Why should we buy from them is the question? Where is the added value by going sam ash vs the competition? Do we even see the products/brands we're looking for? If we buy something who's to say they'll still be in business in 6 months or a year? These are the challenging questions we have to consider before spending our hard earned money.

The new range made in India? .... hmmmm we'll see about that

Appreciate the heads up! Will try that out for future videos 👍 love the Charizard idea 💡 I have actually drafted that up myself..magma orange metallic raw tone with roasted flame maple board 😀

Option 50 is the way! 😀 thanks for watching Joe

Yeah, never see that money back gotta get what you want 🙂

Wasn't an issue of playability necessarily. Noting issue of conflicting specs between 6 & 7 models.

They're just the most random odd ball items 😂

just saw that lol he's got like a dozed dime slimes lol Not scalping as bad as some sellers I've seen

yes!!! LOL

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you're digging the content.

I get what you mean. I just personally can't support the producing and selling of counterfeit guitars man.

Yep, sad there are so many low life's out there peddling fake guitars. Scams are just getting worse and worse it seeems :(

Yeah man glad you managed to grab one from back in the day! Absolutely agree, in all honesty they are simply 30 year old basic import made guitars. Not saying anything wrong with import made in general, but the idea of people buying outrageously over priced beat up old wash burns is just ridiculous. If you're gonna drop 3-5k on a guitar why not get something more high end custom?

@ agree 100%. If it’s just a nostalgia wall hanger you might as well just get a $300 dollar “chibson” style version. Every guitar I have 1k and above is a far superior guitar.

Why pay 3-5 grand for a poor condition 30 year old guitar made overseas? I'd rather see someone else go to a reputable builder at that prince range and get a boutique level custom guitar that is not a counterfeit knock off with false branding.

I hear where your coming from man. I get we all want what we can't have. I'd never advise anyone to overpay for some 30 year old beat up import made guitar. That would just be silly. I'm just making a point that overseas builders profiting off counterfeit guitars is not right. Especially since they are falsifying real brand names along with a deceased musicians name on them.

The Dime tax and Cobain tax is real and honestly kinda sad and disappointing to me

@jakeellman7447 yeah that's definitely a bummer as well. we obviously can't speak for these passed artists but I feel like most musicians wouldn't want people scalping gear in their names...

Well said! Yep that is true. I always felt that satin aqua burst I had with the black edges was way too dark. The new A2 in venom I just got in gloss came out so well though! I learned a lot myself from past builds haha

The issue is not a specific shade of green or having some lightning bolt graphic... the issue is overseas builders producing counterfeit replicas falsely representing real brand names such as Dean and Washburn. To make matters worse, they are profiting off the name of a deceased musician putting his name on the headstock. Very disrespectful to the legacy of Dime IMO. I have no issues with anyone doing a "dime inspired build" maybe his signature pickups, maybe a similar color scheme etc. But direct counterfeit brand signature guitars are a problem for me.

Thanks man! Yeah this one really is a stunner! Venom finish is probably most under rated Jeff finish lol

Yeah that's gotta be an incredible top! Sometimes you gotta go all out!

thanks for watching...Yeah it really is sad to see this happening. Even worse seeing fake guitars end up in retail stores :(

It's unfortunate.. sad retailers are letting fakes slip through...

Thanks man! yea I am really impressed with the A2. By far the most ergonomic guitar with a headstock I've ever had lol Yeah.. that PME.. no thanks...:(

I want to say I heard those can come out a little dark... there was a live stream someone asked a similar question...hmmm idk about that one.

I guess I am trying to go for a dark look. I don’t think it’s a problem for me since I’m not trying to get it to pop out. Thanks for the reply!

