Vintage V100

I got this guitar almost new in 2003. At the time I was not experienced enough to evaluate the features well enough as it was my first guitar. I just wanted a budget les paul.

On paper, the features seem fine with all your usual standard les paul features with a solid mahogany body and wilkinson pickups (which are definitely better than most budget guitar pickups). The features are fine but their reliability is not.

It just wasn't responsive enough for me. Very easily could get mud in the mix and wasn't really capable of exceptional verstility. You cannot really expect that from a budget guitar. It's okay for usual rock tones. I shoved heavy gauge strings on it and just use it for weird tunings. With heavier strings it delivers a very full and thick sound.

Everything was shoved in it okay. Body paint is very good quality and well protected. Nothing loose etc

Flaws
-Paint on rosewood neckboard came almost straight off. My fingers were black after each time I used it and paint was almost all gone within a few months.
-Action was a bit high and can't go superlow without buzzing. Can go pretty low still but can't expect superstrat level low.

Here is where we get the real problems. As meantioned, there was the neckboard paint issue but thats really nothing.

The real issue is the damn machineheads. They break so easily, go loose exceptionally easily and just don't hold tuning very well at all. To make matters even worse the toggle switch broke after about a year or so now it won't work on rhythmn setting. Input jack constantly coming loose and fell out once.

One my machineheads snapped in half after an very light fall. I know guitars will obviously risk damage when they hit the ground but accidents do happen and guitars will fall over (especially if pets, parties or children involved). The fall the guitar took was only a few inches at most and to snap a machinehead is considerably more damage than I'd expect.

Weren't very helpful. Tried to get a replacement machine head and they charged an exceptionally overpriced amount.

If you want to use this guitar professionally, definitely need to change the machineheads at the very least. Pickups an optional change but I'd definitely recommend getting better ones if you wish to use this for anything but rock.

My Vintage V100 Les Paul style-guitar was manufactured in China . It has 22 frets, a laminated top (which looks superb), 4 control knobs (2 tone, 2 volume) and 2 humbucker pickups which are mad by Wilkinson. They sound great and always manage to deliver a great sharp tone, whatever condition my strings are in. It has a maple fret board and I think it has a mahogany body, but not exactly sure.
Mine came in cherry burst finish, which I must say looks fantastic. You can really see the wood through it which gives it a very natural look.
My only issue is that the tuners are quite loose on mine and they tend to make a rattling noise when I play the low E string- oh, and it came with no accessories.

It sounds amazing! I play a real variety of musical styles, including rock, funk, soft rock and a tad bit of blues, and I use a 15 watt Roland cube 15X amp and a Digitech RP90 multi-effects pedal. It seems to be able to cope with any style I want it to play! I would seriously recommend it for this reason alone. The only genre it might not be able to cope with perfectly is metal, but for me that's fine because I don't play that style anyway.
The tone knobs allow you to really customize the sound without even having to touch your amp or pedal, which is cool if your playing a tune with various sounds in it. I produces a very warm, full sound which I adore; you could really mistake this for a Gibson!
If I had to point out any problems with the sound it would be that the harmonics aren't picked up very well by the pickups. That is not really an issue for me, but you may want to take that into consideration.

My V100 was set up by the shop I ordered it from, which was Guitar works in Reading. They set it up quite well, but I don't know how well the factory would have. I found the action to be good, but maybe a little too high. Once again, this is very specific to the shop I bought it from, so don't let it put you off this great guitar.
I had no problem with the pickups whatsoever, and they are still in good working order over half a year later.
On the downside, the tuning pegs were and still are too loose, which means when you play bass notes they rattle and shake, making an irritating buzz sound. It' OK when your hooked up to an amp, but when played acoustically, it sounds a bit dodgy.

I have had my V100 for about seven months and it has shown no sign of wear and tear yet. I haven't played live with it yet, but if a Gibson can cope then this surely can too!
Overall the hardware seems like it will last until you brake it, so no problem there. The glossy finish to the body looks well done and so far I have had no wearing away, apart from a few scratches on the back, but they were my fault from playing with a metal jeans belt on.
The strap buttons are solid enough, but if you tilt the guitar too much while standing up the strap can come off. My easy solution was to buy a pair of plastic strap locks. They only cost around ??1.50 and they work fine.
As I said, I haven't yet played live with it, but if I were to I wouldn't need a back up; this thing is built like a Gibson!

