AXL AEG-13

Bought new this year. Slightly unusual looking hollowbody in a Les Paul style (twin humbuckers but with a trapeze bridge). I was impressed by the woods used in construction (mahogany back and sides I think) and the guitar feels more expensive than it is. Mine is a classic red-gold sunburst and looks stunning. Tuners are unbranded but seem stable.

Overall I have been pleased with the sound of this guitar. It has a pleasant tone unplugged (currently strung with 10's) and I have been able to obtain a variety of sounds from it. I have used it direct into a small, solid state Marshall and also into a Zoom GFX 707 (Behringer V-amp and Fender amplifier coming at Christmas, may post again then). My example produces warm clean sounds but also has enough power when used with distortion.

The finish on this range of guitars initially caused some concern and I had to look at 4 or 5 examples in the shop to find one I was really happy with (the lacquer on the fingerboard binding is uneven but otherwise it looks great). I would hesitate to by one of these unseen by mail order. That said, I've had it for several months now and the finish is wearing well , so no long term complaints at present. I can't really comment on the action from the factory as the shop I purchased mine from include a personalised set up in their purchase price. The dealer did comment that they were well suited to heavy strings but I haven't pursued this further yet.

The strap buttons seem secure and I have gigged with this guitar once (at a small folk club). So far it stays in tune well and has been dependable.

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I've playing as a hobby for a while and have previously owned a budget dreadnought accoustic and a Hohner telecaster copy (a lovely guitar for very little cash). I always fancied a hollowbody electric and the low price of this guitar made it possible. This guitar feels more expensive than it is and is certainly the best hollowbody I could find for the price. It is a budget model and these comments are relative to its price. I can't say whether I would replace it if it were lost or stolen, as far eastern guitars are developing all the time but I don't regret buying it and it certainly stands out from the sea of budget strat and les paul copies common to this price bracket.

http://www.axlusa.com/AXLProductLine/FrettedInstr/AEG-13.htm

Copy of a Lester -ie, a Les Paul, with a mis-shappen body. Small headstock,seemingly very nice consistent paint.

This was a half hour test (on my own in an 8 by 6 room with this and a Crate GX65 amplifier).

The thing sounded very good,what impressed me was the depth of the stock pickups- they sounded much more like a Gibson than most- and usability of the controls. Odd pots by the way..more on that later.

About the best sounding budget guitar [not the best playing] I've played yet,and I've played a lot - mind you if you put anyone in a tiny room with a cheap guitar and a big amp they may say that. Controls do something which is more than can be said for some cheap guitars. I wasn't deafened,but, still managed to play through the clean and dirty channels which the guitar managed admirably. Nice jazz and Blues and suitable "metalic sounds".

To be fair, the guy said it had just been restrung [ and why didn't you do a set-up at the same time Mr Lazy? ] and needed a setup,no doubt about that, the action was way high. I could barely fret the usual stuff i have no trouble playing on a Dean Playmate Evo! and the reason seemed to be that ,like my (former) worn out Les Paul copy,the fret height was too low.


The nut is a very cheap plastic moulded one-the $0.029 one.

Replacing the nut would be an extremely good idea,or at the very least filing it so it seems tidier and slots cut lower.



Neck seems to be very shallow and wide,also the frets are extremely low in height whilst wide..this combination is not really to my taste.

General hardware fit and finish seemed very good.

Looks fine,has gold hardware,small headstock,not entirely my taste,but,worth a look because those pickups seem very decent and you can pick these up in the UK for under #150 - it wasn't worth what the usual damn rip-off merchants here wanted -#225.

One the whole a "Vintage" brand Les Paul would suit me better,but, one of these may suit you -worth a look.

Those pots seem to have very long shafts and the knobs do not sit down all the way over them,this makes it strange if you look down at the controls from the playing position,as they appear to be perched on top of the shaft..just a detail,but an odd one.

Seemed tough - would want the usual setup work.

Tuners seemed ok. Bridge and tail peice seemed secure and snug.

Time would tell...zzzzzzz.

Impressed with the sound.

Very good deal if you could get on with the neck.

I've too much to list, have been playing about 20 years and have owned or played quite a few Lester copies to backup my Gibson.

This one may grow on you,but,try some cheap Deans and "Vintage" brands as well.

9 for sound 6 for everything else.