What I look for in a Boutique Guitar | The Valiant Soothsayer Luthiers Review

[@billmiller9332]

I am the winner of this wonderful guitar and super grateful!

[@kennethluebberke8216]

Ben, what got me addicted to your channel was your builds, but the tear down videos are awesome as well. A mix of both is very entertaining. Thank you for the content you create!

[@vokeyguitars]

I do love hearing a continually-growing master look at what other makers are doing, and complimenting and questioning hand in hand the decision making that goes into the minute details. For me, it gives me hope that my builds will continue to grow and get better- that my passion will continue to grow me as a builder and continue to keep me humble. Thanks for the video!

[@oldskoolpaul75]

I all honesty, I'm blown away by this guitar! The spoke wheel adjustment is awesome inlayed into the neck, I personally like the faux relicing and appreciate the work spent to check the finish, very lovely guitar. Right, as a non professional guitar player I cringed when you quoted the "don't put he truss adjustment key in the case" how dare someone assume i or a great percentage of players wouldn't know how to intelligently adjust a neck, that is disgusting! Last thing, I'm very nearly 50yrs old and never really knew before what my specific calling in life is, its a shame but, from watching you build these beautiful instruments I've recently discovered that I want to make guitars so I've applied to start a carpentry course, its exciting and I feel so giddy when I think of how I can change my life in say, the next 10 years, and its all because of you Ben, THANK YOU so much for being a guiding light for me and an absolutely top notch luthier ❤

[@jimmypenrose1401]

An adjustable nut is one of those things that most people don't think is necessary...until they get used to using one. I have an Alembic with an adjustable brass nut and it really is a quality of life improvement. After playing it for over 10 years I always notice the lack of it on any other instruments I might pick up now. It's one of those things that most people could survive without, but when you have one you can get real spoiled by it, it's almost like having a second bridge at the top of the fretboard. It surprises me that they aren't more popular.

[@davepayne164]

I love this guitar. Different enough to be interesting, built by people who clearly care a great deal about what they do. Reliving isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I like having an instrument that can take a bit of abuse without me worrying.

[@normbarrows2]

I like both builds and luthier reviews. The "field trips" for inspiration are cool tool. When you find something worth reviewing - do a luthier's review. When you think of a guitar worth building - build it. When you discover some cool new inspirational place to visit - go on a field trip. I look forward to the new tool offerings.

[@TheGuitarCurator]

Lovely guitar. The attention to detail is exactly why one should consider buying one of these. The only change I’d make is I’d get it without the relic. Personal preference.

[@BlankBlankerson-py3ms]

13:45 Hey Ben, I think I discovered this by accident when i went to take the neck of and forgot to loosen the strings, what happens is the tension of the strings pushes the neck further into the body and you can actually hear the creaking and snap of the neck being driven into the body by the string tension. So this is what I do all the time now, I set the neck and put the strings under tension, a good amount, and then loosen the Neck just a bit and it settles in further... and it does resonate more once you do this.

[@davedavem]

The twelfth-fret inlays are cool - you can follow the arrows and go to the dusty end on the treble strings and to the first fret on the bass strings for the power chords!

[@normbarrows2]

I used an adjustable nut on one of my builds just to try them out. The are easy to adjust, but once they've been adjusted there doesn't seem to be much reason to ever re-adjust. They seem to really only be useful for the ease of initial setup vs cutting nut slots or shimming/sanding a pre-slotted nut, or for changing action at the nut - perhaps when changing string gauges. I prefer locknuts, as they factor everything above the nut out of the tuning stability equation. And if you think about it, zero frets are an easy way to get perfect action at the nut guaranteed.

[@pamelaarmstrong3612]

I have a Soothsayer with dual humbuckers. One of my favorite guitars ever. Love to have this one with the single coils too.

[@WoolfordCraftEndeavours]

Hey Ben, It's nice to see you more relaxed and still you. Also nice video

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@atakdragonfly1675]

I found a custom Hembry guitar in a store hanging, and even as simple as it was, the second I saw it, i knew it would play really good. As soon as I held it, it solidified that thought. They didn't know what they had, and I took it and ran away with it.

[@mattomon1045]

Ben great review !

[@SArthur221]

3:55 you can see at a glance that the pickup studs are staggered incorrectly. they expect a wound G string, but these days we only use unwound.

[@peejay6930]

That may be technically correct, but every guitar player today lucky enough to have an original 1961 Strat uses a plain G without any obvious problems

[@jimmytree1936]

Thanks for the teardown Ben. I had the pleasure seeing some Valiant Guitars, "in the flesh", at the recent Bristol Guitar Show and was similarly in awe of the workmanship and attention to detail. Your keen eye has pointed out some of the finer details I missed.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Very cool!

[@kentait7620]

Although I am loving all the content, I am missing your spectacular builds that you take time over. But that Valiant IS something special.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Working on it!

