Product: Duesenberg Starplayer TV Price Paid: #770 (GBP)
Submitted 09/28/2005
at 07:55am
by Orange Organic
Features
:9
Trans Orange,22 frets,set neck, hollow body with sustain block and bowed sides, arched spruce top, arched flamed maple back, binding on headstock, fingerboard, body top & back, F-hole & neck heel, Super Tremola, floating bridge,1 x P-90 single coil pickup,1 x vintage humbucker,Guitar included deluxe Duesenberg hard case.
Sound
:10
I like to try and play several styles of guitar playing (to varying degrees of success)and this is probably why i find this guitar so perfect for me. The sounds this guitar can produce unplugged are amazing. Clean and warm tones are achieved without even trying and it just gets better when you plug it in. I am yet to find the guitar lacking for any style of play. The neck makes for quick changes and after owning the guitar for 6 months i can honestly say it has improved me as a player. My previous guitar for around 10 years was a Les Paul and i wish these had been around sooner. My confidence when soloing has risen as it seems too easy to make great sounds. I feel as though you could play any style with this guitar. This was backed up when using it with a Vox AD50 and the results were amazing.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
My guitar came set up from the shop and nothing needed changing action wise. No major flaws when received except some slight oxidization on a couple of frets but that was soon polished out with a careful application of motorcycle chrome polish. I think oxidization like this comes from the guitar not being used for a while and sitting on a shelf. I consulted the nice folks at duesenberg usa who were quick to reccommend the right polish.
Reliability/Durability
:9
As far as i can tell the hardware on this guitar is built to last,nice heavyweight selector switch and vol/tone knobs and the Super Tremolo is heavy duty too. The finish is superb with nice thick vaneer so it's built to last. I don't gig anymore but if i decided to go back on the road then yes, this would be my first choice and i would be more than confident if no back up were available.
Customer Support
:10
Only spoke to Duesenberg USA via Email for advice re: oxidization and I found them (Nathan i think his name was) to be very pleasant and helpful.
Overall Rating
:9
If this guitar was stolen or lost??? (not sure how i could lose a bright orange guitar) i would replace it as soon as my insurance permitted. Before buying this guitar i was looking at Epiphone Casino's/Riviera's, Gretsch Electromatics and even the new Ibanez Artcore's. After playing them all in various shops here and there i just wasn't convinced (although for the price the Ibanez Artcore AF75T is a wonderful guitar)Once i'd tried this my mind was made up. Anyone who is thinking about these guitars,go and try one, you will not regret it.
Product: Duesenberg Starplayer TV Price Paid:
Submitted 05/21/2005
at 08:59pm
by SC
Features
:9
Built in 2000 in GERMANY, all the features listed before, hollow-body corina, mahogany sides, rosewood neck in a trans orange finish with a sparkle pickguard and badass Duesenberg bigsby-like tremolo. Body style is somewhat close to a LesPaul Florentine.
Lots of chrome...if you like hot rods and retro cars you'll love the looks of this guitar. Pure mojo on the looks!
Sound
:9
Sounds great playing Blues, New Orleans Funk, Roots Rock whatever...get some nice tones off the neck p90 pup. The middle position is pure twang and really a different beast than anything else I've played. This guitar really has a tone all of it's own...finally not another Gibson -Strat clone. This guitar screams mojo! The p90 is not silent but it's certainly not as noisy as a single coil pup. Effects - a wah and a Providence Stampede overdrive pedal (boutique type pedal...nice) I play this set up through a variety of amps... Tone King Meteor II, Carvin Nomad, and a custom Allen PTP fender-deluxe type amp. Meaty & ballsy-bridge; Singing bluesy neck and a twang middle position. I play mostly clean with the tube amps cranked on volume (as loud as my bandmates will allow) so the notes are articulate and present..in your face. I would give it a 10 but you know...tone is like art very subjective...my 10 could be another's 7.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Can't find a thing to complain about the finish, action or construction. The back is nicely matched flamed maple. I cant say enough about the construction...appears to be bult like a custom boutique guitar costing thousands more. I was looking for a 24" scale neck gtr. Being female with aging fingers (do I dare say arthritis) the Dues 25.5" is slightly less forgiving for me to bend the medium gauge strings I use...guys should have no problem and will love the playability of this sweet guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I have/had some great guitars and this has got to be the most solidly constructed guitar I have ever put my hands on. No flimsy switches, bad electronics, misaligned nuts, nothing cheap about this guitar. The Bigsby-like tremolo is logical and sturdy German engineering at it's best. I usually put strap locks on my guitars as soon as I get them. This one I havent felt an urgent need to replace as the original buttons work fine. I probably will because I really would not like to drop this baby. P.S. I never gig without a backup..or two.
