Product: Chafin Custom Guitars Xalta
Price Paid: USD 2500
Submitted
07/24/2007
at
11:08pm
by
Big Al deSoto
Email: algrande<at>sbcglobal dot net
Features
:
10
Custom Xalta #3: Single cutaway LP style, mahogany body and neck, cocobolo fingerboard, spalted maple top with matching headstock face. TonePros wraparound bridge, Sperzel locking tuners, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates/Alnico II pickups with coil taps on dual volume and dual tone knobs. This is my second Chafin custom guitar and it is another fine example of Ben's masterful artistry. His attention to detail is impeccable and consistent.
Sound
:
10
Unplugged this baby rings wonderfully and maintains a nice fat bottom end with lots of warm sustain. Plugged in with the coil taps, I get a wide variety of different tones. This guitar is very full toned; the bottom end is warm and sweet. The SD pups combo in this one suits it perfectly. The pearly gates give it a nice classic rock tone.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Being a custom hand built guitar by a master luthier, you'd expect the best. And sure enough Ben delivers. The neck profile is modeled after a '59 LP; not too fat and not thin but just enough to fit my palm comfortably. The action is low and she plays like butter with her jumbo frets; which are finished just like the best USA guitars I own. I gotta say the cocobolo fingerboard is amazing. It is a very fine grained texture and is very smooth to the touch. The trans orange paint job on the spalted maple top is amazing; this top also has some chevron flame going on. The natural exposed maple binding on the body and headstock is sweet. The true maple binding on the neck is incredible. A joy to view as I look down at my neck. All electronics and hardware work flawlessly.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I've gigged with this Xalta a couple times and she hasn't let me down. She's solid and very durable. I had Ben install Dunlop Dual strap locks so I'm comfortable flinging her around. ;-)
Customer Support
:
10
I've talked with Ben a few times about other custom projects and he's always very helpful and genuinely cares about building YOUR dream guitar. Ben has many years of experience in the guitar industry having worked at Dean Guitars and Michael Kelly to name a few. He has a great knowledge of all things guitar and he offers great advice. I've never had a problem with this guitar, but I'm sure if I ever do, Ben will be more than happy to help.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing for almost 30 years. This is my second custom guitar and I couldn't be more pleased with her. I have a third on order. ;-) I'm glad I discovered Chafin Custom Guitars when I did. Prices are starting to go up and they're still a great bargain. It won't be long before these guitars are well known and command a hefty price like some of the other more established custom guitar builders. This Xalta is now my #1 guitar. ;-)