[@AndyBanana63]

Very nice guitar... my big issue with the relicing is that the body looks looks likes its lived a life but everything else looks brand new... to me it would look much better with aged metalwork and the edge taken off the scratchplate.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Nut... As a nerdy amateur, if I want/need to adjust my bone/plastic nut either for height or string gauge I have to splurge a lot of cash on specialist files and risk messing it up (or further faff with superglue and baking soda to reverse my clumsiness). So as a consumer I like the design. It works regardless of string gauge and its a non destructive approach for height adjustment that clumsy nerds cant overdo. But those advantages still apply even to professional builders. Even if the client never changes gauge, and even if the builder sets the height absolutely perfectly before shipping, its still simpler, faster and non destructive for the builder to setup too. I dont see any practical downside for either party, apart from cost. But if you're perusing boutique builders in this price stratosphere, the extra nut cost isnt foremost. Relic... Given the choice I'd opt for their non-relic personally, but you only have this one in the draw so I'd still bite your arm off for the sheer level of workmanship and thinking. The cosmetics are secondary. Pointy pickguard into the lower horn following a different curve seems a smidge dissonant somehow. But again, insignificant quibble in the grand scheme. I'm sure we all have friends who pick cars/clothes/food/houses/partners that we wouldn't. We dont scream in their faces that their choices are "wrong". We just accept its personal taste and respect their right to make their own choices. The vociferous degree of relic hating on socials is bizarre. Move on, theres a vanity in thinking anyone else cares that much about what you like/dislike. I dont like pink glitter finish - that doesn't mean pink glitter is "wrong" and shouldn't be offered for others.

[@ianthomson9363]

I don't like artificially aged guitars, but I must admit that it's been done very well on this one. Other bits I don't like: the shape of the scratchplate- it's too pointy; no front-mounted jack socket, although what's been done with the shaping of the guitar on that corner is very clever, and that's about all. It's very well thought out, it's beautifully made and it does sound good. New tools? Can't wait to see what you've come up with!

[@stephenhursey1506]

That nut will make it so easy when the neck is refreted and with the routed out body the resernace must be so good the guitar must sound great

[@johnking3863]

As an avid viewer of Ken Parkers Archtopery, it fascinates me how he reconsiders every aspect of the traditional build and comes up with thoughtful and quite often unique solutions to problems. As with most guitarists I love the archetypes, Tele's, Strats, Les Pauls etc I'd love to see a build, if not series that strove to maintain the qualities of these guitars whilst exploring solutions to inherent design flaws and\or the use of novel materials, carbon fibre, titanium etc. Just a thought.

[@barrychristian4050]

Curious to see if it's a motor bike or a sports car, MLC ?. I think Ben's more a soft top mg than a Harley man 🤷😁. Each to their own and what makes you happy

[@stu-j]

I'm neither for or against the relic debate as when it's done well it can be visually great! I've got a couple of guitars that I've had since 1989 one being a 1974 fender telecaster that apart from the colour it's still in great condition! Next is my a 1973 Gibson les paul that looks like it's been dragged behind a car but I love how it looks! I had one of them brass nuts fitted last year and I hated it and it was so bloody sharp it was removed and a trusty bone nut fitted...

[@larrysteinke1839]

The Valiant Smith models looks amazing too.

[@reijerlincoln]

Beautifully made. What brand are those string trees? They look fab. The 'solution' to the truss rod adjustment wheel is... welll.... odd.

[@micah_noel]

I wish I hadn’t looked at what the other guys were doing. Togaman Guitarviols and Dashtick mainly… I have to try very hard to not make my stuff look too much like Dashtick because I don’t want him thinking I’m ripping him off. Builders like that don’t want people stealing their designs. But some things just work too well not to use them when you’re trying to make your own designs work properly. The latter never makes the same thing twice, so any number of headstock or tailpiece designs that I think are going to be unique to myself run the risk of being something he’s already done. Luckily I’ve put in the work and years to develop my own things that are less likely to have been already used but I don’t have much defense against some who says my overall aesthetic is very similar to his.

[@Charles-Darwin]

still waiting for the asymmetric/progressive neck carve to be a standard - thumbs aren't at a linear angle all the way up the neck

[@MIGHTYSIMM]

I love deep dives and long-form videos on both builds and reviews. I have been away from the channel for some months and find myself feeling happier now that I am back... and pleased to see and hear Ben's views on all matters that pass through his head. Thanks Ben. Simmo 🦘

[@bawilms]

Incidental to the wealth of information provided by Ben, is his eloquently precise, yet unpretentious, use of language.

[@THRobinson]

I like when the knobs have arrows or numbers, but, without a mark on the guitar to indicate a start or end point, they're kinda useless.

[@pamartin]

",unless you've got two million dollars." 😂 that's it right there. Excellent Valiant! I, too, love the symmetrical V shapes. Keep on!

[@davedavem]

Love the nut. Bell bronze! Very cool.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Me too!

[@Dougal78]

Twelfth fret could have had 3 inlays! Outer two the same orientation as the lower frets, but then flip the middle one around so it’s pointing the other way and have the inlays on the higher frets that way too. 3 on the twelfth would have for the ‘tri’ theme!

[@igorstavtsev5962]

Wow, thanks for the idea!

[@reijerlincoln]

Lets do a vid about that cool Jazzmaster hanging on the wall!

