RavenWestGuitar Co. RG1400

New 2008 ,I assume ,"superstrat" body style made of basswood...rosewood fretboard...satin gold hardware...licensed floyd rose...24 frets...sharkfin inlays...1 volume 1 tone with push/pull coil splitter...5 way selector switch and a H/S/H G&B pickup configuration...wilkinson tuners...hard maple bound neck...frets are what I would consider a medium size.I bought this direct from RWG on ebay which is an excellent way to get a good deal on this beautiful guitar.I got the SunQuilt color and it is absolutely beautiful.Claims of a "real" quilt top seem to be true.Packed in the box was a free set of 6 patch cables.Does not come with a case or gig bag but they do offer them for sale.Give it a 9 for that reason only.

Has a tendency to be somewhat bright sounding but I use a B52 AT100 212 combo and find this to be the case to some degree with most guitars but I am able to back the treble off some and increase the bass response a little to compensate.Tone and volume controls are quite useable on this guitar as well which sometimes isn't the case on some guitars in the "budget" price range.This guitar seems to shine when the mids are scooped out and replaced with the midrange from the EQ section.It gives this guitar a very heavy and in your face sound.I play mostly metal/hairband 80's stuff and this suits me fine.Don't have much use for the coil tap except for clean for which it is a blessing...think strat tones!!!Distorted,the neck pickup is quite muddy but also for clean tones it is fine.Not much excess noise on full humbuckers but tapping does produce some extra hum.

First off...the good news.The quilt top on this sucker is gorgeous and the finish is mirror-like and the satin gold hardware against the orange/red color is amazing.Action was a little low and there was some almost dead spots in the 15th thru 23rd frets but slightly raising the floyd cleared that up.Intonation was good.Neck looks dead straight and frets are adequate for a very low but not rediculously low action.Edges were well done.Pickups were a little high for my taste so I lowered them slightly for preference.Now for the bad news...and it's only bad if you are an anal type which I am not...but worth mention...there is some rough wood/paint(can't decide which)on the headstock opposite the tuners,the binding isn't perfectly fitted at the seems next to the bridge pickup,and theres a dark spot in the wood along the edge your arm rests...just sticks out with the bright color if the guitar.Also the body wood at the neck joint isn't smooth and tight against the neck.These things aren't biggies but I'm trying to be as accurate as I can.The fretboard however feels dry which is a little disappointing but I'll keep the lemon oil handy and hope it gets better although if it is my imagination and due to the medium fret size then it won't change.I've only had it a couple of days and have played for maybe 2 hours so far and notice some fretwear already.It is supposed to come with D'Addario strings but with the balls cut off to fit the floyd who knows.Tremolo works well.

Given the sound of this thing I would definitely use it live but it would be silly to bring only one guitar to a show.It is a comfortable weight and I think the strapbuttons would withstand reasonable use.Finish should last a long time but I am concerned about the hardware tarnishing over time.

My dealings with Eric have only been through the transaction part of it so I can't personally say much but I have read many other comments about how wonderful they are to deal with and so far they have been for me.Warrantee is like many others...limited lifetime but void if you change anything.My rating reflects the opinions of others and the response I got with questions and comments I had during the sale.

I am 40 years old and have been playing as a hobbyist mainly for 25 yrs.I've gone through way more guitars than any sane person should but currently own a GIBSON LES PAUL PREMIUM PLUS,GIBSON EXPLORER,JACKSON KV10X,JACKSON DK2M,LTD EC1000,DEAN LTD.EDITION Z,And my favorite.. a '99 BCRich neck thru Warlock with a S.D. PATB-2 in the bridge position(AWESOME).The best thing about this guitar is it is flashy and fits into my mojo of the 80's so well.Though my chops are not up to par with some of my shredding heros,this guitar will get used and proudly.Even though I have spent some time cutting this thing down in some ways,you get your moneys worth considering the price I paid and will let it be for now but down the road will probably go ahead and void the warrantee by replacing the bridge P/U with something a little hotter.I went into it thinking it would be worth a shot and if it turned out to be junk then oh well,but,on the contrary...This is a perfectly useable guitar and anyone short of pro could find it"perfect". IMO this an underpriced mid-level guitar and do not regret buying it....however it is my nature to buy and sell sometimes on a whim so I might buy one again and I might not.For you Les Paul fans,check out their version,the RM300DX.If it is on the same level as the Epi's,it will be awesome because it comes in some really cool colors and has an ebony fretboard!!!