Samick AV7 Greg Bennett

Greg Bennett AV7 is a wonderful guitar. Bought from a mom and pop music store who takes care of their customer and their equipment. Finish was flawless & frets were dressed well. Only issue was the action was set kind of high, but easily adjusted. Duncan designed humbuckers were bright and lively, maybe too bright. 3 way toggle & 2 volume/tone controls. Coil splitting would be nice for your next version.

I prefer a bluesy gibon type sound. Basically thats why I bough this guitar. While I got the gibson style the sound was too bright for me, I replaced the pickups with Gibson 57's and it brought that warmth back into the guitar. the body of this guitar is solid and resonated well. Plays metal with a growl and the clean tones are so-so. I didn't like the stock humbuckers, but they were OK.

The store I bought it from does a pre inspection to make sure everything is top notch. It was. My only two issues were the action was set higher than I'd like and the nut wasn't cut perfectly. The first string did not sit in the nut well. It pulled out of the nut about 3/4 the way back to the headstock.

This guitar is a rock. I think its very dependable. Solid body will hold up and the finish appears to be extremely durable over the year I owned the guitar. Hardware is all top notch, grover tuners, wilkinson brigde, duncan designed humbuckers. All sold and well worth the price.

Warranty is a limited lifetime I beleive. I never dealt with Samick personally as the guitar store I bought it from does the service Atlas Music in Webster NY. They've been wonderful.

I've been playing for about 5 years. I spent most of that time goofing around and not really learning the instrument. I started lesson about 6 months ago and its made all the difference. I would consider another Greg Bennett for sure. Its extremely comparable if not better than the other guitars in its price range. I also own as PRS SE soapbar and a Fender Standard Strat. The Fender stinks, the PRS is excellent but for the tuning issues. I like the PRS better because of the wider fretboard which suit my gigantic hands. Their is more guitar for the money in a Samick, but my PRS fits me better I really thing the Greg Bennett guitars are great. It is a shame they haven't caught on better.

i think this guitar was made in korea there is regular lp electronic setup it has a white finish with gold hardware it came with a hardcase which is sweet theres duncan design pickups and im thinking of trying a different warmer sounding rythm pickup and the toggle switch is great for switching really fast during solos

This guitar has a great soubnd i play mostly old punk 60's rock and funk and it goes great every which way. I set up with and really old vantage tube amp and a cry baby and i can play everything without a hastle

As far as i can see the guitar was set up pretty well except i have a fair bit of buzz on the low e string but im planning to get that fixed soom but everything else was really good

i am completly comfortable playing this guitar live without a backup nothing bad has happened to it while playing except for the toggle switch is cracked but it doesnt surprise me because im pretty rough with it when I play also the bolt that holds on the pickguard is stripped but im not to worried about that i havent been able to get those fixed yet but im sure it wont be a problem. i'v had it for about 7 months now and it still plays like new

havent got around to bringing it in yet

I'v been playing guitar for about 10 years and this is the best sounding guitar iv ever had like my epiphone elitiest and fender tele
i love everything about it except for the buzz on the e string if I lost it i would definatly buy another one i hope to be recording with it in a few months and im sure it will be great for the price i think its the best you can get

I got a new 2004 Samick AV 7, wine red with gold hardware. The guitar has a mahagony top, grover tuners, Duncan Designed pick ups and all the other features listed on the Samick website.

I just got the guitar and have only played it through a small Marshall solid state practice amp but the sound is really good/impressive.

Not as warm as an LP standard, but more definition than an Epiphone custom which is the guitar it is modeled after.

It's good for most styles. My only dislike is it's not quite as warm and doesn't have the intricate sound of my LP Standard, but then again it's half the weight and way cheaper. I think the sound overall is pretty sweet, the crunch is great as is the smoother rhythm sound my main complaint would be that when playing chords sometimes in the rhythm setting, you can't hear each individual note as much as I'd like, but I'm a tone snob.

The guitar was set up nicely although the heavy e-string's action needed to be adjusted slightly.

The crunchy pick up is sweet, if I knew more about setting up guitars I might try and adjust the rhythm pick up. I don't plan on switching out pickups like others have suggested, probably because I just don't know enough about different pick ups and I trust Greg Bennett the designer to have done the research to have made a good choice. A year down the road I might change my mind however, we will see once I start playing it live with my tube amp.

