Product: UnOrthodox Guitars Ampeg Shape
Price Paid: US $650.00
Submitted
03/27/2005
at
05:14am
by
Leslie
Email: vision1214 at aol<dot>com
Features
:
9
2005 UnOrthodox Guitars - Ampeg Shape - Hand made custom electric guitar.
I have spent a lot of time searching out individuals who make hand made guitars that have a unique flare to them and do not look like the major brands that everyone loves to copy. Their brand might not be a household name but these people are making some incredible guitars in their workshops. Not only in looks but in sound and playability. My latest "Diamond in the Rough" is UnOrthodox Guitars by Dave Bauer out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I purchased this guitar off Ebay that Dave listed. I was immediately drawn to it's very unique shape and the beautiful wood he used in this ?one of a kind? guitar. I really didn?t know what to expect but once I saw the guitar and plugged her in, I knew I had found another gem in the guitar world. Out of the eight incredible hand made guitars that I own, this guitar is the first one that I take off the wall and play the most. Before I continue, here are the specs.
Neck
Bolt on Rock Hard Maple
Rosette scroll head stock
25.5 scale
12? radius
22 medium frets
Offset face inlay fret marker dots and side marker dots
Rosewood Fret board
Heal mounted wagon wheel truss rod adjustment
?E? style covered Machine turners - 6 in line
Body
Exotic African Padauk that features large through body ?F? holes that gives it a ?one of a kind? design. The pickup cover is made of Book matched Cinnamon Burl and the control cover is made of Bullet wood
Satin oiled finish
Pickups and Hardware
Zamm High Z Humbucker neck position
Bartolini Double Coil stack middle position
Zamm R&B Humbucker bridge position
Pickups are wired as typical humbuckers and selector switch is wired for a strat configuration
Solo volume control with rubber grip knob
5-way switch strat selector switch
Schaller wrap around Bridge
Chrome strap buttons
1/4? Jack with a face mount
Sound
:
10
The sound that comes from this guitar will bring a smile to your face. It has an acoustic resonance due to the through body ?F? holes that is clean and sweet. When all three pickups are blended, there is nothing that you can?t play. Jazz, Blues and rock - it can do it all. Very warm, with some very sweet highs. Not piercing but just very sweet high end tone with some chug to it that isn't muddy. It offers a tightly balanced midrange warmth with clear highs and abundant overtones, without being tinny or screechy and has great sustain. I use a Fender Blues Junior with a digital delay foot pedal. You get a multitude of sounds just by using this simple tube amp and one effect. There is nothing that I don?t like about the sound that this guitar produces.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
The guitar arrived with a perfect low action and no string buzz. The satin oiled African Padauk is beautiful and has a design that commands attention. They pride their craftsmanship on beautiful figured and ornate woods. The neck is also one of my favorites parts of this guitar. It is sleek, fast and a pleasure to play. The medium frets make for quick chord changes. The rosette scroll head stock also deserves a high rating for it?s unusual design.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
I am a collector of hand made guitars so they will never leave the house. Even if they are built like a tank, they won?t be slammed around stage to prove their durability. I do, however, expect this guitar to be around long after I am gone. It is built solid and with precision.
Customer Support
:
10
They are the best. Marla Bauer handles the business end and Dave builds the guitars. They are both a pleasure to deal with and every email is answered. Don?t be surprised if you get a call from Dave or Marla. They are both committed to making sure you are happy with your hand made guitar. They don?t have a website yet but hopefully they will shortly so everyone can see the beautiful guitars that are coming out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Feel free to email me and I will be more than happy to send a picture of this fantastic guitar.
Overall Rating
:
10
I am so impressed with this guitar that I have commissioned Dave to build another ?One of a Kind? guitar for me. You can spend your money on factory made guitars and pay three times as much but the quality that comes from someone building one guitar at a time and putting their heart and soul into it is priceless. When you find something good, stick with it and you will never be disappointed. That is what I have found in the UnOrthodox Guitars. Thanks Dave and Marla!!!
