Stagg Z600 Fixed Bridge Quilted Maple Top

the Z600 is from stagg's 'heavy' series, i suppose it is what they consider their top end guitars. I bought the guitar off a private seller on the internet so basically all i got was a guitar and a scruffy old bag when i came to collect it. however, it was fairly cheap and in absolute mint condition (not a single nick/scratch/dent and new strings)
it features a 22 fret neck out of maple with a rather flat-radius rosewood fretboard with a white binding on the edge. it is equiped with 2 humbuckers and a single coil in the middle. a volume and tone knob, a 5 way switch and a jackhole. quality of the hardware is surprisingly sound for the category of guitar.
the only thing i wasn't happy with was the original top nut, a cheap nylon fake ivory thing which made tuning the guitar a nightmare. i had it replaced with a graph-tech graphite composite topnut and it was the best 50 euro's i have spent so far, it makes an enormous difference.
i like the fixed bridge (string-thru). i have two fender strats with tremolo bridges and they don't come near the sustain of this thing.
the best part of the guitar is the lovely body. it is a strat-style solid alder body with a booklayed quilted maple top (i.e. mirroring flames/quilts) in a beautiful shade of dark reddish brown. it is finished in a thick layer of high-gloss laquer.
the diecast chrome-finished machinehead tuners are of unknown make and i have no complaints about them, though i suspect that an upgrade to gotoh/schaller would improve tuning. however i have only been playing for about 3 years and being an autodidact i think my skills and experience are not yet sufficient to appreciate the difference this would make

the sound is meaty, there is a lot of sustain and no buzzing in any of the 5 switch positions. intonation is spot on. I use my vox 30 watt amp on high gain setting, which suits this guitar best. its humbuckers do not lend themselves for clean style . eventhough i kind of like the thicker sounds it offers in cleaner settings, it does not ring as much as a single PU strat. on heavier distorted settings it offers a rather raw but rich sounds, the emphasis seems to be in the middle to high range (rather bright), not too much bass. this makes is very suitable for both faster rhythm and solos.
as i said, i disliked the original top nut, it made tuning terrible and the sound bland. the new graph-tech nut improves both.
the pick-ups are fine, probably not the very best on offer but they suffice perfectly for my livingroom

i didn't get it from the factory so i have no idea how it was set up. my specimen has been rebranded 'custom' for strings and things in memphis (i suspect they offer stagg products as a cheaper 'home brand' from their store). i don't know the consequences this has on the set up. as stated above, i had to replace the horrible top nut, after which it was newly set up as part of the service from the luthier who installed the nut for me. after this it feels perfect. i would even go as far as to say i prefer playing it over my younger 50's reissue fender strat. i run ernie ball regual slinky .010 strings (the bright yellow packet) and they suit me perfectly, better then the thinner super slinky strings that made the sound too thin for my liking.
the finish is strikingly beautiful, especially the quilted top and the thickly glazed alder body, no rough grains or bumps in the finish.
the overall quality impresses me (apart from the nut) and the feel of the hardware is solid (not jiggly or too tight) and the chrome is smooth and thick allover.

overall impression: solid, reliable and well-built. a thick glaze of laquer ensures years of usage is possible. as i don't play gigs (yet) i have no experience on that subject and my opinion would be based on guessing. so here goes: i think it will stand up to sweat, abuse and temperature changes reasonably well. it doens't go out of tune easily, even when i leave the window slightly opened over night.

no idea, never sent it back. i only know their website and it is by no means spectacular or comprehensive.

i have been playing for 3 years now. being an autodidact and unable to read music i play by ear and started playing the guitar from square one, figuring everything out for myself. i don't quite have developed a distinctive style (yet),though i am a fervent finger-picker. i own a very VERY basic acoustic (70 euros, a birthdaygift that i got 3 years ago and got me started on guitar playing) and two fender strats (a '91 usa standard and a '08 50's reissue mex strat).
considering i payed only 160 euros for it, i am very pleased and would buy it again and even be prepared to pay more for it.