Product: PBC GTE-350
Price Paid: US $600 used
Submitted
11/23/2005
at
05:24pm
by
ricky_kodadek
Email: ricky_kodadek<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:
10
Early 90's USA
24 Fret
Semi-Hollow No F-Hole
Vol-Vol-Tone 2 Coil Taps
Dual Humbucker
Duncan JB/JBJ
Unknown? Alder body wood with a AA Flame Top
Maple neck W/AAA Flame headstock overlay 1/4 thick. Rosewood Fretboard
Burst finish similar to Desert Burst
Tele Body Style
PBC Independant bridge for each string chrome hardware
Schaller Tuners
Tension Free neck. Satin finish.
Came with a really nice gigbag
Sound
:
7
When I bought it I was told that it had unknown replacment pickups. I was hoping for something a little more twang/rockabilly than JBs. It screams, but I'll probably get a set of '59s, PAFs, Antiquities, or even Phat Cats. I have screamers in my collection and wanted something a little more mild. Sounds great as is, just not what I want. The 24 fret moves the neck pickup making it react a little different. The JBj at the neck is a bit screachy as hot pickups in the neck can be. 7 as it does sound good, just not what I'm after.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
There was some messed up wiring, but was easily fixed. The pickup rings are chrome and sit right down on the body, so the pickups can't be adjusted up alot. It needs taller rings. The hardware is amazing. Individual bridge for each string!!!. Very well made, but took some figuring out how to change strings, ect. The guitar is hollow. No center block like a Tele Thinline. The nut is brass and is incorporated into the Stress Free truss rod system and the E and A strings are a touch low, but It should be easy to fill the slots with JB Weld and refile. That's not factory, someone filed the slots down on their own. The top is well bookmatched. The finish is very nice and is faded to a greyish color with a blackburst edge on the front. The back shows more of a reddish tinge and you can tell when removing the pickups, or switch. I prefer the faded coloring on the front to the unfaded back. The tension free neck plays like nothing I've ever seen. Sort of like my reaction the the Buzz Feiton neck. This thing is alive all the way up and down the neck. Any guitar you buy, especially used is going to need some setup work, so these issues seem minor to me.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
Seems like something that will last. I replaced the strap buttons with Dunlops. Should fit right in with my host of rediculously priced guitars. These sold for around $3000 new if my information is correct. A few setup issues and It'll be up and running.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
NA
Overall Rating
:
10
Got this on a trade deal for an item I had up at $600. There probably aren't too many of these that sell for that. The pickups will go. I'll probably wire it Vol/Tone/Tone. The coil taps will probably turn into a stutter switch and a phase. Looks great and an awesome player. This is a guitar that you pick up and immideatly know that this is a top end masterpiece.