The guitar had no real flaws, just a few small scatches on the pick guard but since this will replace my LP Standard as my gigging guitar especially for bars/clubs, so I'm sure that's just the wave of the future! The finish is really nice.

I've only had it for 3 days, but I feel this guitar will be very durable, it's well put together, I feel I can definately depend on it. As long as it sounds good I don't really care if the finish is in perfect condition.

One thing they did which is pretty cool is they made the strap buttons wide on the outside so that the strap is hard to take off, which means the chances of you dropping it are a lot less.

It's a great guitar. Doesn't 'quite' have the intricate sound of a 'heavy maple top' LP, but for the price, you probably can't beat it.

Really good sound, great playability (easy to play!), looks great, seems reliable (only had it 3 days!), is versatile, and very underated since I haven't heard much about these guitars other than going to my local guitar store.

If you're looking for a gigging guitar or a back up so you don't need to lug around your $2,000 + baby, this is the guitar for you!

This guitar actually reminds of an SG with an LP body. I've tried similar Ephiphones and I think this guitar is better. I think Samick will eventually become a household name amoung musicians as a great affordable option. If I lost this guitar I would get another one certainly.

I'm looking forward to many happy years of playing with it and would recommend it to anyone.

In the little time I've played it, I feel it's great for individual note solos, just lacks a little bit of definition when playing chords. But I'm pretty picky.

Go get one!

As detailed in previous posts, nothing to add

Incredible (play it through a Boss GT-3)

Did not have to modity factory setup - low action, fast neck.

See below

Had to return to Distributor (at my expense) for repair shortly after pruchased - electronics problem (pots). I think all they did as spray contact cleaner, problem reappeared within a month. Took to local shop to have new pots put in, and was advised my problem was due to EXTREAMLY poor soldering connections (very quick fix). He could not believe the factory returned it back to me without seeing real problem. Shop resoldered connections (at less $$ than mailing back to rep), and now it's the killer machine it was ment to be.

Playing on/off 20+ years. If stolen or lost, would visits my son's ex friend...who had previously borrowed my son's fender strat and (unknowingly) my Takamine classical (thanks, son), and hocked them both. I find this out 2 months later.

God this is an awesome guitar. made in korea 2004, 22 frets, 2 vol 2 tone knobs, 3 way pickup selector... pretty much look at a les paul and you get the basic features of this guitar. the pickups are very cool; they sound awesome. i was very surprised when i first looked at the guitar. i didn't glance at the price tag and just picked it up and went and played it. i assumed it was out of my price range and put it back; when i looked at the price tag i was astonished and knew i had to have it. my ONLY complaint about the features is that i wish the pickguard was a little sturdier. it's raised and whenever i have it on my knee and it presses against my leg, i feel like it's gonna break. oh well, if it does it's easily replaceable.

ps: the mother of pearl inlays on the frets look great along with the gold!

this guitar is great for all sorts of music, but mostly on the heavy side if you're playing with distortion. basically, no elvis guitar parts. i think it sounds great without distortion as well though. great sound! i'm running it through a peavey classic 30 tube amp. what a great combination. they work really well together. very full sound.

the action on the guitar is perfect. the factory did an extremely good job setting it up. the neck is very fast and well put together. mine came with no problems whatsoever.

i would take this guitar on a gig in a heartbeat. although playing without a backup is crazy, it doesn't sound like an awful option if another guitar isn't available somehow. very solid guitar. the strap buttons won't budge. these are very well set in.

haven't had to

overall, this was my favorite guitar in the whole store, and not just because of the price. i was also seriously considering a les paul junior and other more expensive guitars, but this one just got the job done best. i'd recommend this guitar to anyone.

As described above. Bought it around 11/04.

NOTE: Most people on this site seem to love their gear regardless of what it is, which can make these reviews seem a little suspect. I am a highly critical and demanding musician and return gear all the time if it's not up to snuff. I've been playing a good while and have owned many guitars and know of which I speak... So when I reave about something, believe it!

