Product: El-Degas FW-214
Price Paid: US $150
Submitted
11/20/2002
at
07:27pm
by
Anonymous
Features
:
8
Don't know what year it was made. I bought it new in 1975. Japanese made, very much a copy of a Martin Dreadnnought. What kind of wood? I can only guess.
It's nothing fancy. Just a surprisingly good iteration of the generic steel-string acoustic.
Sound
:
9
My style falls in the overlap of folk, rock, and blues and this guitar fits in that pocket like it invented it.
I've never seen another "El Degas" guitar, and that's a real shame because after 27 years of playing it, it's still the best all-around guitar I've ever owned. Sweet, rich, strong voice and it's taken use that amounts to abuse without a complaint. Everyone who hears it or picks it up is amazed at its sound.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
8
Action is a bit on the slow & stiff side, but ham-handed as I am that's a plus. Keeping that in mind, the set-up was flawless. Nothing needed adjustment.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This guitar has taken harder use than any other I've ever known. After 27 years the finish is still beautiful and all hardware is intact. I'd not only use it witout a backup, if I couldn't find a jack handle... nah. Not THAT tough.
Customer Support
:
1
Support? You're kidding. This company is a ghost. The label inside says "A product of B&J," but I've not seen any B&J guitars that were made in my lifetime. The serial number on mine is #774; I suspect that may be of 775 ever made. Good thing it's so solid.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing for 30 years, 27 of them on this guitar. I've bought (and sold or destroyed) several other guitars in the interval and still the El Degas rolls on. If anything ever happens to it I think I'll just drop over dead on the spot.
I know that it's not for everyone -- but if you ever see one of these, pick it up and try it. I think you'll like it.
