Product: ABC Relic Guitars Strat Neck
Price Paid: USD 250
Submitted
06/30/2008
at
02:31pm
by
Jason
Features
:
8
Stratocaster replacement body from Allparts, '50s contours, beautiful nitro two-tone sunburst, with light relic work.
Sound
:
No Opinion
The sound depends on much more than just the body, and I haven't yet come across a body that sounds "bad" on its own. That being said, the guitar I built with this body sounds good.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
The fit is good, but that's because Allparts did a good job cutting it.
The nitro two-tone sunburst finish was applied by ABC Relic Guitars, and it is absolutely wonderful. Not a hint of red in the burst, a very rich amber in the middle and a nice even dark brown on the edge. Light relic work looks good, too.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
It's a block of wood - very durable.
Customer Support
:
10
I contacted ABC Relic Guitars over the course of almost two months, going over details for my strat build parts (body, neck, tuners, etc). Louis Varkadoz over at ABC Relic Guitars is an absolute pleasure to work with, both via email and phone. Very courteous and prompt in reply.
Overall Rating
:
9
I've been playing for about 20 years now, and this was my first foray into nitro finished bodies. Soundwise, I would say it's not really any different than a poly-finished body, but I can say I definitely love the look and feel of the nitro.
Product: ABC Relic Guitars Strat Neck
Price Paid: USD 325
Submitted
06/06/2008
at
03:46am
by
Jason W
Features
:
9
Ordered a custom relic strat neck from Louis Varkadoz of ABC Relic Guitars. Allparts neck, 21 fret, 7.5" radius, maple, finished in vintage amber tint. Relic'ed tuners and string trees. I supplied my own custom non-Fender decal which was applied to the headstock as part of the finishing services.
Sound
:
9
Well, there's more to the sound than just the neck itself, so I can't really say, but I do like how my custom strat sounds, if that says anything about the quality of the neck.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The relic finish was very well done. I wanted a light relic, which meant the fretboard was pretty much left intact, and there are just some minor dings here and there. Fretboard edges were nicely rolled, felt very comfortable in my hands. It was when I played this neck, that I realized how badly done my other neck's frets were done. The neck from ABC Relic Guitars had nice smooth edges, none of those sharp edges when I run my hands up and down the neck.
I just wish I'd ordered a lighter tint - but that's my fault for not looking more into the degree of amber tinting. Same with the soft V - I'm finding out I'm more of a fat neck kind of guy. But again, that was my choice, and not a problem with the product itself.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
So far so good!
Customer Support
:
10
This is where ABC Relic Guitars really really shines. I was in email/phone contact with Mr. Varkadoz over the course of the finishing. Turns out the first set of decals I'd sent Mr. Varkadoz were bad - they disintegrated under the finish after a few coats. Mr. Varkadoz and I were in constant communication over this issue, as he tried a second decal, which also disintegrated. I finally sent him another set of decals from a different supplier, and Mr. Varkadoz put it on there, looking beautiful as ever.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing for about 20 years now, and this was the first time I built my own strat. ABC Relic Guitars made it a fun experience to order my own custom neck. I think I'm hooked now!
