Bacchus Brian LP Copy

This review is for a Bacchus Brian Live Road Model. It says "Brian" where Gibson would be, Live Road Model where Les paul would be and Bacchus on the truss rod cover. No other writing or info. This a Les Paul copy with two humbuckers, stop tail, cream pickguard and covers, les paul standard style markers. Fairly accurate in dimensions with except on of the top of the headstock, which has less center dip and softer edges than a real les paul. It is finished in candy apple red on the entire guitar except the front headstock. An Epi HSC was thrown it.

I was playing this at a local dealer just for curiousity and I ended up buying it because I connected with it and the price was right. I did not get a chance in the store to dial in a sound, but could tell it had potential, even if a pickup change was needed. I have played it through a variety of tube amps I have and can say I am very happy with the sound. Some guitars I have seem very sensitive to the amp used, but this one seems to sound decent through everthing I have plugged it into (SFDR, Bassman RI, Victoria Super, tweed champ, my EL84 homebrew). It hots the front end of the amps nicely for a greasy blues tone I like. The bridge pickup was very hot, 15K and the neck is 7K. I like the bridge and middle positions clean, but the bridge sounds best with some fuzz. It would describe as brighter than the average LP, definately not muddy but definately not a strat. I am not a Les Paul guy, so one must consider that in considering this score.

This guitar was setup well, which the shop that I bought it from said he worked on it quite a bit (he is good). It plays fast and smooth. The neck is somewhere between an Ibanez and a 50's LP, perhaps closer to the Ibanez (slim). I would opt for a little more meat, but not alot more. The nut feels like standard LP. The tuners are Kluson copies and feel sloppy, will likely change. The guitar stays in tune now that the strings are worn in, but at first I was fighting the g-string. The nut appears to be cut better than a Gibson. There appears to be a slight mis-alignment with the pickup poles to the strings, but the sounds seems OK to me. The pots are labeled 500K and seem to operate fine. The finish is quite nice, but can see places where the piant does not meet the binding, but I only noticed that after having it awhile. I am not bothered by it really. I am sure that the finish was a cost saver, as the paint can cover up any issues with wood grain. I like the finish, it is unique for a LP. I was told that the wood is the real deal by the shop, but take that for what its worth. The guitar weighs in at 9.6 pounds, pretty average LP weight and very body heavy.

I have not had any problems and doubt I ever will. It will stay at home or travel to friends houses but no more.

Not expecting any, this is essentially a made for Japan guitar and have no idea how it got to the US. You try finding any info on this model, I can't. Let me know if you do.

I really like this guitar and fully recommend it for an inexpensive alternative to a LP. It is nicer than an Epiphone LP for a similar price. However I doubt you will find one. I have seen Regular Bacchus guitars on e-bay, and they are likely a step above this "Brian" model. I am not sure this is made in Japan, but it still sounds good and appears well made, so who cares. I posted this info so that others who may have it model, let me know.