I haven't had to deal with the customer support yet, but I should mention that when I ordered this guitar the store suggested it would take around 2 weeks to arrive. After 2 and a half weeks it still hadn't come and we contacted the store. They said it would be in next week, but once again it didn't arrive. In total I was made to wait about five and a half weeks, which was a little too long. Once it came, however, I was given ??10 complimentary spending money to spend in the shop. This wasn't an issue to do directly with the customer support, but it was a form of service and it wasn't very impressive. :(

I have been playing for almost two years now. Before I got this guitar I owned a Stratocaster imitation from gear4music.com. It was my first guitar and I was initially pleased with it, but within the space of a year it had broken down almost completely on me and the intonation was ruined, as were the electronics. The V100 is a MASSIVE improvement on it and now that I have a decent Roland amp and a multi-effects pedal, I can get any sound I want out of it; It's just like a real Gibson! I love the fact that it is so versatile and that the sound you can get out of it is so sharp and warm. The rattling tuners are a bit of a downer, but that's nothing when you weigh up the masses of plus sides. My favourite features are the Wilkinson Pickups; They sound so responsive and you can get great false harmonics using them.
If it was stolen or lost I would be mortified. The first thing I would do is get on a train to the guitar shop and buy another one- or two, just in case some jealous guy who's stuck with some crappy Yamaha wants it off me!

So that's it. I hope this review helped, please consider buying it; this could be the start of the Vintage Revolution!

P.S listen to the white stripes, they rule!

I bought this guitar in march 2007 for ??200 GBP. It has 22 frets, 2 of which are dead on the e string place ment. Its a tobacco colour with a 3 way selector, with two volume and two tone knobs. It has two wilkinson humbucker pick-ups. Standard les-paul features

I used this guitar for about 8 months through a Vox Valvetronix AD50VT amp in my band. We play Indie/rock stuff. It served me well during these so many months but after that i started realising that my coxx stratocaster certainly sounded better and was easier to play. It gives quite a full sound although when switched to the treble setting it sounds rather tinny. It is great for rythm stuff in our kind of music as it is quite a full sounding guitar. However, does not really suit high gain music and does not compare to the likes of epiphones or gibsons. I don't suggest you use this guitar for funk or for any high pitched tones.

The neck pick up in the guitar is loose and wobbles round and even falls in when touched! I have still got this fixed. Also i noticed that the dots on the side of the neck were not dots but more like smudged marks. It also has two dead frets at frets 22 and 21. The input jack has also become rather loose.

It does withstand live playing as i have played with it a while. The hardware however seems to have lost its textured sound and i feel it sounds rather muddy now. The strap buttons are also not very good so i had to buy and fit straplocks that replace the standard ones. I can depend on it but not without my strat as a back up. I now have a Fender Mexican Telecaster, which is a gem and i use my strat to back that up.

The warranty i believe is 2 years. Not dealt with them yet.

I have played for 7 years and own a Fender Telecaster MN and a Coxx Stratocaster, which is of extremely good quality for the price i bought it at. Nearly as good as the Fender. I wished i'd of took more time to think about buying it but i was so intent on getting a les paul as Noel Gallagher played one. If it were lost or stolen i would be upset, but not buy another one. I hate the way it was put together in all fairness and i wish it sounded better.

My guitar is the V100TSB (Tobacco Sunburst. 22 frets and trapezoid inlays. It has the look of a Les Paul basically, and the smooth neck gives it the feel of a Gibson. The guitar isn't as heavy as the Epiphone Les Paul, but it sounds almost like it. The hardware is gold, and the bridge is a Tune-o-Matic. The only thing I don't like about the looks of the guitar, is the fact that the tuners are jaded, and it doesn't really fit the guitar, that's why I bought some new ones for it. Overall, the features are very good.

This really does fit my style of playing, which is rock. I use it with a MG60DFX, which I admit isn't the best amp in the world, but with my Zoom 4040 guitar processor, this guitar really does shine. It gives off some perfect tones, like Michael Schenker's of UFO and Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy. The clean isn't too great, but that's because of my amp, as I've played it on a Peavy tube. With a lot of time going tweaking my sound, I've managed to get my guitar sounding A LOT better than my mates Epiphone Les Paul.

The guitar was set up perfectly for me. Only there was one problem. My mate (who doesn't play guitar) picked the Vintage, and broke the bridge pickup. But, this didn't take too long to fix, just around 15 minutes. The action was nice and low, and the finish was done a lot better than the Epi's (I'm making sooo many references to Epiphones as they are meant to be the best cheap guitars around). The guitar's volume knobs are also much better than Epiphones, as they are a lot, brighter, if you can say that.

This guitar can easily withstand live playing. The pickups can handle a live situation without a doubt. The hardware rubs off after a while, but you wouldn't notice it would a closer look. The strap buttons are solid, only my strap isn't that good, as I've had it for a year. I would use it without a backup, but it's always best to have one.

Haven't had to deal with them.