@@TylerShepShreds Yeah I mean if you want that darker look by all means go for it. If you want it to pop a little more do a gloss finish. Raw tone poplar burl is nice but with that blue stain I suspect it would be rather dark. I think my favorite finishes on poplar would be either reverse monster burst or fire finish 🔥

Glad you're happy with it! Sound really unique 🙂

I really don't think its a styling or dated design issue. If anything Kiesels are generally very modern and ergonomic. They have some of the deepest front and back body bevels/contours so they have been leading the way as modern brand. I've even started to see some other larger brand emulate the bevels. It's the fact that people don't want to buy a semi custom second hand guitar when they could just put that money into a build of their own and get exactly the specs they want.

Yeah that's a red flag to me

Thank you! So happy with it

Can respect that for sure man

I was like that for years, and still am to an extent. But when your great sounding, great playing guitars can be visual stunners, that's cool too.

I think that would really cheapen the brand tbh. Veneers just aren't appropriate at the USA custom shop level of guitar.

Yeah I can understand what you mean. Most of the option 50 stuff is really impressive so for sure you can make a case it could potentially be more desirable and sellable. I suppose when it comes to higher costs of more rare upgraded woods & the owners time on special finishes they rightfully want to ensure they make money as a business so therefore its going to be no return. Yes some of the PME fretboards are a bit lacking. Like I was saying in the video they can look stunning, but it is one of the riskiest no return woods along with buckeye burl.

Much like the saying “all safety/warning signs are written in blood.” Company policies are written in red ink. Kiesel has this policy because the financial burden of unsellable returns has plagued them in the past. It’s a business decision to ensure they can keep making guitars for the rest of us. As a customer, you just have to be aware of it. A guitar made to your specifications has a demand of 1. Supply and demand.

@LogicalQ very well said. Exactly right. I use the example too imagine you order a custom set of forged monoblock wheels for your car in some custom color...would it be any surprise when a wheel brand isn't just going to take a 10-15k return? Lol 😆

@@LogicalQ this is true however there are many options that can't be returned that are more or less not wildly different from standard. Something being exotic wood shouldn't mean instantly no returns.

Nice and chunky been playing through the quad cortex. Sounds good as expected.

Glad yours worked out well! Yeah Korean made no complains. Really the Indonesian factory series now discontinued was where things got rough. Interesting to see how the new factory in India their using is.

Those are sooooo cool! Glad it's working for you! 😀

Keisel playability is second to none in my experience. So I have six of them!

Yep exactly. I always say no brand is perfect. Mistakes can happen but it's a matter of how it's handled. I agree it's not right to Rant about it on SM, but in the end it was eventually handled for the customer. Unfortunately some negative people still hyper focus that one incident and continue to try to ruin the brand for everyone else.

yeah, because he got caught

Did he fix it ? He seems like a shady dude . I see the video of him berating that customer .. same customer had bought like 30 guitars from them ! … oh , and it’s ‘hissy’ … but maybe “sissy” does work lol … KZbin will probably censor me cuz I used the ‘S’ word lol geez

@@TopShelfGearJeff handled it POORLY. He posted a video berating the customer. It was very apparent what kind of person Jeff is . I have owned several Carvins and a few Kiesels and I can assure you they began cutting corners with the change over . Namely , in hardware . Carvin hardware was top notch . Kiesel users tiny dime pots now , for example.

@juanvaldez5422 I was referring to sorting out the situation post customer rant... again, it's up to the person to read into the conclusion. Again, not supporting or advising any brand owners to make public rants. I do think it's a bit ridiculous for one to base their entire perspective of the brand around this incident. I'll disagree with the "carvin was better" arguments. There's been a multitude of improvements since the restructure with modern kiesel models. Quarter sawn, thermal treated, carbon reinforced necks, jescar stainless frets, new revised neck heels, etc. End of the day go with whatever gear you're comfortable with. I'm not saying we all have to love any brand. Seriously, it's all good. I just notice time and time again I'll make a video speaking positively about my kiesel guitars and I'm just seeing so much hate on the brand from people that don't even own any of their guitars.

