica' bridges (which is a straight swap on a floating mustang type fitting), so when the AOM was offered it seemed to make the most sense.

The things that we really didn't wanna skimp was the tremolo unit and the tuners. To be honest, we've always seen the electronics as 'user preference'. We put in the ones WE like best, but understand that if the user has a preference that kind of thing is easily changed. So good tuners and tremolo and a nice nick are the things that keep things feeling quality and give a solid platform for modding/adjusting to your own needs. FYI both pickup covers were all black on the original design, to give it that 'modded' look.

Speaking of quality - we believe these guitars to be built really well, and while there may be minor production line fluctuation - these are £350 guitars. They are the same price as the Classic Vibe series, and actually cheaper than most Squier Artist models...which was a key consideration too. As I mentioned before, we weren't motivated by the glory of a signature model (though it doesn't hurt!), was more just psyched to design a guitar for Fender. We don't want them to be expensive and sold only to people who like the band. What a waste. We just wanted them to be cool looking and nice to play and yeah, a platform to make your own. I think for £350 you get some much cooler features than other guitars offered in that range.
Regarding USA etc - yeah, they work out kinda pricier at the exchange rate, but if they were offered in the US, they would be priced accordingly like the Classic Vibe stuff. I guess this first run is a tester in the bands primary market. It would be nice to think that they would be available and affordable in the US too some day.

Anyway, massive post, but just wanted to check in and say thanks to you lot for the enthusiasm, and to give some background info as to why they turned out the way they did.

Nice one
Gary

PS - yeah, if you see us out and wanna buy us a beer we will happily talk this kinda stuff all night!

Pacafeliz wrote: 1st i must mention that the switching IS different than on the Mustang... which i don't know if it was on purpose or not (re: Jarman?);
on a mustang, you had 2 ways of getting the in/out of phase sound. something like both switches in (or out) gave you this or that sound... ugh, it has always confused me too. so anyways, on this one you get the OUT OF PHASE sound when the neck pickup's slider is pushed forward (towards the neck). so NO MATTER if you put the humbucker's switch to front or back, it's gonna be out of phase. now slide the neck pup to the rear (bridge side), you'll have the IN PHASE sound, etc. ...get it?
middle position is OFF, like on a Mustang.
it confused me at first, but now i got it. period. (...or., again.. is mine wired incorrectly, or was it intentionally?)

Pacafeliz wrote:

Vacafeliz

Nice one
Gary

mkt3000 wrote:Wait... this isn't being offered in the US?

Shit.

paul_ wrote:

mkt3000 wrote:Wait... this isn't being offered in the US?

Shit.

Stateside folk who've heard of The Cribs or Biffy Clyro outside of Squier sig guitar forum threads, show of hands?

*slowly and methodically eats own hand*

Pacafeliz wrote:Kewl. Right decision, i think.

Now they're saying it's a limited edition of only 150. Seriously?!

ultratwin wrote:
Ordered one this past week from Kenny's Music/Glasgow.

ultratwin wrote:Dude, Pat's the man! That's a review and a half, if I ever read one.

Ordered one this past week from Kenny's Music/Glasgow, which had the best shipping rates for an overall decent price. Curious how many string trees I'll get (0-2)! Although I could throw in a lovely Moollon VH-59 to replace the shoddy bucker to come up with some wonderfully crisp PAF tones (as opposed to foreseeable mud Krudtz), I've been loving the TV Jones Magnatron neck pos. I got years ago and put on the Televersary, and think I just might throw the extra bridge position one I have in the Jarman, for some bright and chuncky toanz. Either that or keep things heavy humbuckie and do an kill-switch-to-coil-split conversion... All in all I've been wanting a shortscaler w/TOM to do something heavier with, and we'll see how it comes, come month-end.

gusman2x wrote:

ultratwin wrote:
Ordered one this past week from Kenny's Music/Glasgow.

Wicked!

Used to be Sound Control. And it's where I got my Les Paul after to summers of saving.