[@James-cs3hp]

Really nice finish...over all a nice guitar...❣️🎸

[@archloy]

thanks for the trick of loosening bolts ! I will try that on my unsustained shovel :)

[@danielgulseren9783]

that is such a beautiful guitar. i would prefer it look shiny and new ^^

[@MascarasMil]

I just ordered one of these beauties today. I went with the Mercury Glacier Blue with tremolo. They will start the build soon and it will be ready in about 90 days. I can’t wait. I think it’s important to support small builders, and more importantly, our Ukrainian brothers.

[@riley0187]

lower horn scratchplate bend doesnt grab me

[@timothy4664]

Tell me about the pickups because (and this always pisses people off) at the end of the day, the only substantive difference between electric guitars is the pickups and wiring.

[@davepayne164]

The only substantive difference to tone, agreed. But the feel of a guitar is so important to whether you love it or not. The myths around tone are mostly to justify that I think.

[@billmiller9332]

@@davepayne164 I agree feel can make all the difference!

[@paulneeds]

I don’t like the spokewheel being between two playable frets. Nor do I like the ageing of the guitar - it’s a shame. I’ve set up a Warwick bass with a nut like that for a friend, and for me the jury’s definitely out.

[@dissemin8or]

Pickups wires are twisted so that is enough noise cancelation

[@ErickC]

Cool guitar. I will say, though: "Military grade" just means made to standardized specifications by the lowest bidder. In other words, they threw the cheapest available capacitor with the correct specifications on it, which is fine, since all that matters is whether or not it's in-spec, paper-in-snake-oil be damned.

[@franmanley1635]

Are the points of the T and V a bit superfluous if correctly placed....cleaner without in my opinion...but then again I'm a nobody.

[@asafpelleh7594]

What happened to your wrists?

[@malcolmhouse9547]

Hope it's not his thumbs because if it's what I have they won't get better

[@BBGuitars]

More build videos.... More build videos.... More build videos....

[@bassicly4250]

Not a fan of fake aged guitars but this one was done well. I like my playwear real but , this is not bad looking.

[@HittingImage]

Military grade capacitor? I see the Emperor is dressing up again...

[@johnramsay-s5m]

I've never like relic[Ing]. Wabis sabi and all that...

[@flapjack413]

I really like what the guys over at Valiant are doing. That guitar would be a thing of beauty if it weren't for that ugly tort pickguard. Nothing takes away from an otherwise beautiful guitar like a piece of garbage tort slapped on it. That stuff looks a lot like the shitty printed tort that Squier used on the early Vintage Modified series. I LOVE a nice tort guard, but that ain't it, sorry Valiant!

[@peteraustin7206]

Nice guitar, shame about the faux aging . Faux relicing on a guitar is ridiculous.

[@bevo65]

To each his own … but yes, you’re correct!!! 🤠

[@trident1314]

I'm not a fan of it either but to be fair it's done very well here

[@larrysteinke1839]

they're also available without the aging. I prefer a light nitro finish that naturally ages with use.

[@THRobinson]

Especially done with a blade... Heat/cold seems easier, more realistic and "natural" looking.

[@vincesnetterton5868]

sounds buzzy to me

[@dudaguitars]

Greetings from Ukraine

[@goredrinker2740]

i'm gonna lose my mind if i win this guitar

[@Wodawic]

I think I'm going to send you one of mine, just so you can rip it publicly on KZbin. Or not.

[@savethedandelions]

Valiant Guitars: another reason Ukraine must win!

[@donbishop6994]

For the love of all things good and decent, leave politics out of this. This type of video is supposed to be a break from all of that stuff.

[@meh3247]

I've never heard you play, consequently I don't care about what you look for in a guitar. Why would I care about what the carpenter looks for in a cupboard?

[@Forest_Fifer]

Why are you here?

[@davepayne164]

That’s nice dear

[@michaelreid5307]

Not a fan of that relicing.

[@bobmetreyeon7572]

Not a fan of "relic'd" guitar finish. Just an old, old-fashioned guy.

[@milenakorovljev4209]

Guitar might be fine, and it is, but vandalisig perfectly good instruments will appeal ONLY to posers and tose that pretend to be ritch to afford vintage instrument. What a STUPID IDEA !!!!

[@dannyoberthier3053]

people are so lame they can`t even wear out their guitars anymore

[@garethbarlow5278]

Pointless review Ben. Since the….conflict…in Ukraine Valiants have been thoroughly documented by almost every guitar channel and tbh they’re more helpful than this. If you really have to review one try the HP42 (Henning Paulie) Signature. And while you’re at it, why not send Henning a Crimson to review. Lack of independent reviews of Crimson guitars does not encourage sight unseen purchases from half a planet away.

[@garethbarlow5278]

That’s a plea by the way. Please get Henning to review your guitars. I have total trust in Henning’s judgement.

[@davepayne164]

I didn’t find it pointless. And you’ve mistaken forthright for rude. I imagine you’re an American.

[@franmanley1635]

Can we try to be more David Bellamy, rather than David Attenborough? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 joke...love your videos!!!!! ( yes I know...multiple punctuation is very trite) .

[@franmanley1635]

Shouldn't be trussed with the adjustment!