I haven't A/B'sd this with a Gibson, but I did compare it to an Agile 3000M and like the Samick much better--had a more focused sound, more to my ear like a classic Gibson. I would like a little more high end from it and have thought about replacing the pickups, but the Agile with the maple cap was no brighter so... Also sustained as well or better than the Agile, which weighed about 10 pounds. (My AV7 may be a light one, weighs less than 7) BTW--I returned the Agile--very disappointing.

This is where this is an extraordinary deal. Bought it online and right out of the box it was perfect. Action nice and low, but no buzzes, and every note sustains up and down the neck, no plinkyness when bending. This is a gorgeous guitar and makes you realize how much the American companies have been just coasting for a long time. I will add that it arrived with the toggle switch broken, but I'm sure this occurred in shipping.

SO far, so good. Feels very solid.

As I said, toggle switch was broken. Samick arranged to have it fixed locally by a Samick dealer (while I waited) , rather than making me send it back to them. Can't complain at all.

My only complaint about this guitar is that it's significantly lighter than a Les Paul. Yes, I choose to suffer. I might try replacing the pickups with something brighter, but I usually am disappointed with the results when I do that. I'm rating this at 10 because it's SUCH a well made guitar for the money, seriously comparable to today's Gibsons. I've played quite a few in stores of late and (off the rack at least) none feel as good as my AV7.

Hey kids, Samick AV-7 has a Mahogany top and back with the basic Les Paul setup, 2 vol. 2 tone dual HB's. 22 frets mahogany board and grover tuners. P/ups are gold covered duncan designed (and that is written in black on the gold covers) Hb 102 bridge, Hb 101 neck. The body at the edge is 1.75" thick. LP standards are 2" thick. Crappy little knobs, not big speed knobs. The pickup selector is wired diferrent fron a Les Paul, in the middle pos. you can roll the volume totally off on one and the other pickup won't loose anything. I did NOT like that at all...

Let me tell you, I've been on a mission to try and find an awesome inexpensive guitar. I own 2 LP Customs that cost around 2500 ea. and I own 2 70's reissue fender strats (Mexican) And I play them 15to 1 over the Les Pauls... I tried ALOT of guitars... Dean Caddy's Agile LP copies, Epi's,ETC,ETC... I wasn't expecting much when I go the AV-7, and I wasn't crazy impressed when I took it out of the box, I restrung it and plated it for a couple weeks. I even played a gig with it, all night. The more I play it the more I can't put it down. I had ordered a set of Gibson 496r/500t to put in it and I probably will sell them on Ebay. This guitar has a fat warm sound with alot of mids... I play a Pevey XXX all tube head with no external distortio, I use the amps own gain, and the p/ups do feedback more than any of my other guitars, and I have 3 Hotrails in each Strat. I dunno... I don't love it but it is the best Korean guitar I've played. I tell you, with medium gain on the amp it has alot of mid bite, like Warren Haynes on Soulshine. With the gain on Insaine it is Godsmack all the way.

average, nothing to write home about. I had to do a complete setup except for the intonation, that was dead on, even after I put heavier strings on it. The neck had a huge dipi around the ninth fret, way more than there should have been. The frets are the typical Korean finish. The Agile LP 2800 had a sweet fret finish. This thing is above average for Kore, in my opinion. The neck is Thin, Thinner than a Les Paul 60's slim taper.

It seems tough enough.

I've been playing a long time, too long if thats possible. I wish it had a thicker neck and body. If it were stolen I would I would fnd them and beat them to DEATH with the guitar and go buy another 70's Strat and change the pickups :-) I'm net a Strat guy, really... But I still haven't found a better all around guitar, and if your in a cover band and don't want to bring 3 or 4 diferrent guitars, get an Ash body Strat and put the Hot Rails in it.


R.I.P. to our Brother Dime!!!

