Gordon Smith Classic S

This guitar was built in Manchester, Uk in 2002 - I bought it direct from the manufacturer (none of their distributors stocked it at that time). Think it was a demonstration model. Looks pretty much like a strat but with a couple of very subtle alterations in the body shape. Electrics are as supplied by Gordon Smith - no special requests on my part.
Features are what you would expect (3 single coil p/us, 5 pos selector switchs, etc), but a couple of differences. Firstly the lower tone pot controls the bridge p/u rather than the middle, and secondly, both neck and bridge p/us are coil tapped (selected by pulling out the volume control). The effects of the coil tapping is quite subtle generally, but can be quite distinctive (brighter) on positions 2 and 4 on the selector switch with certain amp settings.
Not sure if Bridge is manufactured under GS design, but has worked without problems. P/Us are made by GS, quite "bright" in character, and given the permutations available give a wide variety of sounds - regularly commented on when I have gigged this guitar. Neck has 22 jumbo frets, slightly thinner profile than have generally experienced on Fender equivilants.
Guitar was provided with a gig-bag.

Genarlly play rock/blues type material - and this guitar suits me down to the ground. Set up is very simple, just play it through a Marshall AVT-275 using the amps built-in effects. As commented in "features", bright sound with a large range of variations possible as result of permutations available from coil-taps etc. Don't expect any serious metal sounds from it tho'.

Guitar as collected from GS was set-up really well - very low action, accurate intonation, etc. P/Us adjusted to give a balanced output.

In the year I have had it, the guitar has been gigged endlessly and has stood up to it really well. Only problem experienced was that the jack socket fell apart after 6 months and had to be replaced. The finish has a few minor flaws on the back, but nothing to worry about. My other Gordon Smith (GS2) has had no problems in the 18 years that I have owned it.

Guitar was provided with 12 months warranty. When the jack-socket fell apart I had it fixed by a local guy because I needed it fixed "then and there" - but have no doubts that GS would have sorted it out if I had had the time. Dealings with the company have been fine - have found them very helpful.

If this were lost or stolen, would definately have another - in fact, gven funds will probably approach them for another with a different pickup configuration. When I was looking for it, I compared it with other Fenders and the Maverick F3. Given the price, quality and sound, it was really no contest.

This is a HAND BUILT guitar made in the UK (just outside Manchester).
The design of the guitar is based on a strat, but it is their take on a strat so if you want to follow the crowd and get the real thing then do so and stop reading this.
It follows all the normal strat feature, 3 single coils, vintage style trem, strat shape and scratch plate. Although the top horn is slightly different in shape than a normal strat being thiner and not so large.
The best thing about Gordon Smith guitars is that you get what you want as they only make these guitas when you ask them to.
Mine has 22 frets on a beautiful birds eye maple neck (Gordon Smith are the only people i know who can put a truss rod in a neck without having to cut it open, that's right it's one piece!)
The body is made form popular with a flame maple top, the guitar is finished in translusent purple with a purple headstock to match.
The scratch plate is white pearl and the whole thing is amazing.
I've also had the jack plug but on the side of the body as to show off the finish.
Bridge is also made by GS and works fine as do the standard tuners.
The big difference from a standard strat is that the neck is like a Gibsons but with a Fender scale lenght, so you get quite a long neck with big string gaps.
The other difference is that by pulling out the Volume you get slight tonal variations (don't ask me how coz i don't know).

This guitar makes a great job in imatating the strat sound, i have a GS double humbucker jobbie, so i wanted something to do Funk etc. on.
The sound is amzing crystal clear and amazingly responsive. With the added volume switch you can get so many sounds from this guitar. But if you think you can pile on the distorstion and get Metallica then you're wrong. However, for the job it is meant to do it does it so well.
Roll back the tone on the bridge pick up and you're in Jazzers heaven!

I study at a music college in London surrounded by pro musicians and am always getting comments on how great the sound is.

When i got the guitar is was nicely setup but there was a problem as one of the frets had moved in transit (prob from just being made). so i was getting a buzzing on the 16th fret. However, a trip to GS saw it sorted in no time.
Apart from that one prob everything else is excellent.
The guitar does have a few cosmetic flaws but that is to be expected as it is hand made but nothing important.

This guitar is solid i use it every day, going to college constantly being push about and its fine.

I had constant communication with GS during the build and you can't get better personal service. they were very inviting a sorted everything i wanted out. Your not going to get this level of service from any big manufacture.

I've been play for 6 years and i own another GS guitar the GS-60, marshall amps etc.
If it was stolen i would get another one ordered but not sure if i could wait for it to be built again (it took 7 months)
What i love about this guitar is its amazing sound and the fact that no one in the world owns one expect me!! (P.S if anyone copys my spec i'll kill 'em HA HA)

I went through loads of other guitars at this price range but where can you pretty much get a custom guitar for 600 quid?