DiPinto Bacchus

This is a Chinese-made semi-hollowbody electric guitar, made in 2006 I believe. It is very similar in appearance and features to the Gretsch White Falcon. The following specs were taken from www.dipinto.com:

Body: Arched maple top and back. Maple sides
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood with star or block inlays
Construction: Set neck, light weight semi-hollow with small block under bridge.
Body measurements: 17" width, 1 3/4" depth
Frets: 20
Scale: 25 1/2"
Pickup: Two chrome humbuckers
Selector: Three way toggle
Controls: One volume one tone for each pickup
Bridge: Tune-o-matic and stop tail piece
Tuners: Chrome enclosed gear, art deco button machines
Colors: White front with black back and sides, and star inlay. Sunburst with block inlay. Natural with block inlay.

All of these features come together in a very playable and attractive way on the Bacchus. I'm very happy with the tone and quality of the appointments. I bought the HSC separately for this guitar.

Chris DiPinto had told me this guitar was suited for a wide range of styles, and he was right. It has a very full sound, the tone controls are smooth. It sounds strong even when not plugged in.

I'm running this guitar through a Line 6 FlexTone II. I find I have to add in a good shot of treble to get the kind of bite I like in a guitar tone, but that is a minor concern given the power and sustain that the pickups provide.

Action and intonation were right on the money, as with my prior DiPinto guitar. The body finish was great, but I did find some minor blemishes in the binding near the headstock (a fleck of what looked like black paint on the neck binding).

The pickup selector switch was loose. It took all of 10 seconds to remedy this "problem"...Didn't even need a tool as I was able to stick my thumb and forefinger in thru the F-hole so I could hold the pot while I turned the tightening screw.

I'm always a little hesitant about gigging with the hollowbodies, but this one is as sturdy as you can get with a hollowbody. The set neck is really set! The hardware is good. I'm quite impressed by the tuning keys, incidentally. There is absolutely no "slop" between tightening and loosening the keys.

Srap buttons are solid. Finish seems thick and solid as well, I love the "tuxedo" effect of the white top / truss rod cover with the black headstock and back.

I wouldn't gig with this without a backup, but that's not saying anything really...I wouldn't gig with any hollowbody without a backup.

I have worked with Crash and Chris DiPinto directly on my orders. Never had to do anything post-order except to let them know how much I liked their work. These gentlemen have always been helpful to me. Not over-exuberant or overly friendly, but that's probably a good thing.

There was a three-year limited warranty included with my Bacchus.

I have to give it a 10, even though I know there are other vintage reproductions out there for cheaper. For me evaluating an instrument is a holistic experience, and when I put together the above ratings with the contact I had with DiPinto, the feeling of finding a "hidden gem" of a guitar company, and finally, the way this guitar looks sitting in my living room (where I would NEVER be able to keep a White Falcon, by the way), I come away very impressed with the Bacchus.