Vintage V100 Icon

Bought used for 230.00 USD so I don't know the year of the model. Bridge is stamped "SUNG IL KOREA" but I've heard that the bodies and necks are made in either Korea or Vietnam.

24 Frets (23 usable)

Solid body Les Paul standard inspired - not really a copy since the horn is shaped somewhat differently than a Gibson - but based on the classic scale length, woods, PAF sound, and balance of the iconic Gibson Les Paul.

Controls are standard Les Paul setup, 2 PAF pickups, 3-way switch, separate tone and volume for each pickup. The pickups are Wilkinson brand stamped - apparently he has made a name for himself by building Fender's bridges for quite some time. TUners are Wilkinson Deluxe and are a retro style. Bridge is stop tailpiece type on all les paul types. The Neck is early 60's LP standard - smooth and fast neck, great for smallish hands. The control pots are OK but tend to fade really fast like most cheaper pots. Every works reliably and competently but could be upgraded to better pickups/pots/etc.

Sound is classic PAF. Bluesy but driven to ballsy. Attack affects tone a lot with these pickups. There are not "Hot" so wouldn't please the metal fan, but most of us middle aged classic rock players will be pleased. Think of The Who, Led Zeppelin, ZZ-top, even AC/DC, Kiss, and many others from the 60's and 70's. My amp is an inexpensive Roland Microcube modeling amp so I can play with different "styles" of amp-settings. Anything from a 5 to 50 watt tube amp will drip with classic tone with this guitar/pickups.

Finish is distressed or "reliced". This is not everyones cup of tea (just read the Les Paul forums). I like it, I enjoy the reaction most folks have when they see this gorgeous, well-worn (looking) guitar. At my age, I don't have 25 years to wear out a guitar, HA!

The set up was OK for shipping. The neck truss rod was tightened down (backbowed neck), strings crossed the atlantic ocean and had a bit of rust (Vintage is a UK brand - hard to find them in the US though Canada has a supplier), and the pickups were pretty low. No Problem. I got to spend an afternoon setting it up and enjoyed every minute as I became familiar with every aspect of my new guitar. Now it sounds great! Only niggle is a little roughness in the cut of the nut - I'll likely file it a bit. Frets are fine and hand-finished. Wood quality looks fine. Neck to body joint is perfect craftsmanship.

Wood is mahogany body and neck with a flamed maple cap (thin slice of maple glued down on top of the mahogany). The guitar is finished and then reliced which leaves unfinished spots on points of high wearing surfaces (where your strumming arm lies, picking spots, minor dings strategically placed, buckle rash, etc.)

It is what it is - a gorgeous, old looking new guitar that sound like a classic LP. The only other reliced LP I'm aware of is the TOkai which is about 1500 dollars US.

Heavy enough, seems solid, haven't gigged with it but will in June, I'll probably but on straplocks.

No problems yet

Love it. The reliced finish produces a playability like none other. None of this sticky, glossy feeling you get when handling a new guitar. Satiny smooth feel is a BIG plus. I researched this and other inexpensive (under 500 US) les paul type guitars including the Agile, Xavier, Micheal Kelly, and even Schecter and Godin's offerings. Nothing else came close to the playability - though the other guitars are beautiful and sound fine as well. I already have a very nice Paul Reed Smith that is gorgeous, high quality, and highly finished - but not as playable as the vintage. For the money, the Vintage is well worth the price I got it for. BUT, I don't know if I'd pay the 600 US for a new one - likely get an old Japanese Burny if I could find one. Yes, I'd replace the Vintage if it was stolen but I'd wait patiently for another great Ebay deal. Consequently, these guitars are much cheaper in the UK. Its the shipping that kills the great price.