Product: Rarebird Sparrowhawk
Price Paid: US $2000
Submitted
06/02/2004
at
08:36pm
by
Tom Ivan
Features
:
9
Not sure year made. Already made when I bought it
Made by Bruce Clay of Rarebird Guitar Lab
semi hollow body, alder wood with single f-hole
3 single coils, 5 way withc, "turbo" push pull switch, tremelo
spezel locking tuners, maple neck with ebody fingerboard. Mother of pearl finish on top, with clear in the pattern so you can see the light alder wood.
I would describe the body as being a thinline strat style
Sound
:
10
This guitar gets an amazing array of tone.
You can almost even get a Wes Montgomery style Jazz tone from it,
about any rock or blues tone you can imagine
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
guitar had a buzz on the 8th and 4th frets
Bruce is now adjusting truss rod and dressing the frets
Otherwise, finish is excellent, guitar is extremely balanced
Reliability/Durability
:
No Opinion
I don't play professionally, but guitar seems incredibly well made
Customer Support
:
9
Bruce is a great guy, a true artist, so he doesn't have much of a sense of deadlines. Others have had various experiences with him and so noted in the reviews. He has been fair with me and always done what he promises to do. This is my 4th Rarebird guitar, 3 electrics-a solid body Osprey (reviewed), this guitar, a semi-hollow body Telehawk(like a Les Paul) and an incredible acoustic. All of these guitars were already made. I love the feel of the necks and the incredible tone range of all of these instruments, each one an instant collectable.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing off and on for 40 years. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would probably buy another, but each guitar Bruce builds is unique and has its own personality, so probably could not get a duplicate. Something of this caliber from Fender or Gibson custom shop would probably cost at least twice as much
Product: Rarebird Sparrowhawk
Price Paid: US $2000.00
Submitted
04/20/2004
at
11:05am
by
Jonathon Long
Email: speedy0882<at>aol dot com
Features
:
10
Ash body.3 Single Coil Pickups.Push/Pull Pod on Center Tone Knob.Green to Blue Sunburst.Gotoh Locking Tuners.5 way toggle.Jumbo Frets.One Piece Body.22 Frets.
Sound
:
10
This Guitar Suits my Blues and Rock Perfectly,yes perfectly..But my Jazz I still have another guitar I use for that.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Guitar was built great..I made a few neck adjustments only because I wanted to do that myself.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Yes this guitar will withstand live playing,but I will always need a backup.I go through Strings like potato chips...Finish is good...Buttons are solid,never had to tighten them.very dependable.
Customer Support
:
10
Were talking a guitar for a lifetime here...Bruce is very friendly and supportive and nice to you If your nice and supportive with him.I've been dealing with Bruce for Years and never had a problem.But understand,you cant be impatient if you order a guitar that isnt finished.This is a hand built instrument.He doesnt use all these Automatic machines,and if you want it done right he will do it right,give him time.
Overall Rating
:
10
Besides one Schecter Custom Shop,I own all Rarebirds and that is all I will own from now on.Bruce is a great guy when you get to know him .RAREBIRD is a great guitar if you want a custom built guitar for the money.