I've been playing for two years and I own a MG50DFX and a Zoom 4040. Even though they aren't pro equipt, they do get really close to a Gibson sound. Just like a cheap Gibson, I would say. If this guitar was stolen, I would buy it again without a doubt. As you may know, I've tried an Epi, but that wan't as good as this guitar, and it was lighter too.

Flame maple top with solid mahogany body, mahogany neck,rosewood fretboard. Les Paul style body, Stop tailpiece, tune o matic bridge also twin humbuckers two vol/tone controls and a 3 way switch.22 nice fat frets with an equally fat neck.Lovely!

The neck pickup is real grunt but also cleans up nicely then the neck bucker is real blus/funk mojo,real honky tone.Thru Fender or a Marshall these really show ability.

Neck was a little low with some buzz and the switch was a bit crackly but after some attention, fine.

All hardware good and solid and will withstand a real beating.Solid like a Lada car.

I am quite impressed with the Made in China build quality, this factory seems to know how to build a good solid guitar.

Tobacco burt, v100 Les Paul copy,mahogany body with maple top, Bare knuckle picups and complete replacement of all other hardwear with superior and vintage parts

The sound of this guitar was very good for its price but I have completely refitted this guitar to the wiring spec of an original 1959 Gibson, cloth covered wire Bareknuckle pups,hovland caps,new cts pots,steel tunamatic bridge the works, so soundwise I would go head to head with any real Les Paul owners and I like to think with every chance of keeping up with a very good sounding one too!. The sound I get out of this goes from all out bone crushing rock and metal in the bridge position (Nailbomb pup) to incredibly detailed lushious warm jazz tones in the neck (stormy monday pup) and some very twangy and different sounds in the inbetween setting , and when you roll off some volume and tone in any position you get all sorts of other interesting sounds whilst still retaining all the detail, no muddyness, lots of great 70's rock and blues sounds to be had here, very Led Zep its all here.
My major point here is that you can take an incredibly cheap imitation and skulpt it into virtually the real thing as when you take the bare bones of this guitar its made from the right materials : Mahogany and Maple so a good starting point, if you have the intermediate skills needed to revamp it, or get someone like me to do it for you! Then your away with something far better than most of the competition and much much closer to the real thing at a fraction of the cost!

I thought the action was ok in the shop but I have done a little stone work on them to get a nice low action, so that and the finish were all fine for such an incredably cheap guitar!

was and is totally relliable

both in the shop I bought it in London and the people who make it ( I have spoken to Trevor Wilkinson a couple of times) they were very helpful)

I have been playing and modding/repairing guitars for over twenty years , my main concerns are tone,playabilty and general high quality of any instrument. Although I have done extensive jiggery pokery to mine these guitars are very good straight off the shop shelf especially for the price. if it were stolen I would be gutted as it is now one of my main guitars, so would definately replace it but that person better be fast on there feet or face my wrath!!! compared to other copies including the well overated Epiphones its a much better starting point feel free to contact me about this

Its got a nice cherry distressed finish, some people have asked, is it meant to look like that? as some of the red finish is missing etc. although, it is meant to be like that.
Its got a les paul style body, quite heavy as far as guitars go, with discoloured effective tuners, to add to the effect of the 'worn' style.

It has A standard tune-o-matic bridge and very good action on a mahogany neck. Wilkinson pickups, Good as you'll get at this price. Pickguard is a bit cheap and flimsy.

The guitar has very good treble tone but lacks a bit on rhythm settings. (3-way selector) im using this with a Marshall 30DFX and no pedals. easy to control on bridge pickups but has a very loud screeh on flipping to rhythm. Thick sound, helped by the thick body.
My Power chords were sounding great but full chords got a bit muddy even with very low gain etc.

ready to play out of the box, good action-i dont think the strings could have been coaxed any lower for thos price.Slightly dented in the head and the smallest black speck on the bridge.

Very Very Noisy pickup selector.

I would feel quite comfortable knowing i could gig with it with no backup and the strap buttons are almost cemented. However the pickguard is weak and flimsy. Quite reliable

Its under warranty for a full year. Havnt needed it fixed yet.

Id like this guitar to have more rhythm capabilities, maybe a more moody tone, Very well made and a nice rich sound. My only complaints is that vintage have overworked the worn effect so the headstock is finished badly. I would buy this again if it were stolen only without the distressed look and with a half decent pickguard

Finish looks great and the body looks pretty solid, but huge issues with playability and hardware.
Tuners go out of tune easily, pickups sound like crap Duncan Alnico 2's or Seth Lovers are a good replacement.
The thing buzzed all over the place and neck neck needed to be adjusted, I couldn't play it, emailed the company a few times and no response, very poor customer relations, sorry no customer relations!
Input jack keeps coming loose, pick gaurd material very cheap looking and flimsy.

