Univox AR-22

I don't have a clue where or when this guitar was made.
It is a superstrat with 22 frets, body style is reminiscent of the Jackson Dinky and the headstock is Ibanez - Style.
I had 3 toggle switches for each pickup but I rewired them for my prefference (in a wierd way).
It has and HSH pickup config. The Neck PU measures 11,6 KOhm and the Bridge HB is 11,96 KOhm. I forgot what the middle coil DC resistance is. As they are plastic covered and the only way to remove the covers would be destroying them and I didn't know if the color of the pickups would suit the finish of the guitar I decided not to do so. So, of course I don't have a clue what model they are and who made them.
I think the body wood is Alder and the Neck is maple and Rosewood.
The finish is transparent dark brown and looks very cool.
The bridge is hardtail with strings through body.
The tuners are non-locking, but they hold tune well. Unkonwn manifacturer, again.
The neck is thin and flat. As I have long/thin finger profile I hate that design. I'd prefer a soft V style. The heel is slightly angled and rounded without a metal plate, but it's still not even close to an all-access, let alone neck-thru. The 22 frets add to the harder playability, and the jumbo frets are not enough to help.

How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)?
My style is Prog/Power/Heavy metal, so I didn't find much use for the middle coil. I bolted it down flat with the body surface. This guitar suits me, but I could imagine better.
I've used it with Alien Connections ReValver (great software, BTW!!!) and a ZOOM 606.
It DOES have noise, the HBs are not symmetrical plus it's not shielded right. Guess I have to buy some copper foil from the store and isolate it.
It's present in all frequencies, although I'd prefer a little less low and mid highs for cleans.
I'm sure that with the right hands the guitar can suit any style, except acoustic and virtuoso rock (no whammy and no piezos).
The bridge pu can get a little too barky with the wrong picks (yes, PICKS, they matter on your tone as much as your strings of choice!) and the neck HB is a little too dark on its own but using both HBs togeter fixes my cleans.

I can't comment on the factory set-up, since I bought it second hand.
The guitar does have some glue on the fingerboard, so I guess could adress that to the factory but other than that, on flaws not made by human beings.
This guitar had been banged ALOT around, mostly before I got it, but the finish doesn't crack when it hits something, anyone seen RG550 knows what I mean. I like the finish.

It takes everything like a man.

Yes, this guitar IS reliable as long as you've not playing around with a chainsaw.
The Hardware has ALREADY lasted alot, but it seems like it needs new saddles. The bolts have corroded inside so they can't be adjusted.

If it falls off a strap it'll probably live trough it (it actually has but it needed to be set up again, it fell on its face).

Gigging without a backup would be stupid, but I'm on a bugdet. If I change my strings before a show it shouldn't crap on me, BTW.

Univox are out of buisness, and I'm not quite sure if THEY made that guitar anyway.

I've been playing for two years and a half. This guitar is not anyone's dream guitar but it's "good enough".


The reason I'm posting this review is that I want to know more about this guitar. If you own one or know sb that has a strkingly similar guitar to mine, or you know something that might be useful, feel free to mail me.