Switch Ultima IV Signature

Just an update from the review I wrote earlier that can be found below this one. You know, if you were to judge the value of a guitar by its manufacture's supplied gigbag and guitar strap you'd think these damn Switch guitars were super expensive and on the high end of pricing. Of the three different model Switches I own, all came with plush, thick, well made protective gigbags with color co-ordinated piping and inserts. The straps are thick with heavy 3-D graphic Switch Logos and well made. Makes you wonder just what in the hell caused this company to stumble and fall so early on.

Forgot to mention in my last review that I had replaced the standard EMG Select hummers with a used matched pair of DiMarzios offa eBay that had been removed from a MusicMan. Changed my ol' Ultima Tobaccoburst Bumblebee into a damn Killerbee with a throaty growl that still surprises me whenever I power her up. Had my luthier re-work her with some vintage Kramer wiring, pots nad a three way and I'll be damned if she hasn't turned out to be one bad mamma-jamma.

Tell me what's not to like about Grovers, dual DiMarzios, an ebanol fretboard all professionally set up in a set-neck guitar that you can bend the hell out of to give you some really cool distorted detuna style sounds with several different tonal variations. Gotta love it! A nice, tight, playable axe with killer good looks.

So long as you don't get carried away and snap the neck on detuna runs you should be able to gig this thing anywhere.

One of the most under-rated guitars I've ever come across. With the features you get for the money it's hard to beat. Thank gawd eBay still has some kickin' around on a regular basis. Do yourself a favor and try out one of these cheap axes. You'll be asking yourself how you got it for less than bail money for a DUI.

So here's how it is. I bought mine new offa eBay 4 months ago for $152 bucks in Tobaccoburst. Finally decided last week to take it to my local Luthier to have it properly set up so I grabbed it and another guitar that needed some love and toted 'em down to his shop. I asked Tony if he had ever seen a Switch before and like any good Luthier he assured me that of course he had. But I could tell by the look on his face he hadn't never seen no Switch before - ever. That OTHER guitar I brought with me was/is a 1980 Kramer XL5 Alumaneck - arguably one of the finest electric guitars ever made with every conceivable frikkin' doo-dad you could ever place on an axe - left 'em both there 'til today - and here's what happened when I went to pick them up..........

Ya got to understand what's goin' on here so let me paint the picture. Tony - that's my luthier - is an older black gentleman who personally owns over 200 of his own private collection of guitars. We live in the Deep South an' Southern music and musicians are a different breed apart and Tony is no exception - music and guitars are his life. When I got to his shop he had both guitars counter topped awaiting my arrival. A Switch. A Kramer Alumaneck.

After gettin' the skinny as to what had been done to both axes - the Switch needed the action lowered and some minor fret resetting - to be expected with most all guitars - the Kramer similar but due to it's age more extensive (and much more expensive) - Tony offered to plug 'em up there in his shop and demonstrate them so I could understand the work he had performed and see for myself what he was talkin' about before I left. The low hum of his mighty Roland amp - one of the oldest I've ever seen - signaled go and Tony took that Kramer and proceeded to peel paint - to be expected - I mean - c'mon - dual DiMarzios, 2 tone, two volume, coil splitting, a monster from hell for sure. After a couple minutes he put her down, satisfied. Then he plugged up the Switch.

The first thing I noticed as Tony shouldered the Switch is that he sat down. Hmmmm.....Then he began to play, and play, and play somemore. After awhile I kinda got pissed 'cause I thought Tony was just showboatin' - til I looked at his face. His eyes were closed, his head was rockin' an' his feet were tappin'. Tony was in the zone. I mean THE ZONE, man. Sweet, sweet jazz followed by some R&B and then just plain ol' front porch Southern Blues. Gawd! And that Switch sounded like a million bucks! An' Tony knew it.

Like Serenity - Ghosts are gone

After Tony came back to reality - and without any prompting from me whatsoever - as he unplugged the Switch - he said it was one of the finest guitars he had ever played. That the action, fit and finish was world class, and even that it sure was pretty. Then he said, "Ain't no shame about that guitar. I'd play it anywhere". As Tony filled out the repair ticket I couldn't help but notice hanging on the wall behind him were three vintage American Fender Stratocasters, two Gibson box guitars, and a Martin. When asked, Tony said they were just some of his personal stock and not for sale, his "mind clearers" as he put it. I laughed and told him I'd be back. He said, "I hope so". I smiled all the way home...........

Chinese made one piece Tele-style Vibracell body and neck. Flawless Greenish/Gold flaked colored finish with Black hardware. Ebonite fretboard and rectangular Pearloid/Abalone fret markers. String thru-body. Two Select by EMG Humbuckers, a Tunomatic bridge and Grover tuners. 1 Volume and 1 tone knob. Mine came with a very high quality gig bag.

Got to admit I've never been a huge fan of EMG pickups but after plugging this guitar in and tuning up, I really like the sound. Bridge pickup is pretty hot and the neck is very smooth.

The only thing I wish it had was a coil tap to further expand the sonic possibilities.

Excellent fret job (Jumbo Frets). Nice low action. No changes needed there. Haven't checked the intonation yet but so far it sounds like it's pretty close to being setup properly. I'll check it when I get around to changing the strings. String thru-body gives it a nice amount of sustain.

This thing is built like a tank and heavy! Heavier than my Les Paul Classic in fact. Don't foresee any issues in the future and it would certainly hold up to any gigging.

I'm giving it a 10 in this category because I've only had it several hours so time will tell.

N/A. Bought it off eBay. I believe Switch went out of business (too bad).

Then again I've been playing for over 25 years and have as many guitars and have NEVER needed to use any Customer Support other than that of MF for a guitar that was damaged in shipping and was quickly replaced.

So did I need this guitar? No. It was a spure of the moment purchase. I must say I'm pleased with the results however. This guitar is not just some piece of plastic with 6 strings. The overall contruction, playability and sound of this guitar rivals guitars selling for hundreds if not thousands more and in some cases is better and there's not a ounze of wood used in the construction.