Product: Switch Ultima I
Price Paid: USD 349.99
Submitted
06/03/2007
at
08:33pm
by
gretschman6120
Features
:
10
"Tele inspired" 25 1/2 scale neck/thru "Vibracell"body ( Switch's name for the variable density resin materiel used) w/22 fret rosewood fingerboard w/"3D" contoured top (1 7/8" bass side, 1 3/4" middle,1 1/2" treble side)w/bevel on lower bass side of top. 1 Vol/1 tone switch w/5 way blade switch for p/u selection and side mounted jack input.Pickup configuration is Switch's "proprietary" Tele type bridge/neck w/ single coil (strat type)in middle position.String thru-body type Tele bridge. Finshed in a Metallic White finish w/chrome hardware ( 6 on a side Grover tuners). Think a "21 century Nashville Tele".Chinese manufacture.
Sound
:
10
Bridge and neck p/u's have that "signature" Tele-type sound and you get a distinct "quack" ( not quite Strat-type) in the middle-neck and middle-bridge positions. "Snappy" sound evident in the bridge-only position ( tone control works in this position unlike a Strat). Over all, I get that bright sound this type of guitar is known for. Any amp w/ a "bright" switch ( I play thru a Drive G-65 and a Drive G-120 which have the switch) and it really comes alive... Extremely comfortable neck. Vol.switch is about 1" from edge of bridge p/u plate in perfect position for volume swells,etc. If you like that "clean" type sound this is your ticket. Quieter than normal single-coils as far as that 60 cycle AC hum as the control cavity ( on back) is accessible by a 4 screw cover.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
out of the box, action at 12th fret was 2mm from low "E" to high "E" and a year later it is still the same.Never needed to touch the pickups, intonation was spot-on.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Metallic white finish has been impervious to dings, and surface can be cleaned w/flannel cloth.. Guitar looks like new!It should withstand live playing (I never go w/o backup guitars), and chrome finish shows no signs of tarnish. Strap buttons are securely mounted, and the bevel on the top of the lower bout does not "cut into" your forearm. You could play all night w/ this. Design was really thought out.
Customer Support
:
10
Emailed Customer Support, got a reply from the president (Frank Cates)! Limited lifetime warranty.
Overall Rating
:
10
Been playing 43 yrs. own 225 guitars ( 136 electrics-89 acoustics). I own 5 other Switch guitars ( Oscar IV Custom, MidniteXpress travel electric, Aurora 6 and 12strings, Stealth Aurora 6 string,)I like innovation, and Switch seems to be "on to something" as far as the VibraCell material. These guitars are almost "bullet-proof".I bought mine from Music123.com, when they offered almost their full line, but they don't as of this moment.. Glad I got it when I did.