Thanks for sharing the background on the finishes. Option 50 does entail some very interesting exotic woods & finishes. Many of which I don't see offered by other brands. That being said I wouldn't be so quick to downplay some of these unique offerings. Often times you'll have access to far better grades of top woods & finishes that you wouldn't find on other premium brands sometimes even at higher price points. I mean look at some of the bland tops you see on American Gibson's for example. Not anywhere near the level of the 5A flame maple I showed in this video. I'd have to say if any guitar company advised against a specific wood/finish combo its really on the customer if they don't follow the expert's guidance. If they choose to proceed with an order its clearly noted on the invoice and in writing that they do not recommend such combination so there is really no room for the customer to throw a fit and complain when its non returnable. Sometimes photos of something else online may not represent the same results in person. This is of course subjective and a matter of taste when it comes to a finish looking good or bad. There's many brands that have so many variations of ocean themed bursts. Have seen so many different spins on that myself. Personally I would not really even mention those lower end imports like an Agile when comparing to higher end custom USA made instruments. Nothing against them but just a quick glance at the difference in website quality speaks volumes. I get people may not like Jeff, his brand, his guitars, his policies, etc. Not saying he or the brand is perfect by any means. Any company producing thousands of guitars per year will likely have some flaws. Jeff has mentioned on live streams too they have worked to improve their customer service, acknowledging there have been areas where they needed to work on. Not faulting anyone for choosing to buy something else especially if they had a bad experience with any brand. I simply encourage people to formulate their own options based on real experience vs some random post from strangers online. The customer is sometimes right but they are NOT always right. Keep in mind too that just because you order an option 50 doesn't mean you don't have a warranty behind the guitar.

It’s easier just to say… I hate Keisel and I’d rather spend 12k on a 5K guitar.

@TheDistortionPrinciple all depends on personal taste and risk tolerance. Keep in mind even though it's an option 50 no return finish for example, they still sell the guitar with their warranty.

Common misconception. I can tell you from experience that they will absolutely take care of you if anything is up. Most of their guitars have a no-questions-asked return period. Even if you order a non-returnable option, if something is wrong they will make it right. Option 50 does not mean "you're stuck with it if Kiesel messes up."

Thats awesome! Yes They've got a good team and you're right, gotta to listen to the experts!

@GreenMeanie101 thanks! Yeah it's not even shown on the option 50 page, sorta a well kept secret. Actually an OG Jeff finish from like 10 years ago I suppose most just aren't aware of the option haha

@@NicholasANappiNick most definitely 😀

They're great guitars, for sure it's about personal taste. It's never an investment. Really happy with this finish!

@JimDewdGuitars all yours look great buddy! Always gotta calculate risk lol

I mean, I’ve got a $100 Samick from 1992 that plays better than a Strat and my $250 Jackson plays way better than it should after a little bit of elbow grease and TLC. If you’re willing to put some work in, any of them can “punch above their pay grade”

Vola seem to be great

All Kiesels play great, same features across the board, stainless frets, reinforced necks, locking tuners. Just go sold colour, alder body-, and you can't go wrong. it'll play just as as the blinged out 5k+ built, just without the fancy top and flashier aesthetics.

and you can get one for 1500-2k. Which is about as good it's gonna get for a USA custom.

Never tried one but they are interesting!

@toddcontino7271 yeah dude I would not be happy with a giant blob PME for $300 lol it's either master grade or go with a different fretboard imo lol

I have seen people REQUEST that type. So, you never know. I certainly wouldn't assume they gave a piece of wood that looked like that without a reason. Seems like an over-reaction based on VERY little information.

Yeah I'm sure those are far better than the previous import version of pickups. I'd personally rather get a used one at $1200-1500 and choose my own pickups for a couple hundred bucks. All in much less expensive than dropping $2300-2400 on a new S2, just my 2 cents

Thanks! Yes I'm really amazed how well this came out! Venom finish is $600 5A flame top is $500 7A Flame top is $850 I got the 5A flame top from Aprils PYT session for $250 😉 *keep in mind pricing can change, different models may have different upcharges for upgraded tops, when in doubt call the guys*