Yeah features that I had to pay someone else to fix!

Pickups and tuners need replacing, with major setup required and when you factor these costs together, not worth it.

Probably a ok beginner guitar as long as the frets don't buzz everywhere.

Top is not book matched but no big deal,did the guitar contain any flaws,hmmmm what flaw didn't it have, very poor hardware.

It lasted me the whole time I had it> 1 month

Emailed them several times and no one responded, customer service my ass!

20 yrs playing,if it were stolen I'd thank the theif, he would have sved me money, to fix all the buzzing on the frets replace tuners replace pickups fix jack cost me almost as much as the guitar is worth.
Luckily I only traded some pedals for this guitar.

Someone traded me this guitar Vintage V100, at first glance the finish had a nice distressed look to it, claims to be mahogony with maple top, this guitar definately needed some work, frets were buzzing all over the place, action was super high andthe pickups didn't quite have a smooth sound from low to high strings, the EAD strings sounded great but the GBE strings seem to fade in the mix, raised the pickup and still the same problem, the tuners don't seem to hold it in tune that well especially when you start bending strings, the pickgaurd looks cheap and is flimsy, and the input jack keeps coming loose.
With all that said I guess with some Seymour Duncans in it and some good tuners might be ok and a major setup, I contacted them about the frets needing to be dressed and got no response, maybeI'm quite picky
when it comes to sound? been through a lot of guitars so I've got some experience.
First you need a good product, and first impressions are everything, and this guitar didn't leave a good first impression, how would you fell buying a 1 month old car took it off the lot and it wouldn't drive properly, then the salesman ignored you???
I know I'm rambling but I call it the way it is, the guitar body seems to be pretty solid though, although workmanship(Made In China or as they like to say made somewhere offshore)should answer that question.
Change the items I mentioned and might turn out to be a decent beginner guitar, but once you add the purchase of the item then the upgrades you might as well get something better.
If you can't afford a Gibson then go with a Tokai Love Rock made in Japan has to be late 70's or 80's these things smoke most Gibsons and were apparently sued by both Gibson and Fender, Tokai's of that era are superior quality guitars and you'll know when you play one, I have a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst and it sounds great and I have an 1984 Tokai Love Rock(Les Paul Copy)and guess what they both have Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Pickups in them and the Tokai sounds better than the Gibson, so sometimes the name on the headstock is irrelevant, both Gibson and Fender made some pretty poor products in the mid 70's right on through to early 90's, mass production less emphasis on quality, it's pretty bad when the company copying your guitar and makes it better than you do, LOL.
All that said, here are some pretty good affordable brands and of good Quality:
Tokai, Dotonshaft, Hamer, Edwards, Greco, Burney, Fernandez.
Later.

Pickups uneven sounding , week top end.

Finish looks pretty good.

Haven't had it that long yet.

No one even responded to my emails, very poor support.

Gear I own, I'll only include some because the list is long.
1964 Fender Strat
1969 Fender Strat
1971 Gibson SG
1972 Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Flying V
80's Tokai Love Rock
80's Tokai Strat
1969 Marshall 100 w Head
1965 Marshall Jtm45 100 watt Plexi(very rare w Marshall Block Logo
Peavey Triple XXX Head
Fender Super Champ
Fender Deluxe Reverb
2 Marshall 412's one with 75 Watters and One with 25 watt Greenbacks.
Later.

my beautiful axe has a tobbacco sunburst finish , and the pickup is by wilkinson my friend has an epiphone les paul and wanted to sell his to me and he buy my vintage ! i obviously refused this guitar is good and solid and one heavy mother ! but amazing quality beautiful finish

i like to play more glamrock songs like t rex mostly, and this baby is perfect for my style. i use a 15wtt yamaha amp and have had others but this guitar goes with any. its definitly not niosy its got a smooth sound to it on rythm. my only dislike is the hardly noticeable light scratches on the pickups but like i say hardly noticable

my axe was set up with muscle because it is so solid ! and its tsb finish is just amaizing

oh yeh im in a band and we have played a lot of live gigs and this is the only guiatr i use and could definatly be used live ! , if anything id rather use it than a strat or an epiphone, i think it will last me years if not for ever , and if it gets lost or stolen i would be srtaight out to get another. the strap button are so solid its acctually like their made from the same wood as the guitar. yes i would use it in a gig without backup.

my axe is under warranty but i havnt had any problems

i have been playin a while and this so far is my fav out of a fender strat , tele and an epiphone lp. like i say if it got stolen id be stright to the shops. i just love the tsb finish on it and the mahogany at the back.