Product: DiPinto Belvedere Jr.
Price Paid: USD 450
Submitted
09/02/2009
at
07:11pm
by
fiveman
Email: wonggster at gmail<dot>com
Features
:
9
This Belvedere Jr. is a new for 2009 DiPinto guitar. Made in Korea set up in the US. The Guitar has 22 frets is 100% mahogany with a bound rosewood set neck set neck. Single DiPinto noiseless Dogear pickup in bridge position, passive electronics, simple volume and tone control layout. Clear pickguard, I will change that.
Body is a gloss mahogany as is the set neck with a 24 3/4" scale . The shape of the guitar is similar to that of the Les Paul but is about an inch larger around and is a more comfortable size as a result. It is about as deep as an LP jr or an LP without that maple cap. It has a big 3 a side headstock and Kluson tuners. Gibson stop tailpiece and bridge. Gig Bag included
Sound
:
10
This is a wide ranging guitar with a hot pickup. It sustains very well. The tone circuit is incredible the tone goes from bright and full to full cut muted at the right settings either acoustic like or the classic "woman" tone.
I played it through a pair of John Martone 6L6 Bogens with a 1x12 Blue frame old Jensen, Wah Face, Coloursound Steve Hackett Tone Bender also a Guild 7 and a vox AC15.
I think the pickup is too hot but so quiet that it's character would only show up at the recording mastering stage like every other hot modern pickup.
The slightly bigger size makes it sound full and the extra light mahogany body resonates well.
The pickup is quiet at all settings but has the single coil bite that one never gets with a regular humbucker
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
This guitar was set up to my liking with medium low action and flat wound strings, It was set up well looked good and lacked any visible flaws. I looked hard and couldn't find any of the flaws I would find on an under $500 guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I think this guitar is going to replace my LP jr and Epiphone Coronet. It is solid and light and covers all of the bases.
Customer Support
:
10
The guys from company this live and breathe guitar and will support this instrument under most situations. They set mine up to my personal liking and held it until I came and got it. Personal service is their hallmark.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for 35 years and I own a fair amount of vintage gear. Without a doubt I would not be without this model of guitar ever again. I love this guitars size and weight. This has the vibe of the original LP jr for me unlike the Gibson reissues.
I hope they do fatter neck version at some point
If I couldn't afford or get an actual vintage Les Paul j,, SG jr or Epi Coronet I would get this guitar. If I don't want to take out my vintage see above I'd get this guitar.
For me, this the new standard for single pickup guitars. Great value.