You know the blah blah by now.....LET ME SAY THIS...THIS IS ONE HELL OF A GUITAR, LES PAUL COPY OR NOT......arched mahogany over a mahogany back, that was Gibson's 1957 combo...and is now a big reissue ploy...skip the Gibson...they have rocks in their heads....buy one of these...or if you must, buy a Heritage H150, those are the real Gibson's anyway...the same old historical factory in Kalamazoo.....but for under $500 (most sell between $450-$500 but I got it for $300 w/o a case as I am a steady customer at Eastcoast Music Mall in CT and get good treatment there...(thanks Sandy)...) this is a super bargain...much like Ibanez was when they sprung their own variations in the mid-70's on the American public...sure wish I bought one of those Custom Agents back then....wow...but one day in the future guitars like this Bennett Samick will be collected like the Ibanez are now...so wake up, I did, collect these now at great prices....and have a kick ass guitar to play right now..
the AV7 is akin to a Les Paul Custom...and that was always my favorite Les Paul anyway...and in the Samick metalic pearl white...this guitar makes a real nice showing....in looks and feel and sound...there...nothing left to say...
peace
Vince

2003 Av-7 greg bennet edition les paul copy.

22 frets, all with block inlays, nicley done by the way.
mahogany arch top and body.
Duncan HH designed pickups all passive, 3way selector
Black finish throughout.
tunomatic bridge, stays in tune 95% of the time.
single cutaway design.

sounds good duncan designed pickups are great for the average rocker who is looking for a guitar that sounds good. i use a line 6 210 and it blows away anyhting in its class. great clean or overdriven, i use a digitech rp200a efects pedal great sounds throughout.

set-up the guitar was amazing, no complaints
pickups are adjusted the way i like it no need to replace, action is low to high.
the neck though is a lil sketchy. the inlays are nice and smooth no promblems there.

i've had this guitar for a lil over 2 years and its great, im in a band and i crush with my greg bennets Av-7 LP copy, my friends think its one of the best guitars they have ever seen and played and it def keeps up during jam sessions. strap buttons are solid, very dependable very easy to set up and restring. would never gig without a back up thats just retarded.

never had to use it, but there is a life time warranty with the guitar. i got it from Atlas music in webster, NY, in rochester. the people there are great and carry alot of samicks. they have a website, Atlasmusic.com go check it out and give them a call.

i've been playing for a while bout 3 years
ii would buy 5 more if it were stolen. i love the action the sound, the neck is very slim and fast a rare thing with guitars in this price, it's way better than an epi, epi are junk don't but them. matches equally to an gibson les paul even better. not many people now about samick guitars and greg bennets designed guitars, i think more people should go out and stock up on these guitars becuase they are wonderful to have and great to play. Samick should advertise and start hooking up guitar center and H.O.G wth there guitars becuase there so good. go to samickguitar.com and check them out there great. this guitar by far is more than i expected best for its money and really a great buy.

This is a Copy of a Gibson les Paul. Bought it new in 2004 made in Korea. 22 fret Mahogany arch top, set neck, 8 ply binding Duncan Designed HH, pearl type block inlays, gold hdwr. Typical LP set up 2&2 on sound and tone

Sound is unbelievable. I was able to play it against it epiphone and gibson counter parts. Better than an Epi and equal to the American made Gibson. I play through I fender Princeton chorus and a Vintage Randall rg 80. If i want a bluesy mellow I run it through the fender...if I am going for the peel your face off rock...the randall. If you like the LP and cant afford it buy this..if you have the money..buy a couple of these instead

ACtion , pickups were...surprising set up well have not had to make any adjustments. Which actually surprises me. The only thing I dont like..is the truss rod cover....how is that for the only flaw.LOL Pearl white finish..everone seems to buy the red and the black. Samick doesnt even list the pearl on their site

So far its good. I had a friend who bought one about 4 years ago....he plays all over florida at beach bars. Said he has dropped his in the snad more times and has yet had to take it in for adjusments. Said it built like a tank. I would deffinely gig with this and without a back up

Never had to deal with them

I have been playing 19 years Have a Strat, Tele, Coronet, Ovation, Teisco(original not re-issue)I would buy again if stolen. I shopped around to try to get it cheaper but 375 is the cheapest I could get. One important note if you are looking at theese the av 1-4 are vere similar to the squire and affinity line of fender...inexpensive, cheaper components. the AV 5,6 and especially 7 are not. As a former luthier from Gibson told me...."i would buy an AV 7 over anygibson puts out...except for a special order from the custom shop"...enough said