Product: Alden Jazzcaster
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
05/11/2009
at
10:06pm
by
Dava
Features
:
9
Alden are a Korean manufacturer in collaboration with Alan Entwhistle,
this model of the Jazzcaster is the standard, so it's more like a Jazz and the Jazzcaster HB-3 is more like a Jag, but saying that, their unique, as the electrics are totally different. no serial so I don't know the year but I'm guessing '06. it has an Ivory finish, 21 frets, three way toggle switch, oversized Entwhistle P-90's, 1 tone 1 volume, and here's where it gets tricky...three switches on the upper bout, 1st switch thins out some upper mids and some bass, 2nd middle switch well I can't hear any difference, the guys at Cranes said it was 'very subtle ' maybe I'm imagining it but with the gain pumped the mid sounds a little different, but not so you would really notice,...maybe?? 3rd switch is a phase switch (i think) this is the one closest to the pick-ups. it has a roller bridge, something I always thought Jazz's and Jag's needed and then some!It's tremolo is similar to Leo's without string break switch. nice neck flat D. batwing headstock with fine standard tuners that stay in tune :) nice!
it's pretty heavy duty so I'm guessing mahogany for the body. (9 out of 10/point off for the switch)
Sound
:
10
what can I say?...this will fit blues to grunge, jangle 80's pop to jazz, alternative to country (with a slide, but don't quote me on the last one as I am not into country :S), but the jangle comes out the best. this not me saying this is a good all rounder...I'm saying maybe it could take on your main guitar?? but you would have to try it for yourself as YMMV.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Cranes, as usual, did a great job of setting this guitar up, I made a couple of tweaks to suit me. nice;)
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I don't intend to ever sell this guitar, so regrettably for the next owner, I have decorated it lol
seems pretty tough.
Customer Support
:
8
Cranes DID try after I phoned them about the switch but ah.....
but I still think there good guys, and hey.. try phoning Korea.
Overall Rating
:
10
check out my review of the XG Special.
buying this guitar this cheap (??130) is like finding ??200 on the street, you don't quite believe it, but there it is.
I've played two different Fender Jags before, it's my jamming partners main guit when he can be bothered playing. I prefer my Alden. what can I say?
I wish the HB-3 had all the metal plates and an extra fret, when I was buying, it was the only thing that put me off getting one.
when I was buying I bought a Guitarlin for lead because it was rare, but man! I still think about that HB-3. yes, G.A.S will ruin your life!