Customer Support
:10
Nathan @ Duesenberg USA is a top-notch cat who is willing to chat with you at great lengths about Duesenbergs...he truely loves this product and this company.
Overall Rating
:9
I LOVE THE FEEL AND VIBE OF THIS GUITAR. THE TONE IS ORIGINAL. 21 years playing off and on giving me plenty of time to collect some nice guitars - I have a 1984 G&L SC-3...one of Leo's most underrated designs...and most playable guitars, a G&L Legacy, a G&L ASAT thinline, a G&L S-500 Deluxe, a PRS Custom 24, a Music Man Axis Super Sport, 1982 Gibson ES 335 Dot, 1982 ES-369 RARE, and soon another Duesenberg (DCC model). I have owned a 69 Les Paul Custom (stolen), a Carvin V220 (stolen), a Carvin DC400, a 68 tele and a Fender American Strat. I look all the time for another piece of playable art. I checked out Gretsch CG and 6120...had the looks but just felt poorly constructed and played like a cheap guitar. I looked at a hollow body PRS. Looked for a hollow body Les Paul. I even checked out some of the new custom shop Fenders but I find that decent Fenders are way over priced and the new ones are just made with sloppy and cheap production. Actually, I really didnt NEED another guitar. Some women buy shoes...I buy guitars. I purchased the Dues without ever playing it or hearing it. I LOVED THE LOOK. I took a chance that I definitely do not regret.
Product: Duesenberg Starplayer TV Price Paid: US $2198
Submitted 01/10/2005
at 05:12am
by Ted
Features
:10
The Starplayer TV is a single-cut hollowbody with one f-hole from Duesenberg in Germany. It's a 22-fret guitar with a 25 1/2" fretboard which makes for easy playing and string bending. The neck pickup is a P-90 and the bridge pickup is a humbucker with a PAF59 sound; with the switch in the middle, you hear a really awesome tone. Either way, the tone from this guitar is unbelievable -- I use a Fender Blues Jr. It also has a tremola tailpiece with a lock -- a first -- to keep the tremola bar out of the way when not in use.
The body is corina and has an arched spruce top and arched maple back. The binding, wood and workmanship are simply the best. This is a quality guitar, well-built and beautiful.
The case, just like the guitar, is beautiful and built like a tank.
Sound
:10
I use a Fender Blues Jr. The Deusenberg can drive this amp with unbelievably clean sounds, and growls with some drive. I play classic rock, blues and jazz -- this does it all. No noise, just clean sound. The bridge pickup is strong and bright, almost like a tele.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I ordered the guitar from Westwood Music in LA, one of 2 dealers in the US. When it arrived in VA, it was set up perfectly. Flawless is the best word I can use to describe this guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:10
It's built like a tank and will last forever. Very solid but light. It even has it's own strap-lock system. Plus, the lock for the tremola bar is innovative.
The only negative thing I can say is the saddles are not made of graphite, so if you use the tremola the guitar will end up out of tune. Adding graphite saddles may help, or they may affect the sound -- I'll leave mine as-is for now.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I don't think I'll need any support -- this is built to last forever. It has a lifetime warranty. http://www.duesenbergusa.com for more info.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for about 9 months and have a Les Paul Studio and a Gibson Little Lucille. I was looking at either an ES-335 or ES-175 but couldn't find any in my area. I did some research on the Duesenberg and am extraordinarily happy with my choice. I would buy another Duesenberg in a second, no doubts or hesitation.